Comments on: Chevy Volt and Nissan LEAF Test Drive Comparison

By: jgradyc

jgradyc — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 13:20:38 +0000

Post #14 Jason gave a detailed analysis of how these two vehicles compared in his particular driving situation. I decided to do the same, comparing the Volt, Leaf, and my 2000 Subaru wagon. I also factored in electricity costs at 1/3 the cost of gasoline. The energy costs were $360 and $480 for the Leaf and Volt with the Subaru last at $1,100. However, I would have to rent a car for an annual visit to relatives using the Leaf, which would bring the Leaf’s cost to $910. Of course, in real life, we’d just take our second car. Realistically, the $2,200 for the Leaf’s home charger needs to be amortized into the costs as well. In five years, the Leaf would cost 5×360 + 2,200 or $4,000 in energy costs. (I’d just use the 2nd car for long trips.) The Volt would cost $2,400. The Subaru would cost $5,500. I don’t know the cost of the home charger (adapter, cost of adding 220v circuit, etc) for the Volt, so I left it out.

Even with this comparison, there is no clear winner, since it doesn’t include depreciation, future reliability issues, future gas prices, or the unknowns of being on the leading edge of technology. Based on this and the advantages of a wagon, I’ll be keeping my Subaru and not buying either.

By: kent beuchert

kent beuchert — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 20:56:35 +0000

Finding a more unreliable rag than the NY Times is next to impossible.

By: Constantin

Constantin — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 15:18:28 +0000

Graphene batteries said to recharge in 10 minutes
http://www.eetimes.com/electronics-news/4204616/Graphene-Batteries-Recharge

By: jeffhre

jeffhre — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 12:51:07 +0000

nuclearboy: BEVs are ideal if you can charge at home all of the time while you sleep. Many here seem to be counting on the high speed chargers. This will lead to zig-zagging and long waits but surely not idiocy.

LOL, well stated but it doesn't explain the part about tons of stranded BEV's. Perhaps abandoned with a tone generator wailing, you are out of impulse power, seek assistance immediately reserve power of 10 minutes 30 seconds, you are out of impulse power, seek assistance immediately reserve power of 10 minutes 20 seconds, you are out of impulse power, seek assistance immediately reserve power of 10 minutes 10 seconds, you are out of impulse power, seek assistance immediately reserve power of 10 minutes, you are out of impulse power, seek assistance immediately reserve power of 9 minutes 50 seconds...

By: 60Hertz

60Hertz — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 04:01:06 +0000

nuclearboy: There are some of us out here who will not buy a Nissan because we simply will not support Japan Inc. If I consider a BEV, I would be waiting for the Ford Focus.

I'm right there with you. I'm not in an initial release area for the Volt, so I figure in two years I'll have the choice of either Focus EV or gen 2 Volt. I like both. By then my 98 LuminaLTZ will have about 330k miles (at 280k now), so it might be ready to retire.