Importing UK Nissan Leaf 2013 - 2015

airy2001

Hi Lads,

i´m planning to import a Nissan Leaf 2013 – 2015 from the UK.

- Model
Acenta with 6.6 (Fast Charger)
Or Tekna
- Battery owned with 12 Bars
- Price between 8.000 to 9.000 Sterling (max 10.000 €)

I´m currently living in a rented house, but my landlord agreed and I could install a wall charger.

We don´t have a driveway, so I would need a 25 – 30 m charging wire through the garden crossing a 1m footpath. The house is an end of terrace house so it shouldn’t be in anyone’s way.

What is the max. wire length?
How much the VRT would be?
Any regulation in that I would need to consider?

Thanks

NIMAN

There will be no vrt charge.

Is the footpath you mention that you have to cross, it is a public one?

airy2001

It’s a public one but is ends after 2 m into a wall. No one ever uses it.

goz83

I think 30-35M is way too long of a run for an extension cord if that was your thinking.....unless you use a commercial grade one used on building sites.

The wire crossing the public footpath should not be there, but if you do that, be sure to have it secured to the path when in use.

Make sure you know what you are buying. The better battery Leaf will have a foot brake and an eco button on the steering wheel. Also the interior is usually dark.

ELM327

For a 30m extension cable I would have an external 16a CEE plug and use proper external wiring. It can be done, the products exist, but for gods sake don't just buy a standard extension cable with 3 pin plug and leave it outside!

Re the footpath you can buy covers to put over the wire (like roadworks etc use)

Calahonda52

Op:
1: the path is a public path and exposes you to a PL issue if someone contrives to trip over it.
maybe consider parking car on path to block its use
Will the cable be over the wall or through a gate?
wall charger at 30/35 m removed is going to require a custom charging cable, which will set you back 600 ++ lids: the connectors are where the cost is, due to patents.

What will work is a granny cable charger, using a 2.5 sq extension cable: I use a 30 m 2.5 sq one every weekend with a granny cable, it works fine, no plug heating, Its fully rolled out: down side it is takes 12-15 hrs for a full charge on a 30 kWh battery

ELM327

Calahonda52 wrote: »

Op:
1: the path is a public path and exposes you to a PL issue if someone contrives to trip over it.
maybe consider parking car on path to block its use
Will the cable be over the wall or through a gate?
wall charger at 30/35 m removed is going to require a custom charging cable, which will set you back 600 ++ lids: the connectors are where the cost is, due to patents.

What will work is a granny cable charger, using a 2.5 sq extension cable: I use a 30 m 2.5 sq one every weekend with a granny cable, it works fine, no plug heating, Its fully rolled out: down side it is takes 12-15 hrs for a full charge on a 30 kWh battery

Parking on the path would be illegal in all likelihood

goz83

ELM327 wrote: »

Parking on the path would be illegal in all likelihood

Unless access is blocked, it won't be an issue

TomOnBoard

goz83 wrote: »

Unless access is blocked, it won't be an issue

The path was sized for access by all possible users including wheelchair users. If you park on it, you limit its proper functioning. And if you compound that issue by running a cable that could trip someone up, you (and your landlord) are asking for trouble.

goz83

TomOnBoard wrote: »

The path was sized for access by all possible users including wheelchair users. If you park on it, you limit its proper functioning. And if you compound that issue by running a cable that could trip someone up, you (and your landlord) are asking for trouble.

The OP has said that it's an end of terrace house which seems to be in a Cul de sac.

@ the OP...any chance of a google map link, or even a screen shot of the area you park?

TomOnBoard

goz83 wrote: »

The OP has said that it's an end of terrace house which seems to be in a Cul de sac.

@ the OP...any chance of a google map link, or even a screen shot of the area you park?

Yeah, I get that. However, while that may make a difference in terms of likely traffic on that footpath, if OP parks either wholly or in part on the footpath, he is in breach of Dublin City parking regulations. I have no idea whether there would be any penalty imposed, but we all know how even the most minor of parking infractions are dealt with by the revenue collecting machinery of local authorities around the country.

Taken from Dublin City Parking regs at

http://www.dublincity.ie/main-menu-services-roads-and-traffic-parking-dublin/where-park#other

Other parking restrictions

It is illegal to park in a way which interferes with traffic flow or obstructs or endangers other road users, for example:

• No parking opposite a continuous white line.
• No parking on a footpath (either partly or wholly).
• No parking within 5 metres of a junction.
• No parking at a pedestrian crossing or traffic lights, within 15 metres on the approach side or 5 metres on the other side.
• Do not obstruct any entrance for vehicles except with the occupier’s consent.
• No parking at a school entrance.
• No parking on a grass margin or median.

goz83

TomOnBoard wrote: »

Yeah, I get that. However, while that may make a difference in terms of likely traffic on that footpath, if OP parks either wholly or in part on the footpath, he is in breach of Dublin City parking regulations. I have no idea whether there would be any penalty imposed, but we all know how even the most minor of parking infractions are dealt with by the revenue collecting machinery of local authorities around the country.

