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Getting a charge out of Nissan's Leaf

LA Times -- This thought came to me as I was piloting the Nissan Leaf electric vehicle prototype around Dodger Stadium last Friday: When gasoline-powered cars sleep at night, they dream of being electric.

Think about it: Every year, automotive engineers find new ways to smooth more rough edges off the conventional automobile. For example, long gone are the rude jolts that used to accompany gear changes in automatic transmissions. These have been ironed out either by continuously variable transmissions (which have no stepped gear intervals) or by sophisticated suites of computer programming that modulate engine torque at the precise moments of gear change. Even set-to-kill sports cars like Ferraris and Lamborghinis and Porsches -- cars that used to wrench your neck like a Leavenworth ...

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Submitted Nov 20, 2009 By: Meineke

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Jamer Champion Author Orange County Posts:3,957 Points:695,550 Joined:Jul 2002	Message Posted: Nov 20, 2009 11:11:02 PM Ignore Jamer Report Abuse When they become affordable to the public is when I'll start to gain interest in the electric car.
RoadKing95 Champion Author San Jose Posts:15,147 Points:2,621,840 Joined:May 2003	Message Posted: Nov 20, 2009 9:24:01 PM Ignore RoadKing95 Report Abuse Dipstick1 wrote Where I live, electricity costs more than gasoline. I'll have to pass. You post the same response to each and every article about electric. How about giving us some data to work from. Like how many MPG are you currently getting tranlated to cost per mile. What are you using to compare for cost per mile of an electric? Here's a cut and paste from the Tesla Motors website FAQ How much does it cost to re-charge a Roadster? It costs most customers roughly 2 cents per mile or $5 to fully recharge their Roadster, although the exact price varies depending on your utility rates and the time of day you charge. By contrast, other premium sports cars cost about $2 per mile.
cutter1330 Champion Author Oklahoma Posts:3,111 Points:716,135 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Nov 20, 2009 9:01:53 PM Ignore cutter1330 Report Abuse Battery charge time, drive time, life time. Some need to go up, some need to go down. Get these worked out, then talk.
dbatw Champion Author St. Louis Posts:1,686 Points:341,165 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Nov 20, 2009 8:57:15 PM Ignore dbatw Report Abuse I think the author makes a good point: "car buyers to expect their next car to be smoother, quieter, quicker, more high-tech, with better cabin isolation and more road-holding, than the one before". So, my conclusion is that if electric vehicles FEEL right, FEEL familiar from the get-go the public, you and me, my brothers, will accept them. No doubt the up front expense will be a barrier as will the range, recharge time and effort, and the ultimate disposal or recycling of same. BUT, it took a Henry Ford to make a car affordable for everyman, and the other problems of internal combustion engines have been addressed EXCEPT for that constantly vexing problem of running on refined crude oil fuel largely supplied by people who hate us. So I see the problems as able to be solved with enough technology thrown at them. Meanwhile, Sign Me Up for a Leaf.
skybiker Champion Author South Carolina Posts:3,325 Points:659,305 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Nov 20, 2009 8:54:23 PM Ignore skybiker Report Abuse Until we have new battery tech this is still a dream....
ziyulu Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:3,445 Points:645,250 Joined:Aug 2007	Message Posted: Nov 20, 2009 8:53:24 PM Ignore ziyulu Report Abuse How many MPG?
djgunrunner Champion Author Salt Lake City Posts:4,794 Points:1,379,690 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Nov 20, 2009 8:36:44 PM Ignore djgunrunner Report Abuse I noticed that he did not put in the price of the car. How long the batteries will live. Nor did he say how much it will cost to own and run the thing. At this time some hybrid cars are so expensive that they will have to be run for at least 10 years to ratio out the cost of buying them.
FordF2502001 Champion Author Mississippi Posts:3,046 Points:662,175 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Nov 20, 2009 8:36:14 PM Ignore FordF2502001 Report Abuse Make them affordable then we will talk
graceman Champion Author Baltimore Posts:1,268 Points:427,700 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Nov 20, 2009 8:33:08 PM Ignore graceman Report Abuse They still need longer life.
