Please note

– Pricing still anticipated to be around $20K based on a battery swap of 60% SOH or lower
– It is unlikely we will have an option for those outside of New Zealand until 2022

Project Timeline

2021
– Further rationalisation of the design is taking place reducing time-consuming manual assembly.
– Parts are being ordered for another 6(!) beta testing vehicles. The battery modules themselves are already in stock.
– Development of test battery for Gen 2 AZE0 due to commence in second quarter of 2021

2020
– We dismantled our prototype to test battery degradation
– New componentry designed that takes us from prototype to product
– An additional 2 beta testers now on the road feeding us valuable information, and the odd bug.
– (Beta test: a trial of machinery, software or other products in the final stages of development,
carried out by a party unconnected with the development process.)

2019
– Full upgrade design with factory modules
– Started collecting “Expressions of Interest”
– Completed first full pack upgrade prototype
– Initial run-out test results get ~190 km range
– Applied for LEVCF funding to trial solution

2018
– Project startup and detailed design
– Bench tested different models of 18650 cells
– Built prototype module and bench-tested
– In-vehicle testing of our prototype module
– Results showed 45% better capacity
– Further funding applications unsuccessful
– Proceeded with further design & testing

2017
– Couldn’t buy modules/packs from Nissan
– Investigated making new modules in NZ
– Concept design based on new 18650 cells
– Awarded co-funding from EECA’s LEVCF

Support Us!

If you like the idea of being able to upgrade your EV battery, then please consider making a small donation towards our project. We are a small startup company with limited revenue to fund development and trial projects. Our initial pilot study was made possible thanks to EECA, but all work since then has been funded in-house.

Our project will not only benefit NZ’s ~8,000 existing Nissan Leaf owners, but all EV owners, future EV owners and generally anybody who enjoys clean air, less pollution and looking after the environment by recycling whenever possible.

Many thanks!