Do you have a Nissan Leaf and your battery has quickly started degrading in the past few months and you are looking for a replacement? You probably want to learn about the Nissan Leaf battery replacement cost. This is key information before you start doing anything, you need to plan your budget and learn how much you can pay. Because some places could really rip you off completely for a single battery. But you shouldn’t worry because we have you covered. We are going to give you a detailed breakdown of the costs and more.
Having an electric car these days is trendy and all people want to jump on the bandwagon. Not aware that repairing these cars could cost a fortune. More precisely the batteries. Because on electric cars there are not a lot of moving parts and the chance of something going wrong except the battery are really small.
That’s why you should be aware of the battery and battery life. This article will be especially useful if you are on the market for a used Nissan Leaf. Knowing the prices for a new battery pack will help you out make your conclusion and make your own decision. That’s why you shouldn’t have to hurry and learn from other people’s experiences.
In this article, we are going to learn what is the Nissan Leaf and how electric cars work. Then we will learn more about the batteries and how long they last. Then we will learn why they degrade. We will cover the Nissan Leaf battery replacement cost and also the alternatives that you have and some tips on how to extend your battery’s life. So, let’s get into it.
What Is The Nissan Leaf?
The Leaf is an electric car made by Nissan and entered the market back in 2010. The model is still produced and is in its second generation of production which started in 2017.
The Leaf has won many awards and was regarded as one of the most groundbreaking models that came out in the second decade of this century and brought the new wave of electrification that many companies after then tried to follow. Most notably Tesla.
But although Tesla has entered the game back in 2012, it hasn’t released a competitor for the Leaf until 2017 when it released the Model 3. Until then the Leaf was the most popular option out there when it came to affordable electric cars.
The Leaf is a compact car and not a tire shredder by any means. Unlike Tesla, Nissan didn’t focus much on the performance but it emphasized the focus more on the practicality and getting things done. That’s why the first generation of the Leaf was equipped with only an 80-kW motor that produced 210 lb. ft of torque.
More about the batteries that the Leaf used, we are going to cover later where we will discuss them in detail. Because since you are looking for a Nissan Leaf battery replacement cost, you probably want to know which of them were included in the model. But more on that a bit later.
The important thing when it came to the Nissan Leaf was the range. The first generation of the leaf offered quite a lot of range. With some batteries in the better-equipped models getting past 200 miles on a single charge, easily.
But before we go deeper, let’s first see how electric cars work and learn more about the ins and outs when it comes to these models.
How Do Electric Cars Work?
Compared to internal combustion cars, electric cars are quite simple and some of them implement many interesting designs.
For example, electric cars handle better on the road because the battery is usually in the center of the vehicle below the driver and the passengers. This greatly increases the center of gravity and makes the car more stable on the road. The body roll which is present in internal combustion cars is minimal and the cars run like they’re on rails.
The second thing is that they can use up to 4 motors. One per wheel. But in some cars like the Leaf, we only see only one motor. This is the case because the Leaf is designed to be a commuter car and not a performance car.
The battery pack is powering this electric motor and the motor is supplied with the electricity that spins the wheels. That’s why electric cars are also good, the torque is instant and there are no delays from when you press the gas pedal until you get the response. No transmission is needed in this application.
Then when the battery is discharged you can recharge it. The downside of electric cars is that the battery takes a lot of time to charge. And for some people, this is a deal-breaker. Since not all of you want to wait in order to charge your battery.
But what about the Nissan Leaf Battery replacement cost? Well, we are going to cover that and more. But first, let’s see which types of batteries and battery capacities the Leaf is using.
Batteries That The Nissan Leaf Use
Unlike the Prius that offered different types of batteries during the production. The leaf only uses lithium-ion technology and this makes the life of the battery long and the ownership pretty much carefree. Even though they are starting to degrade. So, if the Leaf that you own is from the early models, you should probably experience this and you are looking for the Nissan Leaf battery replacement cost and where you could perform this job near you.
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And I understand you to be honest. When we buy cars, we expect them to last forever. But in reality, they don’t even come close to that. That’s why you need to learn the Nissan Leaf battery replacement cost.
Nevertheless, the Leaf was offered in two battery sizes. One of the batteries was the 24kWh lithium-ion battery (to compare, reference it against our guide on how many kWh to charge a Tesla) that was offered on the S trim and was used until the 2016-year model.
Since 2016, the leaf started using the more powerful 30 kWh lithium-ion battery that was included on the SL and SV trims. This battery was more powerful and greatly bumped the range of the Leaf.
