I need true answer on range.

OK, here is my situation. I have a daily commute of 70 miles one way. From west LA to San Juan Capistrano. I currently have a Lexus Rx 400h, and spend about $1000/no on gas. I had a Prius gen 2 before, but I had to sell it. Now I can set it up to where I have 240 chargers on each end of my trip. My question is this trip feasable with the Leaf, considering I might have to out some wight on it midway on my trip. I read that the new 2014 model has a range of 85 miles. Is this close to the truth. My goal is to have a ev that is a hatchback. From what I've read the leaf is the best, but I am also waiting on the KIA soul even. Another reason is to get access to the carpool lane, but I don't feel like spending 30 grand on a Prius phev or a volt and still buying gas. So please any honest suggestion would be appreciated.
I considered leasing the rav ev, but they have only 12000 miles per year option and I will eat through that in 5 months.

Thanks for the help in advance.

http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?p=101293" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

There are unlimited mileage Rav4 EV leases: http://www.myrav4ev.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=15079#p15079" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and PiP deals: http://priuschat.com/threads/diannes-socal-july-august-prius-plugin-deals-updated-frequently-as-incentives-change.142686/page-2#post-2058123" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.

I'd write more, but I gotta go. Cutting out weight isn't going to help much w/range and I'm not sure what you'd cut. The crucial part is keeping your speed down, besides proper tire inflation.

It's simple. In the beginning the commute will work in the LEAF. You'll be charging on both ends and everything will be fine.

But at some point as the battery degrades, making that 70 mile commute will get tougher. You'll have to drive slower, etc. And then it won't work without charging mid-stream.

My LEAF is 3.5 years old and it won't make a 70 mile commute each way without charging in the middle of the drive.

You need to tell us how fast you drive, but the answer either way is likely to be "not enough real world range." The Leaf can easily go 85 miles (when new) if you drive at no more than 45MPH, on mostly level ground, with minimal climate control use. For a 140 mile trip your best bet is a Prius PHEV. It has very limited EV range, but will get 50+ MPG in highway driving over distances like your commute - especially if you recharge at work, which would only take 45 minutes on a L-2 station. The only EVs I know of that can really handle your commute are the Tesla S and the RAV-4 EV.

cwerdna said:

http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?p=101293

There are unlimited mileage Rav4 EV leases: http://www.myrav4ev.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=15079#p15079" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and PiP deals: http://priuschat.com/threads/diannes-socal-july-august-prius-plugin-deals-updated-frequently-as-incentives-change.142686/page-2#post-2058123" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.

I'd write more, but I gotta. Cutting out weight isn't going to help much w/range and I'm not sure what you'd cut. The crucial part is keeping your speed down, besides proper tire inflation.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the leases info. I will check into that, but august 29 deadline is kind of crazy short. Prius is really not interesting for me as I will still be paying for gas, and I am trying to cut this out.

Re: range tests, the OP can refer to:
http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?p=269645#p269645" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?p=273048#p273048" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

LeftieBiker said:

You need to tell us how fast you drive, but the answer either way is likely to be "not enough real world range." The Leaf can easily go 85 miles (when new) if you drive at no more than 45MPH, on mostly level ground, with minimal climate control use. For a 140 mile trip your best bet is a Prius PHEV. It has very limited EV range, but will get 50+ MPG in highway driving over distances like your commute - especially if you recharge at work, which would only take 45 minutes on a L-2 station.

Click to expand...

Yep, except that on L2, the PiP takes almost 1.5 hours. I've watched the Chargepoint graphs of a PiP I plugged in to charge. Our EVSEs at work run at 208 volts. The PiP was pulling ~2.2 kW most of the time, before it ramped down and stopped.

Now is the last chance to get a great deal on a RAV4-EV. Seriously this is the car you need.
LEAF may make it but you will be perpetually low on charge and into the third year you could be looking at charging enroute.

Talk to Dianne at Carson Toyota. Current deal is $17,500 lease credit vs the ~$49,000 price. Who else writes an UNLIMITED miles lease?

http://www.myrav4ev.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=1053&p=15079&hilit=dianne#p15079

Drive nice on a warm day and RAV will take you to work AND back home. Charging at each end will allow any driving style, range to get some lunch, miles to run errands on the way home.

smkettner said:

Now is the last chance to get a great deal on a RAV4-EV. Seriously this is the car you need.
LEAF may make it but you will be perpetually low on charge and into the third year you could be looking at charging enroute.

Talk to Dianne at Carson Toyota. Current deal is $17,500 lease credit vs the ~$49,000 price. Who else writes an UNLIMITED miles lease?

http://www.myrav4ev.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=1053&p=15079&hilit=dianne#p15079

Drive nice on a warm day and RAV will take you to work AND back home. Charging at each end will allow any driving style, range to get some lunch, miles to run errands on the way home.

Click to expand...

The deal sounds good, but a 2 day deadline is really crazy, I have to install 2 chargers, sell a car and then lease this. Is it end of life after august.

Anyone know anything concrete about the KIA souls range?

nasko said:

Anyone know anything concrete about the KIA souls range?

Click to expand...

It's got 3 more kWh of capacity, but it's also as aerodynamic as a shoe box, so it'll probably even out.

You could do it, but like others have said, you'd be pushing it.

Now, the new Benz would make that one way trip rather comfortably, I believe. I think without even using it's super range mode. You may want to look into that.

nasko said:

The deal sounds good, but a 2 day deadline is really crazy, I have to install 2 chargers, sell a car and then lease this. Is it end of life after august.

Click to expand...

Two days? You have a week. Keep the Lexus until you get the logistics worked out.