Amtrgas Champion Author Oakland Posts:2,134 Points:782,435 Joined:Dec 2007	Message Posted: Nov 20, 2009 8:31:18 PM Ignore Amtrgas Report Abuse My car is proud to be gasoline-powered. It is fuel efficient, can go long distances, and does not have to wait hours to get it's second wind. Only those short distance gasoline vehicles, dream of being electric. [Edited by: Amtrgas at 11/20/2009 8:31:43 PM EST]
twiper1 Champion Author San Diego Posts:2,916 Points:626,145 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Nov 20, 2009 8:30:57 PM Ignore twiper1 Report Abuse Must be nice
bbreff Champion Author Atlanta Posts:5,149 Points:1,634,145 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Nov 20, 2009 8:27:08 PM Ignore bbreff Report Abuse What a fantasy.
fcdriver Champion Author Tennessee Posts:2,829 Points:595,520 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Nov 20, 2009 8:25:29 PM Ignore fcdriver Report Abuse sounds like an interesting way of looking at it
jeffzjc Rookie Author Montreal Posts:15 Points:2,450 Joined:Nov 2009	Message Posted: Nov 20, 2009 8:22:47 PM Ignore jeffzjc Report Abuse e-car I also like to have one, but not now. After 3 years, that tech will be better. And also we can knows about how the condition of todays hybirds & e-car quality?
arvo87 Champion Author New Mexico Posts:2,940 Points:584,615 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Nov 20, 2009 8:19:37 PM Ignore arvo87 Report Abuse I just want them to be reliable, affordable and available
WilW Champion Author Atlanta Posts:7,327 Points:1,720,145 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Nov 20, 2009 8:19:03 PM Ignore WilW Report Abuse Oh! I get it! "charge"! (insert RIMSHOT here).
GasHound2009 Veteran Author Dallas Posts:287 Points:109,280 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Nov 20, 2009 8:18:58 PM Ignore GasHound2009 Report Abuse Affordable is the key...
Prodaddy Champion Author Houston Posts:3,667 Points:942,685 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Nov 20, 2009 8:16:11 PM Ignore Prodaddy Report Abuse There are going to be to many electric cars to choose from and they are all going to suffer
playtimeCLE Champion Author Cleveland Posts:3,175 Points:589,710 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Nov 20, 2009 8:15:22 PM Ignore playtimeCLE Report Abuse Maybe by the time I need a new car there will be one out that is affordable.
jwduke1 Champion Author Iowa Posts:11,300 Points:2,216,410 Joined:Apr 2004	Message Posted: Nov 20, 2009 8:14:14 PM Ignore jwduke1 Report Abuse Probably another vehicle that works like a fork lift.......
Daveyfudd All-Star Author Jackson Posts:868 Points:211,400 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Nov 20, 2009 8:09:27 PM Ignore Daveyfudd Report Abuse My Honda dreams of being retired.
Chiron All-Star Author Tucson Posts:839 Points:325,530 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Nov 20, 2009 8:08:03 PM Ignore Chiron Report Abuse Give me a snap your neck maserati quattroporte anyday
egd Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:4,040 Points:1,329,735 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Nov 20, 2009 7:04:01 PM Ignore egd Report Abuse internal combustion engine will always have its uses, for most electric is best
BWD Champion Author Charleston Posts:2,392 Points:1,613,885 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Nov 20, 2009 6:59:41 PM Ignore BWD Report Abuse If it doesn't "snap" your neck....it doesn't have enough power!
papagreg Champion Author Sacramento Posts:1,527 Points:512,700 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Nov 20, 2009 6:57:59 PM Ignore papagreg Report Abuse Although I must add that the Cap N Trade proposal is just another bunch of junk that won't do anything to reduce pollution. Just another thing for the rich and powerful legistators to exploit.
papagreg Champion Author Sacramento Posts:1,527 Points:512,700 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Nov 20, 2009 6:56:17 PM Ignore papagreg Report Abuse At least if we are able to rid ourselves of foreign oil, the money we pay for electric would go mostly to US companies, right?
DellMan Champion Author Omaha Posts:1,917 Points:442,925 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Nov 20, 2009 6:55:51 PM Ignore DellMan Report Abuse All these companies coming out with electric cars are going to lose out big once Cap & Tax is passed. People won't be buying them because gas will be cheaper than electricity.
MahopacJack Champion Author New York Posts:3,031 Points:716,500 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Nov 20, 2009 6:50:12 PM Ignore MahopacJack Report Abuse We're still going to be paying a bundle and perhaps even more if Cap and Trade passes. Our electric bills will be sky high!
jimgraham Champion Author Akron Posts:5,311 Points:1,003,330 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: Nov 20, 2009 6:48:04 PM Ignore jimgraham Report Abuse The batteries make it too heavy to get blown off the road by a truck. If it is affordable I would buy one - I have been waiting for the useable electric car for 20 years.
OGW Champion Author London Posts:1,346 Points:668,090 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Nov 20, 2009 6:47:31 PM Ignore OGW Report Abuse It's a nice dream but they have along way to go to replace gas & diesel.
jeromehasbargen Champion Author Minnesota Posts:1,903 Points:378,805 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Nov 20, 2009 6:45:09 PM Ignore jeromehasbargen Report Abuse I wonder if will blow off the road like a leaf when a semi truck drives past it?
