Recommended battery replacement for Mitsubishi i-MiEV?

Question

Hey everyone! My 2012 i-MiEV has been a reliable daily driver, but lately, I’ve noticed the range is dropping significantly, especially in the cold. I’m currently down to about 40 miles on a full charge, so I think it’s finally time to look into a battery replacement or upgrade. Has anyone here successfully swapped their pack for a higher capacity one, or is it better to stick with the OEM 16kWh specs? I'm specifically curious about the cost of newer cells and if there are any reputable third-party installers you’d recommend. Does anyone have advice on the most cost-effective way to get my range back up to a usable level?

irpgjfxsgx · Accepted Answer

For the 12V auxiliary battery, a Group 151R AGM or a Yuasa 054 EFB is highly recommended for better durability. If you’re replacing the main traction pack, avoid buying old stock LEV50 cells. Instead, look for the improved LEV50N cells or consider a capacity upgrade. Aftermarket specialists now offer CATL 93Ah or SVOLT 90Ah cell swaps, which can double your range to 200km+. Check the MyiMiEV forums for local refurbishers or DIY CAN-bridge solutions to handle the new chemistry.

zwysrweroj · Answer

Warning: Watch out for "refurbished" cells; I had issues with unbalanced voltages and poor longevity.

1. Mitsubishi i-MiEV 16kWh OEM Battery: Reliable but honestly too expensive for the range.
2. OZ74 Battery Upgrade Kit: Better capacity, though finding installers is a nightmare.
3. Used salvage packs: Cheapest, but range is often not as good as expected...

In my opinion, sticking with the Mitsubishi i-MiEV 16kWh OEM Battery is the safest bet, even if it feels disappointing. Hope this helps!

mqkrqdmuxo · Answer

For your situation, I would suggest looking into a cell swap using LEV50N Lithium-ion Cells. These are the updated OEM-spec cells from Yuasa that handle degradation much better than the original 2012 ones. Honestly, if you're handy, you can swap individual bad modules, but replacing teh whole pack with a used 2017 Mitsubishi i-MiEV 16kWh Battery Pack is usually more cost-effective. Just make sure to check the MUT-III data for cell balance before buying! Hope this helps!