theaveng said:
And I'm not sure I want to rent a Leaf from a private owner. I guess it would be okay but I don't understand why someone wants to rent-out their "baby"? I don't let anyone drive my car except me. What if I got carried-away and ran the battery empty? I bet the owner would be p..... annoyed.
I PM'ed "theaveng" to make him a special rental offer on my LEAF, which I have rented several times and continue to rent on the peer-to-peer car-sharing website RelayRides.com (https://relayrides.com/car-rental/los-angeles/nissan-leaf/4404" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false
. He replied saying he would not be in the market until Jan. or Feb., but didn't express his objections to renting privately.
As to why I would rent my LEAF, it's simple. As an EV advocate, I want the experience to be more available to folks who are just curious, or are considering buying or leasing one -- people just like "theaveng." It's been shown before in this forum that "butts in the seat" of a LEAF can be persuasive. It's one way I can contribute to the adoption of electric vehicles. Also, there are days I don't need to drive it, and I don't mind earning extra income from it when I don't. I see it as a win-win for everybody.
I don't view my LEAF as my "baby" - it doesn't carry my genetic material. It's leased, it's going back to Nissan in 18 months, and I will then get a better EV (most likely a new-model LEAF). RelayRides insures it fully during the rental period - no risk to my private insurance coverage.
Before I entrust new drivers with it, I screen them to make sure their plans for the LEAF are compatible with its range, charging requirements, etc., and make sure I give them a 20-minute or so introduction/training session. Also, if there's any doubt in my mind, I monitor the status of their SOC and GOM miles remaining via CARWINGS, and give them a call if it seems problematic (I tell them beforehand about this capability to head off any "invasion of privacy" issues).
In short, the suspicion exhibited by "theaveng" is misplaced. It leaves me a little saddened that good intentions can be so misunderstood. The steady growth of interest in car-sharing and multiplying number of websites dedicated to it show that not everyone feels the same way.