Highway panic for a driver. Electric car battery dropped from 48% to 1%: “I was terribly scared, my heart stopped”
A Norwegian driver's electric car battery suddenly discharged while driving on the highway, from 48% to 1%. The incident, which happened on the first day of Christmas, however ended favorably for the owner, after the insurance company declared the car a total loss and offered him compensation at the market value.
The battery in his seven-year-old Nissan Leaf suddenly died. PHOTO: Shutterstock
The man was returning home to Lillestrøm in Drammen after spending the holidays with his son. Halfway through the journey, the battery in his seven-year-old Nissan Leaf suddenly dropped from 48% to just 1%, motor.no reports.
“The percentage dropped from 48 to 1. I was terribly scared, my heart stopped,” said the driver.
The driver was able to get home safely after, on a flatter and slightly downhill section of road, the battery level temporarily rose enough to continue the journey. The experience, however, made him anxious about the vehicle's autonomy.
High voltage battery failure
After the incident, the man contacted the dealer from whom he had purchased the car, but since the warranty had expired, he was referred to the insurance company. The procedure went quickly.
According to Fremtind insurance company communications director, the repair estimate prepared by the service indicated “an internal fault in the high voltage battery”.
The cost of the repair exceeded the market value of the car, so the insurer decided to declare total loss and buy back the car. The owner is to receive 130,000 Norwegian kroner (about 11,518 euros), an amount he considers fair.
“It's a good price. Now I'm just waiting for the car to be picked up and get the money.” he said.
A problem also complained by other owners
The case is considered a positive example of quick resolution. A lawyer described the situation as “a true story with a happy ending”, pointing out that many drivers face much longer procedures in similar cases.
In recent years, several Nissan Leaf owners have complained of sudden and unexplained battery level drops, a problem that has caused numerous difficulties.
Although he was compensated, the Norwegian says he is disappointed that a car only seven years old, with 87,000 kilometers on it, ends up being scrapped. “It's sad. It didn't run very long,” he said.
The insurance company representatives state that the vehicle will be dismantled and the reusable parts will be used in other repairs. After 11 years of experience behind the wheel of electric cars, the victim says that he will consider, in the future, returning to a gasoline or diesel car.
