If you want to drive an electric vehicle but don't want to pay through the nose for a charger

[txlibdem]

The Nissan Leaf is a fantastic electric vehicle. If you drive less than 40 miles per day then the Chevy Volt will act as one too (for the sake of this OP anyway). If you'd prefer a Ford Focus EV all you have to do is wait till March 2012 and you'll be drivin' an American made all-electric car. There are several other choices: The Mitsubishi i, the Toyota Rav4 EV makes its triumphant return (with drivetrain from Tesla), Ford Transit Connect EV, Smart ED, etc.

You'll need to charge up every now and again but what they don't tell you is that Level 1 and Level 2 charging is 100% controlled by the vehicle. Those expensive chargers are nothing more than special wall sockets as far as your electric car is concerned. The plugs are all standard J1772 type (here in the USA).

The real question is, how much does it cost to get one of the Level 2 chargers (which you'll need unless you drive 15 miles or less per day). I looked at Nissan's official charger and found that it's over $2000, NOT including installation. No thanks. I need a cheaper option. Well, I found my answer in a most surprising place: Lowes and Home Depot.

• Schneider Electric Schneider Electric EVlink 30A Level 2 Electric Vehicle Charging Station
  Model # 85212
  $799.00 /EA-Each
  http://www.homedepot.com/Tools-Hardware-Auto-Electric-Car-Chargers/h_d1/N-5yc1vZbzjt/R-202963679/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053



• Legrand Electric Vehicle Level 2 Charging Station
  Model # L2EVSE16
  $749.00 /EA-Each
  http://www.homedepot.com/Tools-Hardware-Auto-Electric-Car-Chargers/h_d1/N-5yc1vZbzjt/R-203013921/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053



• Leviton Evr-Green 16-Amp Blue Level 2 Electric Car Charging Station
  Model # 002-EVB22-3PM
  $999.00 /EA-Each
  http://www.homedepot.com/Tools-Hardware-Auto-Electric-Car-Chargers/h_d1/N-5yc1vZbzjt/R-202950823/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053



• GE Universal Electric Vehicle Charging Station
  Item #: 107343 | Model #: EVWSWBC-CP01
  $999.00
  http://www.lowes.com/pd_107343-76863-EVWSWBC-CP01_0__?productId=3506910&Ntt=electric+vehicle+charger&pl=1¤tURL=%2Fpl__0__s%3FNtt%3Delectric%2Bvehicle%2Bcharger&facetInfo=

So there you have it. More and more companies want to supply you with a charger. You still need to pay an electrician to install it but saving a cool $1000+ is a good start to any EV experience.

[meow mix]

1. never going to be an option here..

untill they can handle 40 miles uphills, blasting thru 2 feet of unplowed snow. have a feeling those batterys wont last 2 miles out here.

[DCKit]

2. That's you, but the roughly 4,000 who live on my block drive less than 10 miles a day.

If they drive, at all, that is. We have a subway stop half a block away.

The car-sharing companies will be (should be) early adopters.

[txlibdem]

3. There actually are electric vehicle options for you.

The Chevy Volt has a heated battery compartment so the cold will not decrease your electric-only miles as much as you think.

The Ford Focus EV also controls the temperature inside the battery pack.

The advanced battery system uses an active liquid cooling and heating thermal management system to precondition and regulate the temperature in the battery system. This feature helps to maximize battery life and driving range. The active liquid system heats or chills a coolant before pumping it through the battery cooling system. This loop regulates temperature throughout the system against external conditions. On a hot day the cooled liquid absorbs heat from the battery pack, dispersing it through a radiator before pumping it through the chiller again. On a cold day the heated liquid warms the batteries, gradually bringing the system’s temperature to a level that allows it to efficiently accept charge energy and provide enough discharge power for expected vehicle performance.<11>

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Focus_Electric

But the Nissan Leaf (AFAIK) does not have any temperature regulation for the battery pack so do your homework.

[dmallind]

12. Yes it does have temp regulation. This was a 2012 model year change for the Leaf. nt

[TheWraith]

18. And cold weather doesn't affect Lithium Ion performance all that much.

Not nearly as much as lead-acid. If I recall correctly, it's only a 20% drop in total power at 0 degrees F.

[txlibdem]

26. NiMH has even less problem in the cold, but you're right it's a small reduction for Lithium as well

The only people who might be affected are those who are already stretching the range limits.

[txlibdem]

25. You're right. I hadn't checked on the 2012 model specs before writing this...

Oops!

[Dead_Parrot]

4. "If you want to drive an electric vehicle but don't want to pay through the nose for a charger"

...walk, you fuckers.

(Sorry tx)

Valid point, though - if you look down your at your legs, you will discover these things called "feet". They're awesome.

