First he starts with the most expensive trim and adds $750 to the cost just for the heck of it. $38000-$7500 = $30500. Add $2000 for installation of L2 EVSE. Admittedly I don't have data here, but that definitely seems like it's on the high side, even for AV units. But fine, let's say Nissan advertises that as a typical cost. $32500. Destination: $850 (?) $33350. Tax? That's going to vary quite a bit state by state. Let's go with 8% though. That's $2668, for a total of $36018, or almost $2000 below the originally stated $38000. That's the naysayers way of thinking though, keep rounding the bad stuff up and the good stuff down. Plus I'm not sure why the average Joe would think that a gas car was exempt from all these fees. The only one in there that is truly extra is the EVSE cost.
Okay, so the other part of that statement was 5 year battery degradation. Again, the hint of truth in there is the 20-30 miles worth of degradation. Yes, there will be degradation. But the generally accepted estimate is 70% (30 miles) after 8 years / 100K miles, not 5 years. I'll grant you that battery longevity was one of my biggest concerns, but after learning of the length of the warranty period I was sold right away. So I doubt that is getting in the way of an educated buyer.
I could go on with many of the rest of Train's points and refute or at least expose the exaggerations, but maybe that's not his point. Maybe his point is, as LTLFT said, is that the general impression of those things are causing a lack of demand, vs. a supply shortage. And that's where the cherry picking comes into play. If that's true, then why did Volt sales rebound so dramatically in March? I know that it's not apples to apples, but if the focus of the average buyer is so much on cost (I think the example given was a $19K Prius C hybrid?) and batteries, then why in the world are people paying MORE than the cost of a LEAF for the Volt? And why don't we see any LEAFs on dealer lots in many areas?
Sorry, I'm not buying the lack of demand argument. I do agree that there are a LOT of people for which the LEAF is definitely not an appropriate vehicle choice. I also agree that there are a LOT of people that haven't done their homework to actually research the issues they are worried about (cost, range, charging time, etc.) But that's fine because I think even if you take those people away there are still enough left over worldwide to soak up the current production capacity of Nissan.
Then make it the base $36,000 model. Indeed, a petrol powered vehicle has destination, tax and the like. But a comparable petrol powered vehicle can be had for $10,000 less, perhaps $12,000. Plus the $2000 (Leaf owners here have paid that much so I don't think I'm exaggerating at all) for 220 hookup.
Again, telling a prospective buyer about possibly getting back $7500 next year (if they qualify for the entire amount) is not something they're going to be yippee skippie about. Seeing a sticker that is $36,00 or $38,000 and then the dealer telling you that reastically, "you will get a 75 mile driving range." "Oh, and the battery degrades over time, too."
It's going to be a deal breaker.
Volt sales "rebounded" because A) It's March, always a high sales month. B) It's not limited to an electric outlet. C) incentives. Like the Prius, it can drive with electric and can drive on petrol. So range is not an issue. But the Volt is still a tough sell simply because it's $41,000. I wouldn't look for 2000 sold next month.
Look, range is going to be and continue to be the biggest bugaboo with EV's. Some don't want to hear that but it's a fact. QC stations will not change that because again, you cannot get the continous range you can with a petrol powered vehicle. Like it or not, your average Joe and Joanne are going to hold that against BEV's. They don't have time nor desire to plan trips so precisely because of the lack of range. They want to get in, go, and think about refueling in 300-400 miles.
We'll only know more about the battery life when five years actually goes by but judging by previous experience with batteries (I know the battery type in the Leaf is different than typical Lithium batteries), I'd guess to say there would be enough difference in reduced range to make me think twice about spending $36,000-$38,000 for a car that's only propulsion system is by stored electricity.
There are plenty of Leafs on dealer lots in CA where EV enthusiasts have already bought their Leaf. The Nissan lots located in the eastern portion of the U.S. that don't have them will sell a handful to, again, enthusiasts. Like they did in CA only there won't be as many people buying them as in CA.
EV sales will continue to trickle. And that's what sales will be in the next few years. Until technology develops to the point where the EV's achilles heel can be addressed, their limited range, they will sell in limited numbers.
The issue I see, is many car buyers HAVE done their homework. The cons outweigh the pros at this point in time. That's not to say it won't change 20 years from now.