The 24-kWh offered only 72 miles of range according to the EPA and the more powerful battery that came in 2016 that had 30 kWh offered a range of 107 miles.
The second-generation Leaf packs more powerful lithium-ion batteries – 40 and 62 kWh. That will get you more than 151 miles for the 40kWh and 226 miles for the 62-kWh battery.
That’s why if you are on the market, you should know the range they offer. Knowing this will guarantee that you not get disappointed at the end of the day and look for Nissan Leaf battery replacement costs.
How Long Does It Take To Charge A Nissan Leaf
Now, let’s discuss how long the Leaf needs to charge its battery from zero to a hundred percent. Knowing this is key if you are on the market for a used electric vehicle. You need to be properly informed about the charging times of the Leaf and what to expect from it.
So, what are the charging times of the Nissan Leaf? Let’s find out.
The Nissan Leaf isn’t packing enormously big batteries. At least not in the first versions that were introduced on the market back in 2010. The base 24 kWh battery needs about 5 hours to charge if you charge it from a 240v outlet. Or 30 minutes if you charge it from a 440v outlet.
The 30 kWh that was introduced in the updated Leaf has a charging time of 6 hours if you plug the Leaf into a 240v outlet or 30min if you charge it on a 440v outlet.
Then there are the more powerful 40 kWh batteries and also the 62 kWh batteries that require considerably more time to be charged from zero to 100%. They are going to take somewhere between 8 to 11 hours with the standard 240v for the standard charger or 2 to 3 hours using the 440v power outlet.
That’s why if you have an EV, it is quite more convenient to charge it at an EV charging station rather than at home where electricity isn’t very powerful and will take forever to charge only a few percent of the battery.
Are The Nissan Leaf Batteries Any Good?
This is a good question and it has a long answer, that’s why we dedicated a whole chapter to it. In essence, the batteries are quite good because they are lithium-ion and they are using modern technology.
The downside of the batteries in the Leaf is their age. They tend to degrade after years of use. The inside of the battery is starting to lose the ability to hold electricity and there are a number of dead cells in each of the battery packs probably in the oldest Leaf cars.
Replacing them could be a nightmare and they could cost thousands of dollars to be replaced with new ones. That’s why getting a new battery pack is the best option for you as a Leaf owner. But what about the Nissan Leaf battery replacement cost? We are going to cover that a bit later. Let’s first learn how long they really last in order for you to have a better perspective.
This will be specifically useful to the people who are on the market for a second-hand vehicle. You don’t want to stumble upon a car that has a degraded battery and the first thing you will have to do is to waste a few grand on a new battery pack. And even if you go for a used car, you should haggle to get the right price and a new battery to break even. You have to play smart and not lose money. Now let’s see how long these batteries last before we cover the Nissan Leaf battery replacement cost.
How Long Do They Last?
Batteries on the Leaf last for quite a lot of time. But if you own some of the early models of the Leaf. You probably lost quite a lot of juice. According to research, the first generation of the Nissan Leaf is losing about a quarter of its capacity over 5 years. This means that these Nissan Leaf vehicles that were produced somewhere between 2010 to 2015 have lost around half of their capacity and you cannot expect to go more than 30 to 50 miles on a single charge which is disappointing.
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That’s why you need to be aware of these old models before you rush out and get one. You need to learn if this vehicle had already its battery swapped with a new one and when was that performed.
If the Leaf that you intend to buy has a battery that has never been swapped. You need to deduct the price of a new battery pack from its retail value. Then you get the right cost of that Nissan Leaf. And Nissan Leaf battery replacement cost can be quite hefty. But more on that in the next chapter.
The important bit is that you need to be aware of this and not get ripped off by someone. Knowing how things work will be crucial for you and your budget.
Luckily new Leaf vehicles have a big warranty on the powertrain and the battery, unlike their predecessors. Which is standard for all EVs sold in the US. The warranty is a standard 8-year warranty or 100,000 miles on the battery pack.
But this is only if the battery fails, the loss of capacity does not mean that you will replace the battery under warranty.
Nissan Leaf Battery Replacement
So, what does the Nissan Leaf battery replacement cost? In three words, it’s not cheap. Why I’m saying this? Because it’s true. Nissan Leaf batteries cost a hefty amount of money in order to be replaced. This includes the price of the battery and also the price of the labor. Labor also isn’t cheap and considering the amount of work, it will add up to the cost fairly quickly.
Let’s first discuss the battery costs when it comes to the Leaf. Changing the battery at a dealership is something that you probably don’t want because you will pay the most money if you go this route. The bigger the battery, the more money you will have to replace it.
