(OT) bought an electric car last week!

123

  1. hplbiking

    offline
    Member

    Convinced the wife that we could afford it and wanting to get the tax refund quicker we purchased a Ford Focus Electric on December 8th.

    Fun car to drive, almost like a video game with all the feedback and scores for your driving habits. Kids love it too, "We want to drive the battery car!" So now my bike commutes produce more “tail pipe” green house gases (mostly methane) than my drives in!

    We did it for the environmental reasons but are saving some money as well. Our gas bill is about $400/month. It should drop to about $100. And our electric bill might actually go down. Our utility is allowing for us to change from a pay per usage to a time of usage rate, which we could only do as an EV owner. Plan is to use the $10,000 back from state and feds and purchase a home solar panel system.

    I thought it would be fun to drive to the gas station, get out, walk around and yell "oh ya, I don't use gas". But I live in a semi red neck area and thought my humor would either go over their heads, or they would pummel me in my head!

    Posted 5 months ago

  2. Gonzo Cyclist

    offline
    Member

    SWEET!!!! really like that Focus, what is your range in that car?

    Photobucket
    Posted 5 months ago

  3. hoshie99

    offline
    Member

    Me too - got a Chevy Volt. First American car company product ever in our household. In LA, I need the extended gas range somedays due to my gig (have BD mtgs around time about 1 o 2 x per week)...However, just scored a parking spot at work with a plug and I can go fully electric most days.

    Enjoy the focus!

    J

    Posted 5 months ago

  4. pa biker

    offline
    Member

    Nice job brother - that's called putting your money where your mouth is and I like the double-down play with the solar.

    Now if only they would make an electric or diesel mini-van for my clan of 6.

    Posted 5 months ago

  5. Orange Crush

    offline
    Member

    +1 PA - on both counts.

    The wise man said follow me...and he walked behind.
    Posted 5 months ago

  6. jmdirt

    offline
    Member

    hp, keep us posted on how the car works out!

    99, give us a Volt review!

    We bought a Honda Insight in '02 and it has been great. When it craps out we will probably go full electric.

    Posted 5 months ago

  7. hoshie99

    offline
    Member

    So far it has been good. I came from a Prius (and the Volt is so much better of a driver's car) but had an Audi prior. The purchase was for a combo of eco and commute reasons. If you look at the whole picture, most can say it's not total system ecological yet, but clearly this is the way things are headed. I can already see that issues of range and charging infrastructure even in a progressive place like LA are going to be limiters for adoption for a bit.

    We are also planning to look at solar but want to get a baseline of how much electricity the car uses for a few months so we can plan appropriately.

    If people are interested, I'll post a review after I have had it a few weeks. So far, it's been positive.

    J

    Posted 5 months ago

  8. ChinookPass

    offline
    Member

    Awesome that this stuff is finally coming out. I don't tend to be an early adopter and my '94 Honda still runs great for the little it gets driven. I'm still nervous about battery life and don't have a handle on what enviro impact the battery has (i.e. mining and disposal) and if that will be an issue down the road. I hope electric is an improvement on gas for the Earth and if so the extra cost of ownership would be worth it to me to be doing the right thing.

    First impressions are nice but I would really be interested in the review after 3-5 years of ownership.

    Nice perks from the electric company and I wonder how long the free charge at work will last. Good though if it gets the ball rolling.

    Posted 5 months ago

  9. Keith RIchards

    offline
    Moderator

    I say if you really want to save the environment buy a used car and drive it into the ground.

    The process and toll on the environment to produce a new car and get it to a market is so heavy that it ends up being a wash. Strip mining to get the minerals for batteries, building a car in a natural gas/coal fired plant, shipping the vehicle on a diesel tanker overseas, shipping it again on a 18 wheeler or train to get it to a dealer...

