There was a time when I biked almost everywhere I needed to go. However, the serious lack of safe bicycle paths has me driving to work about 8 or 9 miles or 16 round trip — and jaunts to a few other places are also part of my regular schedule. After being car free for a while, I have never actually made peace with gassing up in the reliable, aged Toyota I currently use. So, what about some online electric car shopping — say, comparing a Chevy Volt vs Nissan LEAF vs Ford C-Max Energi? Is it time to go electric?
I also do in-home visits for some of my clients; for a few, I will travel out of town — to St. Petersburg or south to Englewood. On these occasions, the travel distance ranges from 10 to 60 miles or so. I do it less than I would like to because I hate to buy gas or spew particulates into the atmosphere. If I were driving electric, I might provide this service more. This is one motivation to do some electric test drives.
Initially, I thought of the Nissan LEAF. I am sold on the idea of a fully electric drive. I romanticized that predawn climb of the LEAF in Hawaii to become part of the famed sunrise over the volcano in Haleakalā National Park. Imagine the lone darkness and ascending climb of 10,000-foot elevation to view the beauty of a sunrise over the volcano in Haleakalā National Park. The LEAF’s battery use declined by about 84% of its usable battery capacity in that publicized drive. That same battery recharged due to the LEAF’s regenerative braking system most of the way streaming down the volcano after the lifting sun was high in the morning sky.
I want to do the same in the Appalachians. However, after reading Zach’s article on driving from Florida to North Carolina, the home of the Appalachian Trail as I know it, I am thinking more about an extended-range or plug-in hybrid electric car that has gas when chargers are not easily found — especially the Volt. However, I remember seeing electric cars in the Appalachians along with solar panels in Cherokee — maybe I could be driving one of those.
Truthfully, everyone I have heard of with a Volt is happy. So I’m lining up — some LEAF test drives, a Volt test drive, and a Ford C-Max Energi test drive.
Chevy Volt vs. Nissan LEAF vs. Ford C-Max Energi
The LEAF still looks like a smooth style that I like, and it looks like I can lease one for just $199 a month. That is just a bit more than my smartphone. Perhaps, the phone should go. The LEAF S with the improved charging package (6.6 kW onboard charger and DC fast-charging capability) starts at $21,510 with its 80 kW AC synchronous electric motor and zero tailpipe emissions. No spewing particulates. Heated seats. (No need at all. Um, might like the idea of cooling seats in Florida.) The LEAF SV starts at $26,475, and it has something I appreciate — the partially recycled cloth seat trim, as well as the Nissan Navigation System and a 6.6 kW onboard charger. I like the style of the LEAF. And the efficiency — the MPGe is 126/101 city. The LEAF SL is a higher $27,620, adding in LED low-beam lights and fog lights.
The Chevy Volt 2015 has a price as low as $26,670. Glancing through the pages on the Volt, I am not as drawn to the style initially as the LEAF. However, I am sure some will be — it sits with a particular prowess. For my imaginative trip to the Appalachians, the gas backup to the electric is nice, considering some of those long mountain stretches up and down. Getting lost is okay in a Volt. With a full charge and a full tank of gas, one has a range of 420 miles. Could get lost in the mountains and still be driving. This could be the car for me. It would also make cross-state trips much more convenient.
Safety is a focus the Volt takes seriously, with lane assist, rear cross traffic alerts, and forward safety awareness. My last trip out of town, I drove by one fatal accident on the way there and one on the way back. I wonder if these features would have been able to prevent those. The Volt’s designers worked to make the car intuitive to operate. It sounds smooth, easy to handle, and safe.
I like the look of the Ford C-Max Energi. It includes dual-LCD next-generation SmartGauge® with EcoGuide providing real-time information to help you drive more efficiently, customizing displays to your liking. And the lovely thing: as your driving efficiency increases, the right-side cluster display grows lush green leaves and vines.
| Chevy Volt | Nissan LEAF | Ford C-Max Energi | |
| Price | $30,391 | $25,470 | $28,021 |
| Electric Range | 38 miles | 84 miles | 21 miles |
| 0-60 mph | 8.4 seconds | 10.2 seconds | 8.5 seconds |
| Seats | 4 | 5 | 5 |
Local Charging
Checking out this PlugShare map, I note there are possibly 8 chargers in fairly close proximity to me. One is a 24-hour charging port near the store I shop at most of the time. I have heard that one is definitely broken — and a few others are as well. Some I noticed had people charging recently.
