This is what happens when the federal government interferes in the private marketplace
Barza contended that she and her kids enjoyed the Leaf and had fun driving it, but apparently only so long as she traveled no farther than the corner store (or an equivalent distance). Then she and her husband planned an evening dinner date, so she plugged the Leaf in “during the afternoon for five hours†(isn’t that an entire afternoon?), which she said only raised the range from 25 miles to 75 miles. “I wasn’t confident we would make it there and back to our dinner location, which was 60 miles round trip,†Barza recounted. So the Leaf could not transport them for the evening. (Snip)
Barza summarized that a “luxury†like heat (and air conditioning, of course) should only be used for short trips. She also noted that the Leaf is not conducive for fast highway driving because that also quickly reduces its battery charge. “It seems Leaf ownership is best if you are not in a hurry or live in a climate where the temperature remains moderate, so you can avoid using the climate control for heat or air conditioning,†she wrote.
So, basically an expensive vehicle mostly used to protect sections of your driveway as it charges. One you could not depend on in an emergency or in time of need. “Hey, let’s go get some takeout.” “No can do, the Leaf is charging. We have oodles of noodles, though.”
Sooner or later someone will have to abandon one of these green death machines in a snow traffic jam and die of exposure or from being struck by another car. Remember abandoned cars on Rt40 in 05 after only a half inch?
The technology is not here yet. Why would anyone buy one of these ridiculous vehicles? In this large country 60 miles is nothing. See kenwestisright.com/?p=109 for more.
Not the best vehicle unless you only drive less than 20 miles a day. And hope like crazy there are those charging stations handy at work, the grocery store and such places.
I remember that, Adobe. Took me 15 minutes to go from Triangle Town Center to sort of near Falls of the Neuse on Spring Forest Rd, then 2+ hours to go another mile. I knew someone who was stuck on 40. Nightmare.
I read a few days ago that Duke Energy is shutting down some charging stations because they….catch on fire. Perhaps one day, this will be ready for prime time. That’s a ways off.
“luxury†like “heat and air conditioning” You notice whenever one of these roller skates on wheels is introduced, it’s in Florida or California and never in the dead of winter. These guys know that whenever people compare these wind up toys to the “luxury” they take for granted in internal combustion conveyances, (like heat and AC) the battery models do not fare well.
Plug-in POS
I have a whole slew of Leafs on my driveway. Luckily, I can burn them in my firepit. The lady in the story is welcome to add her Leaf to my fire. Then at least it will provde her some heat.
The Leaf has its place within the market. Just what that place is has yet to be determined.
I don’t object to someone buying a Leaf if it fits their lifestyle and their needs. More power to ’em. (No pun intended.)
What I do object to is the government using tax dollars to subsidize the Leaf, the Volt, or any other thing.
This is a fundamental shift in the market where government is picking winners and losers.
During the winter, a local radio program reviewed electric cars and revealed that when the temperature gets really cold, the battery stops functioning.