    It is his word versus ours. We like our word. We like where we stand and we like our credibility."--Lance Armstrong.
    Posted 5 months ago

  10. hplbiking

    offline
    Member

    The battery range is about 70 miles. The car actually has a historises (sp?) so it changes a bit based on how I drive. I live in San Diego which is really hilly so probably a few miles less than flatter cities. HOWEVER since I live in San Diego the heater and AC will not get a lot of use – which really reduces the range. With the heater on the range dropped 10 miles!

    Right now I am driving it like an old lady as it gives you scores for braking, acceleration and cursing. That will change as I become comfortable with the range. The Focus besides looking so much better than the leaf provides more information and options for maximizing the range.

    I live 12 miles from work and we still have the mini van for long drives, or when we need more room like for soccer games and stuff. I ride 2 to 3 times a week and my wife works out of the home 2 days. Her commute is 25 miles and is a little nervous as she has a lead foot. But she is willing to try it. The EV will also replace all of our around town driving. My estimates are we will go from about 350 miles per week of gas usage to about 50 with the rest from the EV. This will reduce our gasoline bill about $50-65 per week.

    I kept the truck for monthly Boy Scout camping trips and it might be my son’s vehicle in a few years – but he wants the EV! I have to say I have a fantastic wife. A few months ago I started ready about global warming/climate change and scared the crap out of me and as a result I am turning into a tree hugger! She has tolerated my evaluation and is on board. Of course I have shown her that going green can also save a ton of green, so it was not been that hard. She even asked if we could take the EV to her parents which is 150 miles away. We could but we would have to stop at least once on the way for 4 hours. Plus having all three kids sitting in the same row is terrible on my blood pressure

    Posted 5 months ago

  11. lochness

    offline
    Member

    Ok, so I've been wanting to ask an owner of an electric this for a while: what's the DL on the range? Is it less or more on the highway? Did you have to go for the "speed-charger" home setup? How much did that cost if so? Yes, please do come back on with a fuller review after a bit more ownership experience.

    It really gives you points for cursing? I would get infinite mileage outta that one!

    Posted 5 months ago

  12. vtguy

    offline
    Member

    Great thread! We're on our second Prius, but have held off of going full electric since I've never been a cutting edge kind of guy. Do the numbers work without the tax credit -- just curious.

    Posted 5 months ago

  13. hplbiking

    offline
    Member

    lochness/vtguy

    You can charge off of standard 120, however it takes about 12-14 hours for a full change. There are more and more charging places popping up all the time. A really good app is "Recargo". Most places (some are free) charge about $1-1.50/hour and you can get about 20 miles of charge per hour.
    Most owners install a 220-charging plug. They range in price from about $750-1500. I bought one from Home Depot on line at 750. Reviews were really good. With the help of a friend I will be installing it myself. If you buy a leaf or volt and live in California you might be able to get a free charger - wish it was available for the Focus:(
    Freeway driving probably improves the range a bit, but maybe not much. I drive as if I were on a bike - steady and avoid braking. Which just means I try to see cars stopping ahead and only need to remove my foot from the gas pedal, I mean the accelerator:). And just like on a bike I will punch it occasionally, but mostly accelerate quickly but smoothly.

    vtguy,
    The numbers probably do not work without the $10,000 back from the gov. In fact it is probably more cost effective to drive a Prius, especially if you do not live in California with our higher gas prices. For me (and everyone is different) we can afford it and it was more about doing the right thing and setting a good example for the kids.

    Posted 5 months ago

  14. Keith RIchards

    offline
    Moderator

    Question, why should my tax dollars subsidize anyone's vehicle purchase?

    Posted 5 months ago

  15. hplbiking

    offline
    Member

    Keith,

    Good question. I have seen articles that state EV owners would buy even without the rebate. We could afford it without it, but we would’ve had to wait a year. That is certainly not the case for solar system. California pays I think, about 1/3 of the cost. Without that rebate we would certainly not be ready for it If you are ever in San Diego, let me know, besides going for a ride I will let you charge up any of your electricsJ

    There are numerous reasons why these rebates which not only help the environment but also reducing our dependency on oil, actually saving us money. Too many to list.
    Besides even if it did not, some things in life are difficult to put a price on. I do firmly believe that changes I am choosing to make today will not be a choice at some point down the road for my kids and certainly my grandkids.

