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... most Electrified City in U.S.?


http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2011/02/chicago-ev-stations.html


"The city of Chicago and Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn today announced one of the most ambitious electric-vehicle infrastructure projects in the country, promising 280 charging stations in the city and surrounding region by the end of 2011."

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They mention a charging station now in place at O'Hare Airport ... it's only been a month or so since I was down there (for a meeting at the Hilton so did short-term parking) anyone see where it is and more importantly if it was being used? (would be limited to a Tesla or press-pass Volt or home-built)?
 
garygid said:
Looks like a complete lack of QC stations on freeways, and at freeway intersections. These appear to be mostly shop-n-charge type locations.


We actually don't have many 'freeways' to speak of; most everyone who travels in and out of the city (by car) carries an iPass for our toll roads, just a way of life out here. I'm sure at the toll oasis' they'll have Level 3 chargers otherwise they won't get used much! Level 2 at the airports would be fine as most would go away for a day or so at least. In my case a LEAF would be able to easily do a round trip without the need for a charge while it sat waiting for my return at O'Hare; Midway is 72.4 mile round trip so would feel much more comfortable if they had them there --- don't use Midway much so not a real problem.
 
Chicago aims to be the most electrified city in the U.S. (from Car Blog Canada)

Interesting that this came out of Canada; a bit of a rehash of an earlier posting but a bit more information.

Nice photo of the new BMW Series 1 EV but why mention it if its not initially coming to Chicago?

http://cbcnewsreport.com/2011/04/10/chicago-aims-to-be-the-most-electrified-city-in-the-u-s/

I still think the Focus EV will beat the LEAF to Chicago but either one is still at least half-year away from us!
 
At least we are finally seeing some efforts in this area to accommodate us early adopters of the EV revolution. Now we just need the cars. :D
 
More news out of Chicago; interesting aspect (although not mentioned anywhere) as this feature was done here, neither the LEAF or Volt is available for purchase or lease here, '12 ICE Focus are trickling in, no mention of their EV version coming out either -- taking the train to downtown versus driving anything is my own personal preference regardless versus the crawl on the expressway, they also don't calculate it but you also have to GET to the train station (must assume you must walk from your starting point and end point on both sides I'm guessing) which typically cost $2/day to park out in the NW 'burbs as well as the bit of gas/electric you would use to get from home to the station and of course any transport (bus/taxi) on the other end. In any case it's good to see some exposure even before we get ANY EV's out this way and although cost shouldn't be the only factor this was at least interesting --- no discussion of 'range anxiety' per se, but this long commuter would have an issue during the worse winter months with a LEAF unless they were able to supplement getting a charge downtown (which there are actually will be quite a few planned). For the more typical 'burb to 'burb transport, the LEAF should fair much better --

http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/...-volt-toyota-prius-ford-focus-or-a-train.html

Cheapest Commute: Nissan Leaf, Chevy Volt, Toyota Prius, Ford Focus (ICE) or a Train?
 
Now we have a bit of video -- at the end of this segment they say that the LEAF and Volt will be available 'by December' -- again nothing new but with all the more recent issues (i.e, earthquake, radiation leaks closing down paint additive factory, etc., etc.) it's doubtful --- most interesting to me is that they show an IL 'carscom' license plate on the front of the Volt featured -- must have bought it elsewhere and brought it back to IL; regardless we still have the highest gas prices in U.S. -- I saw premium at $5.09 today!! :

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2011/05/03/gas-at-record-high-but-will-drivers-plug-into-electric-cars/
 
It seems like the Ford Focus will actually be the first Big Name EV in the area. Since it has a system to help moderate the temperature around the battery, it may be the best choice for our area. I haven't heard what the Mitsubishi i Miev is going to do about battery temperature, but they also may beat Chevy and Nissan to our area.
 
Hard to say who will be actually first ... as mentioned elsewhere on this forum, you can also put in a reservation for the i-MiEV although their expected rollout is 2012 for IL:


http://i.mitsubishicars.com/faq/availability

Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Virginia.
Finalize your Mitsubishi i order by: 1/1/12
Receive it by: 4/30/12

I would bet that the Ford Focus EV will be first in Chicago but little if any more information has been available as of late -- there was someone who 'spotted' a Focus EV at Union Station (another poster on the Focus EV forum said they thought it was in D.C.)

It is at least encouraging to see actual dates posted for ANY EV for IL but 4/30/12 is just now under a YEAR away!
 
