Feasability of going from gas to only electric

[ME_Andy]

How's the battery capacity?

[Isaac Zackary]

Originally Posted by ChewChewTrain

Very cool.

Did you buy a 2013 Leaf because it is better than the other model years?

Also, did it come with summer tires? That's because research has shown that knobbier tires gives less MPG.

Yes. Where I live it gets cold and the 2013 and later models have better heat options such as all 5 heated seats, heated steering wheel, a battery heater, and a heat pump type cabin heater. I had the chance to buy a 2015 Leaf S with only 4,500miles on Friday for less than $10,000 but the level S doesn't come with the 6.6kW charger nor the DC quick charge port. So that's why I decided on the 2013 level SL.

It has all 12 bars of capacity.

[oil pan 4]

If it doesn't have the 6.6kw or the DC quick chargers port then what does it have for a charger?
Just a level 1?

[Isaac Zackary]

Originally Posted by oil pan 4

If it doesn't have the 6.6kw or the DC quick chargers port then what does it have for a charger?
Just a level 1?

All 2011-2012 as well as 2013 and later base models (S) come with both the 120V trickle charger and a 3.3kW charger. The 6.6kW charger that comes with the 2013 and later SV and SL models is obviously twice as fast as the 3.3kW charger. In my area there aren't any level 3 DC quick charging stations, but there are some level 2 charging stations. So if I do end up feeling adventurous and take off to the next town 60 miles away then I could plug in for 3 to 4 hours instead of 6 to 8 to come back.

Oh. And about the tires. The all-seasons is all I have. Yes, there are better tires out there for better range and economy. But I specifically chose this one because it's already snowing in the area and practicality is more important than efficiency. Later on I might get another set of rims and throw some studded winter tires on them and then change these to low rolling resistance tires. But with it being able to snow here just about any time of the year the low rolling resistance tires would make me a bit worried if we one day get a freak snow storm and I didn't have the time or place to throw the snow tires back on.

[freebeard]

I think that's a good choice. I'm still waiting to see if Arcimoto ships product (no news since mid-September) and a new SRK is more than a Leaf with a heat pump.

[dremd]

13 is dramatically better than 11+12 (except S poverty package). It doubles your charge rate from 3.3kw to 6.6 KW, it has more trunk space, the original battery last longer, and most of all has a heat pump. Only downside is reduced power below ~25MPH.

[teknomage2012]

Congratulations. You will love how little you have to work on this car. I have had mine for 4 years now and in that time I have had to do is put on two new tires and top of the bug juice. This is the most maintenance-free car I have ever owned in as a mechanic I really appreciate that.

[Isaac Zackary]

Originally Posted by teknomage2012

Congratulations. You will love how little you have to work on this car. I have had mine for 4 years now and in that time I have had to do is put on two new tires and top of the bug juice. This is the most maintenance-free car I have ever owned in as a mechanic I really appreciate that.

This is one of the big reasons I bought it. I've spent close to $4,000 on the Astro Van in just parts, and it still want working right. I don't have time for it anymore. I'd love to do a small project like finally get my Bug running. I've got the engine in it, but with so much I've been doing to keep the van crawling along I haven't had time to start the Bug up and get the engine broken in. After I get it running then I'll hopefully have a decent car for those long trips until...

Well my idea is to, like the thread says, go to just the Leaf. So them Congress UI long distance driving. I wouldn't mind tinkering in something that could extend the range of my Leaf. A pusher trailer would be great! But I'd want it to be low emissions. A few ideas I've been throwing around: Get a wrecked 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage and use the front half to make a pusher trailer. Steam and stiriling could work. The Doble steamers proved that steam can compete with gasoline. The most amazing thing about those Dobles is that they produced emissions comparable with modern day Californian emissions requirements. So I figure if I made a boiler fashioned off of theirs I could get what I'm after. There's a 7kW triple expansion engine that I could get. It's a bit expensive and sadly is made for low pressure. Then I saw the is a company or two that make 20kW turbine engines that are very efficient. But of course very expensive. I've also heard that super lean propane engines get great emissions without all the fancy technology.

[Isaac Zackary]

Or if I could just hook into one of these:

Trailer Models | Greentow | Mobile Solar Power

[freebeard]

Or...

You could get a Type III rear subframe and put a trailer hitch in the front body mount
Pull your 0-miles motor and convert it to a Dunn-Wright air compressor
Add two 10-gallon air tanks
Top it with a minitruck hydraulic scissor jack [flat]bed
Add the Tesla roof tiles as they become available.