The Leaf at 10,000 miles

I am now at the 10,000 mile mark with my Leaf that I purchased December 23, 2011.  This may not be the car for everyone, but it has worked very well for me and my family.  My family consists of my wife, and our two children ages 2 and 5.  The first thing I did when I test drove the Leaf was to ensure that the kid’s car seats would fit with ample room, and they do.  One of the reasons that I bought the Leaf is to show my kids a better way.  They don’t need to use gas, they don’t need to inhale the exhaust, and they don’t need to hear the noise that a gas powered car makes.

Most of my driving consists of commuting to work, and in and around my local area.  The Leaf does an excellent job at this.  I do have a very short commute (about 5 miles each way).  On average I put about 35 miles per day on my Leaf.  If a fuel efficient car gets 35 MPG, I save a gallon of gas a day.  In monetary terms, with gas the past year averaging about $3.50, that is $1050 that I have not spent on gasoline.  In reality, it is $1050 I didn’t use to burn gasoline. 

This will bring up the point of how much did I spend on electric?  I compared my electric bills between the past two years. My bill for 2012 is actually lower then it was in 2011.  I attribute this to the warmer winter we had in 2012.  In comparing temperate months (March-May) it seems I have used about 10 kwh more per month then 2011.  The cost of electric was less in 2012, so there really hasn’t been a cost increase.  This is about equivalent to doing an extra load of laundry.

I do have a personalized license plate, “NO OIL”.  This is to tell others that this car doesn’t use the stuff.  I have had a lot of compliments from complete strangers that they like the idea.  Having people recognize that this is the way cars are going is the first step.  My hope is that more people will adopt this way of thinking.  It seems like more and more car companies are introducing new models with one of their variants having a plug-in option.  I’ve seen models from Ford, Toyota, and even Cadillac that will be offering the plug-in option.

The 2012 Leaf that I have is the version 1.0 of the electric car.  My Leaf has a MPG equivalency rating of 75 MPGe.  The 2013 model has a 90 MPGe rating.  This was made possible main to more efficient systems within the car.  The Ford C-Max has a rating of 100 MPGe.  These newer models can be thought of as version 1.1.  Around the 2015-2016 model years there will be new battery technology that will allow for over 200 miles per charge.  In addition to the increase in charge capacity, other technology advances will begin to be added to electric cars.  These include the ability to car itself and pick you up.

I’ll continue to give updates as time goes on.  I hope things keep working well and more people buy electric vehicles. 

Living with the Leaf... The 3 month repot

I took delivery of my Nissan Leaf SL on December 23, 2011.  This puts me right about the 6 month point as of this writing.  While it generally is just a car, there have been some lifestyle changes that go along with owning it. 

To begin with, I need to answer why I choose to buy it.  It is not the cheapest car in the world, nor will it ever pay for itself in simple fuel savings.  I am an early adopter kind of person.  Sometimes I have to make a point of where I stand on issues by using my powers as a consumer to promote technologies to advance them for the masses.  This started way back in 1984 when I first bought my Commodore 64 computer and sold the idea of its usefulness to the people I knew.  It happened again in the mid-1990’s when I promoted the Internet to all of those around me.  And I am doing this again with the Leaf.

But since those early days of youth, I now have children. I want to show my children that there are better ways of doing things then the same old tried and tiered ways.  My daughter Becca has asked a few times about the Leaf and why I bought it.  I have explained that it doesn’t pollute, doesn’t smell, and doesn’t make noise like other cars.  She has become keenly aware of these factors compared to a lot of other vehicles on the road.  I think it’s important for parents to set good examples for their children, beyond moral and ethical lines.  I can only hope that she sees this example and tries to make the world a better place as she grows up.

