HillStreet
Veteran Member
Electric cars are definitely not ready for the mainstream market. Too costly, too many limitations. Not to mention durability over the years is still unknown.
So much for a Nissan Leaf!
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NorTracNY
Platinum Member
The Tesla is SWEET!!! I would never buy a Leaf. An all electric car better have a great range or a good range and be amazing to drive (Tesla). I'd prefer the Chevy Volt with a backup gas engine, there's never a fear of running out of electric power. Alas, all are way out of my car budget.
Soundguy
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yep. on board charge device would be a must for long trips..
DarkBlack
Elite Member
Isn't the Leaf like 1/3 the price of a Tesla?
kiotiken
Veteran Member
Yup. They had a $6K price drop this year.
They absolutely have their place, but an all round replacement to a gas vehicle isn't one of them. We do take long trips to visit family but always take my wife's Sienna. Why does the car I drive exclusively to work need to have more than an 80 mile range? It is a perfect second car in my mind.
Compare a 1st gen iPod to the current 5th gen model, its night and day. Advancements in electric cars will go the same way, it won't take long before we look back at this argument with disbelief.
OP
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Some day, batteries will be good, but not yet.
A better solution to charging stations would be to have stations that could swap out your battery.
Drive around town more than you expected, stop for a swap, taking only a little longer than filling with gas. If on a trip, stop at a swapping station. Would require some standardization in batteries, but that's doable. Would also require cars to be designed for a fast swap, but that could be done, too. Technician opens a hatch, disconnects, covers terminals with insulators, removes battery with special equipment that can handle the weight, installs another in reverse process & off you go.
That's how to make electric cars practical. But like with fuel cell cars, it would take a network of stations built for the task. Both are feasible; and as I said in post #1, Toyota has announced they will introduce a fuel cell car this year.
A better solution to charging stations would be to have stations that could swap out your battery.
Drive around town more than you expected, stop for a swap, taking only a little longer than filling with gas. If on a trip, stop at a swapping station. Would require some standardization in batteries, but that's doable. Would also require cars to be designed for a fast swap, but that could be done, too. Technician opens a hatch, disconnects, covers terminals with insulators, removes battery with special equipment that can handle the weight, installs another in reverse process & off you go.
That's how to make electric cars practical. But like with fuel cell cars, it would take a network of stations built for the task. Both are feasible; and as I said in post #1, Toyota has announced they will introduce a fuel cell car this year.
Scooby074
Super Member
Firstly Musk is a visionary genius! Could you imagine the world if there were 100 guys of his calibre? Id love to see him sink his teeth into alternative modes of travel and get them off the drawing board, like his Hyperloop concept.
One thing thats missing from the Leaf is a gas, LNG or hydrogen powered extender. You wouldnt need it for 99% of trips, but it'd be nice for longer ones. Just a small, pull behind trailer with lightweight generator you could leave at home most days. Best of both worlds. Like a volt, but without having to drag around a gas engine when its not required .
Thats until superfast charging or battery swaps become common place.
One thing thats missing from the Leaf is a gas, LNG or hydrogen powered extender. You wouldnt need it for 99% of trips, but it'd be nice for longer ones. Just a small, pull behind trailer with lightweight generator you could leave at home most days. Best of both worlds. Like a volt, but without having to drag around a gas engine when its not required .
Thats until superfast charging or battery swaps become common place.
Tollster
Veteran Member
I have faith they will get better with time, its just like everything else, but at least they are trying. Technology is constantly evolving, I believe the biggest challenges are those that don't want to see it succeed, more than anything else.
ultrarunner
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Three leafs in the parking lot this afternoon and one Tesla... never seen a Volt here.
Someone must be buying or leasing Leafs and Teslas?
The first Volt I saw belonged to the Park Service at Mount Rainier National Park.
I asked the Ranger and was told they had to take it... said it really isn't practical because they need SUVs or 4wd trucks for year round use up and down the mountain.
Someone must be buying or leasing Leafs and Teslas?
The first Volt I saw belonged to the Park Service at Mount Rainier National Park.
I asked the Ranger and was told they had to take it... said it really isn't practical because they need SUVs or 4wd trucks for year round use up and down the mountain.
BigE_
Platinum Member
wow.. 20$ a month savings and you can't make an extended trip.. or extended evac in an emergency with no or unknown utility availability, like in the case of a disaster. Last big hurricane inmy area left us without power 2-3 weeks. ...having an electric vehicle woulda (BEEP)ed for sure during that time!
hmm.. sign me up! er.. no.. wait. I'll take the 900m range i have in my diesel f450... And I can brag that I don't have to buy GAS either
I have a 2011 Think. It cost me $8500 after all of the rebates, plus another couple hundred for the charging station at home, after all rebates. Let's call it $9,000 total.
I was paying $500+ for gas in my Chevy 2500 HD every month, because I was using it as my daily commuter. Now I pay about $20 per month in electricity, and there is zero maintenance on an EV. (Change a quart of gear oil every 25,000 miles). We still have a gasser that we use when we need to go more than 100 miles in a day, but really, just about every place around has a charging station, so there isn't even that limit anymore.
15 months later, and the car has come quite close to paying for itself. No, it isn't as fun to drive, but man, that extra money in the bank every month sure is nice, especially after it pays for itself. (I actually paid cash for mine, but you get the picture).
The only regret is that it is only a 2 seater, and I have a heck of a time pulling the tractor / trailer combo with it.
Seriously, though, I put my truck in storage and only take it out as needed. I only pay insurance ($2 per day) on days I drive my truck, and I've driven it less than 20 days since I bought the electric car.
The next electric car will be a Nissan Leaf or similar, with the quick charge port (20 minutes to 80% charge), and we'd be able to take it on extended trips.
It ain't perfect, but it sure as heck is cheap to drive.
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