Nissan Leaf Range Issues Investigated by Third Party
Nissan is set to put into motion a third-party investigation into some Nissan Leaf owners claims that their battery packs have been losing range, and aging too quickly.
Owners of Leaf electric vehicles in Phoenix, Ariz. have been experiencing problems with their Leaf vehicles, due to the high heat. Nissan admits that its lithium-ion battery will begin to lose charge capacity over time, saying that after five years of use, 80 percent charge should still be possible. Seven Phoenix Leaf owners however, have experienced the same amount of loss in just a couple of years.
The investigation was announced on the Leaf owners website, by senior vice president of research and development, Carla Bailo. It has been requested by Nissan that EV advocate and former GM marketing manager Chelsea Sexton form a worldwide group to investigate the issue independently of Nissan. Nissan has already inspected the affected Leaf vehicles themselves, and they claim that all of them have higher that average mileage.
With a new $1.6 billion investment ready to be poured into mass-producing the Leaf and its battery pack, Nissan wants all controversy around the car cleared.
[Souce: Automotive News]
Stephen covers all of the day-to-day events of the industry as the News Editor at AutoGuide, along with being the AG truck expert. His truck knowledge comes from working long days on the woodlot with pickups and driving straight trucks professionally. When not at his desk, Steve can be found playing his bass or riding his snowmobile or Sea-Doo. Find Stephen on <A title="@Selmer07 on Twitter" href="http://www.twitter.com/selmer07">Twitter</A> and <A title="Stephen on Google+" href="http://plus.google.com/117833131531784822251?rel=author">Google+</A>
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As a phoenix leaf owner, I can tell you first hand that the leaf does not hold up here. It has major problems. I have owned it for 10 months and have lost ~30% capacity already! Despite what their press releases claim, I can testify that Nissan has been zero help. I suspect they are trying to ignore the very real problem so they can keep selling them. Fact is that Nissan cut corners in making this car and now phoenix owners are screwed. Never been so un happy with a car. This really sucks. Mr Elmer, thanks for standing with us here in phoenix.