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It's been a year since we bought an electric car, a 2018 Nissan Leaf. So if you're at all EV-curious, hit me up and I'll give you honest answers. For now, an FAQ:
1) First things first: what did you pay for it and did you get a rebate?
We took out a loan for a little less than $19k, minus our trade-in. But this spring we did get a $7,500 tax rebate. So that puts us at about $11,500.
We took out a loan for a little less than $19k, minus our trade-in. But this spring we did get a $7,500 tax rebate. So that puts us at about $11,500.
2) How many miles do you get and isn't winter driving scary?
We get about 160 when fully charged, and I was really concerned it might be half that in the winter. But it's actually closer to a 15 percent shave in the Leaf.
We get about 160 when fully charged, and I was really concerned it might be half that in the winter. But it's actually closer to a 15 percent shave in the Leaf.
It'll fully charge to 160 and just tick away faster in the winter because the heater is on. And now I don't even think about it anymore. I'll plug it in, set the timer to heat up the cabin half an hour before leaving, and keep the heater blowing the whole time. Total comfort.
But even if I was getting only 80 miles, as I feared, when do I drive that far in a day? There's a lot of mileage anxiety out there, mostly based on older EVs and miscalculations of how much we actually drive. So we're not driving to Duluth in winter, and why would you.
3) Don't you have another car, a gas car?
We do, a 2012 Suburu Outback. So we could drive to Duluth in winter if we wanted to. But when that car runs aground, we'll see. (See question 4.)
We do, a 2012 Suburu Outback. So we could drive to Duluth in winter if we wanted to. But when that car runs aground, we'll see. (See question 4.)
4) Do you love it?
I do. Drive an electric car for a while and suddenly a gas car feels like driving a go-kart made from a leaf blower and left-over Ikea parts. It's quiet, it accelerates immediately, and the only work it requires is plugging into the wall a couple times a week.
I do. Drive an electric car for a while and suddenly a gas car feels like driving a go-kart made from a leaf blower and left-over Ikea parts. It's quiet, it accelerates immediately, and the only work it requires is plugging into the wall a couple times a week.
5) Wait, you plug it into a regular outlet?
We do. I had researched all the places I could charge quickly around town; now I can't even remember what those are called. We could have a charger installed in the garage and recharge much faster but honestly where are we going.
We do. I had researched all the places I could charge quickly around town; now I can't even remember what those are called. We could have a charger installed in the garage and recharge much faster but honestly where are we going.
6) Sure you're saving on gas, but how much more electricity are you using, and isn't that electricity mostly from coal?
Our electric bill went up maybe $10 a month on average, enough to notice but no one's canceling Disney+ around here to make up for it, let's put it that way.
Our electric bill went up maybe $10 a month on average, enough to notice but no one's canceling Disney+ around here to make up for it, let's put it that way.
As for the electricity itself, we opted into @XcelEnergyMN Windsource program a few years ago, which requires Xcel to acquire the equivalent of our monthly use from wind sources. It costs a little more than usual but again not enough to cramp your style and we're happy to do so.
You can opt in at any percentage of your usage, and after getting the Leaf I boosted us up to 100 percent.
8) What about those batteries, are they a huge trash problem waiting to happen?
Yes and no. They are recyclable, and usually have a lot of life in them, though it's currently more expensive than mining new materials. Like the cars themselves, these costs should continue to fall.
Yes and no. They are recyclable, and usually have a lot of life in them, though it's currently more expensive than mining new materials. Like the cars themselves, these costs should continue to fall.
Let's be honest, the EV market is growing and the infrastructure around them will be built just like the infrastructure around gas cars: pipelines, refineries, gas stations, repair shops, junkyards, etc.