[txlibdem]

5. Some people can walk but our cities and jobs force use of vehicles

Before my (total) disability my wife would drive 3 miles to drop me off at the bus stop where I took a bus to the public transit hub. From there I had a choice of taking two trains and then another bus or a bus then a train then a final bus. That's 3 buses and 1 train or 2 of each. My daughter has the same problem commuting in San Francisco. The jobs are not where the people are and public transit isn't working in most cities.

While I totally agree with you that walking is the best form of transportation it just isn't realistic for most people in the real world. Electric vehicles are the most efficient tradeoff that we can make.

[Yo_Mama]

6. Good motto - realism and moderation make far more real world changes

Most people don't have the option of walking/biking to work and to shop. In some major metro areas it is possible.

Also, the recent bad economic times have made it very difficult for many two-earner families to live near work. When one person is working 45 miles away from another, transportation to the job is essential.

Both higher mileage vehicles and EVs, as well as some more public transport have contributed to this trend:


Txlibdem, thank you very much for posting the charger info. I was trying to hold out on buying a new car until I could get the Ford EV, but last year I had to replace one. So now it will be a couple of years, and then I will probably buy the Ford EV and my husband (who drives more than I do) will get the new(er) economy car, and I figure I will get at least 85% of my road miles done on electric charge. I was very pleased to see your info - it will probably move up my next car purchase a few months at least.

[txlibdem]

8. I am also taking a serious look at the Ford Focus EV, after having dismissed it early on

I had thought that Ford couldn't possibly produce a better EV than the Nissan Leaf, but now I want to have my wife test drive one of each and then decide. Her commute is 40 miles round trip so both would be a great choice and their lease options are probably going to be identical (or at least comparable).

Here in Dallas, public EV chargers (Level 1 and Level 2) are popping up surprisingly fast but they would be nothing more than a convenience factor for us because the Ford and the Nissan has more than double the range we need. But it is a nice thing to have just to ease your mind (some people still have range fears that the oil companies love to sow in as many people as possible).

Copy and paste this google maps map of EV charging stations in the Dallas area:
maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=211891722519472891922.0004a754eab81f5c0cf11

[wtmusic]

9. I wanted to buy a Focus EV

but it looks like it won't stack up on range, performance, or price. Although IMO it's a more attractive vehicle.

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/alternative/1101_2013_ford_focus_electric_2011_nissan_leaf_vs_comparison/

They're not due out until (earliest) March.

[txlibdem]

10. I've lost faith in motortrend, all of the gear heads that profit off their knowledge of ICE tech

ICE being, of course, the internal combustion engine. Open up any of those rags and you'll find a zillion ads for products that depend on the ICE engine. They have a huge monetary incentive to keep that cash cow going.

That is why I don't trust anything the gear heads write about electric vehicles. If every vehicle was electric, 90% of their ad revenue would be gone. I wouldn't exactly call them impartial, would you?

Do your own research, test drive one, some car rental places are getting electric vehicles so you can have an extended "test drive" for as long as you want. But the *last* thing I'd do is listen to someone who makes their money off of being anti-electric vehicles.

[wtmusic]

11. The article is a comparison of the Leaf and the Focus nt

[txlibdem]

14. Chock full of snide comments, little put-downs and FUD. They bad-mouthed them all.

As I wrote in my previous comment, when you stand to lose 90% of your ad revenue you cannot be trusted to write an article worth reading.

Just as a lark, read what they wrote about the Subaru
2011 Tokyo: Subaru’s New Hotness ... http://wot.motortrend.com/2011-tokyo-subarus-new-hotness-141151.html

Compare the tone of that article to the linked articles about all of the electric cars in the Nov 25, 2011 "comparison" hatchet job.

[Abin Sur]

17. Well, it is a magazine for enthusiasts.

While I certainly grant that the article about the Subaru is upbeat, in should be borne in mind that this is a magazine for gearheads, and from that perspective the Subaru is a lot more fun than a typical EV! I don't see a link to the "hatchet job" article though...am I just missing it?

[txlibdem]

19. Enthusiasts of the internal combustion engine - can't trust them about electric vehicles

Hatchet job articles are linked in this "comparison" of Focus EV, Leaf, iMiev, Fit EV, Volt and Prius Plug-In.
http://wot.motortrend.com/youre-buying-wot-focus-electric-leaf-volt-i-miev-fit-ev-or-prius-plug-in-137933.html

But you already admitted the psychological effects of the two articles: downbeat for the Electric; upbeat for the gas burner.

That's why I never pay attention to any "gearhead" or "auto enthusiast" writers where it comes to electric vehicles.

