Two Months with an Electric Car

[Beldar]

Sounds a little nerve wracking, having to tailor your trips to a limited amount of charging stations. What if they are busy? And the wait time?

Do you have to swipe a credit card at the charging station, or is it "free"? I can guess who ends up paying for the energy if it's "free".

Anyhow, thanks for sharing the experience.

_B

 

[ShokWaveRider]

But my Prius was $25k new...

OK so I exaggerated. I lease all my cars so I really do not consider the New price over the long term. Only what it cost per year to drive, I allocate ~$5k per year, but like everything else I adjust every lease period. (leasing for me is a convenience this not an affordability thing, you lose money either way).

 

[target2019]

Driving a gas vehicle helps me with my waistline, I don't buy food at a gas station as who wants to eat with the smell of gas, or I might get gas on the hands which smells for a long time..

In the glorious state of NJ we do not pump gas. Picture this utopian setting. People motor up to the 12 banks of pumps, get out of car, attendant swipes card, you go in for bathroom relief, hoagie, etc. Go back to car and drive off into the Sunset!

https://www.wawa.com/

 

[travelover]

I'm not sure what the term is for a post like this. It's fairly common to see, the poster says something to make the other posts sound negative, when there is no evidence of that. Here's what people said:
-ERD50

.......... you're going to have to explain to me...
.............what makes that 'fun'? Driving an ICE on empty is a little nerve racking, better to have plenty of reserve at all times...............

-ERD50

Not normal?

What is the plan if you run out of juice on the road?............ .

If getting home depends on the availability of a charging station, what happens if they are all occupied when you arrive? ...........

............. I cannot for the life of me understand WHY anyone would drive an electric car or a hybrid commuter car.........................

You are nuts, T-Al. That sounds scary as hell. .............

...............
From what I have read, battery degradation is is common with the Leaf due to no active thermal management system. This is one of the reasons way these cars hit the used market frequently and are priced low.
.............

.......... maybe it's a simple case of green smugness...

Sounds a little nerve wracking, having to tailor your trips to a limited amount of charging stations...........
_B

The "green" happy feeling wears off the first time you run out of juice on an interstate.

My apologies, ERD. On reviewing the posts, I can't seem to find a single negative comment.

 

[aja8888]

That's it. He is just faking happiness to make us feel bad because he is happy.

The "green" happy feeling wears off the first time you run out of juice on an interstate.

 

[HF63]

Just give it some time and you will see what the electric can or will do in the future.

It is just a baby taking baby steps, it is like comparing this to model T. Those engines where horrible.

If I could afford a hybrid car, I will purchase the GM volt.

 

[ERD50]

My apologies, ERD. On reviewing the posts, I can't seem to find a single negative comment.

But those "negative comments" (some were just questions) were directed mostly at the comment about the 'fun' of running low on charge. I still don't think anyone was questioning or challenging his overall 'joy' of the vehicle.


-ERD50

 

[ERD50]

Just give it some time and you will see what the electric can or will do in the future.

It is just a baby taking baby steps, it is like comparing this to model T. Those engines where horrible.

No, it's not like comparing to a model T at all. It's not true and it's an insult to any EV owner!

Electric motors and controllers are a mature technology, and there isn't any big opportunity for efficiency improvement (they are already at 90+ efficiency, and you can't reach 100%!). There will be improvements in cost, size, weight - but expect those to be incremental.

Batteries will incrementally improve in cost, size, weight, durability. But again, efficiencies are already high (+80% round trip?).

Yes, EVs will improve, but not anything at all like Model-T versus modern cars. Not at all.

If I could afford a hybrid car, I will purchase the GM volt.

I think hybrids just make so much more sense for most people. The advantage of the energy density and availability of petroleum fuel is too big for EVs to overcome in many cases. While many/most trips will be within the range of an EV, the occasional (and often unpredictable) need to go beyond that range and not wait for a charge is a big negative for a lot of people.

-ERD50

 

[NW-Bound]

The most fun is driving beyond your range--needing to get a charge if you want to make it home. Today we went on a 113-mile trip...

Living on the wild side!

I worked with a guy who thought it great fun to see how low he could go on fuel before gassing up. He loved timing it so that his engine died of fuel starvation and he coasted to the pumps.

I can definitely say this is not for me. The "fun" or thrill seeking that is, not about the car. If I need another car, I may look into getting an inexpensive Leaf to run errands, but driving around with the danger of getting stranded is not for me. My wife would certainly not come along.

I think most posters here would not go for this thrill either. Heck, we are a bunch of scaredy cats who are proud to live on 2 or 3% WR, and not counting on SS, and all that belts and suspenders stuff.

 

[travelover]

But those "negative comments" (some were just questions) were directed mostly at the comment about the 'fun' of running low on charge. I still don't think anyone was questioning or challenging his overall 'joy' of the vehicle.


-ERD50

I guess I missed T-Al's request for advice. He seems very happy with his purchase.

 

[Maenad]

We've got a 2012 Leaf, and really enjoy it. The acceleration is fantastic (electric motors FTW), and since most of our errands are short hops, range worry is pretty much nonexistent. Learning your car, and plotting out your route in Google Maps takes care of that.

That being said, since we don't have a good charging network here (as far as I know), we also have an ICE car for road trips and visits to friends that are further than 30 miles or so.

Additionally, the battery capacity drops substantially in MN winters, so once it gets cold enough I drive it to work occasionally if DH is working at the "far office" that day, as opposed to the "near office" or at home. (My commute is uniformly short.)

It was a calculated risk on a relatively new type of car. We have the luxury of being able to support a new technology, and we knew the risk when we took it.