At a dealership, replacing the basic 24 kWh battery will cost you more than $5,000. Bigger battery packs like 60 kWh can cost even $10,000 for a new pack from the factory.
That’s why many people go the other route and get battery packs from donor cars. Donor cars could be found at salvage yards. But someone else has probably got them before you. So, he will sell you the battery second-hand. A second-hand battery from a donor car can cost between $2,500 to $3,500 for the 24 kWh, while the 40 kWh can cost between $6,500 to $7,500. Considerably less, compared to the dealership route. But still quite expensive.
Also, the labor is going to cost you a bit more. Considering that most shops require $50 to $100 per hour, you can expect the labor price to be pretty hefty as well. With costs more than $2,000 for the whole job to be performed on your Nissan Leaf.
New Or Get A Used Nissan Leaf Battery?
This is another good question. Should you go for a new or a used battery? The answer is, it depends. It mostly depends on the life of the battery pack that you want to purchase. If the used battery pack is a good battery pack that has low miles on it and is fairly new considering the age then go for it.
If the battery pack is old and still has low mileage, then you should avoid it. As we said, with age, car batteries lose their capacity and if the battery pack is more than 10 years old then it probably lost half of its capacity. This will result in an extremely low range for your Leaf. But you will still pay the money for the battery pack and still get nothing in return.
That’s why getting a battery from the dealership would be a smarter idea. You might spend quite more on the battery pack. But you will get a warranty with it and the battery will last for a good 10 years before it needs another replacement.
Also, if you are on the market for a Nissan Leaf that is selling for a premium and the battery is old. Then it’s good to consider lowballing the price if you don’t want to end up in a money pit. Getting the car for a cheaper price is going to give you leverage to have when you will need a battery replacement.
Other Options Except For The Nissan Leaf Battery Replacement?
If you are on the market for an EV there are also some other options to consider if you don’t want to pay between $5,000 to $12,000 on a new battery pack for a Nissan Leaf.
There are a lot of models these days that are fully electric and could snatch some of them for a good deal.
Your best bet would probably be to get a Nissan Leaf with low miles and also low age. The best would be something between 2 to 4 years of age. Try to avoid the early models since the batteries are extremely expensive and you will end up in an endless money pit.
A newer model with low miles will be somewhat a guarantee that nothing could go wrong with the battery. Remember that these models have 8 years or 100,000 miles warranty for the battery only. And this is a key aspect of the purchase.
Another good example is the Tesla Model 3 which can be purchased for considerably more than the Leaf. But you know that this model is newer and also it packs a more powerful battery for you to enjoy. Not to mention the endless Tesla network of chargers across the country which is another big benefit that you are going to enjoy. Both of these cars are excellent buys and you should consider them.
If you don’t have the budget, the best thing is to go for a gas-powered car. Gas cars are not expensive and will last even more than electric. You can pour gas whenever you want in a minute or two. No waiting overall good ownership experience.
How To Extend The Life Of The Battery On Your Nissan Leaf?
So, you already have an EV and you want to learn how to extend the life of the battery in order not to pay the Nissan Leaf battery cost? If that’s the case, there are ways that will help you to make your battery live longer. But what are these ways? Let’s see.
1. Avoid Fast Chargers
Fast charging the battery will quickly kill the battery of the Leaf. Charging the battery of the Leaf at the home charger would be an excellent idea.
2. Cool Your Garage
Batteries do not like heat. Keeping the car in a temperature-controlled environment will extend the life of the battery and will guarantee that it’s going to last.
3. Don’t Press On The Gas Too Much
Pressing a lot on the gas pedal will drain the battery much quicker. These quick-draining cycles could damage the battery prematurely and you will be needed to look for Nissan Leaf battery replacement costs.
Factors That Contribute to the High Cost of Replacing a Nissan Leaf Battery
The Nissan Leaf is one of the most popular electric vehicles on the market, and with good reason. It’s a reliable and affordable car that has been lauded for its impressive range and overall performance. However, as with all electric vehicles, one of the main concerns of Nissan Leaf owners is the cost of replacing the car’s battery. The battery is the most expensive component of an electric vehicle, and replacing it can be a daunting and expensive process. In this section, we will explore the factors that contribute to the high cost of replacing a Nissan Leaf battery.
One of the main factors that contribute to the high cost of replacing a Nissan Leaf battery is the fact that the battery is a large and complex piece of technology. The battery pack in the Nissan Leaf is made up of hundreds of individual cells, each of which must be carefully removed and replaced. This process requires a high level of technical expertise and specialized equipment, which adds to the overall cost of the replacement.
