Nissan Leaf 40kWh versus 62kWh e+ model

iMac Hunt

I am looking to buy my first EV car and really like the Nissan Leaf, budget, size and looks wise. After looking into this I’m only after realising that there is a 40 kWh and a 62 kWh e+ model.

So most of my journeys would be fine for the 145 mile range of the 40 kWh model but once a month I do a 61 mile trip (122 mile round trip) that I would like to be able to do on a single charge and I think the claimed 145 mile range for the 40 kWh would be cutting it too close, especially in the Winter.

The claimed range of 215 miles of the 62 kWh model would be ideal, the problem I have found is this 62 kWh e+ model is quite rare. I am not looking to buy brand new but for something around 2-3 years old and the majority of Leaf’s I see for sale are the 40kWh model.

Just wondering do people know why this is and why there even is choice between 40 kWh and 62 kWh, to me the 62 kWh model should have replaced the 40 kWh model, why even would be people opt for a 40kWh model if there is a choice?

Just wondering as well, I’m thinking about spreading the cost of buying an EV and getting the charger installed first and waiting a few months later to buy the car. From my understanding though it seems you have to purchase the car to benefit from the SEAI EV Grant or is it possible to pay the full price for the install of the charger and then claim for the SEAI grant at a later date when the car is bought?

slave1

There shouldn't be that many 62kWh models around because the car was in the same price bracket at Tesla etc which offer a vastly enhanced purchase, even now the 62kWh is much more expensive than the Model 3 and around the same price as the Model Y

Miscreant

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058358774/nissan-leaf-40kwh-versus-62kwh-e-model

You don't need to own an EV to avail of the SEAI grant any longer so you can go ahead and apply for this. Plenty of companies out there who do installations and will look after the grant application for you.

In relation to why there is a 40 and a 62 battery size for the Leaf? So that people could choose what best suited them perhaps. IIRC the 62KWh battery version was quite expensive and very few bought it, considering they could get any myriad of other cars with a similar battery size (Kona, Niro, Soul, ID3 and so on). Also, as it has a ChaDeMo socket, it tended to limit the market a little further for these cars so this may be something for you to watch out for also. There are many cars out there with CCS that will be much better supported for your needs so, eyes open in your search and don't limit yourself to just one car.

That being said, a lot of good things are written about the Leaf and they seem to be a good car so best of luck in your hunt.

iMac Hunt

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122354090#Comment_122354090

I had no idea the 62kWh is so expensive, it may be out of my budget so

iMac Hunt

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122354176#Comment_122354176

Thanks for that info, that makes sense why there are so few 62kWh's on the second hand market. Had no idea about ChaDeMo sockets so will have a look into this some more. Kona and Niro's were actually next on my list, the Leaf is my aesthetic preference but it seems practicality and battery range is more important when it comes to EV's and the 40kWh Leaf wouldn't meet my needs.

3d4life

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122355309#Comment_122355309

Some way into

https://youtu.be/aeqvwqv2mGY

A 2nd hand one is sold for ( was it ? ) GBP12k

You may find a few in RoI under Euro 20k cheap enough maybe but look very much like a dead end for the technology :(

...Ghost...

What is your budget?

iMac Hunt

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122355402#Comment_122355402

Around €18,000-€20,000, a range of more than 150 miles, 4 door hatchback not any bigger in size than the Nissan Leaf

iMac Hunt

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122355375#Comment_122355375

Yes, when I did a search on CarZone I could only find a couple of 62kWh Leaf's for around the €20000 budget. It was hard to search for as you can't filter by battery kWh and not all car descriptions specify kWh, so unless it specifies 62kWh in the description I just assume that it's 40kWh

...Ghost...

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122355481#Comment_122355481

I bought from this crowd before when my SIL was looking for a 30kWh Leaf. Good to deal with.

Here is a 2020 they have. Top Spec with 30k miles on the clock. Works out at a couple hundred less than €17k.

https://www.shelbournemotors.com/used-cars/17637019-nissan-leaf-leaf%20160kw%20e%2B%20tekna%2062kwh%205dr%20auto%20hatchback/?finances%5Bdeposit%5D=1429.9&finances%5BproductName%5D=P105UO%20NIC%20P3%2024%20LEAF%20SM%20%C2%A3250%20FDA%2011.9%25%20APR%20Regulated&finances%5Bterm%5D=36&finances%5BproductType%5D=Personal%20Contract%20Purchase&finances%5BannualMileage%5D=10000&finances%5Bdescription%5D=

The Leaf is bigger than it looks. Great reliable car. I have a 40kWh version and had 2 x 24kWh models before. Also drive Model 3, which you could get within your budget…just about.

Here's a nice one just posted in bargains.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/192-tesla-model-3/37339917?campaign=6

slave1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122355481#Comment_122355481

Consider a 2019+ Kona 64kWh, massive range bang for buck option and well below your Budget

Flinty997

For a trip I do once a month I think I'd be ok, with stopping for 15-20 mins.

Be aware though you get max range in the summer at slower speeds. Doing the same thing in Winter, at high speed, your range will be a lot less. So you can stretch it by driving conservatively. Also you get the much faster charging speed between 20-80% so you don't wait to get to 100% or down to 5% unless you actually need to do that.

Usually you top up an EV when you can, bit like a mobile phone (but its not the same as mobile) rather going deep into the battery.

Be aware when looking at EVs the battery warranty is usually around 100k or 8yrs or around that. So some of these "bargains" is because they are out of warranty, or soon to be. The odds of having a problem are tiny. But not impossible.

CMOTDibbler

Battery warranty is usually 160k kms (100k miles) and 8 years, whichever comes first.

denismc

Have you considered the ID3?

There are quite a few of these on Dondeal/Carzone for 20k or less.

ELM327

I'm biased because I posted that Tesla in bargains but I really think that's the best option for the money. What other 5 year old car is still being updated by the OEM? For free?

iMac Hunt

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122355953#Comment_122355953

Actually never considered, for some reason thought it would be out of my budget but looking at them now it ticks all my boxes. I might have to drop one year for my budget but the ones that are currently for sale look really nice, I will definitely keep an eye

Flinty997

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122357711#Comment_122357711

I think most people don't consider that cars especially EVs but also ICE increasingly need their systems updated from bugs and new features.

That said Tesla over reliance on the touch screen and lack of buttons is a turn off for me personally. On screen gear selector on the latest one. Just no.

Flinty997

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122358393#Comment_122358393

What I'll say about the ID3 the early ones had a lot of bugs so important to get the software updated. And they won't get the newer software.

But in terms of battery, charging speed for long journeys there's a lot to like. Especially if you get a 77kw one. Though fast charging makes a smaller battery more viable..