Anthropy

fedi, should I upgrade my 2013 Nissan Leaf AZE0 to 69kWh?

it'll cost a whole boatload of money (13k) but it's a load cheaper than any comparable new option that gets you ~70kwh worth of fresh battery

and I also really like the ZE0 for being a down to earth physical button loving car that just works and still does most of its stuff mechanically..

I could also get the 40kwh pack for basically half that, but that's also almost half the power, it'd still make driving longer distances kinda tense🫠

Mar 23 at 2:06pmWeb
Show threadAnthropyMar 24

so as far as i can tell there's no other way to get 69kwh on wheels for that price

second hand if you look for something similar you get 70kwh models for about 20k sure, but those have 80% SOH so you're actually talking about 56kwh, for more money.

And if it's those crossover style bigger machines, they also have a higher drag coefficient than my current smol Leaf, and the AZE0 I have has heatpump heating too actually, so it doesn't miss much in terms of efficiency.

Still so very tempting 😭

Show threadAnthropyMar 24

the only downside I can see is Chademo charging being outdated, but there are (expensive) adapters if you really want to use CCS chargers, and personally I just don't really care enough, I've literally fast-charged once in the time I've had this car, and that was because the small battery didn't get to where I needed to be.

also iirc it could still do AC charging up to 11kw or so? but 2kw is plenty for me right now, although technically with a 70kw battery it'd take 35 hours for a full charge 😂

Show threadkccqzyMar 26
@anthropy Well if you now have a bigger battery would you now want fast charging capability because you can now go to places farther away? It’s sort of like induced demand.
Show threadAnthropyMar 26
@kccqzy well it has 50kw chademo fast charging, it's just available in less places, so having more battery helps reach those stops and take what you can get I guess? it depends on how you look at it xD
Show threadCalyo Lucere-DelphiMar 24
@anthropy I'd say go for it. If you can afford to make it work, it'll breathe fresh life into your car and get you a range boost to go along with it. :)
Show threadYoje Mar 23
@anthropy I didn’t have an option at the time to upgrade the battery on my old Nissan Leaf, so I traded it in for a newer EV with a 66kWh battery. CHAdeMO had already fallen out long ago anyway, so figured it’d also update my fast charge options. The difference was *amazing*, I stopped thinking about trip distances every time I was going out, and just go. Definitely life changing, and makes it the only car needed now. Whether getting a newer car or updating the old one, always go for the bigger battery. 😄
Show threadAngua Mar 23
@anthropy

Never had an electric car or hybrid. Hard to, I quit driving 25 years ago.
All I would say is Cost of Lifetime Analysis.
Now clearly you are happy with the car itself, it is just the equivalent of a new engine.

Do you really need it?
Can you afford it?
Is it cheaper in the long run?
Is it less hassle and if so, does peace of mind offset increased cost?
I suppose resale is a consideration too.
Show threadAnthropyMar 23
@AnguaDelphine well the alternative is my gasoline car, and in that sense it saves a lot of money in the long run, it has already saved me thousands in gasoline so far, and with a bigger pack I could use it for longer trips too and save even more. It's also a mlre comfortable and slightly roomier car than the other one. It means I could potentially get rid of that one even in the long run
Show threadAngua Mar 23
@anthropy

Sounds like a good idea then.
If your 2013 car really works for you, stick with it. Also I imagine less spyware than more modern ones.
Show threadfuricleMar 23
@anthropy rental if/when you actually drive the longer distance? Seems poor idea to tie too much into older vehicle. Rust, major wear issues will happen...
Just thinking out loud
Show threadAnthropyMar 23
@furicle the thing is that it's only got 80k km on it, it's in really good shape, and I really like the vehicle compared to those modern smartphones on wheels. it's also a lot cheaper than similar options with a more worn battery pack
Show threadfuricleMar 23

@anthropy can you get it appraised after? I.e. what happens if somebody t bones you, can you get your money back out?

I hear you about the style, I'm driving a 2002 at the moment :-). Wish I had abs, but otherwise

Show threadWouter 🇳🇱🇧🇷🇧🇪Mar 23
@anthropy I’ve been driving electric cars for ten years. One thing I’d definitely highlight is the improvement in efficiency. Today’s powertrains have really improved a lot. I have now a 70 kWh battery in a recent model car. Charging speeds, as well as features such as charging stops and pre-heating the battery before you start charging – these are all developments that aren’t included in your model. For example, I now charge at over 200 kW and have a range of 600 kilometres.
Show threadWouter 🇳🇱🇧🇷🇧🇪Mar 23
@anthropy If you’re going to be spending 13k, I’d seriously consider looking at a newer model. With more features.
Show threadAnthropyMar 23

@AccordingtoWouter hmm, aside from the heating in this one I think the kwh/100km is about the same as more modern cars? or did I miss something there? the only ones that report a lower kwh/100km that I could find were ones that included the use of the heater, which I don't usually use myself.

I don't know if I care super much about quickcharging most of the time, but I could always get a CCS to Chademo adapter if I need.

I kinda dislike the newer models for being so smartphone-y and online :(

Show threadWouter 🇳🇱🇧🇷🇧🇪Mar 23
@anthropy My first electric car had a 30 kWh net battery. That gave me an average range of 180 kilometres. The car after that had a 58 kWh net battery. That took me 400 kilometres. It was simply more efficient, even though it was bigger and heavier. My current car has a 70 kWh battery and goes 550 kilometres. So I do see an improvement in powertrains, battery management systems and efficiency. /1
Show threadWouter 🇳🇱🇧🇷🇧🇪Mar 23
@anthropy Then there’s fast charging: my first car could only fast charge once because it didn’t have active cooling. The second time, on a long journey, the charging speed dropped significantly. The first charging session took 45 minutes to go from 10 to 80 per cent at a solid 40 kW. The second one could fast charge repeatedly without any limits. Because of active cooling. And that went from 10 to 80 per cent in 30 minutes at 100 kW. 2/
Show threadWouter 🇳🇱🇧🇷🇧🇪Mar 23
@anthropy My current one goes from 10 to 80 per cent in 15 minutes at over 200 kW. I think those differences are quite significant! Not only are they more efficient, but they also charge much faster. Long journeys simply go a lot quicker.
Show threadVick Forcella ™🌈🌳❄️☑️:verifiMar 23
@anthropy Yes. But, for Mastodon's purpose, you are required to assemble the new battery yourself. Should save you 4k of monies.
Show threadAnthropyMar 23
@VickForcella something about automotive certification and 500v dc makes me nervous about homebrewing it lol. also don't have the tools or carlift and such.. or the extra parts to reinforce the vehicle suspension
Show threadJeremy VisserMar 23
@anthropy Is it an option to add liquid cooling? I feel like protecting the batteries is worthwhile, given the investment.
Show threadAnthropyMar 24
@jez unfortunately not, but I also don't see the batteries getting super warm unless I fast charge a lot, which I don't intend to do; I've never seen my batteries be more than 30-40% on the temperature meter on the dashboard, and that was while fast charging
Show threadJeremy VisserMar 24
@anthropy Didn't realise it already measures it! In that case, since it's a known quantity, it sounds unnecessary for your case.