WetEV said:
Leaf buyers are generally lower income than Tesla buyers.
That is true only becuase Teslas have been more expensive. But like I've pointed out, the numbers from the experts (like on Edmunds.com) say a base Model 3 will cost around the same as a Leaf S. I'm not making up any numbers. Sure, everybody's personal experience is going to be different. If you got a deal on a Leaf that was well below MSRP and you don't pay hardly anything for maintenance because you change your own windshield wipers, well good for you. But I pulled up what the
average consumer is paying and is forecasted to be paying on cars such as the Leaf s or the "$35,000" Tesla model 3, and the numbers from the experts say that the
average consumer could be spending around the same on either car. The nay-sayers simply aren't looking at the facts or just place their bets that the experts who have come up with theses numbers are wrong. I mean even just looking at the prices anyone can tell that $35,000 is only $5,000 more than $30,000. Anyone can go online and see that 5 year old Teslas are only around half their original price where as I can't sell my 5 year old $40,000 MSRP Leaf for $5,000. So if the initial price is obviously not that far apart and the resell value is apparently going to favor the Tesla what else is going to make that Tesla so much more expensive than the Leaf as many are saying? Can the maintenance costs really be that different between the two (especially if you change your own windshield wipers at home anyway)? Insurance will likely be higher in the Tesla because it is more sporty. But is it really going to be that much more expensive for the average consumer?
"Sorry, but I can't afford the Tesla because my insurance would increase by 10%" :mrgreen:
The point is that the cost for owning a Tesla is going to be close to that of a Leaf for the average consumer and there's no doubt about it in the numbers by the experts. And when and if that happens the question is, what will Nissan do about it. :?: The title of this is "Nissan shifting EV focus to affordability instead of range." Tesla and Chevy have been going for range and performance. We all know that. Nissan has be going for affordability and has slightly increased range over the years. We all know that too. But what is Nissan going to do in face of companies like Tesla making their own EV's cheaper? Are we going to get a Leaf SL with a 220 mile range? Or will the Leaf S be under $25,000? Well, the title says Nissan will shift to affordability, so I guess they're saying prices will come down. But by how much? Yes, the coming year is going to be interesting.
"I can go over 200 miles in my EV!" 
"Oh ya, but mine costs only half of what yours does!" :twisted: :roll:
"Or does it?" :shock: :lol:
Besides the pending Tesla issue, then there's the future loss of the federal tax credit. After the federal tax credit goes away in 2020, if a Leaf still costs about what it does today it will cost the average consumer some $42,600 in total costs to own and operate a Leaf S. (Yes! That's what it really would cost the average consumer who lives in an area where they can't get a tax credit!). Both a base Toyota Camry and Honda Accord are expected to cost around $32,100 to $32,600 for the same 5 years of ownership. That's a huge difference from the Leaf without the tax credit! Would the average consumer consider a Leaf over a similar ICEV at those prices? Would you call the Leaf affordable when it costs some $10,000 more than a similar ICEV? So what is Nissan going to do about that too?
"I'm so happy! I spent $10,000 more so that I can limit my driving to a 50 mile radius!" :mrgreen:
"Well, you always have the DC slow charge option." :mrgreen: :ugeek:
Forget Tesla. Forget what we paid for our Leafs during the Tax credit years. In the years to come, what is Nissan going to do to make their EV's more affordable? And at what expense? Like I've pointed out, simply making their batteries last in hot climates would do wonders to their value.
