Jimmydreams
Well-known member
I have a 63.1 mile round trip commute to/from work, almost all highway, and today was my first full day with my Leaf. Here's the breakdown:
I charged to 100% overnight, and in the morning I unplugged the car to move it out of the garage. It was outside unplugged for about 4 hours before I left for work, and in that time I was in and out of it programming the HomeLink garage door opener, playing with the CD player (it won't read video DVD's), playing with the Nav, etc. I don't recall what the available mileage was when I unplugged it, but when I got in it to head to work, it read 88 miles. Plenty for my trip to/from work.
On the way to work, I was doing between 65-70, stereo playing and climate control on. After about 20-25 miles, the car was still reading 65 miles remaining so I was stoked. However, it's kind of hilly in San Diego, and the last 5-7 miles of my commute get even more hilly. I got a little nervous watching the hills eat away at that 60+ mile range, and by the time I pulled in the gate at work, I was reading 38 miles remaining. One thing I was doing on the way to work was switching to Neutral and coasting down the hills. I think this is a bad idea because regen will put some power back into the pack, while coasting in Neutral does nothing.
From home to work was 33.3 miles in 36 minutes. I used 3.2mi/kW and averaged 38.7 mph. Hmmmmm.
I suffered a fairly serious bout of range anxiety at work thinking about how I'll NEVER live it down if I run out of juice on the way home....wondering if I made a mistake leasing the car, etc. etc. etc. It kinda sucked. I got in my car to go home and figured at 55mph without climate control, I'd roll into my driveway with a few miles to spare....it would be close but I would make it. I left work and drove about 5 miles when I remembered ECO mode! I had forgotten all about it!!!! I switched to ECO and immediately had a range of 44 miles, more than enough to make my commute. But to be on the safe safe side I kept climate control off until I was about halfway home and used cruise control at 65mph.
I rolled into my driveway 29.8 miles later showing 14 miles remaining. I averaged 3.6mi/kW at an average of 37 mph.
So what did I learn from this?? Leave home with a full pack....watch your speed and if possible, avoid some of the hills and don't coast down them in neutral. If you're in doubt about the distance, use ECO mode on the front end to guarantee extra mileage on the back end. I'm certain I can increase that average of 3.4mi/kW number, which will increase my range. I am POSITIVE that if I'm careful, this car will more than fulfill my commuting needs. I'll use ECO mode both ways if I must, and save the FUN driving for the shorter trips. I knew going into this car that 63 daily miles was asking a lot, but the car can easily do it. And that is BEFORE I charge at work. I will be in my boss's office Monday morning asking about a plug. If I can charge at work, it'll be non-ECO fun both ways!!
This is my first EV. Like my first hybrid, there are a lot of little tricks you can learn to increase your MPG. I need to learn some of the EV tricks to extend my range.
I will most definitely fall asleep tonight with a big grin on my face knowing that this car meets or exceeds my expectations. Hats off to Nissan! :mrgreen:
And to quote Ferris Bueller, "It's so choice! If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up!"
I charged to 100% overnight, and in the morning I unplugged the car to move it out of the garage. It was outside unplugged for about 4 hours before I left for work, and in that time I was in and out of it programming the HomeLink garage door opener, playing with the CD player (it won't read video DVD's), playing with the Nav, etc. I don't recall what the available mileage was when I unplugged it, but when I got in it to head to work, it read 88 miles. Plenty for my trip to/from work.
On the way to work, I was doing between 65-70, stereo playing and climate control on. After about 20-25 miles, the car was still reading 65 miles remaining so I was stoked. However, it's kind of hilly in San Diego, and the last 5-7 miles of my commute get even more hilly. I got a little nervous watching the hills eat away at that 60+ mile range, and by the time I pulled in the gate at work, I was reading 38 miles remaining. One thing I was doing on the way to work was switching to Neutral and coasting down the hills. I think this is a bad idea because regen will put some power back into the pack, while coasting in Neutral does nothing.
From home to work was 33.3 miles in 36 minutes. I used 3.2mi/kW and averaged 38.7 mph. Hmmmmm.
I suffered a fairly serious bout of range anxiety at work thinking about how I'll NEVER live it down if I run out of juice on the way home....wondering if I made a mistake leasing the car, etc. etc. etc. It kinda sucked. I got in my car to go home and figured at 55mph without climate control, I'd roll into my driveway with a few miles to spare....it would be close but I would make it. I left work and drove about 5 miles when I remembered ECO mode! I had forgotten all about it!!!! I switched to ECO and immediately had a range of 44 miles, more than enough to make my commute. But to be on the safe safe side I kept climate control off until I was about halfway home and used cruise control at 65mph.
I rolled into my driveway 29.8 miles later showing 14 miles remaining. I averaged 3.6mi/kW at an average of 37 mph.
So what did I learn from this?? Leave home with a full pack....watch your speed and if possible, avoid some of the hills and don't coast down them in neutral. If you're in doubt about the distance, use ECO mode on the front end to guarantee extra mileage on the back end. I'm certain I can increase that average of 3.4mi/kW number, which will increase my range. I am POSITIVE that if I'm careful, this car will more than fulfill my commuting needs. I'll use ECO mode both ways if I must, and save the FUN driving for the shorter trips. I knew going into this car that 63 daily miles was asking a lot, but the car can easily do it. And that is BEFORE I charge at work. I will be in my boss's office Monday morning asking about a plug. If I can charge at work, it'll be non-ECO fun both ways!!
This is my first EV. Like my first hybrid, there are a lot of little tricks you can learn to increase your MPG. I need to learn some of the EV tricks to extend my range.
I will most definitely fall asleep tonight with a big grin on my face knowing that this car meets or exceeds my expectations. Hats off to Nissan! :mrgreen:
And to quote Ferris Bueller, "It's so choice! If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up!"
