How Nissan’s 2023 Ariya EV Keeps Its Cool

The 2023 Nissan Ariya’s high voltage battery heats up, cools down as needed for optimal charging via an active thermal management system.

The 2023 Nissan Ariya is the automaker’s second mass-produced BEV following the Leaf, which has sold more than 600,000 units globally since its debut more than 11 years ago. (Nissan)

For their first battery-electric vehicle, the Leaf, Nissan engineers opted for a simple air-cooled/heated lithium-ion battery. But on their second EV, the 2023 Ariya, engineered cooling and heating lessens Mother Nature’s influence on the CUV’s pouch-type battery cells.

The Nissan Ariya’s charging port accommodates SAE J1772-based CCS charging, a first for Nissan. (Kami Buchholz)

The Ariya’s Nissan designed-and-developed active thermal management system keeps the high-voltage, liquid-cooled battery pack at an optimal temperature range during driving or charging time, according to James Mastronardi, Ariya’s vehicle performance development manager in the U.S.

The battery monitoring, conditioning, and control system uses a customer-minded, performance-oriented software profile to sustain higher charging rates over a longer period of time, he noted in a recent interview with SAE Media at the Nissan Technical Center North America.

For the top-of-the-line e-4orce AWD model, dual electric motors produce 389 hp (290 kW), capable of delivering 0-60 mph (0-97 km/h) acceleration in the five second range. “Ariya’s high-output battery warrants automatic heating and cooling from a thermal management system, so it’s really about having the right solution for the product,” Mastronardi said. Riding on an all-new EV platform, Ariya’s battery pack is mounted underfloor between the front and rear wheel wells.

The active thermal battery management system is independent of Ariya’s cabin heating system. However, the HVAC system gets its power from the high-voltage battery. “With the Nissan app and remote climate control, customers can pre-condition their vehicle while it is parked and charging to be ready to drive at their ideal comfort temperature without decreasing driving range,” Mastronardi explained. “The new HVAC system minimizes the impact on driving range during cabin heating," he added.

Graphic cutaway depicts Nissan Ariya’s new battery thermal control with battery conditioner. (Nissan)
Nissan-developed control software is the key to Ariya’s thermal management system, said performance development manager James Mastronardi. (Nissan)

Since its 2010 model year introduction, the Nissan Leaf has used the CHAdeMO charging standard for fast charging. That changes with the Ariya’s move to the Combined Charging System (CCS). “CHAdeMO was a good solution for its time. But with the evolution of charging, CCS is more widely available,” Mastronardi stated.

With its 1,077 U.S. dealerships, Nissan claims to have the largest number of Level 2 and fast chargers of any automaker in the U.S. “We’ve planned and prepared to make sure that dealership fast chargers are able to support both Leaf and Ariya,” said Mike Colleran, senior VP, Nissan U.S. marketing & sales.

Ariya customers can add a 240 volt/30 amp plug to support 7.2 kW. A quick charge from 20-80% of battery capacity can occur in 35 minutes (63 kW) or 40 minutes (87 kW) at 130 kW. Depending on the model, Ariya can provide a driving range up to 304 miles (489 km). MSRP of the Ariya starts at $43,190. Available in front-wheel drive and AWD, Ariya is currently manufactured at Nissan’s Tochigi plant in Japan.