LEAF in Kansas City

[MobileEV]

On a whim, I stopped in at Nissan Tiffany Springs (doesn't it always start like this?) to ask about trading in my 2012 SL to one of the 2016 LEAF SVs with a 30 kWh battery they have in stock. With about $11,000 off the MSRP, I think I'm ready to jump on a lease deal that will get me higher range, B Mode, 6.6 KW charger, heat pump, and a new lizard battery to 2019. Unless anyone knows someone who is interested in my 2012 with 30,500 miles and LEAF Spy 81% (1 battery bar gone) for $8,000, I will let it go in trade.

I believe they have several almost identical models if anyone else is interested. Of course, once they announced a 2017 model, particularly if it has more range, the 2016s will likely become even cheaper.

Karl

[Henry]

FYI... I got an email form Nissan yesterday that says the new NissanConnect EV app for iOS and Android is now available for download. Enjoy!

[MobileEV]

Any interest in a KC-only EV or even just LEAF Facebook group? I feel like the MNL forum isn't particularly friendly towards posting and sharing. Also, the notifications don't always appear to work particularly well.

FWIW, I am seeing more LEAFs and Volts out and about. Here's a picture of a pretty silver one I spotted in Parkville today.

Karl

[MobileEV]

Well, I went ahead and created the group anyway. If it bombs, I'll just remove it. Worth a try.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1717817545101518/

Karl

[ericvoll]

Below is an interesting article I came across today. It's an interview with a LEAF owner with 150,000 miles and his experiences.

http://insideevs.com/exclusive-intervie ... l-battery/

[DaveinOlyWA]

Below is an interesting article I came across today. It's an interview with a LEAF owner with 150,000 miles and his experiences.

http://insideevs.com/exclusive-intervie ... l-battery/

Yep that is Steve Marsh. I interviewed him waaaay back before he hit 50,000 miles on his LEAF. He was the mileage king on the old LEAF CARWNGS board for like 20 months straight.

[dougcpa]

Looking for a little insight from current KC Leaf owners that preferably do a bit of daily work commuting. My current commute is around 32 miles one way (64/65 roundtrip). It is 99% highway miles driving between 65 and 70 mph.

I don't like car payments, so I probably won't be looking at buying new or leasing, but instead buying used. Probably a post March 2013 model up to model year 2014. Looking at pricing I can easily pay cash for those two model years in the used market.

My main concern is range anxiety commuting during the hottest summer months and the coldest winter months. Fortunately that should only be about 4 months out of the year where I think I'll feel some range anxiety.

We do have charging stations at work on the KCPL network which is currently free, but my understanding is they will begin charging some $ amount next year. But it does mean I can top off or in an hour or so get 15 to 20 miles back on the battery before going home.

So I'm looking for some real-world feedback from fellow KC Leaf commuters on what range hits they see in our coldest and hottest months?

Also, I would hope to be able to use this car before requiring a new battery for four years. Not sure what kind of hit the battery will take basically being charged twice a day (once at work, once at home).

[cdherman]

If you can reliably charge at work, meaning plug in and walk away, then you *could* make that work. 32 miles is an easy stretch, even in cold or hot weather. You would rack up miles fast, and partially free for the time being.

But even a late 2013 battery only has so much capacity and if you are asking about going the whole 65 miles on a single charge, at 65 mph, forget it. You will have to charge to 100%, every day, and you will cut it close at that. Cold or hot days (most are cold or hot in KC) will be worse. Over time, the 100% charge will probably kill even the better bats that Nissan produced.

I hesitate to impart advice on what may become a competitor, but! I expect there to be some deals on new 2016 SL or SV Leafs right after the 2017 comes out. A 2016 with the 30 kwh battery could be good for you. I might be looking for one of those deals myself.....

[MobileEV]

Agreed with Dr. H. You can make it work with the workplace charging, but 65 in one shot will not work long-term on the 24 kWh battery. My 2012 SL will do 55 miles with partial highway driving in summer and 45 miles in winter. We went to St. Joe's from the Northlands (about 50 miles) on 169 highway during the summer and had about 15 miles left on the guess-o-meter. Air conditioning sucks less power than heat, especially for the 2012s and earlier that have resistance heat.

According to LEAF Spy, it's at 80% battery health. I'm about to pull the trigger on a 2016 SV lease with a 30 kWh battery. The good deals have already started, but I suspect they will get even better. For us, it's just time.

Speaking of which, I'm trading my 2012 SL, but if someone wants to buy it, I'll take the trade-in price of $6,000. Here are some pics:

https://goo.gl/photos/Unq4Y1SMrNdeSjdb6

Also, whatever you end up doing, consider joining our KC EV Facebook group. There's a bit more activity than this forum.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1717817545101518/

TTFN,

Karl

[cdherman]

We do have charging stations at work on the KCPL network which is currently free, but my understanding is they will begin charging some $ amount next year. But it does mean I can top off or in an hour or so get 15 to 20 miles back on the battery before going home.

So I'm looking for some real-world feedback from fellow KC Leaf commuters on what range hits they see in our coldest and hottest months?

Also, I would hope to be able to use this car before requiring a new battery for four years. Not sure what kind of hit the battery will take basically being charged twice a day (once at work, once at home).

Re-read your post (did you edit, or are my reading skills flagging in old age?!!)....

The post 4/2013 batteries are getting good press. You could do this if you can *reliably* charge at work. I have been charging at St Lukes Plaza daily. I am actually charging mostly at work, and freeloading!!! I don't charge at home on a typical night. So I get nearly 40 miles round trip on my aging 10 bar (about 78%) bats, at 80% charge and usually get back to work (where I charge) with 2 or 3 bars, 1 bar on bad days.....

Here another caveat: Those free KCP&L charging stations -- I fear they may create some workplace tension over time. At St Lukes, the Volts, plug in Fusions, plug in BMW, are using the parking slots as their own personal parking slots. The plug in cars are not even plugging in. Just parking in the slots for "EV Parking".....

Now, I am sure that work places will vary in their ability to navigate the intricacies and etiquette of sharing charging stations. I am bothered that one day soon I will arrive at work and not be able to charge because the spots will be filled with plug in hybrids.

In the end, driving an older Leaf or other limited range EV entails some sacrifice. If you do this just cause the used Leafs are cheap (which they are) then you will hate the experience. If you do this partially out of a sense of fulfillment that you are also doing the right thing to advance technology and be good to the planet, then they are a very fine car.....