Monday, February 14, 2011 10:28:45 AM · by Responsibility2nd · 127 replies
San Antonio Express News ^ | 02/13/2011 | G. Chambers Williams III
Posted on 08/22/2014 8:50:27 AM PDT by Roman_War_Criminal
So the wife & I are thinking on taking the plunge. I commute about 75 miles a day round trip to work & back. Based on that, I pay over $410 in gas/month on a paid car that is just getting more expensive to maintain.
Any other FReepers who are owners care to give your experiences?
Is it worth it?
I drive over 100 miles a day. It could save me a lot of money if the range was greater, but it’s just not practical.
My guess is that the 3 wheeler is the platform for launching a full size auto line.
It could be a software bug, or maybe they have degraded the battery by fast charging.
I don't leave any cordless stuff, or even the garage door clicker in the garage from April into October.
I have two others just in case.
I used to have a full size Bronco. Very cool but horrible gas mileage. Now have a Toyota FJ Cruiser that gets about 18-20 mpg.
I know 4 people who bought one recently. All use as 2nd (or extra) cars for running around or short daily commutes. Given the tax credit and lease rates they are paying about $75/month for the car.
Personally I think it’s an ugly car but... My friends who did buy one have pick up truck, Mustang, BMW and Porsche Panemara as their “other vehicles”.
Maybe, but I still balk at the limited range.
What the Crash Testing like ?
It is something to consider. That’s why I asked. I certainly value FReepers & their experiences over mine when it comes to cars.
Could also be mechanical. I’m sure if I slammed my high tech laptop battery around enough it would break. Presumably there are 100’s of the equivalent of my laptop battery with their external and internal connections. Some are bound to break which overall looks like degraded capacity.
We had an 02 TDI and it was very unreliable and expensive. Also uncomfortable on a trip. We dumped it with glee and will never go VW again.
Very happy with my Leaf.
Cost:
- Georgia gives a $5000 tax _credit_ to anyone buying or leasing one.
- A 2 year lease turns that credit into a free $200/month.
- I was paying at _least_ $150/month for gas; now I pay something like $25/month for electricity.
- Between those two savings, the car is free for 2 years.
- Owner (dealer if leasing) gets another $7500 tax credit; helps you negotiate a better lease.
Performance:
- Quiet.
- So quiet they actually had to install a speaker outside it to make “electric car sounds” at low speeds to alert distracted pedestrians.
- Great acceleration. 0-60 in 8 seconds or less. No delay, no “shifting” pauses, just _go_.
- Performs nicely at 80MPH (normal practical freeway cruising speed in GA). There’s a discernible decrease in available distance, but not bad at all.
- Has “Eco mode” to change performance dynamics to use less power. With careful driving, I’ve gotten that up to a reported 112 miles available on a full charge.
- Has “B mode” for stop-and-go traffic, initiating rapid deceleration when not pressing on the, uh, accelerator.
- Fun, responsive.
Charging:
- 80+ miles on a full charge. This will or won’t work for you. It works GREAT for me (about 40 mile round trip to work).
- Trickle charge (normal 110v house outlet) takes about 21 hours for full charge. Overnight is usually enough for most owners.
- Fast charge (220v @ 6.6A) to full in 4 hours flat. (There’s a 3.3A version. Not worth the savings.) By staggering coincidence, building management put up such a charger where I work: it’s $1/hr for 4 hours ($20/hr after to persuade you to get the heck out of the space when you’re done), and very handy for days when I’m running around more than 80 miles. At $1/hr, that’s $120/month for full charge every day - still cheaper than gas.
- Fastest charge (440v) to 80% in 20 minutes; requires a $1300 option, your call considering circumstances and charger availability (EV dealers tend to have one handy).
Politics:
- “Conservative” doesn’t mean “wrecker of the Earth”, it means “conserve”. Nothing wrong with a zero-emissions vehicle. (Yes, I know the “emissions” are elsewhere; they’re still significantly reduced and concentrated somewhere other than this smog-overrun city, while producing power using far more efficient methods.)
- Reduce/eliminate foreign oil dependence.
- Opposed to high taxes? use this to significantly reduce yours if you’re in a suitable state (like GA). It’s not a handout, as you’ve already payed more than your fair share in taxes; get some back for once.
Ego:
- Keep your man card. It’s cool high-tech early-adopter technology. Thing is weird-looking enough.
- Has its own app (if you have the “navigation package”). You can check power levels and turn on/off charging & climate control remotely. It will tell you if you are near a charger and haven’t plug it in, and when it’s done charging.
Weather:
- Best in temperate climates. Usable elsewhere, evaluate for your own special needs.
Con:
- Lease; beware buying outright. Technology will likely improve significantly soon, and you may not want to be stuck with an 80 mile range when everyone else is pushing 200.
- Resale value will suck. Per prior point, dealers are concerned that there will be a glut of used EVs when leases end in 2 years. (_Buying_ then might be a good idea, evaluate then.)
- Heavy use of A/C and/or heater may impact battery use. A/C hasn’t been bad for me; will report on heat during this predicted-cold winter.
- Gotta have a gas car for longer trips. It’s a local runabout/commuter, not a “family vacation” car.
It’s not for everyone. Whom it is for, it’s a GREAT choice - heck, here it’s a free car for 2 years.
I’m very happy with mine.
That makes it a better possibility.
Your commute is going to make it concerning if you don’t get a charge between each trip. You would likely have difficulty making it home if you didn’t get some charge at the office.
I’m an electrical engineer, specialized in power systems. I’m not afraid of the idea of an electric car. But I remain highly skeptical of the practicality of the current technology and price. I think there are some high mpg cars in that size that are more affordable and certainly more dependable.
Big kicker for me is still the cost of complete battery replacement in 5 years. Secondly is how much degrading of energy storage will happen in that battery in 4.9 years.
If you take the plunge, I hope you will give us feedback in a year and those that follow. I’d trust an unknown FReeper over some review by a car magazine guy.
75 miles round trip is pushing it, no room for short trips during the day.
Check for convenient chargers near your work. Have one at my building, very handy when needed.
Nissan will send a tow truck if you deplete the battery on the road, taking you either home or to nearest charger/dealer. Free! they figure the inconvenience means you won’t abuse the service.
Heavy use of climate control might make that distance untenable if you can’t regularly use a charger during the commute.
Got my Leaf because my ‘98 Camry was about to either self-destruct or cost an enormous amount to repair. Three other very smart/conservative/manly guys at the office got one, all loving theirs and saying “it’s a no-brainer - get one already!”
ctdonath2 - Thanks for giving FReepers that feedback from real use. If you don’t mind, what is the worse range you have experienced given bad conditions?
Roman_War_Criminal - Trickle charge (normal 110v house outlet) takes about 21 hours for full charge. Is that what is provided at your office charging stations?
It's quite uncommon to refer to a 3 year old car as "car of this age." It's nearly new. Sorry to hear that the battery is exhibiting memory effects. I used many laptops, and not even one battery in them survived for more than 2-3 years. This made me deeply suspicious of Li-Ion batteries; they are great as a power source, but they don't last.
Here in Georgia, the state gives you a 5 grand tax rebate for buying/leasing an all electric car. Plus free access to HOV lanes. We did a 2 year lease and with the gas savings and rebate, it’s pretty much a free car.
If you don’t have charging stations at work, I think your range is a little tight. Especially in the winter months or with high a/c use. I definitely would lease over buy until battery technology improves.
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