This post is to share my limited experience with purchasing the Leaf with forum members.
I started building electric bicycles about three years ago to learn about electronics and electric motors. My eventual goal was to build an electric car. Actually my electric bikes meet 95% of my transportation needs. However the bicycles meet 0% of my wife's transportation needs.
When I read about Nissan’s Leaf, I decided purchasing a commercially available EV would be better than building my own electric car and maybe even a little bit cheaper. I got on the list to purchase a Leaf April 21, 2010 and I am scheduled for delivery sometime in December this year. It’s been a long wait!
I paid the $100 for AeroViroment’s to do a charging installation assessment and they provided a quote for the work. The estimate for a custom installation was $4,200. My first reaction to the estimated was to forget about the Leaf, I wasn't willing to pay that much for a charging station.
After the initial shock wore off I started doing my homework. I got an estimate for a local electrician to install the 240v 40amp line into my garage. I went on e-bay and purchased the AeroVionment EVSE. The charging station is installed and ready for the Leaf for a total price of $1,359.00.
The Nissan dealer sales person I am buying the Leaf from is very knowledgeable about the Leaf and seems to be an EV enthusiast. I remember buying a Honda Insight Hydride in 2000, the sales person and dealership were clueless. I’m glad this isn’t the case with the Leaf.
My wife and I took a test drive of the Leaf last month. Both of us were impressed with the car and are looking forward to delivery.
BarryE
I started building electric bicycles about three years ago to learn about electronics and electric motors. My eventual goal was to build an electric car. Actually my electric bikes meet 95% of my transportation needs. However the bicycles meet 0% of my wife's transportation needs.
When I read about Nissan’s Leaf, I decided purchasing a commercially available EV would be better than building my own electric car and maybe even a little bit cheaper. I got on the list to purchase a Leaf April 21, 2010 and I am scheduled for delivery sometime in December this year. It’s been a long wait!
I paid the $100 for AeroViroment’s to do a charging installation assessment and they provided a quote for the work. The estimate for a custom installation was $4,200. My first reaction to the estimated was to forget about the Leaf, I wasn't willing to pay that much for a charging station.
After the initial shock wore off I started doing my homework. I got an estimate for a local electrician to install the 240v 40amp line into my garage. I went on e-bay and purchased the AeroVionment EVSE. The charging station is installed and ready for the Leaf for a total price of $1,359.00.
The Nissan dealer sales person I am buying the Leaf from is very knowledgeable about the Leaf and seems to be an EV enthusiast. I remember buying a Honda Insight Hydride in 2000, the sales person and dealership were clueless. I’m glad this isn’t the case with the Leaf.
My wife and I took a test drive of the Leaf last month. Both of us were impressed with the car and are looking forward to delivery.
BarryE