New lease of life for Leaf batteries

Used Nissan Leaf batteries are being trialed as storage units for solar-generated electricity.

Solar panels at Nissans global HQ charge the batteries, and the power is then used to fuel electric vehicles.

The project also allows excess power from renewable sources such as solar and wind generation to be stored and then released at peak times.

A fully charged Leaf battery holds enough energy to power a three-bedroom house for around three days (8kW/day).

Creating a useful second-life for the battery is expected to give them and therefore the Nissan Leaf a significant increase in resale value.