In addition to the saving gasoline, these are the reasons why I bought it.  I also decided to get vanity plates so people know what kind of vehicle I have.  My plates read, NO OIL.  And this has gotten the attention of a few people while out and about.  A lot of people are impressed that the car doesn't use gas.  Sometimes they say it, but a lot of times they have the look like they are seeing the future of driving.  I think they know that the gasoline engine is a thing of the past.

So after 6 months and 6500 miles, I think I am as satisfied as I could be with a car.  I have adjusted to my driving style.  I don't accelerate to a red light, I generally drive the speed limit or a little slower.  The areas that I drive typically have a speed limit of less then 55 MPH.  This is right in the best area where the Leaf gets the best mileage.  I also take my foot off the accelerator when going down-hill and approaching a red light.  I also turn off the climate control when I can.  Rolling down the window works fine most of the time.  I know I'll use the AC in the summer, but for now, it's working fine. 


I can't recommend the Leaf to everyone, but if your commute is less than 30 miles each way, you should consider an electric car.  I'm glad that I've saved a lot of gasoline and I think it's done some good for my kids.  Becca gets the idea that gasoline vehicles are 'Yucky!'.

Wrecking Ball

The latest Springsteen CD is out!  Maybe I've been waiting for something new to listen to for a while, but I like it!  It's not Born to Run or anything like that.  This is a CD with the perspective of a mature person going through tough times. There are 11 songs on the CD.  The title track "Wrecking Ball" and "Land of Hope and Dreams" have been performed on tour.  Do there are 9 new songs.  Of these I really want to hear 5 of them.  A quick run down of the songs and my thoughts:
1 We Take Care of Our Own
This kicks off the CD and should be thought of in context as it doesn't really stand on its own.  But that being said its a strong song to kick things off.
2 Easy Money
I like this song as its an interesting view point about a couple that tries to have a regular life, but his job is robbing people with his wife.  It seems the only way he can make living.
3 Shackled and Drawn
My favorite song on the disc.  I think one of the most interesting parts if the way the lyrics are laid out.  A lyric finishes a line, and that phrase starts the next line.  I also like the beat and flow of the music.
4 Jack of All Trades
This song reminds me og the handyman I have hired a lot, Gary.  Gary has told of how he use to have plans that he would start his company, but by this time would have just been running it.  Instead he has to do most of the jobs, because he is a Jack of All Trades.
5 Death to My Hometown
Great Irish folk song! And Becca likes it a lot too.  This is about what happens when companies suck the life out of your town and then leaves it with nothing.
6 This Depression
The character in this song is depressed.  He is in a position in life where he can't find a way out, but knows that he has to keep struggling on.
7 Wrecking Ball
Originally done to close out Giants Stadium, its now a message of vigilance against the hard times.  People will be strong, dust off and come out fighting.
8 You've Got It
The romantic song on the disc.  After all the depressing songs, this is about the woman who gives you the strength to through all of this and want to come out on the other side.
9 Rocky Ground
Gospel and a touch of hip-hop. I like that Bruce is taking us in a different direction.  I kind of think this song is directed to the President and all of the people that had hope when he came into office who have lost confidence.
10 Land of Hope and Dreams
Done over 250 times in concert, it kind of takes a similar position on the CD.  It lifts us up before we leave.
11 We Are Alive
An interesting song about how we stand together even after we die.  And we meaning the ones who go through hard times and pay the ultimate sacrifice.

There are plenty of detailed reviews out there and I've seen reviews anywhere from 2/5 to 5/5.  I would give this CD a 4/5.  Thinking about Bruce's work in the past 10 years, I have to say I'm proud to be a fan after all this time.

Poker update from 2/19-20

I went to Delaware Park last weekend with my Mom.  In short, I took $500 and came home with $1300.  An $800 profit, not bad.  I played pretty decent I think.  As always, I think there are areas that I could improve, but that would take playing more.  With the kids now taking a lot of time, the only possible way to play more would be on-line, which of course has been banned.
Maybe this time next year I can play at Arundel Mills, but we'll have to wait until that time.