Volt and Leaf comparison questions:
1. Which one is more fun to drive?
Fun is very subjective. The Leaf is a little faster off the line and gets my vote.
2. Which one has a better value/price ratio ?
This depends on your needs. I still have a gas SUV for camping and skiing, so this works for me whenever the Leaf's range won't cut it. The Volt costs more than the Leaf and in my case, the range extender would not do much for me, so is not worth the extra cost.
3. For those that own both cars , If you had to give up one, which would it be ?
I don't own both, but if I were forced to own only one vehicle, I would want a plug-in hybrid SUV with 4WD and towing capability, which does not exist (yet).
4. Which car needs the most improvement ?
They are both 1st gen (in 2011) and improvements are trickling in.
More thoughts on value/price ratio: I think the real question is which one fits your needs best. Up leveling from the Volt and the Leaf specifically, I think it is really about what drivetrain (plug-in hybrid or BEV) fits your personal needs best.
If you have a reliable, consistent commute/driving schedule that is within a BEVs range AND access to a gas powered vehicle when you need it (friends/car sharing/rent/own/taxi…), then a BEV can be a fit for you. However, if you have unpredictable driving needs, or no access to a backup, then a plug-in hybrid is likely a better fit.
Given the specs of most BEVs today, I think more people fall into the plug-in hybrid bucket. As BEVs improve (range, charge time…), this line will slowly shift. To be clear, I drive a Nissan Leaf and I love it, but if you have doubts or concerns about a BEV, then I think a PHV is the way to go. It allows you to move some (possibly a large majority) of your driving to be grid powered, while still giving you the safety net of the gas station infrastructure that already exists.
There have been many Volt vs Leaf articles, threads, discussions… To me they are very different cars, with very different capabilities. Just as there is no “moving trucks vs sports cars” debate there should not be a PHV vs BEV debate. You pick the one that meets your needs. If you are trying to move furniture with a sports car, you will be disappointed. If you are trying to use that moving van at the track, you will again be disappointed. The Volt and the Leaf were the first high volume plug-in cars of this generation, so there is a natural tendency to compare them. I find them to be serving different market needs, so the comparison seems overblown to me."
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Friday, August 17, 2012
Advanced Vehicle Technologies | Union of Concerned Scientists
Advanced Vehicle Technologies | Union of Concerned Scientists: "Electric Cars: The Future Starts Now
"The future is starting now for electric vehicles, with advanced electrified drivetrain technology entering the market. These electric-drive vehicles—battery, fuel cell, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid electric cars—could be the start of a revolution that will change the face of transportation in the years to come. UCS has demonstrated the potential of this technology with its Model E electric vehicle plans, which utilize existing technology to show the feasibility of a low-carbon vehicle future."
"The future is starting now for electric vehicles, with advanced electrified drivetrain technology entering the market. These electric-drive vehicles—battery, fuel cell, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid electric cars—could be the start of a revolution that will change the face of transportation in the years to come. UCS has demonstrated the potential of this technology with its Model E electric vehicle plans, which utilize existing technology to show the feasibility of a low-carbon vehicle future."
Saturday, August 4, 2012
History is bunk
History is bunk: "Henry Ford (1863 - 1947) was the founder of the Ford Motor Company, the father of the assembly line and of mass-production, and one of the wealthiest and most famous people who ever lived. However, history is bunk is probably one of the two things that most of us can recall that he ever said. The other being "People can have the Model T in any colour - so long as it's black".
What he actually said about history was:
"History is more or less bunk. It's tradition. We don't want tradition. We want to live in the present, and the only history that is worth a tinker's damn is the history that we make today." (Chicago Tribune, 1916)."
What he actually said about history was:
"History is more or less bunk. It's tradition. We don't want tradition. We want to live in the present, and the only history that is worth a tinker's damn is the history that we make today." (Chicago Tribune, 1916)."
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
EV Card | Plug In America
EV Card | Plug In America: "EV Card
The EV Card is an easy way for EV drivers to share charging stations."
Protocol Card, EV sharing, Courtesy Card,
The EV Card is an easy way for EV drivers to share charging stations."
Protocol Card, EV sharing, Courtesy Card,
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Friday, July 13, 2012
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Building the West Coast Electric Highway
In late 2010, two major grant awards signaled a huge boon for Oregon’s transportation electrification efforts.
First, the Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE), using Recovery Act dollars through its State Energy Program (SEP), awarded ODOT $915,000 to extend the three-phase, 480V fast-charge network along the I-5 corridor. On March 16, Oregon Leading the Charge Toward Electric Transportation By Ashley Horvat, ODOT Transportation Electrification Project Manager 2012, the first major stretch of the “West Coast Electric Highway” went operational, with a network of 10 EV fast-charging stations along Interstate 5, from Halsey (Exit #216) to Ashland (Exit #14). Spaced approximately every 25 miles, the charging stations instantly expanded the range of EVs in Oregon.
ODOT and its partners hosted grand opening events at the charging stations in Central Point, Grants Pass and Wolf Creek. Ultimately, the West Coast Electric Highway will provide seamless travel between Washington and Oregon, and in the near future, California, as all three states are working together to use the same host site and charging station specifications.
ODOT and its partners hosted grand opening events at the charging stations in Central Point, Grants Pass and Wolf Creek. Ultimately, the West Coast Electric Highway will provide seamless travel between Washington and Oregon, and in the near future, California, as all three states are working together to use the same host site and charging station specifications.
The second major grant in 2010 came from the U.S. Department of Transportation, which awarded ODOT $2 million in TIGER II funds to install electric vehicle charging infrastructure in up to 22 Oregon communities. This project will create a widespread network of DC fast-chargers that will provide electric vehicles with charging opportunities between Oregon’s major population centers.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Saturday, May 26, 2012
James Billmaier - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
James Billmaier - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
“Jolt! The Impending Dominance of
“Jolt! The Impending Dominance of
the Electric Car and Why America Must Take Charge,” Jim Billmaier.
• We shouldn’t subsidize their adoption.
Billmaier estimates that there are still $12,000 in subsidies related to every gas- powered car sold. “I believe in capitalism, but in order for capitalism to work, you have to have a level playing field. You don’t have a level playing field right now,” he says.
Billmaier estimates that there are still $12,000 in subsidies related to every gas- powered car sold. “I believe in capitalism, but in order for capitalism to work, you have to have a level playing field. You don’t have a level playing field right now,” he says.
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