With the push toward more environmentally-friendly electric vehicles (EVs) like the Nissan Leaf, many of us here in the U.S. realize we’ll have to make the switch sooner or later. As with anything new, there’s not only a learning curve but several worries lingering uncomfortably in the backs of our minds. What happens if you can’t make it to a fast-charging station before your charge status hits zero? How long will it take to charge your EV once you find a charging station?

Are you struggling with these thoughts? You’re not alone. Let’s talk about the anxieties people have around EVs and what one automaker is doing about them.

Common electric vehicle fears

There’s a tendency for most of us to stick with the familiar. This is especially true when talking about a sizable investment like a vehicle. Aside from worries about charging station availability and all-electric driving ranges, there are concerns about the battery packs. What happens as the battery gets older? Once the battery fails, is the entire vehicle done? Are there warranties to cover the batteries as we move closer to an era of electric cars?

Think about the associated costs we have with a gas-powered vehicle. Kelley Blue Book points out there are routine maintenance services we pay for, like oil changes, tire alignment, and rotation. Belts, brake pads, and sometimes the rotors get worn down and require replacement.

New vehicle warranties cover many needed repairs for a limited time at the beginning of ownership. They typically don’t cover routine maintenance, and, as the vehicle ages, there’s a greater chance of wear and tear. If any failing part falls under the warranty, the automaker replaces the part and covers the cost. Once the warranty has expired, the expense is on the vehicle’s owner.

Is there warranty coverage for EV batteries?

In a combustion engine vehicle, the engine and transmission are among the most expensive components to replace. In EVs, it’s the battery pack. Many who might consider buying an EV for their next vehicle might wonder if a warranty covers the battery pack. How long do battery packs last?

For the Nissan Leaf, which has been around since 2011, there’s a battery pack warranty for eight years and/or 100,000 miles. When you consider that you only get a five-year warranty for Ram truck engines, that sounds pretty good.

Battery degradation must also be factored in. Any EV will lose available range over its ownership. According to Recurrent, a 2015 Nissan Leaf had an 84-mile range which would decrease over time. It has a far shorter lifespan than a battery pack today, with a range of over 300 miles.

If Nissan Leaf’s battery pack capacity falls below 75%, Nissan will replace it. The battery has an estimated cost of around $4,500. According to Nissan user forums, replacing a 24kWh battery costs about $5,500, including labor fees.

The 2022 Nissan Leaf’s battery warranty

The Nissan Leaf proved there was a market for EVs. Now in its second generation, the 2022 Nissan Leaf is starting at a lower price than its 2021 models, according to Edmunds. The automaker also increased the amount of content on the lower two trims as an added incentive. 

The base model has last year’s portable charging cable standard. The SV Plus models now come equipped with the SV Technology package, which was an available option the previous year.

The Leaf doesn’t have the racy appeal of the Ford Mustang Mach-E or Tesla’s Model 3. It doesn’t have the driving range that those offerings do, either. However, its compact size makes it ideal for navigating cities. 

For the 2022 model year, it gets a standard Level 3 fast-charging port, though this might not be supported at all public charging stations. It has many appealing standard driver-assist features too.

The 2022 Nissan Leaf starts at $27,400 for a great value. The eight-year battery warranty makes it an even more appealing choice.