An old electric car can be given a new lease of life with a little ingenuity. A DIYer replaced the battery in his Nissan Leaf right at home. Result: it doubled its autonomy without professional equipment.
Electric cars aren't all new, and some are already starting to show their age. This is particularly the case with the first-generation Nissan Leaf, released more than ten years ago. At the time, it represented a real step forward for city driving, but its limited range and battery wear are now a problem for many owners. However, some enthusiasts are showing that it is still possible to give them a second life.
This is what a YouTuber known as Battery Man has proven. He managed to replace the battery of his Nissan Leaf directly on his own driveway, without a lift or garage equipment. In just three hours, he removed the original 30 kWh battery and replaced it with a newer, more powerful version from a second generation model. The latter fits almost perfectly into the original location, with only a few mechanical adjustments.
He installs a newer Nissan Leaf battery and doubles its range
The result is impressive: the car's range increases from 170 km to more than 360 km after a single charge. The newly installed battery has a capacity of 62 kWh, 10 kWh more than that of an R5 E-Tech. It's also more than the 2024 Tesla Model 3 in Rear-Wheel Drive, which has an estimated battery capacity of 57 kWh. The most amazing thing is that this modification can be done at home with a few common materials. All it takes is a few tools, new metal brackets to attach, and a small electronic box for ten euros to trick the vehicle into thinking the new battery is the original one.
This type of modification opens up interesting possibilities for anyone who wants to extend the lifespan of their electric car. The operation requires precision, but remains accessible to good DIYers. Between the price of an old model and that of a used battery from a damaged Leaf, it is possible to obtain a clean, reliable vehicle with excellent autonomy for less than €10,000. A simple and economical way to avoid breakage, while enjoying the benefits of electric.
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