philipscoggins
Well-known member
Went to visit my dad for Christmas this weekend and gave my LEAF it's first real road test.
It's 112 miles from Tullahoma, TN to Cleveland, TN. Trip includes going over Monteagle mountain, which was my only real worry.
I will have to brag that as far as charging goes, I'm pretty much covered with DC quick chargers. If you count on ramp at start of trip and off ramp at destination, there are 5
I started out conservatively and took the HWY instead of the interstate, but at the top of the mountain I transferred to the interstate to make use of regenerative braking (it was cool to watch the miles shoot up on the GOM). I quick charged from 4 bars to 10 bars at Cracker Barrel (57 miles into trip), decided to try the interstate to Chattanooga, since it was only 37 miles, made it with 4 bars left. Quick charged to 8 bars and drove 24 miles to my destination with 4 bars left. Didn't use heater, 40 deg whole trip, over half at night. On HWY I drove speed limit of 45 & 55 and on interstate I cruised at 60mph. I averaged 3.9m/kw on interstate & seemed to get about 6 miles/bar. Trickle charged overnight to 100% before heading home.
On the drive home today (about 50deg and sunny for whole trip) I took the interstate the whole way and other than losing 3 bars going up the mountain (in 6 miles) I averaged a little better than 6m/kw. I also skipped the Chattanooga quick charging station and arrived at my Cracker Barrel quick charger (halfway point) with 2 bars remaining. So I would estimate close to 75 miles on a full charge at 60mpg on the interstate, that's better than I expected in the Tennessee hills (not counting the mountain, it peaks at around 1900ft, don't laugh all you people with "real" mountains). I had to do some running around after getting back to town, so I QC's to 60% at my exit in about 10 minutes and went on with my regular day.
The battery started at 5 bars, rose to 6 at first quick charge and never moved from there.
Only problem was being iced on my way home at the Cracker Barrel. Manager was very helpful, but they had no way to page in the dining room. He check with employees & one girl came out to move her car, but it was at the level 2 charger While I was trying to see if the Blink DC would reach to the space beside it (it wouldn't) the owners of one of the icer cars came out and left. I was polite as I explained how he was blocking the only EV charging station for 40 miles. He apologized and said he didn't even notice it and was sorry. The big screen was dead, so maybe he was being honest. There were plenty of open spaces. While standing around speaking with the manager, he started asking about cost of car & fueling, he spends $600/month commuting 50 miles each way to work. I pointed out that he could charge to 80% at home and QC (for free currently) in the afternoon before going home and save at least $500/month. Think he might go for it
I'm friends with a TN state rep, I'll start working on a $50 fine for blocking charging stations. After all we've got LEAF being made in TN, seems like they might want to appear to care....
All in all, the LEAF passed with flying colors. I was content to take highways and cruise beside the interstate, but with abundant QC stations and 6 miles/bar I made it just fine. I did make the kids wear warm clothes, but 4 warm bodies in a car does wonders for bringing up the temp. I did kick the heater on while charging to help take the edge off, but made it fine without it while cruising.
Total trip, about 225 miles, total cost approx $1.90, if you count electricity at my dad's it would go up to about $3.80 and all the quick chargers were free
Philip
It's 112 miles from Tullahoma, TN to Cleveland, TN. Trip includes going over Monteagle mountain, which was my only real worry.
I will have to brag that as far as charging goes, I'm pretty much covered with DC quick chargers. If you count on ramp at start of trip and off ramp at destination, there are 5
I started out conservatively and took the HWY instead of the interstate, but at the top of the mountain I transferred to the interstate to make use of regenerative braking (it was cool to watch the miles shoot up on the GOM). I quick charged from 4 bars to 10 bars at Cracker Barrel (57 miles into trip), decided to try the interstate to Chattanooga, since it was only 37 miles, made it with 4 bars left. Quick charged to 8 bars and drove 24 miles to my destination with 4 bars left. Didn't use heater, 40 deg whole trip, over half at night. On HWY I drove speed limit of 45 & 55 and on interstate I cruised at 60mph. I averaged 3.9m/kw on interstate & seemed to get about 6 miles/bar. Trickle charged overnight to 100% before heading home.
On the drive home today (about 50deg and sunny for whole trip) I took the interstate the whole way and other than losing 3 bars going up the mountain (in 6 miles) I averaged a little better than 6m/kw. I also skipped the Chattanooga quick charging station and arrived at my Cracker Barrel quick charger (halfway point) with 2 bars remaining. So I would estimate close to 75 miles on a full charge at 60mpg on the interstate, that's better than I expected in the Tennessee hills (not counting the mountain, it peaks at around 1900ft, don't laugh all you people with "real" mountains). I had to do some running around after getting back to town, so I QC's to 60% at my exit in about 10 minutes and went on with my regular day.
The battery started at 5 bars, rose to 6 at first quick charge and never moved from there.
Only problem was being iced on my way home at the Cracker Barrel. Manager was very helpful, but they had no way to page in the dining room. He check with employees & one girl came out to move her car, but it was at the level 2 charger
While I was trying to see if the Blink DC would reach to the space beside it (it wouldn't) the owners of one of the icer cars came out and left. I was polite as I explained how he was blocking the only EV charging station for 40 miles. He apologized and said he didn't even notice it and was sorry. The big screen was dead, so maybe he was being honest. There were plenty of open spaces. While standing around speaking with the manager, he started asking about cost of car & fueling, he spends $600/month commuting 50 miles each way to work. I pointed out that he could charge to 80% at home and QC (for free currently) in the afternoon before going home and save at least $500/month. Think he might go for it I'm friends with a TN state rep, I'll start working on a $50 fine for blocking charging stations. After all we've got LEAF being made in TN, seems like they might want to appear to care....
All in all, the LEAF passed with flying colors. I was content to take highways and cruise beside the interstate, but with abundant QC stations and 6 miles/bar I made it just fine. I did make the kids wear warm clothes, but 4 warm bodies in a car does wonders for bringing up the temp. I did kick the heater on while charging to help take the edge off, but made it fine without it while cruising.
Total trip, about 225 miles, total cost approx $1.90, if you count electricity at my dad's it would go up to about $3.80 and all the quick chargers were free
Philip
