(Posted on Sep 14, 2018 at 06:47AM by Patrick Wensink)
Dear Patrick,
I’m in the process of buying a new Nissan Leaf, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to help the environment. But this is my first electric car, and I have some questions. Mainly: How long does its battery last?
-Jose
Hi Jose,
Congratulations on the new purchase! I have a hunch you’ll be so happy with such an awesome set of wheels. This is a great thing to ask and it can actually be answered in two parts.
First, an electric car can go pretty far between charges, if that is what you are asking. Typically, a 2018 model has been tested and can travel about 150 miles before needing to be plugged in again.
However, some folks might also be curious as to the lifespan of a new power source. As the energy cells under the hood age, it is true that they need to be replaced by a professional. According to experts, you should be able to get about 8-10 years out of a fresh battery until having to replace it. The good news is that a Leaf should run like the day it was bought afterward.