Final Thoughts Before The Drives
All-in on this summary is the online exploration. I like big windows in cars, and — although, not a car designer — always wonder why all cars do not have larger windows. The pictures are not the experience. So, soon, I’ll be back with the experience of my test drives, and more about what windows are the most appealing to me.
One thing that still appeals to me is ALL electric, and the LEAF. Perhaps I need to take a different approach to the Appalachians, and take the train, electric bicycle, and walk the trail. And simply go with the Nissan LEAF or wait for the Datsun Living LEAF to come to the States.
Next up: test drives….
Just remember that burning one gallon (6 pounds) puts almost 20 pounds of carbon into the atmosphere.
My Leaf seems to have nice size windows, although the front corner post is somewhat larger than my Prius’s was. Why not get a 2016 Nissan Leaf? One thing is that it will give the most electric miles. Another vehicle can be used for those 2 or 3 times a year longer trips. I have had a Leaf for a year now and it works great for almost all the local driving I do. I put on 11k miles in a year.
Please note and amend the 2016 Volt has an Electric Range of 53 miles not 38. Also the base cost is 33K before incentives.
Please note that the author *specifically* mentioned the “2015” Volt, hence those *correct* specifications. I assume that she might have a good deal at hand right now for the leftover 2015’s since the official nationwide rollout of the 2016 Volt (which actually will come out as the “2017” version) will not happen until Spring 2016: http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1099979_2016-chevy-volt-limited-markets-only-nationwide-rollout-in-spring-for-2017-volt
Yep. Also the 2016 isn’t in Florida till next year.
Anyhow, she chose the LEAF. 😀
On important distinction for the 0-60 times. The Leaf and Volt 0-60 times are for pure EV mode. The Cmax In its pure EV mode is the slowest of the three with a 0-60 time of 14.8 seconds. The time the article posts for the Cmax Energi is for the hybrid mode where the gas engine and electric engine are working together.
Just bought my Volt this past August. BEST CAR I’ve ever owned! It makes sense too especially for what you’re trying to accomplish. Not a fan of the Ford and the Leaf is great but range is a limitation. I love that I can go to anywhere with my Volt. Also, the gas aspect is more like a hybrid then.
You can get a used Leaf from $9k-$11k that will serve you fine for your short trips. You can even drive 60 miles to a client, CHAdeMO charge for 30 minutes, and get back home. Keep in mind that charging the batteries over 80% (67 miles) will degrade them faster, and Leaf batteries are expected by Nissan to degrade to about 70% capacity (58 miles) after 10 years with typical use that does not include charging over 80% very often. 2011-2012 Leafs often degraded significantly faster than the 70% in 10 year estimate, so be careful buying used.
Also remember that 84 mile range is combined city and highway. If you’re taking the highway to a distant client, you’ll only get the highway range which should be around 79 (from memory). Significant elevation changes also decrease range.
Nissan is really trying to clear out the 2015 Leafs before releasing 2016 with 107 mile range. A dealer near me was selling a new 2015 for $16k for awhile but it seems to be gone now. Still, check the prices in your area.
You sound as bothered as I am by burning gas for any reason so it seems to me that Leaf is your best bet. If you’re thinking of paying full price, I’d recommend waiting for the 2016 with 101 mile highway range so you can hit clients over 60 miles away or hit closer clients without having to spend as much time charging on the way home.
Without SparkEV, there’s not much spark in your selection. One thing you could try to continue riding your bicycle: drive your Toyota real fast and get your license suspended. No, I wasn’t speeding when they took my license and forced to ride the bike (30+ miles a day!!!); there’s vast government conspiracy to keep me away from gas cars. I don’t go nearly as fast on SparkEV due to range.
Call ahead and make sure they charge the cars up. You’ll want the pure ev experience.
We drove the Ford, and without a charge it’s just another crappy hybrid.
If you don’t need to haul passengers, go for a Volt. If you need to use the back seat for ppl, go for a Leaf or a Ford Fusion/C-Max Energi.