HoustonFlier
Well-known member
Given the limited range of EV's and very few practical charging stations (420v and 220v fast charge only) means pure EV are literally driving on the edge. Anything to increase the "margin of comfort" is gold.
Nissan's idea of an smartphone App to monitor and even control aspects of the car is an bit of genius on part of Nissan to do.
But is falls far short what is should do.
And for me it does impact my decision on buying a Leaf.
The two features that stand out in the LEAF App is remote charge activate (to charge when rates lowest), and biggest of all, remote control of climate!
It does have some other good support features, and that its (not that much at all)
The rants are long, and dismaying, especially since the "MyFordMobile" (F) does have many of these features. Put it bluntly, the Ford app is what I consider the minimum features a car app should have.
The LEAF App has:
*No remote door open (Ford has)
*No programing setting for charging at low cost time (F)
*No trip history and analysis, know how far you can go and better driving habits (F)
*No UNLOCK of door (F)
*iPhone cannot take place of key fob to start car(!!) (F)
*No climate condition/ temp in car (F)
*"Find My Car" / vehicle locator (F)
*No schedule to turn on climate control (F)
*Well designed intuitive and clean interface (Ford better, still)
*List of nearby charge stations (F).
*Maintenance schedule and tire inflation (F)
*List a personal best.
*Itemize business miles vs. personal miles (not in Ford)
*Best of all a competition between drivers to challenge each other for best day, something the Ford app has!
Yes, the MyFordMobile has a lot of great features to help improve driving habits and control certain functions. The interface is not all great, the maps display has lots of issues, but it shows advantages to a close app/EV connection.
Does it influence my car buying decision?
Yes.
I know people will say its the CAR, not a silly app.
It's really BOTH.
Again, EV driving options are tight, having all these advantages makes driving EV even better!
I am sure others will say they don't need/us it with gas cars.
I actually do. Every time I fill up I have a log on miles and gas (and gas price), and calculate my MPG occasionally. I know what my MPG is typically. I also log when I do maintenance by mile and date, and yes, their are apps for tracking this too.
A better app will make Leaf a better experience, and I hope Nissan will regain the lead.
Cheers!
Nissan's idea of an smartphone App to monitor and even control aspects of the car is an bit of genius on part of Nissan to do.
But is falls far short what is should do.
And for me it does impact my decision on buying a Leaf.
The two features that stand out in the LEAF App is remote charge activate (to charge when rates lowest), and biggest of all, remote control of climate!
It does have some other good support features, and that its (not that much at all)
The rants are long, and dismaying, especially since the "MyFordMobile" (F) does have many of these features. Put it bluntly, the Ford app is what I consider the minimum features a car app should have.
The LEAF App has:
*No remote door open (Ford has)
*No programing setting for charging at low cost time (F)
*No trip history and analysis, know how far you can go and better driving habits (F)
*No UNLOCK of door (F)
*iPhone cannot take place of key fob to start car(!!) (F)
*No climate condition/ temp in car (F)
*"Find My Car" / vehicle locator (F)
*No schedule to turn on climate control (F)
*Well designed intuitive and clean interface (Ford better, still)
*List of nearby charge stations (F).
*Maintenance schedule and tire inflation (F)
*List a personal best.
*Itemize business miles vs. personal miles (not in Ford)
*Best of all a competition between drivers to challenge each other for best day, something the Ford app has!
Yes, the MyFordMobile has a lot of great features to help improve driving habits and control certain functions. The interface is not all great, the maps display has lots of issues, but it shows advantages to a close app/EV connection.
Does it influence my car buying decision?
Yes.
I know people will say its the CAR, not a silly app.
It's really BOTH.
Again, EV driving options are tight, having all these advantages makes driving EV even better!
I am sure others will say they don't need/us it with gas cars.
I actually do. Every time I fill up I have a log on miles and gas (and gas price), and calculate my MPG occasionally. I know what my MPG is typically. I also log when I do maintenance by mile and date, and yes, their are apps for tracking this too.
A better app will make Leaf a better experience, and I hope Nissan will regain the lead.
Cheers!