Swapping out a standard to long range Battery

[Bosamuelson]

Hi All,

Looking at buying a MG5, we have found a nice looking car but it is not a long range - it is the new face lifted model though.

Does anyone know if it is possible to swap the battery if it is not suitable for our needs? We do not quite know as this is our first EV.

Many thanks,
Bo

 

[Deep purple]

LEAF batteries are frequently swapped to increase capacity, using bigger batteries from written off cars. Judging by the recent posts from someone whose LR MG5 had short range battery fitted in error presumably as a production issue it looks like the battery packs are physically compatible. The software would need to be tweaked. No idea where you would get a LR battery or someone to tweak the software.

 

[Bosamuelson]

Thank you for the quick reply

 

[DewiSant]

I believe the facelift version is only available in long range currently.

 

[Tiny Tim]

Hi All,

Looking at buying a MG5, we have found a nice looking car but it is not a long range - it is the new face lifted model though.

Does anyone know if it is possible to swap the battery if it is not suitable for our needs? We do not quite know as this is our first EV.

Many thanks,
Bo

A few points to consider:

• The battery is the main cost in the car. So though you would get something for the old battery, the cost of swapping will be significant.
• Though swapping the battery is possible, it's not common by any means
• It is considered that modern batteries may well outlast the car, so a replacement is only likely to come from a totalled car (or a new battery, of course) - the leaf has been around for a lot longer, so there are more options and more knowledge
• The tweaking required needs to match all the other electronics - making it really niche at the moment -niche usually means 'expensive'!
• There is a video about swapping a Leaf battery on the Fully Charged show on YouTube

In short, though it can be done, and should be easy, right now it's not a thing you can do easily. Neo's are in built with battery swapping tech inside (again, see Fully Charged) but that's yet to be proven and yet to be common. So unless you want to have a project, just get the right car in the first place.

 

[aled]

A few points to consider:

• The battery is the main cost in the car. So though you would get something for the old battery, the cost of swapping will be significant.
• Though swapping the battery is possible, it's not common by any means
• It is considered that modern batteries may well outlast the car, so a replacement is only likely to come from a totalled car (or a new battery, of course) - the leaf has been around for a lot longer, so there are more options and more knowledge
• The tweaking required needs to match all the other electronics - making it really niche at the moment -niche usually means 'expensive'!
• There is a video about swapping a Leaf battery on the Fully Charged show on YouTube

In short, though it can be done, and should be easy, right now it's not a thing you can do easily. Neo's are in built with battery swapping tech inside (again, see Fully Charged) but that's yet to be proven and yet to be common. So unless you want to have a project, just get the right car in the first place.

Also mg are very protective of their software so tweaking would almost definitely need to be done at an mg dealee with remote assistance from mg as the dealers don't appear to be able to change the software unassisted.

 

[Bosamuelson]

Thanks all looks as though it may be a no go For this car at least

 

[smokie]

"someone whose LR MG5 had short range battery fitted in error"

I must admit I assumed it was built as a SR but somehow wrongly tagged and identified in all the systems as a LR rather than a manufacturing blunder, I may well be wrong though. This was the thread but no outcome posted at the moment.

How to tell which battery is in my MG5

Don't post often, but I have an original MG5 (so standard range if you like) and happened to have a picture from the battery which gives more info. Thanks. Unfortunately my battery don't have the data plate. But i still think the last number is the KWh. On yours its EU150A52S and its a 52KWh...

www.mgevs.com

 

[5teep]

James of James and Kate YT channel also did a leaf battery swap. It was not an easy or cheap task for that car so I doubt it would be feasible for the MG. Main issues on the leaf swap were, needed a new wiring loom (adaptor) and a software upgrade.

 

[timeades]

James of James and Kate YT channel also did a leaf battery swap. It was not an easy or cheap task for that car so I doubt it would be feasible for the MG. Main issues on the leaf swap were, needed a new wiring loom (adaptor) and a software upgrade.

Robert Llewellyn did the same to his Leaf

 

[Kithmo]

It's not worth the effort IMO.
Is 38 extra miles WLTP range difference really worth the effort
FWIW, SWMBO's 5 SR, rated at 212 miles WLTP, can achieve 230 miles in Summer on A roads.