2012 Nissan Leaf Battery Replacement

A 2012 Nissan Leaf battery replacement can cost up to $5,500, which is nearly as much as this used electric car is worth.
Written by Jason Tushinski
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
A replacement battery for a 2012 Nissan Leaf can cost as much as $5,500. That’s $4,500 for the actual battery and roughly $1,000 for labor costs.
The 2012 Nissan Leaf was part of a pioneering electric car movement. The Leaf remains a popular pick for American drivers looking for an environmentally friendly and efficient electric ride for scooting around town. Even though Leaf drivers don’t need to worry about filling up a fuel tank, they still need to keep an eye on their Leaf’s battery, as it won’t last forever.
That’s why
Jerry
, the
car insurance
super app, has put together this handy guide about replacing the original battery in a 2012 Nissan Leaf. We’ll cover the original battery’s expected lifespan and range, as well as how much it will cost to replace it. We’ll also give you some tips on how to save on
Nissan Leaf car insurance costs
.

How much does it cost to replace a 2012 Nissan Leaf battery?

The average price to replace the battery on a 2012 Nissan Leaf is $5,500.
It’ll cost about $4,500 for the actual replacement battery, along with about $1,000 for the labor needed to install the new battery. The 2012 Leaf was outfitted with a 24 kWh battery supplying a range of about 73 to 75 miles
The original warranty for a 2012 Leaf ran for 8 years and/or 100,000 miles, so this means any battery replacement after 2020 will likely not be covered by warranty.
Don’t count on your car insurance to cover the cost
of a battery replacement—this is considered normal wear and tear and won’t be covered under your plan. 
Unfortunately, you’ll be responsible for covering the battery replacement on a 2012 Nissan Leaf. But at a cost of around $5,500, you might be tempted to ditch your 2012 Nissan Leaf for a new one. Kelley Blue Book estimates the 2012 Leaf’s fair market value at $7,283. However, odds are that a replacement Nissan Leaf battery will last just as long, and the cost will be much cheaper than shelling out for a brand-new Leaf.

Can you put a new battery in an old Nissan Leaf?

In some cases, you can swap in a new, current-generation Leaf battery for your old one, but it’s not as simple as swapping out a normal 12-volt battery, nor is it necessarily cost-effective.
First off, while swapping your old Leaf battery for a new one is possible, it’s not a seamless process—the mechanic will likely have to make several modifications and adjustments to ensure the new, 40 kWh battery fits in your Leaf properly. Labor costs will be added to the overall cost of the new battery, especially if the mechanic is working with aftermarket parts to complete the battery swap. 
Installing a new battery might give you the illusion of more bang for your buck, as the new generation battery is priced better than the old battery—$137/kWh for a 2020 40 kWh battery versus $187/kWh for a 2012 24 kWh battery. However, it will likely cost between $5,000 and $7,000 for the new 40 kWh battery.

Nissan Leaf battery capacity and range 

So, how does the 2012 Nissan Leaf compare to the other model years? Here’s a table showing the battery capacity and range of all Nissan Leaf EVs to date:
Model years
Battery capacity
Driving range
2011–2013
24 kWh
73 to 75 miles
2014–2017
24 kWh
84 miles
2016
30 kWh
107 miles
2018+
40 kWh
151 miles 
Leaf Plus (2019+)
62 kWh
226 miles
MORE: The 2022 Nissan Leaf vs. 2022 Chevy Bolt: an EV battle
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How long does a 2012 Nissan Leaf battery last?

The average 2012 Nissan Leaf battery should last between 8 to 10 years or 100,000 to 150,000 miles
Buying a new Leaf today would get you a more robust, 40 kWh battery with a longer lifespan. One of the biggest issues for the 24 kWh battery is its lack of temperature control functions, which can lead to quicker battery degradation and overheating—another bullet dodged by the newer 40 kWh battery.
Here are a few ways to extend the lifespan of your 2012 Leaf’s original, 24 kWh battery:
  • Avoid high temperatures: Keep your Leaf in a cool and dry place as much as possible, as heat exposure can suck the life out of your battery.
  • Opt for slower charging: While DC fast charging is pretty cool, fast charging can wear out your battery more quickly. Charge your Leaf with a Level 1 or 2 household charger when possible to preserve battery life.
  • Charging to 100% isn’t ideal: Charging your battery to around 80% is better for the battery’s health than keeping your battery fully charged for long periods.

How to save on Nissan Leaf insurance

Deciding whether it's worth it to replace an original Leaf battery with a new one will depend on what you need and how much you have to spend. But one area where you won’t have to worry about value is by using
Jerry
to hunt for a great
car insurance
policy at an affordable rate.
Sign-up takes just 45 seconds, and then Jerry—the web’s most
trustworthy car super app
—gets to work comparing quotes from more than 50 top insurers, ensuring you get the policy you want at a great price. Once you pick your new policy, Jerry signs you up and helps you cancel your old policy. 
Best of all? The average Jerry user saves more than $800 per year on car insurance!
“Sometimes I get social anxiety, so chatting on the phone can be painful. With
Jerry
, I just used their app and everything went amazingly well. Super simple for my first time buying.” —Daisy V.
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