GoGreen13 said:
I would love to buy my first Leaf but I want some advise first. My work is 55 miles away, I can trickle charge at work for eight hours before returning home. I want to buy a 2015 S (101/125) range with 10k miles. I have loaded the Leaf spy app and plan on test driving over night in cold temperatures (OH 20F) to get a feel for battery health and range. It seems most Leaf owners have a much shorter commute. Am I pushing the envelope too much ? I don't want to live with constant range anxiety but $9,500 for a well equipped car that doesn't require gas, is very enticing.
PLZ ADVISE.
What speed is your commute? Speed has a significant effect on range. You will find
http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?t=4295 a very useful reference, particularly the following
TonyWilliams said:
Addendum: For the 30kWh LEAF, and assuming a warm battery (over 70F/20C temperature) and level roads with zero cabin heater use, no headwinds:
------------------------------65mph-------------70mph-------------75mph-------------80mph
--------------------------3.9 miles/kWh---3.6miles/kWh---3.3miles/kWh---2.9miles/kWh
--------------------------- RANGE--------------- RANGE------------- RANGE----------- RANGE
100% -- 26.5kWh------103---------------------95---------------------87------------------77
LeftieBiker said:
A 30kwh Leaf SV or SL (because of the heatpump) would have no trouble with that commute if recharged with L-1 at work. Any other configuration would be problematic.
You will definitely need the heat pump, unless you are happy commuting in an arctic cabin. Even at low settings you're probably going to consume >2kW heat on the resistance heater, over a 2hr return commute that's ~16 miles of range at 60MPH.
30kWh @80% usable capacity (avoiding VLBW) = 24kWh, assuming a battery with no degradation (don't buy one from Arizona or Texas...)
8hrs L1 charge @ 1.0kW = 8kWh (Charge rate should be 1.2kW, but this depends on the power quality at work. Let's be conservative).
Total available energy for return trip = 32kWh.
Running the consumption numbers based on assumed speeds
110 miles @ 70MPH (3.3 miles/kWh) = 33.3kWh required.
110 miles @ 65MPH (3.9 miles/kWh) = 28.2kWh required.
110 miles @ 60MPH (4.2 miles/Kwh - assumed) = 26.2kWh required
Heater:
heat pump, assume 1kW for 2hrs = 2kWh
resistance, assume 2kW for 2hrs = 4kWh (Cabin would still be cold if it's 20F outside). Assume 3kW+ if you want a comfortable cabin.
In summary, looks like you could make it at 65MPH if you have the heat pump. Compared to a 25MPG car, you'd be saving 4-1/2 gal's a day, and consuming approx 24kWh from the wall (approx $2, depending on your tariff). Assuming gas at $2.50 that results in a very decent $2,400 saving per year. And that's before you even consider oil changes, brakes and other wear items on an ICE vehicle.