In winter we have a truckload of snow on the roof, and in summer ….
Well , this summer June was officially renamed to Junuary here, because temperature never climbed above 80 and we had 3 rain weeks straight.
Now, somebody please tell me, how are you going to generate your electricity from solar in these conditions?

I suggest you divide you solar panel utilization factor by at least 10 for Massachusetts (also, for AK, CT, IL, MI, MN, NH, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, VT, WA, etc). Your approach will actually never work for majority of population of this country, with the exception of a few southern states.

Annually, we will use 3700kwh for the Mini-E, (see below) 400kwh for our 2007 Gem E4, and 7900kwh for the annual energy use of our home for a total of 12,000kwh. With the TOU rates we will donate about $500 a year to our utility since they do not pay us for anything we do beyond erasing our bill.

A 1.1kwh solar p.v. system generates 1850 peak rate kwh . This generation during the peak period (32cents kwh) would equal the cost for the 3700kw off peak charging (16cents kwh) usage of the Mini-E on an annual 12,000 mile basis.

Below is real world, not a theoretical computation. I have lived with P.V. for the past few years and know its cost and generation, I know both the Gem E4 and the Mini-E’s actually miles per KHW, and I certainly know the high cost of cheap gas.

The math looks like this:

Gasoline Mini,
12,000 miles 26mpg at $3,50 a gallon of gas= $1615 per year
25 years of driving, $40,375 (assumes zero price change)
with 8% annual escalator $120,613
Yearly average $4824 for gas

Electric powered Mini-E.
12,000 miles, 3.25 miles per kwh is 3700 kwhs @.16cents = $592 (Assumes off peak)
25 years of driving, $14,800 (assumes zero price change)
with 8% annual escalator $ $43,256
Yearly average $1730 for electricity

Solar electric powered Mini-E
12,000 miles, 3.25 miles per kwh. Generate 1850 kwhs annually at peak hours to pay for 3700kwhs used at off peak. A 1.1 kwh solar pv system, at a cost of $5500.
25 years of driving, $5,500
no annual escalator as the sun does not raise it’s prices
Yearly average $220 for Solar P.V electricity

Purchased electricity is 1/3rd the cost of purchased gas.
Homeowner generated solar is less than 1/20th the cost of gas.
A 1.1. kw Solar P.V. system purchase cost is the equivalent to purchasing gas for $3.50 per gallon for 3.25 years

A common denominator for most Americans is a dwelling and a car. It is not only possible, but inexpensive and wealth generating to power both with renewable electrons.

Or drive like a lead foot and get a range fit for a lead foot. Take your pick.

Regarding heat: The battery ventilation system seems to draw inside air and exhaust outside. Even sitting in the sun with the windows up, it stays cooler while on “shore power” charging the batteries and running the fan than any piston car.

Regarding slow response from stop: I’m sure the slight pause starting from a dead stop helps with the range. Sorry if you lead foots don’t like it but it doesn’t bother me and it makes engineering sense.

As to the cost per kilowatt hour, the wall box supports smart meters that give lower prices at night. I don’t know if the Mini E supports the V2G feature of the AC Propulsion drive train. I suspect that studying the grid aspects are a lot of what this trial program is about.

Regarding the time between the end of the Mini E trial and availability of the Volt: Mini says they will consider extending leases.

I am told the “charging box” with the special plug (SAE J1772? or some preliminary version?) cannot be offered in a 240 volt version that plugs into a 20 amp Air Conditioner plug, or 30 amp clothes dryer plug, or 50 amp stove plug, because the National Electrical Code prohibits 240 volt “portable chargers”? Hard to believe. The box on the cord for the Mini E is not the charger anyway, it seems to be a safety interface.

The roadside assistance number on the car will bail out a Mini E that runs out of charge. Everyone I have talked to about my Mini E has said that I came plug it in when I come to visit. Friends who live along my way to work say I can stop by and plug in if I get low.

Someone should start a web site where EV fans can offer to let EV drivers stop by and charge up. Lots and lots of people have an electric dryer in the laundry room next to the garage. Might not help us Mini E types yet, but I have heard of Tesla guys doing that. I saw an eBox conversion plug into an outlet for an arc welder.