An early chemistry chosen for power and safety and abandoned for poor life in the heat.
At a glance
- Energy density. moderate
- Found in. early Nissan Leaf and Mitsubishi i-MiEV packs, usually blended with NMC
- Life. Short by modern standards, and the reason early Leafs aged the way they did.
- Weakness. Its defining weakness.
Where you will find it
early Nissan Leaf and Mitsubishi i-MiEV packs, usually blended with NMC.
What is good about it
Good power delivery and a safer cathode than early alternatives.
What is not
Poor high temperature calendar life, which is what ended it.
How long it lasts
Short by modern standards, and the reason early Leafs aged the way they did.
Heat and cold
Its defining weakness.
Not confirmed. The specific attribution to the Leaf and i-MiEV rests on a secondary source rather than a teardown.
Source. reported rather than confirmed at a primary source. Read 16 September 2026.Buying a Used EV or Hybrid?
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