Comments on: Driving the Nissan Leaf http://www.drobnxs.com/2009/12/06/driving-the-nissan-leaf/ Thoughts on cars and other things Mon, 07 Jun 2010 14:16:21 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Vlad http://www.drobnxs.com/2009/12/06/driving-the-nissan-leaf/comment-page-1/#comment-69 Vlad Tue, 08 Dec 2009 18:38:17 +0000 http://www.drobnxs.com/?p=320#comment-69 I was always wondering what all-electric car manufacturers think about cold climates? In the gas cars natually heat from the engine warms up cabin. What about electric cars? Wouldn't installation of the heater be a really drag on the range? Wouldn't it be easier to have small gas engine which would drive all utility functions - A/C, power steering, provide heat in winter, generator to recharge batteries. In this case you really don't need more then reliable 1-2 cylinder 4-stroke engine, hopefully bigger range, and you can still recharge by just running the gas engine. 10 gallon tank would most likely last month or even longer. Plus you can choose to run that engine or not and if overnight charge is enough and you can live without A/C or heat particular day I was always wondering what all-electric car manufacturers think about cold climates? In the gas cars natually heat from the engine warms up cabin. What about electric cars? Wouldn’t installation of the heater be a really drag on the range? Wouldn’t it be easier to have small gas engine which would drive all utility functions – A/C, power steering, provide heat in winter, generator to recharge batteries. In this case you really don’t need more then reliable 1-2 cylinder 4-stroke engine, hopefully bigger range, and you can still recharge by just running the gas engine. 10 gallon tank would most likely last month or even longer. Plus you can choose to run that engine or not and if overnight charge is enough and you can live without A/C or heat particular day

]]> By: Dr Obnxs http://www.drobnxs.com/2009/12/06/driving-the-nissan-leaf/comment-page-1/#comment-68 Dr Obnxs Tue, 08 Dec 2009 05:48:29 +0000 http://www.drobnxs.com/?p=320#comment-68 Thanks for posting! Yes you raise some valid concerns and I'll try to address some of them. Access to recharge is an issue, it's also a bit of a chicken and egg thing. Nissan just announced today that they're going to launch first in the SF bay area, mostly because of Mayor Gavin Newsoms committment to electric infrastructure for charging. There are other cities that are doing that as well, both here and abroad. The issue of multi-unit dwellings is a valid concern as well. Some places will provide for it early, some may never. I'm sure it will depend a lot on the vision of the building owners and the demands of the residents. What this really means is that electric cars won't be a good solution for as much of the market space when they are introduced as when the market matures (pretty much true for any emerging technology). 1 hour at 110V is never going to happen. It takes between 10kW and 20kW to sustain 60mph. If you do the math on that it's just too much current to pump out of a 110 V connection. That's why you see two charging times for most cars. But that doesn't mean you can't get a boost from household AC when your not at your charger. The Leaf has two electrical plugs (although I don't know what they are) I'd guess one is for AC. think of this as range extension even if not capable of a complete charge while you shop or watch a movie. Matt Thanks for posting! Yes you raise some valid concerns and I’ll try to address some of them. Access to recharge is an issue, it’s also a bit of a chicken and egg thing. Nissan just announced today that they’re going to launch first in the SF bay area, mostly because of Mayor Gavin Newsoms committment to electric infrastructure for charging. There are other cities that are doing that as well, both here and abroad. The issue of multi-unit dwellings is a valid concern as well. Some places will provide for it early, some may never. I’m sure it will depend a lot on the vision of the building owners and the demands of the residents. What this really means is that electric cars won’t be a good solution for as much of the market space when they are introduced as when the market matures (pretty much true for any emerging technology).

1 hour at 110V is never going to happen. It takes between 10kW and 20kW to sustain 60mph. If you do the math on that it’s just too much current to pump out of a 110 V connection. That’s why you see two charging times for most cars. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get a boost from household AC when your not at your charger. The Leaf has two electrical plugs (although I don’t know what they are) I’d guess one is for AC. think of this as range extension even if not capable of a complete charge while you shop or watch a movie.

Matt

]]> By: Nathan http://www.drobnxs.com/2009/12/06/driving-the-nissan-leaf/comment-page-1/#comment-67 Nathan Sun, 06 Dec 2009 19:25:14 +0000 http://www.drobnxs.com/?p=320#comment-67 It's great to see that there are more alternatives in the pipeline. However, I keep seeing one basic issue that is consistently overlooked in everything I read. That being access to recharge sources. Sure, I live in a nice community in the suburbs and have a garage where I could easily plug in such a vehicle. My trips are for the most under 100 miles so range is not an issue at this time for day to day use. but, what is the apartment dweller to do. Until the management companies of these types of housing see the need to provide recharging stations in parking areas and city dwellers can also find access to easy to use recharging adoption rates for all electric vehicles will be low. I also think the charging needs to be optimized for the standard 110V outlets we all have. I think the ideal will be the ability to fully recharge at a 110V source within 1 hour. A lofty goal but one I think is important for the mass to adopt such a vehicle. It’s great to see that there are more alternatives in the pipeline. However, I keep seeing one basic issue that is consistently overlooked in everything I read. That being access to recharge sources. Sure, I live in a nice community in the suburbs and have a garage where I could easily plug in such a vehicle. My trips are for the most under 100 miles so range is not an issue at this time for day to day use. but, what is the apartment dweller to do. Until the management companies of these types of housing see the need to provide recharging stations in parking areas and city dwellers can also find access to easy to use recharging adoption rates for all electric vehicles will be low.

I also think the charging needs to be optimized for the standard 110V outlets we all have. I think the ideal will be the ability to fully recharge at a 110V source within 1 hour. A lofty goal but one I think is important for the mass to adopt such a vehicle.

]]>