First documented battery capacity drop in a LEAF

[herm]

it was bound to happen

Herm Perez - CleanMPG - May 9, 2012

The 12 "tick" marks on the extreme right represent battery capacity --Ed.

Over at the Leaf forum member Azdre posted the first documented case of battery capacity loss for a Nissan Leaf.

http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=8802

It is believed that this represents a loss of 15% capacity loss since there are 12 "tick marks" to indicate the full range. Nissan does not warrant battery capacity loss.

Azdre further explains her usage patterns:

* We always charge to 100% (we drive it a lot, 17,000 miles in 14 months of driving).
* We do 'top it off' a lot. That's the one item we got 4/5 stars on the battery check in March 2012.
* The car sat at 100% for a month in May, 2011, not plugged in.
* It's almost always garaged or in covered parking.
* We get the low battery warning about once a month.
* Never turtled. Been meaning to try this out though.
* We've QC'd 2-3 times this spring.

The Arizona heat, topping off and keeping the battery at 100% for prolonged periods are probably to blame here. Lets see what Nissan has to say about it.

Studies have shown that a large proportion of owners (60% in several cities) always charge their Leaf to 100%, Nissan recommends you charge to the 80% level to extend battery life, frequent topping off is not recommended either.

[RedylC94]

Was the garage the kind that's well insulated and attached to a house, therefore less hot than outdoor ambient temperature, or the separate uninsulated kind that gets even hotter inside than ambient? That might make a big difference.

[ALS]

I'd put my money on Arizona's summer heat and maxing out the charge as the biggest factors.

[Carcus]

Originally Posted by ALS

I'd put my money on Arizona's summer heat and maxing out the charge as the biggest factors.

Yep.

/Considering that the Leaf has been in production for over 1 1/2 years, and only one documented case .... not too bad.

[Unleaded]

Good to know that the car shows the remaining capacity on the cluster. In a few years when i start shopping for a used leaf, I'll be able to tell (somewhat) how much capacity is left in the battery.

[waltermlee]

If the Nissan Leaf is going to be stored with its Li-ion battery at 100% SoC, the battery needs to be kept cool - even if the car is not being used. Does the Nissan Leaf have a on-demand (always on) real time temperature cooling system for te Li-ion battery?

[herm]

The battery in the Leaf is not cooled at all, the battery case is airtight.

It should never be stored at 100% charge but you can charge it to 100% just before you go out for a drive.. that wont do any damage.

[herm]

The tally is up to 5 cases now, all in Arizona.

[herm]

up to 20 cases now, mostly in Phoenix.. some reports of two bars loss (21%), some owners only charged to 80%. Arguments are starting to heat up and its not even August yet.

List:

1. Azdre - Reported bar lost mid April to early May, 2012. 17K miles/14 months ownership. Phoenix
2. bturner - May 12, 2012. 13.6K/12 months. Phoenix
3. turbo2ltr - May 18, 2012. 13K/15 months. Phoenix
4. TickTock - May 20, 2012. 14K/12 months Phoenix
5. Volusiano - May 20, 2012. 16.5K/12 months. Phoenix
6. Mark13 - May 22, 2012. 15.7K/12 months. Phoenix
7. Leafkabob - May 26, 2012. 9.5K/12 months. Phoenix
8. Cyellen - June 7,2012. 10.2K/14 months. Phoenix
9. RickS - June 10, 2012. 11.3K/13 months. Phoenix
10. Pipcecil - June 17, 2012. 20.2K/12 months. Dallas, Texas
11. Phxsmiley - June 17, 2012. 13.7K/10 months. Phoenix
12. AZknauer - June 17, 2012. 9.2K/13.5 months. Phoenix
13. Myleaf - June 19, 2012. 13.3K/14 months. Phoenix
14. johndoe74 - June 5, 2012. 13.5K/ 9 months. Phoenix
15. Matt Ferris - June 20, 2012. 15K/ 12 months. Dallas, Texas (Reported on GreenAutoBlog)
16. shrink - June 21, 2012. 10.2K miles/10.5 months. Phoenix

Not reported by owner, but by others:
1. Opossum has reported of two cars in Phoenix that have lost 2 bars.
2. Leafkabob reported a street encounter with a Leaf owner who stated he lost a bar after about a year.
3. Skywagon approx. May, 2012. Phoenix

[herm]

#3 on the list, turbo2ltr has lost the second bar.. down to 80% capacity