DellDude2 Champion Author Nashville Posts:3,974 Points:1,147,710 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Nov 20, 2009 6:45:05 PM Ignore DellDude2 Report Abuse Some people get a kick out of "being green" and others get a kick out of a supercharged big-block V-8. To each, his own.
balljars Champion Author Michigan Posts:3,628 Points:720,300 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Nov 20, 2009 6:43:56 PM Ignore balljars Report Abuse What will 20 more years bring?
qmyster All-Star Author Denver Posts:570 Points:166,540 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Nov 20, 2009 6:31:24 PM Ignore qmyster Report Abuse Its all good.
BrucePen Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,773 Points:590,820 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Nov 20, 2009 6:23:30 PM Ignore BrucePen Report Abuse Bring em on! We need these on the road, to iron out any problems, before they go main stream.
tc316 Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:4,049 Points:780,155 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Nov 20, 2009 6:23:00 PM Ignore tc316 Report Abuse Keep conserving
2granny Champion Author Michigan Posts:4,212 Points:483,075 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Nov 20, 2009 6:21:28 PM Ignore 2granny Report Abuse Electric cars may be fine in the city but not in the country with long distance driving.
jjjleblanc Champion Author Rochester Posts:2,188 Points:620,740 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Nov 20, 2009 6:20:15 PM Ignore jjjleblanc Report Abuse Some dream of natural gas.
Kato51 Champion Author Atlanta Posts:2,819 Points:1,271,995 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Nov 20, 2009 6:16:23 PM Ignore Kato51 Report Abuse I like the idea of the electric car but more needs to happen in a shorter period of time to make them functional and affordable.
MiniFan Champion Author California Posts:1,803 Points:584,150 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Nov 20, 2009 6:16:23 PM Ignore MiniFan Report Abuse when is electric car coming out??...or mass produced???...maybe after about 20 years??
jbcol1 Champion Author Virginia Beach Posts:1,345 Points:213,605 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Nov 20, 2009 6:01:21 PM Ignore jbcol1 Report Abuse hmmm
LilRedWagonIN Champion Author Indiana Posts:2,803 Points:601,855 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Nov 20, 2009 5:51:28 PM Ignore LilRedWagonIN Report Abuse A warning to other Los Angeles' writers: be careful of breathing too much oxygen in the absence of a sufficient amount of internal combustion engines around you. Your brain may overdose and you also could be thinking that you thought of a funny joke. It will also be about as funny as some of your fellow citizens, high on illegal drugs, thinking they thought of a funny joke ...only to them, ...only for the moment.
doncNJ Champion Author New Jersey Posts:2,760 Points:561,920 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Nov 20, 2009 5:49:32 PM Ignore doncNJ Report Abuse It will take a lot to convince me to give up my vette.
Sneakers55 Champion Author Houston Posts:31,941 Points:1,292,465 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Nov 20, 2009 5:48:36 PM Ignore Sneakers55 Report Abuse Plebe2001 wrote: >I don't think so. If they could dream I think they should >dream about coming a hydrogen run vehicle. Hydrogen. If it's the solution, you've misdefined the problem.
e3p0 Champion Author Columbus Posts:2,179 Points:583,090 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Nov 20, 2009 5:47:41 PM Ignore e3p0 Report Abuse Someone once said a rose by any other name is still a rose. Same applies to electric vehicles. As long as they are mostly small and have a short range of operation. Forget their price, I cannot live with the first two issues.
MINER Champion Author Pittsburgh Posts:8,426 Points:2,468,370 Joined:Jul 2002	Message Posted: Nov 20, 2009 5:45:40 PM Ignore MINER Report Abuse Some are good some not so good. I keep wondering if they took the vent windows out of cars in order to sell more A/C ones. And what about the air scoops they used to have that let air in on your feet & legs. Or the old Nash's that had the air vent in the cowl right in front of the bottom of the windshields. Some other makes had them also. I guess you have to special order a car without A/C now...
ChiefDrake All-Star Author Dallas Posts:651 Points:206,575 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Nov 20, 2009 5:44:02 PM Ignore ChiefDrake Report Abuse In the future, smarter Electric Grids, and 90% electric cars for city drivers will help Everyone...
caddilac Champion Author Ontario Posts:10,642 Points:1,158,080 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Nov 20, 2009 5:41:30 PM Ignore caddilac Report Abuse I'm still holding out for the hydrogen fuel cell car.
Ken2OD Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:4,073 Points:994,535 Joined:Dec 2005	Message Posted: Nov 20, 2009 5:40:06 PM Ignore Ken2OD Report Abuse The caption beneath the picture in the article describes the LEAF as being "glycerin smooth." I'm keenly aware of nitro glycerin and that does not conjure up a picture of being smooth. Just more smoke being placed before our eyes.
bobsalwaysmt Champion Author Long Island Posts:2,406 Points:154,905 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: Nov 20, 2009 5:32:46 PM Ignore bobsalwaysmt Report Abuse A long way to go - Not the long term answer unless we find new sources for generating electric.