 

[HFWR]

But it's certainly not a BMW though. Not even close or nearly as much fun!

Can't really argue with that, but if I'd bought McMansions and Euro cars, I'd still be w*rking, which is not nearly as fun as being FIRED... I'm perfectly content with that choice!

 

[NW-Bound]

But it's certainly not a BMW though. Not even close or nearly as much fun!

-1

I would have more fun with a Leaf than a BMW.

But, but, but they've got to give me more range for me to use it for more than running errands to the grocery stores or to Home Depot.

 

[aja8888]

-1

I would have more fun with a Leaf than a BMW.

But, but, but they've got to give me more range for me to use it for more than running errands to the grocery stores or to Home Depot.

The BMW diesel is a fun car.

Other BMW's, not so much. But I am not the type of person that would buy an electric car. I doubt very much that I would even consider a hybrid given the premium that goes with its price.

 

[NW-Bound]

Sure.

I was just trying to say that people have different ideas of fun. For example, while many enjoy watching a ball game with rowdy and cheering friends, I would rather listen to some jazzy music, and studying diagrams of different hybrid PLL-DS synthesizer designs. Not too many people think of that as a pastime.

 

[Bestwifeever]

That sounds like fun, Al. I think you should write a children's book when you have a grandchild, because I am loving the picture in my mind of modern Grandpa and Grandma at Starbucks with the knitting and the laptop writing, and the EV out at the charging stand.

 

[GravitySucks]

Glad you're having fun with the new ride Al.

 

[ERD50]

I guess I missed T-Al's request for advice. He seems very happy with his purchase.

What does "advice" have to do with anything?

A positive " I'm glad you are enjoying your new ride ", and then some questions about why he thinks running low on charge is 'fun'. No "advice" given, and none requested, as far as I can see.

Some people I think mentioned an EV wouldn't be for them, due to the range limits. So what, it's just conversation? We know from previous posts that T-Al is well aware of the range issues with a Leaf, and he's well aware that he wouldn't have those same range issues with an ICE/hybrid, or a Tesla (something I suggested, since he wanted an EV, mentioned that he was loosening the purse strings, and the round trip to town was somewhat marginal for the Leaf). He chose the Leaf fully aware of all this.

He said he's happy with the car. That's great. Now, I'm still curious about the 'fun' of running low on charge. Nothing more, nothing less. He could have that kind of 'fun' with an ICE if he wanted (only put 3 gallons in at a time for added 'fun'). It's an odd statement from a normally pretty level-headed guy. I don't think our curiosity is misplaced.

-ERD50

 

[travelover]

What does "advice" have to do with anything?

A positive " I'm glad you are enjoying your new ride ", and then some questions about why he thinks running low on charge is 'fun'. No "advice" given, and none requested, as far as I can see.

Some people I think mentioned an EV wouldn't be for them, due to the range limits. So what, it's just conversation? We know from previous posts that T-Al is well aware of the range issues with a Leaf, and he's well aware that he wouldn't have those same range issues with an ICE/hybrid, or a Tesla (something I suggested, since he wanted an EV, mentioned that he was loosening the purse strings, and the round trip to town was somewhat marginal for the Leaf). He chose the Leaf fully aware of all this.

He said he's happy with the car. That's great. Now, I'm still curious about the 'fun' of running low on charge. Nothing more, nothing less. He could have that kind of 'fun' with an ICE if he wanted (only put 3 gallons in at a time for added 'fun'). It's an odd statement from a normally pretty level-headed guy. I don't think our curiosity is misplaced.

-ERD50

Al's got a new car. He chose it, he is proud of it and he is enjoying it. Would it kill you to just be happy for him and wish him well?

I've seen a lot of new babies and most of them were ugly, red and wrinkled. I told the mothers they were lovely.

 

[NW-Bound]

I've seen a lot of new babies and most of them were ugly, red and wrinkled. I told the mothers they were lovely.

Not the babies in my family. They were all plumb, and pretty.

 

[REWahoo]

Not the babies in my family. They were all plumb, and pretty.

Lucky you. All the babies in my family were out of plumb - even so, everyone still thought they were pretty.

 

[NW-Bound]

Meant to write "plum".

However, if your babies were out of plumb, it was not their fault. You just did not hold them up right.

 

[Zathras]

The "green" happy feeling wears off the first time you run out of juice on an interstate.

150,000 miles of driving electric in our family, the happy feeling has yet to wear off

That sounds like fun, Al. I think you should write a children's book when you have a grandchild, because I am loving the picture in my mind of modern Grandpa and Grandma at Starbucks with the knitting and the laptop writing, and the EV out at the charging stand.

That is awesome, love the idea

Al, congratulations on the car and experience. It is a lot of fun, and I can't imagine going back to a gas/diesel car.
Glad to hear you found the range that works well for you.

 

[ERD50]

Al's got a new car. He chose it, he is proud of it and he is enjoying it. Would it kill you to just be happy for him and wish him well? ...

I did.

It seems you either have a reading comprehension problem, or just have some sort of bias about this.

I won't bother with any further attempts at communication with you regarding this, I'll just wait to see if T-Al wishes to reply and explain his 'fun' comment for the benefit of all of us that commented on it.

-ERD50

 

[Beldar]

My apologies, ERD. On reviewing the posts, I can't seem to find a single negative comment.

If I came across as being negative then I apologize as that wasn't my intent. I was commenting on the limited refueling opportunities for EVs and how that would restrict the driving experience.

I'm glad TA is enjoying the Leaf, I'd like to hear more along the way.

_B