As we have so few news for Chicago, I'm going to continue to post here as I find anything relevant for the future LEAF owners that they may have not found themselves -- if the moderators have an issue I'm sure they'll let us know

In light of the recent cars.com comparison test (Focus ICE, LEAF, Volt and Train) I did a bit more digging into their blog and came across this interesting factoid -- cars.com bought their LEAF in TN and then apparently shipped, paid tax and registered it in IL. While that fact isn't so amazing, it is something that I'm planning to post a question/comment on as EVENTUALLY I hope to get my own. In IL, for many years, they've listed the registration and plates for EV's at a significant discount and at least when cars.com registered their Volt (which as we all know is NOT a pure electric) the fees were the same as they were for the LEAF:

'The Cyber Gray Metallic Volt is loaded, with the Premium Trim Package, a backup camera and front and rear sonar parking assist. With all the options and a destination charge, the $40,280 standard car came to $43,105. After taxes and a one-way registration from our dealership, Martin Chevrolet in Torrance, Calif., it came to $47,392.
Illinois registration and tagging added $241.
Total: $47,633.

Our Blue Ocean Leaf is the higher trim level, the SL, with a list price of $33,720. Options include the quick-charge port, a bumper protection package and floormats. Our out-the-door price at Action Nissan in Nashville, Tenn., was $36,014. That's before paying Illinois taxes of $2,611. Illinois registration and tagging will be the same $241.
Total:$38,866'

Not sure how the $241 breaks down as the new title fee is $95 and new plates are $99 (if you want the title expedited its $30 and perhaps they went to a Currency Exchange which has their own fees) ... to register an EV in IL, the fee should only be $18/year or $35 for 2-years (Nissan even lists this benefit on the public LEAF site) so why are they the same?

http://www.nissanusa.com/ev/media/pdf/incentives/nissan-leaf-incentive-84.pdf
 
I'm sure others in Chicago peruse the auto classifieds for any news on new vehicle intro's that show up locally -- this weekend was a first for two new models (at least from what I've seen); the Fiat 500 at Fields Fiat of Highland Park and the Chevy Volt at Grossinger in Palatine. The Chevy dealer has ONE car with 50 miles on it ... hmm, do I here a potential extra profit (gouge) opportunity? Well, they post the list which is crossed out and no selling price so it's anyone's guess:

http://www.grossingerpalatinechevro...alatine-Chicago-IL/1G1RD6E44BU102125/80342714

I'll post my test drive experience with the Fiat 500 under the alternative EV section as I would think the driving experience will be similar once the EV version comes out in 2012. Have yet to test drive a 2012 ICE Focus but these are starting to show up at some of the dealer's now as well --- still no recent news on the EV version and of course absolutely nothing on the LEAF out this way. If anyone has checked out this Volt and seen the dealer markup would be good to know what's expected ... I may check myself today but would assume it's in their showroom and not out in the lot (on Sunday's our dealers are closed).
 
redLEAF said:
I'm sure others in Chicago peruse the auto classifieds for any news on new vehicle intro's that show up locally -- this weekend was a first for two new models (at least from what I've seen); the Fiat 500 at Fields Fiat of Highland Park and the Chevy Volt at Grossinger in Palatine. The Chevy dealer has ONE car with 50 miles on it ... hmm, do I here a potential extra profit (gouge) opportunity? Well, they post the list which is crossed out and no selling price so it's anyone's guess:

http://www.grossingerpalatinechevro...alatine-Chicago-IL/1G1RD6E44BU102125/80342714

I'll post my test drive experience with the Fiat 500 under the alternative EV section as I would think the driving experience will be similar once the EV version comes out in 2012. Have yet to test drive a 2012 ICE Focus but these are starting to show up at some of the dealer's now as well --- still no recent news on the EV version and of course absolutely nothing on the LEAF out this way. If anyone has checked out this Volt and seen the dealer markup would be good to know what's expected ... I may check myself today but would assume it's in their showroom and not out in the lot (on Sunday's our dealers are closed).

