What is the longest distance you have travelled from home ?

[Graycenphil]

I've driven about 150 miles in a day, pretty painless with a Chademo stop in the middle.

250 miles one time to bring the car home really won't be a problem. You'll have to stop a few times, but if you are just doing it once make an adventure out of it.

But I definitely agree with Astricklin - be wary of any used Leaf. Unless it is very lightly used, and an incredible deal (or a steal) you very likely will do better with a new one. I was originally looking for a used Leaf, but realized a brand new one was actually cheaper. Plus, of course, you get a warranty and a full battery.

 

[TonyWilliams]

Ok, here is my longest LEAF drive:

Baja to BC

Today, June 12, 2012, we start day one of a 9 day odyssey from Mexico to Canada in our 100% electric car, the Nissan LEAF. This car was designed and intended to be a short range, around town car, but with some basic charging station infrastructure, and a little luck, we will be able to drive this 73 mile (118km) US government rated (EPA) vehicle over 1600 miles (2500km) on the West Coast Electric Highway.

Some time later this afternoon, a brand new black 2012 LEAF SL, serial number 20782, will start at the city of Tijuana, Baja California Norte, Mexico, and end at my home in San Diego. A very easy first day of only about 33 miles (54km), but a great chance to check that our preparations are all in order. Tomorrow will be approximately 250 miles !!

Follow along with us on Twitter at "QCpower", or find our blog at http://www.QuickChargePower.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.

Tony Williams is an unemployed airline pilot and electric vehicle aficionado who lives in San Diego, California. He enjoys taking things apart, and sometimes putting them back together, usually not working the same way as when he started. The car he is driving is his second Nissan LEAF; his first one has already gathered 25,000 miles in the first 13 months of ownership. He loves to drive!

******************
VFR Flight Plan
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Nissan LEAF 100% Electric Car
Tijuana, Mexico to Vancouver, Canada

June 12 through June 20, 2012

Over 1600 total miles on the:
http://westcoastgreenhighway.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Route:

Baja California Norte, Mexico
Tuesday, June 12:
----- Tijuana - Nissan Dealer, Xavier Villaurrutia 9950, 22320 Tijuana Baja California Norte +52 (664) 683 4311

California, USA:
33 - San Diego, my house near Poway [Blink L2]

33 miles

Wednesday, June 13:
----- San Diego, my house near Poway [Blink L2]
67 - Laguna Beach - 547 Forrest Ave [Chargepoint L2]
10 - Newport Beach - 1151 Newport Center Dr [Chargepoint L2]
20 - Cypress - 6400 Katella Ave [Eaton DC]
Alternate: Los Angeles – Church and State Restaurant, 676 Mateo [Blink DC]
52 - Malibu - 23555 Civic Center Way [Clipper Creek L2]
45 - Ventura - 460 E. Harbor Blvd [Chargepoint L2 $$]
Alternate: Camarillo - Mike M's house for booze and laughs [his dryer NEMA 10-30]
34 - Santa Barbara - 4770 Calle Real [Blink L2]
31 - Solvang - 1556 Mission Drive [Chargepoint L2 $]
---- Solvang, Holiday Inn Express, 1455 Mission Drive, 805-688-2018 [RON only] reserved*

259 miles

Thursday, June 14:
---- Solvang, Holiday Inn Express, 1455 Mission Drive, 805-688-2018 [RON only] reserved*
---- Solvang - 1556 Mission Drive [Chargepoint L2 $]
55 - Pismo Beach - Air Park Drive, numerous RV parks with: [NEMA 14-50]
14 - San Luis Obisbo - Target, 11990 Los Osos Valley Rd [Clipper Creek L2]
18 - Morro Bay - RV Park, 1700 Embarcadero 805-772-2722 [NEMA 14-50]
Alternate: Morro Bay - LK Private residence [L2]
30 - San Simeon - Hearst Winery, 442 Slo San Simeon Road, 805-927-4100, POC: Geraldine [Dryer NEMA 10-30]
38 - Lucia - Lucia Lodge, 62400 California 1, 831-667-2391 [120 volts]
26 - Big Sur - RV Camping, 47000 Highway 1, Phone (831) 667-2322 [NEMA 14-50] reserved*

182 miles

Friday, June 15:
----- Big Sur - RV Camping, 47000 Highway 1, Phone 831-667-2322 [NEMA 14-50] reserved*
54 - Watsonville, 275 Main St #400, [Blink L2]
60 - Palo Alto - 660 Stanford Shopping Center, 650-617-8202 [350green DC]
----- Private residence [RON only] reserved*

114 miles

Saturday, June 16:

----- Private residence [RON only] reserved*
----- Cupertino - Electric Automobile Association, Silicon Valley Meeting
10am - 12noon, 19483 Pruneridge Ave, HP Oak Room, next to the main lobby of Building 48

