Neil Turner says he considers himself an environmentalist and an advocate for electrical autos. Again in 2019, the B.C. resident says he bought a used 2016 Nissan Leaf electrical car.
“The associated fee was $17,000 CDN together with tax,” Turner informed Consumer Matters.
Turner says his EV was driving nicely till this previous winter throughout a chilly snap. He says the battery vary started to drop a kilometre a second, forcing him to take the automotive to his native Nissan dealership, the place he was informed the battery wanted changing.
“We went again and requested, can we have now a quote for substitute battery and that’s after I received the shock,” mentioned Turner.
Turner was quoted over $85,846.55 CDN for the substitute battery. The quote didn’t embrace labour prices. “I virtually fell down,” Turner mentioned.
When Turner questioned the quoted value, he says it was confirmed by the dealership that it was the prompt retail value from Nissan Canada for the substitute battery and it might should be particular ordered.
“It was the native vendor that contacts Nissan Canada for the estimate and he didn’t have quite a lot of details about why, and I feel he was shocked by the quantity as nicely,” mentioned Turner.
Shopper Issues reached out to Nissan Canada on Turner’s behalf, asking concerning the battery value.
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Nissan Canada said: “Sadly, there appears to have been a mistake within the inputted half code, which has resulted within the fallacious data being displayed within the system. We are able to verify that the value to buy the LEAF lithium-ion battery is 11,533 CAD earlier than taxes.”
Nissan additionally said it might present Turner with free battery set up and he would obtain an upgraded 40kw battery in lieu of the unique 30kw battery ought to he transfer forward.
Nissan additionally said the battery substitute features a 1-year or 20,000 Km guarantee (whichever comes first).
“I feel one yr is just not acceptable, given the battery is initially warrantied for eight years in a brand new automotive. Why wouldn’t there be guarantee for the same interval?” mentioned Turner.
George Iny, the chief director of the non-profit Vehicle Safety Affiliation, says on the subject of battery substitute in electrical autos, automakers ought to provide higher assist for customers.
“Carmakers needs to be doing extra both to have their very own model of reconditioned packs with correct warranties at higher costs, or if it’s too costly, provide to purchase the car again from the shopper,” mentioned Iny.
“As these autos are getting older or ageing out, they’re put within the palms of second or third homeowners. These individuals typically don’t have the identical technique of the unique purchaser and they’re additionally not receiving the identical stage of assist and that may be a concern,” he added.
Turner says he has 115,000 kilometres on his Nissan Leaf and its present market worth is estimated at round $10,000 CDN.
He says going ahead, he’ll need to determine whether or not or not battery substitute is definitely worth the funding.
“It nonetheless leaves a nasty style in our mouth by way of EV expertise going ahead. It’s nonetheless a substantial funding,” mentioned Turner.
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