EVs EVerywhere
My friend Scott Dupont , producer and host of the terrific movie “What is the Electric Car?” sent out an email yesterday about his trip down the 405S, a freeway here in Los Angeles. During that 32 miles, he saw 30 electric cars driving that same stretch! Scott says, “I was purposely driving slow and just watching all these EVs pass me in the HOV lane.” (In California, most no emission vehicles can drive in the carpool lane).
- 21 Chevy VOLTS
- 4 Nissan LEAFs
- 2 Tesla Roadsters
- 2 Mitsubishi MiEV
- 1 BMW Active-e
Scott continues, “This was on a single commute down one small stretch of highway. I could not believe it!”
When Scott, also an actor, arrived at Manhattan Beach Studios from his home in the valley, he got another nice surprise. He writes, “ When I got to Manhattan Beach Studios, every single EV charging station was full including a Ford all electric Transit van (first one I have seen in public)! Just wanted to share what I thought was a cause for celebration”.
I see other electric cars every single day as I drive around Southern California, a far cry from just 2 years ago. Even though the news media is reporting sales of Leafs and Volts are slow, I know “we have come a long way, baby”. And I agree with Scott – this is a cause for celebration.
Yes, they are coming back. But the price to lease one is still far higher than that of a typical car, about twice. A Nissan Leaf has a base price of over $35,000.00, while a Sentra base is just over $16,000.00.
To the average consumer looking at dollar signs, that is two cars for the price of one. However, one needs to stop and think about the costs involved in owning a gasoline powered vehicle.
Let’s do the math folks!
Dave, I sell the LEAF for a downtown LA dealership. I’m leasing the car for $260/month with $2,500 down. The $2,500 comes back to you in a month as a rebate from CA.
Many of my customers are paying more than that for gas each month, so for them, they are essentially getting a “free” car. I tell them to let the oil companies pay for their car and they LOVE that!
BTW, it’s not fair to compare the LEAF to a Sentra. The LEAF as vastly superior to the Sentra in every way except range. It’s better to compare the LEAF to a mid range BMW.
Hi Alexandra
Perhaps you might have some thoughts on this. My wife and I will be moving next September to Seattle. Won’t be getting a car right away until we find a place to buy out there and get out of the temp rental.
But in NYC we don’t have a car no need but in Seattle we want to explore the beautiful region more so will be getting a new car.
At the moment we’re considering a hybrid perhaps Prius or comparable car at the time as new cars always coming out so unsure what will be available at the time.
But to my question. Hard part is Seattle is not yet EV friendly enough to offer charging stations and most likely we’ll be buying an apartment so unsure (probably not) if it will have recharging spots in the parking garage.
What alternatives do we have if we did want to go EV but with such limited charging options. We had considered if it was possible to add a charging point in our parking space (If assigned a specific space??) or what might be possible?
Just want to be able to keep ourselves topped up with whatever vehicle we use to be as eco friendly as possible.
In fact if there are options maybe this might be a good topic to have discussing possibilities for folks interested in the EV/Volt market!
Thanks
Dave
Dave, Seattle has a very robust charging infrastructure. Contact the Seattle LEAF group and ask them about it. You’ll be pleasantly surprised.
As for installing a charge station in your apartment or condo, in many cases it’s very easy and low cost. In some cases it might be moderately expensive, and in others, it’ll be cost prohibitive. Since the savings of driving on grid electricity is so great, especially in the PacNW, you would do well to inquire of the landlords about installing at the apartment before renting. Let this be one of your criteria for choosing where to live. The landlords who make it easy will get a better class of renters.
There are several board members of Plug In America who live in Seattle. I can connect you to them if you like.
Hi Paul
Yes would be great. I’ll drop you an e-mail so you can forward the names.
By the way don’t leave your e-mail address in reply OK!
Dave
Dave-
Seattle is one of the most EV friendly cities. They have a number of DC quick charge stations that will charge the Nissan LEAF to 80% in under 30 minutes.
However, I understand living in an apartment with an EV is not always easy (I do this, and I don’t charge at home). Perhaps a plug-in hybrid like the Chevy Volt or Prius Plug-in would be a good option for you. Pretty soon, the Ford C-MAX Energi (a plug-in hybrid small SUV) will be available. By the end of 2013, the Honda Accord plug-in hybrid will also be available.
Seattle also has great public transit, including tons of electric busses, so depending on your commute you can limit your driving quite a bit.
Hope this helps!
Also, great blog Alexandra!! I’ve been seeing TONS of EVs around as well.
Colby
Hi Colby
Thanks! yes was in Seattle this summer and enjoyed it a lot and even got use to the P.T. while there. Being though there is so much nature around we will no doubt need our own wheels to get to those areas so reason we’re looking at vehicles so figured now is best time to start doing some homework as last place we owned a car it was not very EV friendly so just had a normal gas vehicle but now looking to change that!
Dave
I spoke to Scott about his sensational sightings yesterday when I was on a panel after a screening of “What is the Electric Car?” (The excellent film documentary that Mr. du Pont directed) We all see see very occasional EVs on the roads, but it is gratifying to hear from Scott that EVs are actually visibly starting to multiply in a viral way. Thanks for writing this blog, Alexandra, and thank you, Scott, for letting us hear about your concrete and very random example of EV reality –despite media attempts to make us believe that EV sales are paltry. What is that quote? “Are you going to believe what I say or are you going to believe your own lying eyes?” ; ]
hi Alexandra how are you doing & your family doing? i’m doing fine so is my family to is your mom & dad still alive & is your sister Caroline & Wendy married & dose your brother Jonathan & his wife have any kids.? talk to you later okay?From Kelly Bailey