mrp10000
Active member
One year in (almost) on my new LEAF. I've driven around 13,000 miles, about 3000 or so from free charging. In that time, We've bought a Bolt, became an all EV car household, but wound up with a 150,000 mile Corolla as backup and are waiting on a Model 3. Not quite the normal EV journey as we just bought because it was the right time and EV driving is becoming quite practical for us.
As to what I've learned....
1) I began my journey by dumping my Chevy Volt (should never have bought as a car in general, but it was my gateway car to EV cars, so that's a positive). I like my LEAF so much more!
2) I got Leaf Spy last April, and began at around 93% SOH, but my last reading in November said 86% SOH. I can confidently drive 60+ miles in NC piedmont winter weather, but I'm wondering if my SOH will increase this spring with warmer temps. There were days last summer I could have gone 90+ miles if I had wanted, based on how I was driving at the time (not going by GOM, but doing actual math based on battery percentage). I know there are some fluctuations in Leaf Spy readings, and I'll find out just how much this spring.
3) EV driving can fulfill almost all of anyone's needs....Public charging is growing steadily, and while I've never paid to charge away from home, would willingly do so when needed, especially since I'm not paying for gas....
4) Other things people don't generally think about....
a) no oil changes....$$$$ instant savings
b) I always nickeled and dimed myself at gas stations (Monster Energy and Twix habit lol)....I don't really stop at convenience stores anymore since I "fill up" at home.
c) no worries about exhaust, spark plugs, other mechanical failures (I know we have different issues that can go wrong, but it just seems that we have less stuff to worry about, at least at the moment).
d) If I didn't have my Corolla backup, I could fully function EV only (we did for 6 months and made several long trips. Without going into all the details, it was easier to keep our Corolla for now, and will more than likely give it up when we get our Model 3).
e) The car drives well in snowy/icy conditions. We don't have much of this in the piedmont of NC, but I grew up in the NC mountains where I experienced my fair share of snowy/icy weather during my teen/college age years, and the car does very well during the times I have driven it during the icy/snowy times we may have in my area.
f) I cannot think of an ICE car that I would rather drive. I love the way my LEAF drives, handles, etc...my only complaint is range, but I can make it work.
I really do expect EVs to take off during the next several years...just wanted to give my 2 cents on what I'v experienced so far.
As to what I've learned....
1) I began my journey by dumping my Chevy Volt (should never have bought as a car in general, but it was my gateway car to EV cars, so that's a positive). I like my LEAF so much more!
2) I got Leaf Spy last April, and began at around 93% SOH, but my last reading in November said 86% SOH. I can confidently drive 60+ miles in NC piedmont winter weather, but I'm wondering if my SOH will increase this spring with warmer temps. There were days last summer I could have gone 90+ miles if I had wanted, based on how I was driving at the time (not going by GOM, but doing actual math based on battery percentage). I know there are some fluctuations in Leaf Spy readings, and I'll find out just how much this spring.
3) EV driving can fulfill almost all of anyone's needs....Public charging is growing steadily, and while I've never paid to charge away from home, would willingly do so when needed, especially since I'm not paying for gas....
4) Other things people don't generally think about....
a) no oil changes....$$$$ instant savings
b) I always nickeled and dimed myself at gas stations (Monster Energy and Twix habit lol)....I don't really stop at convenience stores anymore since I "fill up" at home.
c) no worries about exhaust, spark plugs, other mechanical failures (I know we have different issues that can go wrong, but it just seems that we have less stuff to worry about, at least at the moment).
d) If I didn't have my Corolla backup, I could fully function EV only (we did for 6 months and made several long trips. Without going into all the details, it was easier to keep our Corolla for now, and will more than likely give it up when we get our Model 3).
e) The car drives well in snowy/icy conditions. We don't have much of this in the piedmont of NC, but I grew up in the NC mountains where I experienced my fair share of snowy/icy weather during my teen/college age years, and the car does very well during the times I have driven it during the icy/snowy times we may have in my area.
f) I cannot think of an ICE car that I would rather drive. I love the way my LEAF drives, handles, etc...my only complaint is range, but I can make it work.
I really do expect EVs to take off during the next several years...just wanted to give my 2 cents on what I'v experienced so far.