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.
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?
Just attach some playing cards to the spokes to make motor sounds and save your battery!
In Zermatt, Switzerland, due to the horrible smog in the trapped valley, they mandated electrical vehicles except as really needed like larger trucks. When the switch happened, they ran down people like crazy. I was there in 1993; by then they had mandated sleigh bells, which fit this climbing/ski town.
I thought if I had one, I want two sounds, Top Fuel Dragster for acceleration, and steam engine choo-choo for steady speeds.
Well you drive a hard bargain!
Great write-up!