Phillips Chevrolet has had a Volt or 2 down in Frankfort, IL on eBay for at least a few weeks now. I am waiting for invoice prices for the Volt or the used Leaf and Volt market to appear :)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Chevrolet-2011-Chevrolet-Volt-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem56430a2455QQitemZ370491925589QQptZUSQ5fCarsQ5fTrucks#ht_7759wt_948
 
Ualdriver said:
redLEAF said:
I'm sure others in Chicago peruse the auto classifieds for any news on new vehicle intro's that show up locally -- this weekend was a first for two new models (at least from what I've seen); the Fiat 500 at Fields Fiat of Highland Park and the Chevy Volt at Grossinger in Palatine. The Chevy dealer has ONE car with 50 miles on it ... hmm, do I here a potential extra profit (gouge) opportunity? Well, they post the list which is crossed out and no selling price so it's anyone's guess:

http://www.grossingerpalatinechevro...alatine-Chicago-IL/1G1RD6E44BU102125/80342714

I'll post my test drive experience with the Fiat 500 under the alternative EV section as I would think the driving experience will be similar once the EV version comes out in 2012. Have yet to test drive a 2012 ICE Focus but these are starting to show up at some of the dealer's now as well --- still no recent news on the EV version and of course absolutely nothing on the LEAF out this way. If anyone has checked out this Volt and seen the dealer markup would be good to to see what's expected ... I may check myself today but would assume it's in their showroom and not out in the lot (on Sunday's our dealers are closed).

Phillips Chevrolet has had a Volt or 2 down in Frankfort, IL on eBay for at least a few weeks now. I am waiting for invoice prices for the Volt or the used Leaf and Volt market to appear :)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Chevrolet-2011-Chevrolet-Volt-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem56430a2455QQitemZ370491925589QQptZUSQ5fCarsQ5fTrucks#ht_7759wt_948



Looks like that's been out there for awhile ... all 'offers' had expired (there were 4 posted) so couldn't see what they were
 
Nissan finally comes to Chicago! Probably old news to some whose 'drive electric' opportunity has past but finally, finally Nissan has posted dates to be able to schedule an actual 'test drive' in Chicagoland -- dates only for now (August 26-28) but a NEW reservation is required so be sure to sign up. Once again as part of the forgotten 36 we must all be diligent least an opportunity pass us by ... this message pops up when attempting to find out more info on the Drive Electric Tour:

already have a Nissan LEAF™ account?
you must create a new account to schedule your drive time.


http://www.prnewswire.com/news-rele...es-surpass-4000-unit-milestone-125215819.html
 
This one made the local news here in Chicago -- I-GO Car Sharing making a concerted effort on EV's in the city and close in 'burbs. Nothing really close enough for me (work and live in the NW 'burbs) but it's encouraging to see this news. I wouldn't be surprised if the upcoming Nissan Drive Electric event is held downtown (the MBZ smart events held them both in the 'burbs and the city a few years back). Again news from Ford on their Focus EV is lacking even though we have a Ford factory (granted it makes the Explorer) in town.

http://www.igocars.org/news/
 
Let's see who signs up for a new LEAF now that it will actually be available in IL much sooner than we expected (of course the 2012 model commands a higher price but we all need the cold weather package out this way anyway)

http://www.chicagotribune.com/class...f-earlier-in-chicago-20110719,0,5107704.story


2012 pricing increase ...

http://www.autoobserver.com/2011/07/2012-nissan-leaf-more-features-higher-price.html

I'm out of town on vacation through June 25th (but have internet access) and still have my $99 reservation in so I guess it's decision time (took a test drive of a Lexus CT200h over this past weekend --- may be leaning towards this hybrid as an alternative especially with this price increase for '12's)
 
redLEAF said:
Let's see who signs up for a new LEAF now that it will actually be available in IL much sooner than we expected (of course the 2012 model commands a higher price but we all need the cold weather package out this way anyway)

http://www.chicagotribune.com/class...f-earlier-in-chicago-20110719,0,5107704.story


2012 pricing increase ...

http://www.autoobserver.com/2011/07/2012-nissan-leaf-more-features-higher-price.html

I'm out of town on vacation through June 25th (but have internet access) and still have my $99 reservation in so I guess it's decision time (took a test drive of a Lexus CT200h over this past weekend --- may be leaning towards this hybrid as an alternative especially with this price increase for '12's)

Interesting........thanks for that.
 
I got a call today from Nissan saying that I can order my leaf on Monday.

Any other people in Chicago ordering on Monday?

Any suggestions for what dealer to go with?
 
dutchinchicago said:
I got a call today from Nissan saying that I can order my leaf on Monday.

Any other people in Chicago ordering on Monday?

Any suggestions for what dealer to go with?

Ditto on the phone call. I wasn't home so they left a message.

I am probably not going to go through with the purchase after having read many threads on this forum. I am concerned about our winters in the Midwest. The range hit concerns me. Also, the fact that my Leaf would sometimes be left to cold soak for up to a week at a time in the depths of winter without being plugged in concerns me as well.
 
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