Friday, March 2, 2018

Goodbye Nissan! Affordable, yes, Electric, yes, Car, yes, but can it even get you home from work?

As many of my readers know, I drive a lot.  About 75 mi (120 km) a day, 1,550 mi (2,500 km) per month [for about $30–35], and about 20,000 mi (32,000 km) every year.  And now that #CO2Fre (technically, she is currently white) has a mere 33,875 miles, and just over 19 months, for the first time since owning #CO2Fre2 (2012 LEAF SL, down one bar, 42,700 mi and 27 months) and #CO2Fre1 (2013 LEAF SL, full bars, 50,000 mi and 30 months), this #CO2Fre is already down two whole bars!

In fact, as you can see from LEAFSpy (Android, iOS), #CO2Fre is down to about 76.20% of it's original capacity (less than the capacity of a new 24kWh Battery LEAF) and merely just under 68% health.  I will admit 64 #CHAdeMO sessions are a bit much for 19 months, but compared to 1642 Level 2 plugins, it's hardly unusual, especially within 33,875 miles.

The moral of this story, my friends, is very simple.  Although I still strongly recommend a used LEAF for under $10,000 with maybe 50 mi (80 km) capacity, I have but one piece of advice for all my readers, especially on the cusp of the sham 150 mi (240 km) capacity 2018 too-little-too-late LEAF, my council is simply this: Do not get a Nissan, never again!

If only waiting for a Tesla Model 三 wasn't a sisyphean task.

8 comments:

  1. I'm ordered and have financing setup for my TM3. Admittedly I let them force me into the high price version but after the Leaf and Think I'm looking for serious range. Site says 3-6 weeks a week ago - sure hope they are correct...

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  2. Jeffrey, You are correct! My 2013 SL with 57K miles and 2 months under 5 years gets me maybe 45 miles. I need 52 daily. So I have to charge someplace before I can get home. It’s a PIA. It was fine when it was under 30K miles. But now it sucks.

    I might get a TM3. But I really like the look of the Jaguar I-Pace. Need to test drive that ASAP.

    I plan on keeping my LEAF. It’s not worth selling. Hopefully by 2025 a New replacement battery will be $500

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  3. Sal, I though you already got the Model 三 configuration page!? Still, if you can afford the I-Pace, more power to you!

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  4. I see your pain but since my 2016 (29,413 miles in 14 months with zero range loss) was totaled, I was forced to move my timetable up and the reality is the LEAF is MUCH cheaper. Yesterday, I did 164 miles on a charge so EPA rating is all there and for a total cost (should I buy it) for pennies over $23,000. That is a LOT of public charging over the price of the still distant $36,200 Tesla.

    Oh did I mention, LEAF comes with 2 years free charging? ;)

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    1. Sorry about the total but I think you made out better in the end relative to waiting.

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  5. I am still happy with my BMW i3 with range extender. The battery can go a hundred and forty miles, with another 70 on the Range extending 2 gallon gas tank. My current problem is that my power is out at home, making it difficult to charge my i3! Thanks Jeffrey for your advice on public charging stations

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    1. I forgot to mention also there's an app for that! Search for PlugShare on the Apple Store or Google Play store, and make sure you enable DC CCS fast charging as you i3 supports that.

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