The all electric Leaf automobile?

All batteries lose some of their charge over time. Modern batteries lose less than batteries of yesterday and tomorrow's batteries will be better than today's. And with battery technology changing rapidly it is likely that whatever you read is already out of date.

For example, the Nissan Leaf batteries have a warranty of 8 years or 100,000 miles. Yet the article says that they won't last past 3 years. The article also makes reference to "recent reports" about Li Ion batteries "bursting into flames" and this was... what... 3 or 4 years ago that the problem was resolved?

Also when an article contains grammar like this, "This makes them even more expensive than they already are." you might begin to suspect any of the facts. Sometimes we have to remember that we can't believe everything we read.

Batteries will slowly lose charge but not in a day or two. There will also be some electronics drawing power even when the car is "off" The electronics that sit there and wait for you to push the unlock button on your remote have to be drawing power and that power has to come from the battery. But that is also a small amount of power when compared to what the electric motors will use so again it's not going to drain the batteries in a day or do. I would think the car could sit for a few months with no problems.

I seriously doubt Tahir Hassen owns a LEAF, as claimed. Just a gut feeling there.

Anyhow, all rechargeable batteries have much shorter shelf-lives than, say, alkaline batteries, but it's no big deal if you use the vehicle often enough. You have to understand all the fine points to get the most out of this technology. It's a car that probably should be owned by dummies.

After reading thu the link on the battery I wonder if i would want one? A slight chance the battery could burst in to flame if it fails? If the battery is fully discharged it is ruined? A useful life of around 3 years whether it is used or not? In hot areas the battery would last less then that?

A lithium-ion battery (which is what the Leaf uses) loses about 5% of its charge in a month, so I doubt that a couple days of sitting will matter much, unless other electronics in the car are drawing power.

I couldn't find anything specifically about this in official Leaf information.

Perhaps Tahir can add more detailed information, since he's one of the lucky ones to receive one of the first few Leafs actually delivered. ;)

The self discharge rate of the battery pack is 8% per month at 70 degrees. Less if it's colder, more if it's hotter.

does need recharge, because i have one and i accidently left it after charginig it.