Nissan 30kW/h battery software upgrade available

A battery management system (BMS) firmware update for Nissan Leaf 30kW/h electric vehicles is being provided by GVI Electric.

GVI says it’s working in collaboration with Walter Larason of Christchurch-based EVs Enhanced who successfully trialled the BMS update which fixes a fault causing misreporting of battery statistics.

Updates will be offered first from July 26 at GVI’s EV centre at 3/419 Hutt Road, Alicetown, Lower Hutt, with the centre due to officially open shortly.

That will be followed from August 8 by updates from the GVI Electric Centre at 575 Great South Road, Penrose, Auckland.

A $250 charge (including GST) applies to cover labour, software licensing and the specialist tools needed.

Customers have been emailed and GVI Electric says it’s also offering the service through social media.

“We’re working in collaboration with Walter on this and considering the possibility of GVI covering the North Island and Walter covering the South Island,” GVI general manager Hayden Johnston says.

Describing Larason as an “EV wizard”, Johnston says Larason spent some time working on GVI’s stock of 30kW/h Leafs as the BMS update was unavailable through Nissan to the New Zealand public.

Nissan New Zealand has been contacted for comment.

Johnston says plenty of enquiries have been received since word about the BMS update was put out.

Bookings for the update can be made through 0800 443 684, ext 3, for Auckland, and 0800 525 5885 for Wellington, or visit gvielectric.kiwi for more information.