----- Palo Alto - 660 Stanford Shopping Center, 650-617-8202 [350green DC$$]
10 - Belmont - Volkswagen, 600 Clipper Dr [Blink DC]
76 - Santa Rosa - Nissan, 1275 Santa Rosa Ave [L2, maybe Blink DC]
63 - Ukiah - Super 8, 693 South Orchard Avenue, 707-468-8181 [AV L2] reserved*

149 miles

Sunday, June 17:

----- Ukiah - Super 8, 693 South Orchard Avenue, 707-468-8181 [AV L2] reserved*
68 - Leggett (half way point) numerous RV parks [NEMA 14-50]
52 - Redcrest - RV park, 707-722-4396 [NEMA 14-50]
39 - Eureka - 2 "C" Street [Chargepoint L2]
14 - Trinidad - numerous RV parks [NEMA 14-50]
71 - Crescent City - numerous RV parks [NEMA 14-50]

244 miles

Monday, June 18 or Tuesday, June 19:
----- Crescent City - numerous RV parks [NEMA 14-50]

Oregon, USA:
46 - Obrian - Lone Mountain RV Park [NEMA 14-50]
37 - Grants Pass, Oregon - Exit 58, 1995 NW Vine Street [AV-DC]
Alternate: Ashland, Oregon - Exit 14, 2373 Ashland Street [AV-DC]
Alternate: Point, Oregon - Exit 33, 1510 East Pine St [AV-DC]
20 - Wolf Creek, Oregon – Exit 76, 100 Front Street [AV-DC]
23 - Canyonville, Oregon – Exit 99, 130 Creekside Rd [AV DC]
27 - Roseburg, Oregon - Exit 125, 227 NW Garden Valley RD [AV DC]
26 - Rice Hill / Oakland / Sutherlin, Oregon - Exit 148, 621 John Long Road [AV DC]
26 - Cottage Grove, Oregon - Exit 174, 1570 Gateway Blvd [AV DC]
21 - Springfield / Eugene, Oregon - Exit 195, 840 Beltline Road [AV DC]
81 - Marion - Outlet Stores, 1001 Arney Rd NE [L2]
Alternate: Halsey, Oregon - Exit 216, 32180 Highway 228 [AV DC]
Alternate: Salem Oregon - Exit 256, [AV DC]
Alternate: Woodburn, Oregon - Exit 271, [AV DC]
28 - Portland, Oregon – Exit 1, Fred Meyer store, 3030 NE Weidler St [Blink DC]
Alternate: Portland, Oregon – Exit 299B, World Trade Center, 26 SW Salmon Street [JFE DC]
Alternate: Portland, Oregon – Exit 299B, 633 SW Montgomery St [Eaton DC]
Alternate: Wood Village, Oregon – WalMart, 23500 Northeast Sandy Boulevard, 503-492-9041 [Blink DC]

332 miles


Tuesday, June 19 or Wednesday, June 20:
-----Portland, Oregon – Exit 1, Fred Meyer store, 3030 NE Weidler St [Blink DC]

Washington, USA:
Alternate: Vancouver, Washington - Exit 11, Safety Rest Area [AV L2]
Alternate: Ridgefield, Washington – Exit 14, 6370 N. 1st Circle [now AV L2, future AV DC ?]
Alternate: Kelso, Washington - Exit 36 or 39 [not open yet Av DC]
49 - Longview, Washington - 700 7TH Avenue, Nissan dealer, 360-423-4321 [L2]
46 - Centralia, Washington – Exit 82, 817 Harrison Avenue [AV DC]
21 - Tumwater, Washington – Exit 101, 6131 Capital Blvd SW [AV DC]
64 - Seattle, Washington – Exit 167, John St & Westlake Ave N [Blink DC]
65 - Burlington, Washington – Exit 229, 448 Fashion Way [AV DC]
25 - Bellingham, Washington – Exit 255, 222 36th St [AV DC]
19 - Custer, Washington - 3063 Creasy Rd [AV L2]
8 - Blaine, Washington - Exit 269, Safety Rest Area [AV L2]
Alternate: Blaine, Washington - 200 Peace Portal Drive, across from Chevron on west [AV DC]

British Columbia, Canada

5 - White Rock - Iguana Beach Grill, 14985 Marine Drive, 604-726-3641

288 miles

June 20, 2012




Pre-Departure Checklist:

Passport, driver license, insurance, AAA card
Tow strap, threaded attachment fixture
Jumper Cables
200 feet extension cords
20 amp breaker for various brand electric boxes
Panasonic EVSEupgrade.com, gazillion adaptors
Quick 220
J1772 extension
Spare tire, jack, lug wrench, tire plugs, air compressor
Garmin GPS
Spot GPS tracker
Gid meter, prototype LEAFscan
Maps
Sleeping bag, tent, flashlight
Money, charge cards, cell phone, iPad, MacBook Pro
Canon video camcorder, GoPro, chargers, storage media
100k ohm modified plug for generator GFCI spoof
Goped(s)
Golf clubs
Electronic Safety Flashing Arrow
Rain Jacket
Walkie talkies

