2010 Nissan Leaf

The iconic electric vehicle the 2010 Nissan Leaf was launched in December 2010. The world’s first mass-produced full sized electric family car.

Specifications:

• total energy = 24kWh
• usable energy = 22kWh
  • Usable SoC = 94%
• peak discharge power = 90kW_10s (based on 80kW motor peak power)
  • peak charging power = 46kW
  • discharge pack resistance = 0.138 Ohms (BOL) 0.341 Ohms (EOL)
• continuous discharge power = 37kW
• nominal voltage = 360V
• capacity = 65Ah
• voltage range = 240V to 398V
• weight = 294kg
  • module = 182.4kg (48 x 3.8kg)
  • cells = 151kg
• volume pack = litres
• pack dimensions =

• number of cells = 192
  • 96s
  • 2p
• charge time = 30 minutes 0 to 80% with 50kW charger
• Cooling System = passive
• pack cost =

• Module
  • 4 cells
  • 2p2s
  • 303 x 223 x 35mm
  • weight = 3.8kg
  • M6 +ve and -ve terminals
  • M4 voltage sense
  • 9.1mm diameter fixing holes
  • 2.365 litres

• cell make and model = AESC 32.5Ah
  • Cathode = LiMn₂O₄ with LiNiO₂
  • Anode = Graphite
  • 290 x 216 x 7.1mm
  • weight = 0.787kg

Key Pack Metrics:

• Gravimetric energy density, pack = 80Wh/kg
  • Module = 128Wh/kg
  • Cell = 155Wh/kg

• Volumetric energy density, pack = 49Wh/litre
  • module = 206Wh/litre
  • Cell = 320Wh/litre
• Gravimetric power density, pack = 306W_10s/kg
• Volumetric power density, pack = W_10s/litre
• Estimated cost = $/kWh
• Cell to Pack mass ratio = 51% (151 / 294kg)
  • module to pack mass ratio = %
• Cell to Pack volume ratio

Other key features:

• Safety
• BMS
• HV Distribution
• HV and LV Connections
• Cooling Connections
  • none as this is a passively cooled pack
• Structural / non-structural pack
• Case material
  • pressed steel clam-shell design
• Sealing strategy
• Venting strategy
• Durability
• Warranty
  • Early cars came with a five-year or 60,000-mile warranty. During that time Nissan would repair or replace the damaged battery components required to bring the capacity back up to a minimal level.
  • Early Leafs use a bar system to indicate the health of a battery – there are 12 bars and once it falls below nine the warranty comes into play. Nissan will then carry out the necessary works to return the Leaf back to at least nine bars.

• Availability
• Recycling
• Shipping

References

1. BuyaCar – Nissan Leaf Batteries – overview of the warranty on the first 2 generations of the Leaf
2. Qnovo – Inside the Battery of a Nissan Leaf
3. US Dept of Energy – 2011 Nissan Leaf VIN 0356 Electric Vehicle Battery Test Results

2015 Nissan Leaf

Nissan increased the battery capacity from 24kWh to 30kWh with a change in cell supplier. An increase in cell energy and moving from a 4 cell module to an 8 cell module allowed this energy to be contained in the existing case.

This meant the overall battery package was the same shape with an ~21kg increase in weight.