Taken from Dublin City Parking regs at

http://www.dublincity.ie/main-menu-services-roads-and-traffic-parking-dublin/where-park#other

Other parking restrictions

It is illegal to park in a way which interferes with traffic flow or obstructs or endangers other road users, for example:

• No parking opposite a continuous white line.
• No parking on a footpath (either partly or wholly).
• No parking within 5 metres of a junction.
• No parking at a pedestrian crossing or traffic lights, within 15 metres on the approach side or 5 metres on the other side.
• Do not obstruct any entrance for vehicles except with the occupier’s consent.
• No parking at a school entrance.
• No parking on a grass margin or median.

We don't know where the OP is based. I'm not deliberately trying to undermine your points, but there is no way in hell the OP would have any trouble in the situation described. I see most of the rules broken on a daily basis.

airy2001

Wow thanks for all the replays, so my plan was to have the wall socket by the backdoor. Then about 15 m extension lead to maybe some sort of an outside box. (see pic) Then a short wire 3 -5 M to the car.
You can see also the footpath that is really never being used.Living in a small village in Co. Cork.

airy2001

Was thinking of this wire but they are pretty expensive. Any thought?

Calahonda52

Foot path picture attached, not at as simple as it sounded: so parking on the path not really a runner, illegal or not.
Looks to me like a non runner from a PL perspective.

goz83

Have you got an aerial view?

It’s impossible to know from the photos you attached, but would it be possible to have a shorter run if the cable went under, or through the fence? If you are staying there for another couple of years, it might be worth your while running armoured cable to the fence and installing an actual charge point. From there, you can connect the public charge cable to the car. The cable you linked normally comes with the car and is 5M long. If you can put a tethered charge point on the fence across from your car (but inside the property boundary) and cut a hand sized hole in the fence, you will make life a lot easier.

Judging from the photo you attached, I would park up on the path there and plug in. An aerial view of map link would make it easier to judge.....or an aerial drawing showing the house, fence, gate, consumer unit and where you park your car.

airy2001

Ok, I got a bit creative :-) and drew the house and garden from a aerial perspective.


Option A: 31 m Fuse Box -> Charging Point, 3m wire to Car
Closer to the car with a hole in the fence



Option B: 31 m Fuse Box - > Charging Point, 5m to Car
Here I wouldn't cross the public footpath.


What do ye think?

goz83

I would put the charge point as close as possible to where the car will be parked. In your case, it's the top right hand corner. You want the shortest possible run from the charge point to the car.

A hole in the fence to give you easy access will make it easy to charge. It's a shame you can't park on the grass.....well, maybe you could, but you could potentially get blocked in. If there was no risk of getting blocked in, I would put the charge point at the bottom left of the garden.

As a back-up, you should get a rolec charger with the domestic socket included. I have one and it's great. If someone parked in your usual spot, you would still be able to run an extension reel (one suitable for outdoor use) to the car and use the granny charger. The 3 pin socket will come in handy as an external socket too in the yard.

https://evonestop.co.uk/collections/wall-mounted-chargers/products/wallpod-ev-multi-mode-type-2-tethered-cable-5m

airy2001

Yeah would like to use the green, but there are small trees planted so that probably won’t work. I think as you said the option in the top left corner inside of the fence will work best for me. The combo with the 3 pin plug sound great because there might be someone in my spot at times.

Thanks a lot for your advice. I will be hunting in the next few month for a leaf and then do the installation.

airy2001

Can you set a timer on the rolec charger, so It can be used with a electricity night saver tariff?

Round Cable

airy2001 wrote: »

Can you set a timer on the rolec charger, so It can be used with a electricity night saver tariff?

I don't think you can, however you can set a timer on the car to only draw from the charger during nighttime hours.

_dof_

You set the charge timer in your car

icom

airy2001 wrote: »

Can you set a timer on the rolec charger, so It can be used with a electricity night saver tariff?

Yes you can, it's a 50 quid add on option

airy2001

Thanks guys found also this video how to setup the leaf timer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4dP77ogk9k

airy2001

Just a quick question do all 2013 onwards leaf Tekna have the buildin 6.6 charger?

slave1

airy2001 wrote: »

Just a quick question do all 2013 onwards leaf Tekna have the buildin 6.6 charger?

