WHAT IS THE LIFE EXPECTANCY OF A NISSAN LEAF BATTERY?

Jun 2, 2017

2017 Nissan LEAF

If you still don’t know very much about how electric cars work, then you’re certainly in the majority. While most people have seen a charging station or two, that doesn’t mean everyone knows the details of the technology inside the car. Instead of a regular car battery that will last the average driver about 3 years, the Nissan LEAF electric car relies on a 30 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery that may go for up to three times longer (8 to 10 years.)

How the Battery Works

The Nissan LEAF has a battery that is lighter and more powerful than the batteries of hybrid cars, and is powered by the cells that are found within its modules. You don’t have to know everything about its chemical composition, but you should know that this car is exceptionally quiet while still giving you some oomph. Get up to 107 horsepower and 187 lb-ft of torque courtesy of the 80 kW AC electric motor. The battery is located under the floor to create a lower center of gravity. It gives you more space in the cabin, and better handling on those curvy roads.

2017 Nissan LEAF

Charging While You Drive

Forget most of what you know about conventional batteries because the LEAF works differently. While it’s true that it won’t survive forever, it does everything possible to keep the energy in the cells where it belongs. For example, when you have to brake, the motor is built to convert its own energy which saves the battery’s energy. It means that your car will still charge even when you’re coasting at a comfortable speed downhill. The Nissan LEAF was built to do everything possible to avoid degradation of the battery, so that you can still achieve optimum distances without having to recharge. Another bonus to the LEAF is that you won’t be expelling any harmful toxins to the air when you drive.

How Long Will It Last?

The exact timeline you’ll get for your car is based on where you are and what you do. Extreme heat will make the battery wear down faster, as will constant recharging (e.g., 2 to 3 times a day) or city driving. However, the Nissan LEAF was built to withstand these common battery killers as much as possible, so you would need to be extremely hard on your car before you saw a big change.

The Nissan LEAF was built to go up to 107 miles a day on the highway without having the recharge (depending on the model you choose.) Even intense city driving can take you up to 90 miles without having to worry about losing a charge. While the battery will lose power over time, the mileage you get will drop gradually. The average American will drive far less than the maximums in a single day, so the degradation will likely only affect you so much. You can expect to get around 8 to 10 years out of your Nissan LEAF battery when you take care of your car.