A lot of automotive repair costs vary considerably based on the price of parts and labor, but high-voltage electric vehicle battery replacements are a little simpler. The original 2011 Nissan Leaf uses a 24 kWh lithium-ion battery pack with a 75-mile range, which costs roughly $4,500.

Labor costs for the replacement average around $1,000, adding up to a total replacement cost of $5,500.

Because the Nissan Leaf battery warranty covers eight years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first, your battery replacement won’t be covered under warranty. And a standard

auto insurance

policy won’t cover normal wear and tear.

As a result, you’ll be paying for your battery replacement out of pocket—and with the fair market range for a 2011 Leaf between $4,500 and $7,000 according to Kelley Blue Book, replacing the battery might cost as much as the car itself is worth.

Putting a new battery in an old Nissan Leaf

One alternative solution many older Leaf owners are exploring is installing an upgraded Leaf battery pack in their 2011 model to extend both range and battery life. In fact, an electric car repair shop in Portland called EV Rides has become famous for doing just that!

While this kind of battery swap is possible, it’s not going to be cost-effective in most cases. It’s true that the batteries in newer Leaf models are priced better per kWh—$137/kWh for a 2020 40-kWh pack vs. $187/kWh for the 2011 battery—but the overall costs are higher.

Why battery upgrades tend to cost more than a battery replacement for a 2011 Nissan Leaf

First of all, the price of a 40kWh Nissan Leaf battery—the current replacement for all Leaf batteries replaced under warranty—is between $6,500 and $7,500. In other words, you’ll pay essentially as much for the new battery as you would for a used Leaf.

Labor costs are also likely to be higher. Replacing an EV battery is a lot more complicated than swapping out a standard 12-volt car battery, especially if you’re working with aftermarket parts. If you want to put a new battery in your 2011 Leaf, it likely won’t slot in perfectly, requiring the mechanic to make some adjustments or modifications.

Still, this is a viable option for some drivers. You’ve got the best shot of making it work if you can find the right parts at a salvage auction, which can lower the overall cost of the replacement.

Nissan Leaf battery capacity and range

Curious about how your 2011 Nissan Leaf battery compares to later models? The table below compares battery capacity and

driving range for different Nissan Leaf models

Model years	Battery capacity	Driving range
2011 to 2013	24 kWh	73 to 75 miles
2014 to 2017	24 kWh	84 miles
2016	30 kWh	107 miles
2018+	40 kWh	151 miles
Leaf Plus (2019+)	62 kWh	226 miles

2011 Nissan Leaf battery life

The lifespan of a 2011 Nissan Leaf 24 kWh battery pack is approximately 10 to 15 years—or, measured in distance, 100,000 to 150,000 miles.

That’s a shorter life expectancy than the new battery packs in a new Leaf. Of course, the 24 kWh battery is smaller than the new battery modules, but that’s not the only problem.

Early Leaf models didn’t have temperature control functions, which led to battery overheating and faster degradation. All lithium-ion batteries will degrade over time, but exposure to high temperatures sped the process up for older batteries.

A few ways to extend the lifespan of your 2011 Nissan Leaf battery (or battery replacement) include:

Avoid high temperatures: If you live in Florida, Texas, or another warm-weather state, this could be tricky, but heat contributes to battery degradation. Keep your Leaf cool during storage and use.

Skip the fast charger: Sure, a DC fast charging station can get your Leaf to 80% state of charge (SOC) in just 30 minutes—but it’ll wear your battery out faster. Stick to a Level 2 or Level 1 household adapter when you can.

Don’t shoot for 100%: It may seem counterintuitive, but you actually don’t want your battery at 100% for long periods of time. Charging to 80% instead of a full charge can extend the life of your battery.