AmpUpCO said:
Greetings Leafers!
Long time reader, First time poster!!
My particulars:
Denver, CO - Metro Area
2012 SL due to arrive in December 2011
Winter Package: Standard
Reserved: 4/20/10
Color: Cayenne
36-Month Lease
My Current Whip: 1997 Honda Accord / 5 Speed Manual / 240K on the ODO / Donating after Leaf's arrival / Plan B: My wife's 2005 Hyundai Tucson
50 mile RT Commute
My minimum RT commute is 39.8 Miles - [14 miles: street (45-50 mph); 5.9 miles: highway (55-65 mph)] X 2. Mix of flat and some rolling hills. I need a little cushion for lunch and errands - thus the 50 mile requirement.
For the Locals: C-470 to Santa Fe to I-25 to 38th Ave
My concerns: Snow & Cold.
Without driving like an extreme hyper-miler (No offense to the Masters on this Forum), can this commute be made all year round? (Without dropping into neutral - I may be overly cautious, but I see this practice as somewhat unsafe. I love feathering -both slow and go pedals - but hope to keep the car always in gear: D/ECO.)
I Do Not have access to charging at work.
L2 at home. Minimal charging infrastructure in the Denver metro area at present.
Extreme cold weather - in the teens - and the 3 to 4 major snow storms each season, are my biggest concerns.
Will a 100% charge be my only option during the winter months - perhaps always? What does 8 hours in the frigid cold do to the Leaf's range if it isn't getting any juice during that period? Will I make the 20 mile commute home? Lights, Heater, Defrost, etc.
I'm very willing to sacrifice cabin heat for the heated seats and steering wheel, but I am not willing to sacrifice safety by not using the defroster when needed.
For the physics lovers: Might my range be slightly better at our Mile-High Altitude? (It works for Kickers, right?) Any idea how much better - as a % of range?
I wish to truly thank all of the Forum Members for their dedication, exceptional insight, and pure enthusiasm for this revolutionary vehicle!
I look forward to sharing my Leaf adventures with you in the very near future!
Sincerely,
AmpUpCO
I confess I don't post as much as a probably could, but I didn't just sorta talk about winter/CWP in another thread...so why not here too while I'm online, lol.
Although I am in Canada, I was not a patient enough person to wait on Nissan Canada to take orders. To that end, this will be my second Canadian winter experience with the LEAF, but the first with the Canadian/CWP version (I just got a '11 LEAF with CWP about 8 weeks ago), so I can answer these questions, 100%
First up,
ECO. Once you have had the car for while, it is really a non-starter to get much more range, you learn quickly how to maximize the car. In winter, especially when it is crappy, the conditions almost mimick how the car is attempting to get you to operate it in ECO anyway. It is really a non-starter to get much more range. Where it helps is in controling your climate control consumption. Maybe you eek out a couple extra miles. I'd forget it.
Second.
CWP (Cold Weather Package). You are going to see the most benefit between 32F and 55F, maybe 5-6 miles of range on a full discharge (if you are like me and like the cabin fairly cool but my hands and body toasty warm). I find I dont use the heating system at all in the CWP above 45F (8C), below that my feet get cold, so it is active. (it is more like 65F without the CWP LEAF). When temperatures are extreme, your system is going to be working proportionally more get the temperature up, and maintain it, so your savings are less. At 0F, maybe you get an extra 2-3 miles, tops. ie) if its 0F outside, to have the system maintain the 65F inside you need without the CWP, or the 50F you need with the CWP, is not as significant a energy savings as having it be 45F outside, and have the system working to achieve 65F without the package, or not (necessarily) working at all with the CWP doing what it does.
Lastly,
"will you need a full charge during really cold, crappy days if you want a carefree 50 miles"?
Yes. 100% yes. I'm not saying you couldn't get away with 80%, but you will be white-knuckling, and driving like a puss...in a freezing cold cabin, several times during the year given your expected driving requirements, so why do it?
That being said, under 50 miles is an easily doable commute throughout the winter, while using the heating controls. My worst was about 55 miles in hell-ish conditions, with the heater on automatic (but on a fairly low setting)...and that is with the 'old and busted' non-CWP. (I will say I was aware potential range issues to be sure, and was driving in a manner to maximize the range, yet not in a manner which would annoy others)
I can't say for sure what the performance of the CWP will be in the extreme cold, as the coldest day so far has been about 20F in the early morning, but like I said, I expect a couple extra miles of range at best in these situations.
PS) You didn't really ask, but the car is 'ok' in my estimation in bad conditions. I have had better, I have had worse. Passable for sure.