Nissan Leaf

[NeilBlanchard]

Today, I charged on one of the two Level 2 30A EVSE's installed in the municipal parking lot in the center of town.

It charged from ~12 miles range to ~91 miles in a bit over 2 hours! That is so cool!

It was not quite full - about 2 bars from the top; but we needed to use the car.

When we get the JuiceBox EVSE installed here at home, it is going to be a whole new world.

[sendler]

I'm happy to see there are cheap diy alternatives for charging. $332.50 for a 30 amp station and cable from OpenEV Store. Which could be unplugged to take with you if you ever wanted to charge at a camp grounds.
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OpenEVSE 30A Basic Charge Station Combo – OpenEV Store
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I am checking into a Master Lease of a Mercedes B Class electric when we get our first three in next month. With employee and master program reductions, and the $7,500 rebate, my payment will be about $130/ month fully loaded for 24 months/ 20,000 miles. Too bad none that we have coming in are equipped with the electric windshield as a $600 option. It would be worth it in snowy Syracuse.

[NeilBlanchard]

The VW e-Golf also has the direct heating defroster standard, I think.

And I think the next model year of the B Class Electric has the "extra distance" option standard. It also includes thermal insulation in the car, and the "extended range" button that lets you use more of the battery pack and get the range up to ~105 miles.

[Cobb]

I hope the dealer gives you a survey and you tellem how leaving a lithium battery discharged over nite in the cold can permanently damage it.

2 hours level 2 almost full? Wasnt level 3 85% in 85 minutes?

[NeilBlanchard]

Level 3 is 0-80% in about 30 minutes, and to about 90-95% in an hour. It was a bit over 2 hours to go from ~15% to ~90%.

It was not cold - in fact quite the opposite. That Wednesday was in the upper 60's and the upper 40's and low 50's over night.

[MetroMPG]

Neil, is anybody aero-modding the Leaf? Seems like there's so much low hanging fruit on that car.

[Cobb]

Id say there is some aero there. Once you get up to 55-60 mph the load on the motor really picks up just t maintain. Drafting helps a lot and can easily push the mpg meter out to 3 digits after a few miles. I followed a box truck when I rented one driving through the powhite parkway.

If I recall correctly the tires and wheels were rather large and if you replace those Im sure you can afford to get something narrower.

[NeilBlanchard]

I have not come across anyone who is aero modding the Leaf. The Leaf Forum is very active, and they are not generally receptive to the idea that better aero would make much of a difference.

I have had more than one person tell me that you have to shrink the frontal area to get low drag - and then the car is not practical. I try to say that lowering the Cd lets you keep the size and practicality, but lowers the drag a lot, as well.

I cannot do anything to Forest for two reasons: the lease and my spouse.

I would love to get 120-140 mile range! If the Wh/mile could be lowered with lower drag, then it should be possible. Hopefully Nissan takes this on and really throws some good aero designers in the wind tunnel and drops the Cd to at least as low as the Model S; and maybe even the EV1.

[SwamiSalami]

Good stuff Neil.

[sendler]

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard

It charged from ~12 miles range to ~91 miles in a bit over 2 hours!

How big is the onboard charger?