New Nissan Program Could Let Leaf Owners Upgrade Batteries

Nissan plans to launch a new battery replacement program in 2014 that could let owners of the Leaf electric-vehicle benefit from anticipated improvements in lithium-technology that could result in smaller, lighter, longer-range – and less expensive – batteries over the coming year.

While details of the program have yet to be finalized, the maker would permit U.S. Leaf customers to swap out their original batteries for new ones, whether because the old packs were losing power as they aged or because improved batteries were to become available.

Batteries are the most expensive part of an electric vehicle – and the most frustrating for owners and potential buyers. While today’s lithium-ion technology is a significant improvement over older battery chemistry, but it still is expensive and offers relatively limited range and long charging times.

Proponents predict that not only will costs come down but that as with older nickel-metal hydride batteries, lithium technology will become lighter, more powerful, and quicker to recharge.

Specifically how the U.S. program will work remains to be seen but it takes Nissan’s North American strategy closer to the approach in Europe where most EV buyers lease their batteries separately from their vehicles so, at a pre-determined time they can opt for a potentially better replacement.

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