by dm33 (Posted Fri, 05 Jul 2013 19:09:20 GMT)
I just checked the capacity of my battery. Car is barely over 1 month old (to us at least), 1600 miles. To my surprise, battery capacity is showing only 93%. My current SOC is 59% but I assume that doesn't matter. 7% seems like lots of degradation in almost no time. Maybe I'll have better understanding of the situation soon at this rate.
I agree that if Nissan does over promise and under deliver in a big way, it could form a bad impression of the Leaf, of Nissan and unfortunately of EVs in general. I do still worry that EVs haven't reached critical mass. Not quite over the tipping point. It is possible that battery technology will not get dense enough or cheap enough to make them practical. We're all hoping that the chemistry will radically improve in the next couple of years.
I think part of the Leaf's problem is that it seems like such a pleasant car. Its not a tiny 1 person commuter glorified motorcycle. Its a nice size car that fits my family quite well. I could easily see us taking longer trips in it. The only limitation is the battery capacity. If only it had more. So I think there's a tendency to try and use it as more than a commuter car. Unfortunately with the range it currently has, maybe thats all its really intended to be.
caffeinekid wrote:
1. If you are one of the many who see 80% after a matter of months, then that is a whole different ballgame than realizing it gradually over a 5yr span.
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I am glad that you are happy with yours. Lets just hope that the majority feel the same way you do when turn-in time comes. If not, Nissan is going to have trouble. And so will the EV "movement." As much as we love EVs, we are most likely done with them when our leases expire unless Nissan steps up to the plate and takes care of those who have been burned...and by that I don't mean offering silly battery leases, 40-60 mile range vehicles and other such nonsense.
...
I am glad that you are happy with yours. Lets just hope that the majority feel the same way you do when turn-in time comes. If not, Nissan is going to have trouble. And so will the EV "movement." As much as we love EVs, we are most likely done with them when our leases expire unless Nissan steps up to the plate and takes care of those who have been burned...and by that I don't mean offering silly battery leases, 40-60 mile range vehicles and other such nonsense.
I just checked the capacity of my battery. Car is barely over 1 month old (to us at least), 1600 miles. To my surprise, battery capacity is showing only 93%. My current SOC is 59% but I assume that doesn't matter. 7% seems like lots of degradation in almost no time. Maybe I'll have better understanding of the situation soon at this rate.
I agree that if Nissan does over promise and under deliver in a big way, it could form a bad impression of the Leaf, of Nissan and unfortunately of EVs in general. I do still worry that EVs haven't reached critical mass. Not quite over the tipping point. It is possible that battery technology will not get dense enough or cheap enough to make them practical. We're all hoping that the chemistry will radically improve in the next couple of years.
I think part of the Leaf's problem is that it seems like such a pleasant car. Its not a tiny 1 person commuter glorified motorcycle. Its a nice size car that fits my family quite well. I could easily see us taking longer trips in it. The only limitation is the battery capacity. If only it had more. So I think there's a tendency to try and use it as more than a commuter car. Unfortunately with the range it currently has, maybe thats all its really intended to be.