Nissan Leaf question for newbie

[BHML]

Hi,

I am looking at purchasing a 2011-2012 Nissan Leaf with around 30-40,000 miles on the clock which is within my budget. My understanding is that these earlier Nissans take longer to charge than the more current models. How long would a charge take, what kind of range can I expect, and are these earlier Leafs a generally good buy? The cars I've seen cost around 7k with their own battery packs (ie not leased).

[GreatGranny]

They have the 24kw battery and 3.3kw charger I think.

I had one on test but ended leasing the later 30kw with 6.6kw charger.

Range for the 24kw is approx. 80-90 miles realistically in mixed driving. More if speeds are lower.
I charged the test drive drive one on my 3 pin overnight which it did with no problem.
In the day when at work used a 33kw Type 2 and it probably took 5-6 hours from 15% to full.
The CHAdeMO 50 kw chargers will charge from 0 to 80% in less than 30 mins.

£7k sounds like a good deal.

The batteries are proven to last over 100 miles.

[TooLateForAName]

BHML said:

Hi,

I am looking at purchasing a 2011-2012 Nissan Leaf with around 30-40,000 miles on the clock which is within my budget. My understanding is that these earlier Nissans take longer to charge than the more current models. How long would a charge take, what kind of range can I expect, and are these earlier Leafs a generally good buy? The cars I've seen cost around 7k with their own battery packs (ie not leased).

Range will be up to 90 miles on a warm summer day but could be as low as 50 in winter. It would really be worth spending another £1000 to get yourself into a gen2 acenta.
Range takes quite a hit in bad weather and with high speed (the aerodynamics/drag seem much more noticeable in the EV)

All gen1 cars are battery owned, with the gen2 you need to be sure that you are getting the batteries, but £8K should buy you an acenta - you do not want a visia (base model) - the gen1 cars (and g2 visia) have less efficient heaters which has more of an impact in winter.

The batteries are better in the gen2 cars, so even the normal 24Kw get a better range than the gen1 cars. Anecdotal evidence is that the gen2 batteries last better in terms of health.

If looking at cars with 40K miles it would be worth buying the leafSpy app and a dongle to check the battery health.

charging - the rapid motorway DC chademo units will get you to 80% in 30 mins (but then slow right down).

On AC the options are the 'granny cable' EVSE which is the plug into a domestic socket unit - they charge at 10amp, then the wall mounted units are 16amp or 32 amp (but you will only benefit from the 32amp if you have the 6.6Kwh charger).

So you have roughly 2.2 Kwh, 3.3 Kwh and 6.6 Kwh giving charge times of about 10hrs, 6hrs, 3hrs.
We rarely charge from empty - just get into the habit of plugging in when we get home.

[granada203028]

I have a 2012 which has done 34K. It lost it's first battery capacity "bar" at about 25K, that is the thin bar graph to the right of the main charge "fuel gauge" bar graph. Debate on forums suggests that is worse than average for a car used in favourable temperate conditions like the UK. USA ones in high temperatures have deteriorated quicker.

My indicated range is down maybe 20% now I recon than when I first got the car at 500 miles, ex dealer demonstrator. So no way my battery is going to last 100K! I can charge at work after a journey of approx. 21 miles. Using the 80% long life charge mode I start off with 9 bars and get to work with 4 left or even 3 if it is very cold. Occasionally get left with 5. Car likes warm (for UK) weather. Heater is weak and uses lots of juice, air con is respectable and uses relatively little.

The Leaf is a great car but you need to understand its realistic limitations and pay a fair price for one. Yes getting some kind of report on the battery health sounds like a good idea.