Another factor that contributes to the high cost of replacing a Nissan Leaf battery is the fact that the battery is a crucial component of the car’s overall performance. The battery is responsible for powering the electric motor, and without it, the car would not be able to drive. Because of this, it’s important to ensure that the battery is replaced with a high-quality, reliable battery that will perform as well as the original. This means that replacement batteries must be designed and manufactured to exacting standards, which adds to the overall cost of the replacement.
In addition to these factors, there are other costs associated with replacing a Nissan Leaf battery that can drive up the total cost of the replacement. These may include labor costs, shipping and handling costs, and any other fees associated with the replacement process. Because of these costs, it’s important for Nissan Leaf owners to be prepared for the high cost of battery replacement and to plan accordingly.
Alternatives to Replacing a Nissan Leaf Battery
Replacing a Nissan Leaf battery can be an expensive and time-consuming process, and for many Nissan Leaf owners, it may not be a feasible option. Fortunately, there are alternatives to replacing the battery that can help extend the life of the car and save money in the long run. In this section, we will explore some of the alternatives to replacing a Nissan Leaf battery.
One alternative to replacing a Nissan Leaf battery is to have the battery refurbished. Battery refurbishment involves replacing the faulty cells within the battery pack, rather than replacing the entire battery pack. This can be a cost-effective option for Nissan Leaf owners who are looking to extend the life of their battery without the high cost of replacement.
Another alternative to replacing a Nissan Leaf battery is to purchase a used battery. There are a number of companies that specialize in selling used electric vehicle batteries, including those for the Nissan Leaf. Purchasing a used battery can be a more affordable option than purchasing a new battery, and can help extend the life of the car without the high cost of replacement.
Finally, Nissan Leaf owners can also take steps to extend the life of their existing battery. This may include avoiding high-speed driving, reducing the use of air conditioning and heating, and charging the battery on a regular basis. By taking these steps, Nissan Leaf owners can help ensure that their battery lasts as long as possible, and can delay the need for replacement.
Conclusion For Nissan Leaf Battery Replacement Cost
In this article, we have covered a lot when it comes to the Nissan Leaf. We learned what the Leaf is and what are the specs of this car. Then we covered the batteries that the Leaf is using and how long they last and when they start to degrade.
Then we covered the Nissan Leaf battery replacement cost. As we noted, it’s not cheap at all and is pretty hefty. That’s why you can try to avoid the early models. A later model would be your best bet along with the Tesla 3 as another option as well. You need to be aware of the Nissan Leaf battery replacement cost if you don’t want to pay twice.
FAQs On Nissan Leaf Battery Replacement Cost
If you still have unanswered questions on the Nissan Leaf battery replacement cost, our FAQs here might help…
Nissan Leaf Range
The latest 2022 Nissan Leaf has an upgraded battery pack and an improved powertrain. These little tweaks have allowed it to gain more all-electric range compared to the earlier cars. In particular, the 2022 Leaf has a 62kWh battery, capable of around 226 miles of range. However, that’s for the higher-end Leaf S Plus trim. The base-level Leaf has a smaller 40kWh battery, capable of around 149 miles of EV range. These are both measured as per the EPA’s testing. With 100kW quick-charging, even the larger 96kWh battery could be charged from 0% to 80% in just around 45 minutes.
Is The Nissan Leaf All Electric
Yes, the Nissan Leaf is all-electric, though some confuse it as a hybrid. It’s been all-electric since the Leaf’s inception in 2010. It was, in fact, one of the first mass-produced EVs ever, before Tesla went mainstream. As of February of 2022, more than 577,000 Leafs have been sold worldwide (since its launch). More than 165,000 of which, are sold in the US. It was also the top-selling EV prior to Tesla’s growing popularity.
How Much Are Electric Cars
While the car market (both new and used) has gone nuts over the past couple of years, there are still plenty of cheaper EVs that you can find. As of 2022, you have plenty of options too, as more automakers are entering the mainstream EV market. According to MSRP, the 2022 Leaf is the cheapest EV you can buy in the US. It has a starting price of $27,400. This is followed by the new Mini Cooper SE, priced at $29,900. The Chevy Bolt comes third, starting at $31,000. This is then upped by the Mazda MX-30, costing you $33,470. And then, we have the Hyundai Kona EV, with a $34,000 starting price. Tesla’s Model 3, which is its cheapest offering, has since gone up in price as of 2022. The base-tier Model 3 will cost you at least $46,990.