    Posted 5 months ago

  16. Yo Mike

    offline
    Member

    More questions:

    What is the HEAT like in an elec car in winter?

    Has any long-time owner replaced the batteries yet, and at what cost?

    and

    /I say if you really want to save the environment buy a used car and drive it into the ground./

    Yeah, or buy new and keep it a long time. No, I am not a 'car guy'.

    Posted 5 months ago

  17. hplbiking

    offline
    Member

    Yo Mike

    What is winter? Someone else will have to answer that one:) Although it was 38 degrees F on my bike ride to work.

    About the battery, Ford does provide a 5 year warranty and because Cali is green state they make Ford extend it to 10 years. Yes the batteries are terrible on the environment, but there are already some ideas/solutions for alternate usage when they no longer become useable in a car.

    OK this is the longest I have been here in a while. Only a few still at work!

    Posted 5 months ago

  18. Gonzo Cyclist

    offline
    Member

    you guys going to charge it with a solar system? That's what has been going on here in Santa Fe, and now several places like Whole Foods, some other local shops, etc....have been installing a charging station with at least a couple of spaces reserved for EV's

    Posted 5 months ago

  19. THE SKINNY

    offline
    Member

    i like e-cars but i don't know that they are that clean unless they get their juice from renewable sources.

    If you are not hallucinating, you are not trying hard enough
    Posted 5 months ago

  20. Yo Mike

    offline
    Member

    The Skinny for the win!

    Also, e cars seem heavy for the size: P/w ratio must not be that good.

    Web says Volt weighs 3781. Subaru Forester is 3250.

    Posted 5 months ago

  21. hplbiking

    offline
    Member

    Actually skinny,

    I do know. Even EV cars that get their charge from the grid produce 2-3 times less CO2 than an equivalent gas car. That mix will only increase as more utilities add green energy to their supply.

    Weight ration/gas mileage wise(I have not looked at those numbers in awhile) the smart cars are pretty bad. I guess it's the extra frame material required to pass safety standards. But they still get better gas mileage than about 90% of the vehicles out there.

    Posted 5 months ago

  23. hplbiking

    offline
    Member

    skinny,

    I just looked it up and my EV focus is 700 lbs heavier than the gas powered one. That is about a 19% increase. But when you compare the numbers, a 19% increase produces a +300% fuel improvment.

    Gas 31 mph combined
    EV 105 "mph" combined

    Plus I have lost 20 lbs this year!

    Posted 5 months ago

  24. OlmoRider

    offline
    Member

    hplbiking, I believe you made a good choice and it will make a difference. However, in places where most of the electricity gets produced by burning coal the net effect could be negative:

    http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2012/02/13/chinese-electric-car-pollution-more-harmful-to-humans-than-gas-cars?page=2

    In many parts of Europe and the US the net effect is likely to be positive:

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-19830232

    The life-time environmental impact of a car is a fascinating subject. I read an article in our local newspaper arguing that 70% of the life-time impact is actually due to the infrastructure (roads, parking lots etc.). The rest would be roughly equal between the manufacturing of the car and run-time consumption (fuel, oil etc.). It made sense to me. There is obviously no undisputed definition for "environmental impact" and you can easily find conflicting, reasoned opinions by searching the web.

    Posted 5 months ago

  25. THE SKINNY

    offline
    Member

    i agree you made a good choice especially if you go solar. around here i think we get our power from coal so i'm hesitant to buy an e-car. if our electric company embraced solar power, which you think they would living in the sunshine state, even without the tax breaks i would consider it. i don't think they buy back the electricity i generate at the same rate that i buy it from them so there's no incentive to go solar. i can ride my bike most places i need to go.

    Posted 5 months ago

123

Reply »

You must log in to post.