A 120v outlet at work would be all you needed to start. If you have any 240v near your garage then set up is fairly quick.

Actually the lease deal has been $16,500 since February so I doubt it will be going away completely. The real issue is when will the last one get sold. Go test drive one.

The OPs best options for his driving needs would be a tesla model 60 which can be found for around 70k or a volt/elr. any other current BEV will not have the consistent range or QC capabilities he may need

smkettner said:

nasko said:

The deal sounds good, but a 2 day deadline is really crazy, I have to install 2 chargers, sell a car and then lease this. Is it end of life after august.

Click to expand...

Two days? You have a week. Keep the Lexus until you get the logistics worked out.

A 120v outlet at work would be all you needed to start. If you have any 240v near your garage then set up is fairly quick.

Actually the lease deal has been $16,500 since February so I doubt it will be going away completely. The real issue is when will the last one get sold. Go test drive one.

Click to expand...

Yep... I suspect the offer or something similar will continue. It's up to Toyota corporate to decide on the offers and their expiration dates. Adding an end date can be call to action/create artificial sense of urgency.

Although a bit pricey compared to the Leaf, I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned the BMW i3 with range extender (and 1.9 gal gas tank). IIRC, the range was around 70-80 mi. That should give close to the most EV miles for the OP. As others have said, the Leaf will work for two years, but year three is unknown (MY 2011 has shown 20% degradation and we don't know about MY14-15 degradation yet but it will probably be similar). Unless the OP really wants to eliminate gas and is willing to pay the price (either with Tesla $$$, RAV4 $$$, BMW $$$, or driving much slower with a Leaf), I would recommend waiting another year to see what develops. In any case, the OP should read some of the experiences of TaylorSFGuy to understand what sacrifices may be needed:

http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=17204&p=375300#p375264
http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=17204&p=377264#p377264
http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=17168&p=380114#p380114
http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=12781&p=291620#p291620

Thanks for all the help so far. I am am considering the rav 4 ev, but i also i called a nissan dealership. They don't have unlimited leases but the sales agent told me that i can always return early and trade it in for a newer car and the mileage don't count. Is this accurate, what could the repruccusions be?

nasko said:

Thanks for all the help so far. I am am considering the rav 4 ev, but i also i called a nissan dealership. They don't have unlimited leases but the sales agent told me that i can always return early and trade it in for a newer car and the mileage don't count. Is this accurate, what could the repruccusions be?

Click to expand...

Do you trust what any dealership sales department says?
I trust the maintenance department at my dealership but not the sales department as they depend on repeat business.
The sales department unfortunately is living in the short term on sales for today and survey results.

70 miles is extreme for a 2014 LEAF in the 3 plus years long term.

2011 / 2012 LEAF is a 40 to 60 mile vehicle, 30 to 35 miles in very cold weather if you like heat under normal speeds. (Does occasionally get cold in CA. A few years back I used free tickets for winter trip to Miami because that was the only non-cold place in the continental US.)

2013 forward might be a bit better but not a lot of data presented yet to support this.

Ok, i bought the lexus on dec 1st, at 86000 miles. It now has 112. Assuming i lease a rav 4 ev for 3 years with my driving, what costs am i looking at comparatively. The lexus is paid for. You guys are very knowledgaeble about all of metrics and acronyms, that are kind of hard to wrap my head around. Looking at this purely financialy, will the money say after 3 yrs, if i keep the lexus vrs leasing rav 4 at roughly $500/mo plus the electric cost. The lexus gives me 25/mpg on 91 gas.

I really appreciate the help.

nasko said:

Ok, i bought the lexus on dec 1st, at 86000 miles. It now has 112. Assuming i lease a rav 4 ev for 3 years with my driving, what costs am i looking at comparatively. The lexus is paid for. You guys are very knowledgaeble about all of metrics and acronyms, that are kind of hard to wrap my head around. Looking at this purely financialy, will the money say after 3 yrs, if i keep the lexus vrs leasing rav 4 at roughly $500/mo plus the electric cost. The lexus gives me 25/mpg on 91 gas.

I really appreciate the help.

Click to expand...

Probably cheaper to keep the Lexus.
Depends on where you live and electric cost.
Driving electric is wonderful but it is not necessarily cheaper.

TimLee said:

nasko said:

Ok, i bought the lexus on dec 1st, at 86000 miles. It now has 112. Assuming i lease a rav 4 ev for 3 years with my driving, what costs am i looking at comparatively. The lexus is paid for. You guys are very knowledgaeble about all of metrics and acronyms, that are kind of hard to wrap my head around. Looking at this purely financialy, will the money say after 3 yrs, if i keep the lexus vrs leasing rav 4 at roughly $500/mo plus the electric cost. The lexus gives me 25/mpg on 91 gas.

I really appreciate the help.

Click to expand...

Probably cheaper to keep the Lexus.
Depends on where you live and electric cost.
Driving electric is wonderful but it is not necessarily cheaper.

Click to expand...

I live in 2 places. San Juan Capistrano and West LA, and i split my time between both, hence the reason i am thinking of EV.

I would also sell the lexus, should get me about 14-15k.

nasko said:

[I live in 2 places. San Juan Capistrano and West LA, and i split my time between both, hence the reason i am thinking of EV.

I would also sell the lexus, should get me about 14-15k.

Click to expand...

In some sense what you get for selling the Lexus is irrelevant.
That is cash flow, not cost of transportation.
You could still sell the Lexus and buy many other low cost replacement modes of transportation.

Your economic evaluation has to consider all factors; miles driven, cost of gas and electric in both locations, maintenance, lease costs, purchase costs, etc.