"The subaru is a lot more fun????"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pm6gD6r3-cw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=369h-SEBXd8&feature=endscreen

[Abin Sur]

22. You say "enthusiasts of the internal combustion engine" like it's a bad thing.

Hatchet job articles are linked in this "comparison" of Focus EV, Leaf, iMiev, Fit EV, Volt and Prius Plug-In.

Thank you for the link. I just read them, and they seem simply descriptive. Not enthusiastic, granted, but hardly a hatchet job. I admit I'm not overly familiar with electric vehicles, though...were they deceptive?

As for your links to electric "hot rods", I would point out that we were comparing the treatment of the Subaru in question to a conventional EV, not an EV "Supercar".

[wtmusic]

23. I dunno TX.

Most gearheads are openly hostile to EVs (take one to a car show and you'll see what I mean).

IMO it's an encouraging sign these articles even get printed.

[txlibdem]

24. I think gearheads will take to EVs once they understand that they can build an EV from scratch

There are far more customization options for electric vehicles than there are for fossil burner vehicles. If you love to tinker then an EV is for you. If you love to drive then you want an EV: the Nissan Leaf hugs the road like a magnet. If you love to smoke fools off the line at a stoplight then you want an EV: 100% torque available from the get go. EVs are a driver's car. A lot of people just don't know it yet... they'll catch on sooner or later.

All of the brand new EV models have been designed to be as similar to a family car as possible... and that's good, it'll let people know that an EV is a regular car (you just fuel it with a plug and not a gas pump).

But the next generation of EVs will have more variety, IMO. In 2012, Toyota is bringing back the Rav4-EV with a drivetrain and battery pack designed by Tesla. Eventually there will be sport coupes and convertibles and crossovers, all electric. It's going to bring the excitement of driving electric to millions of people who otherwise wouldn't have considered it.

[madokie]

7. for some of us walking is not an option though

[Abin Sur]

13. Walk? With a daily 70 mile round trip commute that's not exactly practical.

I'll drive my Civic hybrid when it's nice out, but on days like today with almost a foot of snow, my Jeep is a wee bit more realistic.

[txlibdem]

15. That's an extreme commute! My condolences

A couple of decades ago I had an 82 mile round trip. My '95 civic handled a foot of snow with confidence; I was amazed at how stable it was when SUVs and souped-up pretend race cars were sliding all over the road in front of me... my civic pulled past them with ease. I'm glad I've always been more practical than rich because I've always wanted those fancy vehicles but chose fuel economy over fluff... and my civic served me well through two of the toughest winters in memory. That was up north but now I live in Texas, where a 1/2 inch of slush is sure to produce a dozen or more accident segments on the evening news.

Granted, 70 miles in winter might be pushing it for the Focus EV or Leaf but if you could just get a half-hour on a Level 2 charger during the day you'd be fine with either because they have heated battery packs. And of course the Volt, with it's gas engine backup, would eliminate the need for that by putting you back on the foreign oil hamster wheel -- but sometimes a little trade-off is warranted.

And in the other 3 seasons you'd have no problem driving a Focus EV or Leaf on your 70 mile round trip commute. I wouldn't try it in the Mitsubishi i, however, as it only has an 80 mile range and that's cutting it way too close.

[Abin Sur]

16. While I'll certainly grant that an EV is quite practical for many,

I still don't think I'd use it as a daily driver. There are some days I run errands or visit friends in addition to the commute; just last Saturday I drove about 120 miles over the course of the day, and I take occasional road trips as well. Having a range of 600 miles in the Civic is rather nice for that!

In any case I don't think I'd be allowed to plug in an electric car at the post office where I work, so I don't think a pure electric vehicle will ever be an option for me. The Chevy Volt would work, but it only has a range of 25 to 50 miles before the gas engine kicks in (as per Wikipedia), which doesn't seem like that big an improvement. I would consider a plug-in hybrid as the technology improves...although I don't buy new cars (terrible investment), so I can't see myself getting anything more fuel-efficient than a conventional hybrid for at least the next 10 years or so.

And I'll still stick to the Cherokee when the there's snow on the road...like right now here in the mountains west of Denver!

Footnote: have you seen how much a Chevy Volt costs? Even with the tax break it would be around $35,000! For that kind of money I could get a 2 year old Corvette (drool), but instead I got a 2006 Civic in pristine condition for around $11,000.

[txlibdem]

20. How much is a new Cherokee? New Civic (similarly equipped as a Volt) is pretty pricey too

But I understand your position. In Denver you'll need an electric vehicle with a heated battery pack, like the Focus EV, Leaf, or Volt. The occasional road trips you take are a good reason to have a 2nd vehicle that burns liquid fuel.

[Abin Sur]

21. I do have my eye on the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited,

$32K or so new, but when I do buy it it'll be one that's at least 5 years old or so...which will bring the price down to more like $15K.