 

[abasile]

313 miles away from home plus side trips, with no quick charging, remains our LEAF record. We drove from the San Bernardino Mountains to California's Central Coast and back when our LEAF was one year old. We had a good time with this adventure, but don't feel the need to do it again. See http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=8242&hilit=simeon&start=60#p190774" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[johnrhansen]

On my last epic l2 charging only trip I took 2 other items I found quite useful. One is a full sized bosch powermax 30 amp evse mounted to a hinged piece of plywood, with a l6-30 plug on it (it doesn't get hot at all) with all the adapters, and a combiner box that turns 2 tt30 rv outlets into a 14-50. It has the safety relays in it. It'stsaved my bacon at some of the smaller rv parks. Half the time all of their 14-50 plugs are already in use.

 

[jasavak]

313 miles away from home plus side trips, with no quick charging, remains our LEAF record. We drove from the San Bernardino Mountains to California's Central Coast and back when our LEAF was one year old. We had a good time with this adventure, but don't feel the need to do it again. See http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=8242&hilit=simeon&start=60#p190774" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Interesting stuff . I grew up in the San Bernardino Mountains and know that must have been a leap of faith to drive that trip .

. It sure would make the Leaf a better option if the dc charging was more available . I like the idea of leasing a new one , but don't know if I would qualify . I wonder how hard it is to qualify for a lease with Nissan these days ? At the moment I am leasing a Jeep and a Chevy Volt , but my credit has taken a beating since then .

 

[abasile]

Interesting stuff . I grew up in the San Bernardino Mountains and know that must have been a leap of faith to drive that trip.

It wasn't actually that hard, as we were using PlugShare and knew that there was adequate charging infrastructure. Living up here, the LEAF works great for trips between the mountain communities (anywhere between the Crestline area and the Big Bear area), but now we pretty much have to use public charging whenever we take it "down the hill". Sorry that you had to leave the area, though the mountains aren't exactly a prime location if one needs to find professional employment outside the home.

I wonder how hard it is to qualify for a lease with Nissan these days ? At the moment I am leasing a Jeep and a Chevy Volt , but my credit has taken a beating since then.

The Volt with its liquid-cooled battery pack seems like a better choice in the Texas heat, at least until we have solid confirmation of Nissan improving the LEAF's batteries to take the heat. A LEAF could still work on a 2-3 year lease provided you're okay losing some driving range over the course of the lease. The problem with leasing, though, is that you're automatically on the hook for another vehicle in a few years. Getting you on perpetual payments is the car companies' goal. :-|

 

[Travis]

My furthest trip has been from Tampa, FL to Daytona Beach, Fl (approx 170 miles). I used the new level 3's in the area to make it possible. This was also the only time I've ever noticed a temperature increase using quick charging.

 

[jasavak]

Interesting stuff . I grew up in the San Bernardino Mountains and know that must have been a leap of faith to drive that trip.

It wasn't actually that hard, as we were using PlugShare and knew that there was adequate charging infrastructure. Living up here, the LEAF works great for trips between the mountain communities (anywhere between the Crestline area and the Big Bear area), but now we pretty much have to use public charging whenever we take it "down the hill". Sorry that you had to leave the area, though the mountains aren't exactly a prime location if one needs to find professional employment outside the home.

I wonder how hard it is to qualify for a lease with Nissan these days ? At the moment I am leasing a Jeep and a Chevy Volt , but my credit has taken a beating since then.

The Volt with its liquid-cooled battery pack seems like a better choice in the Texas heat, at least until we have solid confirmation of Nissan improving the LEAF's batteries to take the heat. A LEAF could still work on a 2-3 year lease provided you're okay losing some driving range over the course of the lease. The problem with leasing, though, is that you're automatically on the hook for another vehicle in a few years. Getting you on perpetual payments is the car companies' goal. :-|

Well , pops sold the mountain house when I was 18 and moved the family to San Bernardino (big bummer) . Later , I bought a home at 4200ft elevation on the Cajon Summit . I miss the cool air of California but can't stand the rest of it . My children would probably have to commute more than 100 miles a day to make a decent living .


I love the Volt , but I've used 355 gallons of fuel in 2 years and like the idea the Leaf has double the EV range . Also , if it's purely EV , hopefully my wife won't drive it . Half the time , she doesn't bother plugging in the Volt . Other than a once per month trip to Dallas , the range should be fine on the Leaf . Also , there is a DC charger on the route . I don't mind the perpetual payments because it's actually less than owning most cars .

No matter how long I keep my cars , it always seems to cost more than $250 per month for interest expense , depreciation , repairs and maintenance . If I add another $150 for gas , a $280 payment for a new Leaf makes good sense .