Hello all. I recently purchased a 2017 Nissan Leaf SV with under 30,000 miles and a full 12-bar battery---and I LOVE it!
HIGHEST MPGe TO DATE: 212.35, April 14 2020
I'm taking what I already know of hypermiling from my old car
Betty White (43 lifetime MPG), and applying it to this electric vehicle.
I'm also planning on aggressive aeromods to further streamline this boxmobile and squeeze out every kilowatt-hour I can.
I will update this first post frequently, so it might look different every time you view it.
~Matt
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INSTALLED AEROMODS
Semi-permanently installed rear wheel skirts.
Partial grille block--black-painted ABS plastic secured with pressure fit and zip ties.
Removed antenna and installed a temporary plastic cap over the metal threads.
Deleted front mud flaps, reinstalled as rear wheel spats.
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AEROMOD MOCKUPS (Posted in chronological order)
1: Quick and dirty mockup of rear wheel skirts with foam board.
2: Possible streamlined antenna fairing.
3: Mk 1. better mockup of rear wheel skirts using cardboard.
4: Mocking up a partial grille block with posterboard.
5: Left side partial grille block mockup with ABS plastic. Still needs adjustment.
6: First attempt at ABS, trying to really nail down the final shape, and learning how to bend plastic. Spoiler alert, it's a nightmare.
7: Mocking up front wheel arch gap fillers to imitate Neil Blanchard's xA project and 1st gen Honda Insight.
8: More work on front arch gap fillers, and possibly a filler for the fog light slot.
9: Possible leading-edge-of-rear-wheel air splitters using gutters.
10: Futzing about with tire boattails/air splitter design.
11: Sculpting some pink foam into aesthetically-pleasing rear wheel skirts.
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INTERESTING LINKS RELATING TO ELECTRIC CARS & LEAF SPECIFICALLY
1: A thread on MyNissanLeaf.com dealing with battery temperature as displayed on the Leaf.
2: CleanTechnica.com article about EV battery life with respect to charge and discharge amounts.
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LINKS AND IMAGES OF THINGS I'M USING FOR AERO INSPIRATION
1: Priuschat thread about adding rear wheel skirts.
2: Youtube video from Priuschat thread outlining metal rear wheel skirts for Prius.
3: Another beautifully-made rear wheel skirt thread about the Prius.
4: Beautiful Nissan LEAF Aero kit concept image. I am crazy about these wheels. Wish I could buy some.
5: Picture of my wife's Honda Fit and the front bumper air splitter/air trip edge on the transition between front and side of vehicle. I wonder what kind of effect it would have to add this to the LEAF? The aero concept above has this molded into the front bumper, I can't think that's a coincidence.
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LINKS TO NON-EFFICIENCY MODS
1: Painting unsightly cheap plastic wiper diffuser/hood trim.
2: Installed license plate, includes better pic of front partial grille block.
3: Messing about with possible vinyl decals and designs.
