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A state-of-the-art solar panel would still be a gimmick if it's used to charge the traction battery.

What isn't a gimmick, is a state-of-the-art 5th seat.

 

According to your seat-of-the-pants calculation....

 

toyota may well be able to plan for southwest heat without special cooling. what did nissan change in the leaf after the problem occurred?

 

After 2-3 years they changed the battery chemistry slightly to supposedly have better heat tolerance but they strangely did not change to use active cooling if any kind in the LEAF. They did add active air cooling in the small commercial van that is based on the LEAF's powertrain.

The consensus among LEAF owners is that the newer battery is doing better, I think, but a fair number of owners are wanting better temperature management in a future BEV.

Toyota is claiming that the Prime battery chemistry is more heat tolerant than average.

 

thanks, that's what i figured. i'm sure toyota is planning to get it over the 100,000 mile warranty in the hot states, or 150k if any of them are carb, but i don't think so.
active cooling might provide longevity beyond that, or less degradation during warranty, but they probably aren't concerned about that. we know they aren't on the lift back.

 

Many of the Leafs that developed problems spent a lot of time with a full battery sitting in a hot garage. A fan alone wouldn't have helped.

And how possible will that raise the price?

The new chemistry are referred to as lizard packs.

 

Re: solar what I really want to consider, if technically possible, is putting small panel on the house and power a wireless charger from a small 12v batt storage system, and I don't care if I only get 10 miles EV as that would get me around town.

 

You might as well utilize "net metering" if your utility allows it. That would be way more efficient and cost effective than having another battery at your house. There are losses (significant with lead-acid) when charging a battery, and again in all of the voltage conversions.

You'd still want the car to charge even if the solar panel hadn't produced enough that day.

 

Yes, that will be another question. Probably at least 500 dollar or euro, given the materials that are needed. But maybe they will ask much more for it.

 

If you want to deal with the extra batteries, try farm supply stores for info. They have solar and wind systems for 12 volt electric fences.