No, majority have 3.6 and as the 6.6 is an expensive UK upgrade they are very low on the ground

Gumbo

airy2001 wrote: »

Just a quick question do all 2013 onwards leaf Tekna have the buildin 6.6 charger?

Most are 3.3 in my experience.

Soarer

airy2001 wrote: »

Just a quick question do all 2013 onwards leaf Tekna have the buildin 6.6 charger?

No.
But all 2014 onwards Leafs have the better "Lizard" battery. If it has the "ECO" button on the steering wheel, it has the better battery.

airy2001

Ok thank you, anyone knows how much the upgrade is 6.6 in Ireland or the UK?

Soarer

airy2001 wrote: »

Ok thank you, anyone knows how much the upgrade is 6.6 in Ireland or the UK?

It could only be done in the factory, can’t be retrofitted.

Think is was a €900 option in Ireland, and somewhere between £1000 and £1500 in the uk.

Gumbo

airy2001 wrote: »

Ok thank you, anyone knows how much the upgrade is 6.6 in Ireland or the UK?

Do you specifically need the 6.6OBC? And why?
Maybe write down how it benefits you over the 3.3 and you can see if it’s worth the premium and waiting time to get one over the 3.3.

Now, if 2 are for sale, same spec, condition and price etc then the 6.6 would be selected but I know when I went looking there’s was no great importance to get the 6.6 but everyone has different circumstances.

Stealthirl

For me it was about charge times, in an hour the 3.3 would give you about 15-17 miles range but the 6.6 would get you about 27-30 that coupled with the abundance of 22kw points as a back up to the CHAdeMO network sold me on a 6.6

Im still waiting to find a 14-15 SVE/Tekna in the color and price range i want.

unkel

For most people with home charging, it would make no difference if their L24 has 3.3kW or 6.6kW AC charging. Both can charge the car from empty to full within the cheap 9 hours of night rate charging.

And charging at public slow chargers is pretty pointless anyway. Completely pointless at 3.3kW unless you charge for the full day (park and ride) or overnight at a hotel or something. Also completely useless at 6.6kW unless you are going to be somewhere for at least 3 hours. I don't think I ever go anywere for 3 hours. Maybe for a culchie going shopping in Dublin city or something

I'd rather get a 3.3kW AC charging Leaf and negotiate a bit of money off than pay over the top for a rare 6.6kW charger...

creedp

unkel wrote: »

For most people with home charging, it would make no difference if their L24 has 3.3kW or 6.6kW AC charging. Both can charge the car from empty to full within the cheap 9 hours of night rate charging.

And charging at public slow chargers is pretty pointless anyway. Completely pointless at 3.3kW unless you charge for the full day (park and ride) or overnight at a hotel or something. Also completely useless at 6.6kW unless you are going to be somewhere for at least 3 hours. I don't think I ever go anywere for 3 hours. Maybe for a culchie going shopping in Dublin city or something

I'd rather get a 3.3kW AC charging Leaf and negotiate a bit of money off than pay over the top for a rare 6.6kW charger...

I use the 22kw on street chargers regularly when I know I have a detour on way home to pick up/drop off kids. I dont gave guaranteed access to work charging so one hour charging (lunchtime) gives me 40 to 50km additional range which covers the majority of my detours. It's also great to be able to get home and top up before heading out on the regular evening taxi work. However if you are someone with a very predictable lifestyle and the L24 range will always covers you daily mileage and you can always charge for 9 hours at night (basically a lucky sod!!!!) then obviously dont pay extra for the 6.6kw charger. However for the rest of us mere mortals it certainly has its advantages

unkel

creedp wrote: »

one hour charging (lunchtime) gives me 40 to 50km additional range

Not a hope. An hour at 3.3kW gives you about 15km in a Leaf 24. Worth EUR0.20. Not to mention all the bother of getting your cable out and connecting it to the slow charger

Why do you bother?

creedp

unkel wrote: »

Not a hope. An hour at 3.3kW gives you about 15km in a Leaf 24. Worth EUR0.20. Not to mention all the bother of getting your cable out and connecting it to the slow charger

Why do you bother?

Sorry Im talking about an L30. Its not [always] about the couple of cent .. its about having sufficient range to complete a necessary journey.

unkel

If you need to top up because you need to pick up the kids after your commute, then the range of your car isn't sufficient! Maybe upgrade to a Ioniq, L40, Kona, Tesla?

creedp

unkel wrote: »

If you need to top up because you need to pick up the kids after your commute, then the range of your car isn't sufficient! Maybe upgrade to a Ioniq, L40, Kona, Tesla?

