dilithium crystals :D
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My issue with plug-in cars has already been mentioned: I park my car in a parking garage. There is nowhere for me to plug in so a plug-in car doesn't make since for me or any of the other 300 families in my apartment building.
There is however, a significant portion (25-35%?) of the population for which an electric car makes sense today. People that live in a house or some place where they have access to electrical power and are a 2 car family.
I have owned a REAL electric car for 45 days now. The Leaf. It's a commuter car. Go to work, drive home, plug it in. Rinse lather repeat.
If we have to go long distances or take a second long trip during that day we take the gasoline car. I'm up to 1500 gasoline free miles so far.
Yes the price needs to get better. I never would have bought one without the tax rebate. $7500. But I plan to drive this thing forever, and will drive it whenever feasible. I figure every time I drive it over the gas car I am saving money.
I don't want an electric car. I like the hum of gas powered engines. Only way I go electric is if gas goes over 6$ a gallon before I'm 60. Then maybe I consider it.
Not sure. We also have a Prius so I follow the technology. Although they are a different chemistry, they are still going strong even on the oldest models.
To build on Sea Ray's comment, what sort of warranty came with the Leaf? As a general rule I don't like to buy first generation of anything and let the bugs get worked out with the early adopters. Being so new, I'm wondering if the terms were different from a conventional Nissan.
Also to add a point of savings......maintenance. No oil changes or radiators to flush and fill or break. No leaking gaskets.
And how does it drive? & Does it really get 100 miles?
Warranty - "Every US specification Nissan LEAF™ is backed by a New Vehicle Limited Warranty providing: 36-month/36,000-mile basic coverage; 60-month/60,000-mile powertrain and electric vehicle system coverage; and 96 months/100,000 miles Lithium-Ion Battery coverage."
A lot of people getting the Leaf are leasing. I leased once and vowed to never do it again. In addition, I plan to drive the ever loving snot out of this thing, and that doesn't sit well in a lease.
There will be WAY less maintenance. Electric motors are way more dependable. No oil changes, no air filters, no transmission fluid flushes, no pollution controls. it goes on and on.
I personally think it drives like a dream, and has super quick acceleration.
You really get 70-75 miles in "normal" driving. If all your trip was 55 and less you'd get 90 or so. But work for me is about 22 miles away, so no problem whatsoever.
I do realize that is coming. And it needs to eventually. I sure don't like the GPS options. I'd rather see a "report your mileage" option.
I think price point is the main issue. If I'm paying $40k for a car, I'm looking for size or performance. For fuel economy, I'm looking for a car is affordable. If the Chevy Volt could be had for less than $20k, more people would buy it. As it is, if I could afford a new car, I'd probably go for a Volkswagen turbo diesel.
Chevy had a car that was affordable and got 50 mpg, the Sprint. I had one. Great for a college kid trying to save a few bucks.
Yes. I can go on road trips in a TDI without worrying about where to plug in if I need to stay at a hotel. If I'm buying a car that has limits on how I use it compared to another car, it needs to come in at a lower price. In my mind, inconvenience plays a role in the cost as well.