|
I need to chime in here, because I think that there are some glaring problems with the conclusion that the Leaf is right for 90% of the population. This conclusion is based ONLY on driving habits. Take me as an example. Sure, for my daily work commute (15 miles each way), the Leaf will work. Throw in my daily errands (~5 miles), so again, the Leaf will work. Now, take into account my lifestyle driving (4-5 days a week, ~60 miles @ 65 mph each of those days). At this point, I'm starting to get worried about the range. 100 miles per day with much of that at night and at highway speeds means that I'm already at the edge of the Leaf's capabilities.
And then, it gets better. I park my Leaf at my apartment and... @$%&!?! I don't have a power outlet. But I don't feel so bad, because the thousands of people (literally) who are living in the surround apartment complexes don't have power outlets either. My work doesn't have an electric car charging station, and I doubt that most of my neighbors have one at work either.
And then you need to consider the people who live in rural areas (my parents have to drive 45 miles to get to the nearest grocery store); the people who live in areas with extreme climates (Pacific Northwest, Midwest, Northeast, etc.) and possibly can't leave their cars even semi-exposed during the day (let alone at night); the people who have to haul objects that won't fit in a small car; the people with extreme 80-100+ one-way commutes.
I think the 90% figure is completely unrealistic and over-exaggerated. Sure, if you can help to start developing the infrastructure so that it can manage and sustain the extra load on the power grid; people can reasonably and easily recharge their cars; and several different, reasonably-priced EVs with 150-200 mile ranges are made available, then you can approach that 80-90% figure. Until then, from what I've seen, the number is probably closer to 35-50% in the extreme.
__________________
|