Hey in an ideal world Id be driving a Tesla S with 7 seats option ticked! Now back to this grey sky day in Dublin sitting at an ecars on street charger wondering as ever where it all went wrong!!

airy2001

Ok thanks guys so just to confirm, if I'm charging a 3.3, 24kw leaf at a rapid charging station I still can charge my leaf in about 20 min to 80% ?

unkel

Yep. It's a bit on the optimistic side, more like half an hour if you are really empty

All Leafs can charge at the DC CHAdeMO charger at a maximum of about 43kW

ELM327

airy2001 wrote: »

Ok thanks guys so just to confirm, if I'm charging a 3.3, 24kWh leaf at a rapid charging station I still can charge my leaf in about 20 min to 80% ?

If you start above 40% you will get to 80% in 20 minutes.
Anything less and it's 30 mins+

airy2001

Cool thank you, I probably will settle for a 2013 to 2014 leaf acenta 3.3.

airy2001

I’m so close to finally buying a leaf 24kw, but still bit unsure if I should get a 2014 with 6.6 or a 2015 both similar mileage and only a slight price 500£ difference. I just wondering if I also get 8 years warrenty with the 2015 model and the lizard battery or is that only the 30kw version ? Any advice ?

KCross

airy2001 wrote: »

I’m so close to finally buying a leaf 24kw, but still bit unsure if I should get a 2014 with 6.6 or a 2015 both similar mileage and only a slight price 500£ difference. I just wondering if I also get 8 years warrenty with the 2015 model and the lizard battery or is that only the 30kw version ? Any advice ?

The 8yrs is only with the 30kWh. You'll have 5yrs on the EV components and 3yrs on everything else so you are probably already passed the 3yr bit.

What price are the two Leaf's?
It seems to make sense to spend an extra €500 to come up a year but we'd need to see both prices.

Are they both 6.6kW?

airy2001

Thanks thats good to know. The leafs are between 9500 - 10.000. Do you know if the dealer warrenty from the uk can be transferred to Ireland? It seams the battery warrenty is international.

KCross

airy2001 wrote: »

Thanks thats good to know. The leafs are between 9500 - 10.000. Do you know if the dealer warrenty from the uk can be transferred to Ireland? It seams the battery warrenty is international.

Yes, no problem with the warranty being honoured here. I’ve had warranty work done on my UK import with no hassle whatsoever.

Pkiernan

KCross wrote: »

Yes, no problem with the warranty being honoured here. I’ve had warranty work done on my UK import with no hassle whatsoever.

Did you have to inform Nissan Ireland in advance that it was a UK car?
Thanks

KCross

Pkiernan wrote: »

KCross wrote: »

Yes, no problem with the warranty being honoured here. I’ve had warranty work done on my UK import with no hassle whatsoever.

Did you have to inform Nissan Ireland in advance that it was a UK car?
Thanks

No, just booked it in as normal. The warranty is a European wide warranty.

airy2001

Thanks that's good to know, so if I buy a 2015 leaf from privat or any dealer in the uk that does not offer warranty, I could go to a Nissan Ireland dealer and get it fixed for free as long it's part of the ev componetes (battery..) ?

KCross

airy2001 wrote: »

Thanks that's good to know, so if I buy a 2015 leaf from privat or any dealer in the uk that does not offer warranty, I could go to a Nissan Ireland dealer and get it fixed for free as long it's part of the ev componetes (battery..) ?

Yes, assuming everything else checks out.
e.g I presume they wouldn’t repair a broken part as a result of a crash so it would still be recommended to get one with a clean history and service history.

If buying one outside the 3yr warranty watch for uneven tyre wear on the rear tyres. To fix it properly (rear axle replacement) is an expensive repair outside warranty. It is a relatively common issue.

Nothing much else to watch out for on a 2015 other than that it drives ok.

airy2001

Hi Guys I more that happy and finally found the leaf that I was looking for :-)

Now I´m planning to import the car into Ireland.

I´m just gathering a checklist to make sure when I pickup the car that I got all the correct steps in place to register it for the VRT in Ireland. Could ye please have a look at my list and let me know If i´m missing anything.

What do I need from the UK seller?

- documentation to confirm the level of CO2 emissions of the vehicle at the time of manufacture
- Invoice with date of sale and final price
- Fill in the V5C/4 ‘notification of permanent export’ section of your V5C registration certificate (log book).
- Send it to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BD. Include a letter if you’ve moved abroad and want your vehicle tax refund sent to your new address.
- Keep the rest of your V5C registration certificate

So my plan was to get the UK dealer to fill out the V5C/4 a week before my arrival and let them send it to the DVLA.
Then take the ferry and register and VRT the car in Ireland.

Do I miss anything before I flight over to pickup the car?