Nissan Leaf: 24 kWh vs 30 kWh

Martin Messer Thomsen made a good comparison of the two batteries, regarding charging and range.

Keep in mind that the 24 kWh already has some degradation, Leaf Spy report the state of health (SOH) is 95 %.

Below we have Martin Messer Thomsen’s method of comparing the two batteries.

“Conditions:

Weather 2 degrees Celsius (35 Fahrenheit)
Speed when driving: About 90% on motorway at 110 km/h (68 mph)
ECO-mode: off
Cabin heating: 22 degrees Celsius (72 Fahrenheit)
Battery temperature when starting:
24 kWh: 2,7 degrees Celsius (37 Fahrenheit)
30 kWh: 8,0 degrees Celsius (46 Fahrenheit) – This car had been driven the day before so the pack had not cool down.
State of health(from LeafSpy):
24 kWh 95%
30 kWh 100%”

Nissan Leaf range 24 kWh vs 30 kWh

The 30 kWh Leaf got 41 % more range. Despite the new battery is 21 kg heavier, at highway speeds, where aerodynamics is more important than weight, the extra capacity makes the battery more efficient. Batteries are more efficient if the discharge rate is slower.

Nissan Leaf charge 24 kWh vs 30 kWh

With the 30 kWh battery the charging speed is maintained high (above 40 kW) during the first 25 minutes, then the charging speed rapidly drops. With the 24 kWh battery the charging speed begins to drop right from the start.

Nissan Leaf charge rate 24 kWh vs 30 kWh

After 25 minutes, the new 30 kWh Leaf got 3,95 kWh more than the old Leaf.

Nissan Leaf charge time 24 kWh vs 30 kWh

For some, the 30 kWh new battery is just a minor upgrade to the Nissan Leaf. For me this is the Leaf that should have been sold from the beginning. The extra capacity and improved cell chemistry (NMC instead of LMO) makes the car more efficient specially at higher speeds and contributes for slower degradation.

More info:

https://www.facebook.com/martinmesser/posts/10206891134331628