How Much Does A Tesla Battery Cost
Just for a comparison with a Nissan Leaf battery replacement cost, how much would Tesla charge you, then? Well, remember that a Nissan Leaf battery replacement costs around $10,000 for the larger 40kWh unit. Although, you can find salvage units for between $5,000 to $7,500, which are still good enough for use. Tesla, meanwhile, charges you between $5,000 to $7,000. However, these are only for the battery modules. Each Tesla has between 4 to 5 of these modules. Add them all up, and you could be looking at $20,000 to $35,000 to replace the entire battery pack of a Tesla. Granted, you can find remanufactured Telsa battery packs that cost around $10,000. This should add up to roughly $15,000 once you consider the labor charges.
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Where would you suggest getting a Leaf battery? I live in San Diego.
Thanks for the comment, Chris Poulos!
Looking around on the web, I’ve found a few places that offer Nissan Leaf battery replacements in and around San Diego. According to some forum users, their first go-to for a battery replacement is official Nissan dealerships. Although, it seemed, according to these users, that dealerships tend to charge much more than what Nissan themselves quotes from the factory for a battery replacement.
I’d recommend calling up your local Nissan dealerships and asking around to see how much they’ll charge for a replacement. If it’s pricier than our own quotes up above, you should look elsewhere. There are several third-party repair shops that could manage a Nissan Leaf battery replacement. Firstly, you can refer to this site (https://nissanleafbatteryreplacement.com/), which has a map of the locations where you can get a Leaf battery replacement.
QC Charge in San Diego appears to be a reputable repair shop that handles battery replacements. Besides them, Escondido Auto Pros (https://www.escondidoautopros.com/ev-electric-vehicle-repair/) is also a popular shop for Leaf battery replacements. Again, both are in San Diego. At the worst, you may have to consider driving up to California, near LA, to have more options.
Well written article. Thank you. We leased a 2020 40Kwh Nissan LEAF in August of 2020. Gasloine here in Portland was $2.17 for name brand. The Nissan Dealer we leased from had 111 Nissan LEAFS, most of then sitting since around January of 2020. Ours was dated 12/2019. So our lease was $159 a month with no money down, no other fees. Drove off without giving them a penny. Then in November 2020, they called us and said we could lease another for $99 a month. No other fees. But we didn’t need two. So we plan to give the car back – maybe. Issue has been range anxiety mainly caused by down chargers. The Application on our phone shows Chargers are available but we often find out otherwise. The other issue is AeroVironment Chargers were plentiful and free. But a firm from California replaced all of the AV chargers with theirs and charge between $.49 and $.55 a kilowatt. At that price, we can drive our ICE vehicle for approximately the same cost. Also, Insurance on the LEAF is very high. They claim that most LEAF’s in an accident are totalled. As far as reurning the car, our payoff is $21,655. A friend of ours also leased one when we did. He sold his just recently. He paid off his lease and sold the LEAF for $28K. Nissan said originally that we could extend the lease and now they say NO. Our LEAF only has 9600 miles and it has lost 6% of the battery capacity.
I purchased a 2013 Nissan Leaf here in Southern California from a local dealership, with 3 white bars and 2 red bars (5 bars left) and a guessed 31m range. I quickly saw a bar disappear with regular charging and we are not even in the hottest months of the year. My commute is 30 miles, and going downhill to the SE LA to work, it works fine. At night, getting off work, going uphill and with evening winds in the SGV, it’s a must stop. The 31 mi range is crap on the freeway- more like 12-13 miles. On the city streets, it can sometimes do the entire trip if I drive slow and in the right lane, something that makes LA drivers very happy.
Either way, I can charge for good prices around the area, and I doubt the former ICE comparison can still claim that with gas prices over $6/gallon. For now, it works, but when I get down to one bar, I’m in trouble. Nissan, also apparently has raised the price. The kicker? the car has 49k miles, and is otherwise in pretty nice shape. The battery is toast, so the car is getting close to worthless. The Nissan service dept both said they’ve never seen one riding on 4 bars, and also that I should return it to the local dealer in the valley. So far, we have not been able to locate a good priced used battery. I’m sharing this story as a precaution.
Every dealer is different and it appears they always say they have never seen one at 5 or 4 bars. Im at 5 and they said the same thing. Truth is batter only last 8 to 10 years but no one can tell you. Anything on battery cost. They make u test it which costs $300 then they open a ticket which cost u money if u qualify for the replacement bit bottom line is nothing is smooth with this process. Completely awful. Should not be this hard. Mine at 65k and i feel ur pain with only 40 mile range.
I live in Estonia, and the Nissan dealer here told me, that the replacement of the 24kw battery of a 2012 Nissan LEAF 80kW would cost me 26000 Euros!!!