Wave of New Long Range Electric Cars Coming! Tesla Model 3 Nissan Leaf Bolt Apple Car

It's an exciting time to think about buying an electric car. When I first got my Nissan Leaf just the thought that I would be able to drive all electric was very exciting. Now it's not only being able to drive all electric, but getting even more range in the next generation cars. The next generation of electric cars will arrive sometime in 2017.

 With announcements from Tesla Nissan and GM long range cars will hit the market all at the same time. The Chevrolet Bolt will be the first mass produced long range electric car for under $35,000 to hit the marker unless another company beats them to the punch. With over 300KM range it's going to be a serious threat to internal combustion vehicles and the oil companies. The most anticipated car will be the Tesla Model 3 with the super desirable Model S leading people towards the brand. They will most likely sell a huge number of the Model 3 as soon as it is made available. 

The Nissan Leaf is also rumored to be up for a new redesign and also getting a bump in range to over 500KM as shown in recent company videos. The market is set to grow and as more cars come to market consumers will gain confidence in the technology and embrace the idea of driving electric. It's no secret that the current owners of electric cars are passionate about their cars for a reason and that is that they just work and are easier to maintain then an internal combustion engine vehicle. 

We also have new companies to the auto industry making a play for long range affordable electric cars. There is word that Apple will enter the space and has looked at BMW's i3 as inspiration for the car they are working on. A new company just came on the scene Faraday Future which is said to have many key auto industry player and are well funded. The market for electric cars is expected to grow and more and more people will be driving electric. If you are in the market for an electric car it's a great time to start driving electric.

Silent Cruise 2014

Just a quick update that I am organizing another silent cruise for 2014 in the Hamilton / Burlington area Ontario. Last year with less Leafs on the road we mange to get eight cars for our cruise and fun was had by all.

I would like to organize this event before the end of August and am making some phone calls for restaurants that can accommodate the group after the cruise.If you live within driving distance to Hamilton / Burlington and want to join the cruise with your Leaf I will be posting more updates on the blog soon.

DC Fast Charging Station The Netherlands

It's a shame that in Canada we do not have a company that can set up DC quick chargers to help get more EV's on the road. With faster level 3 chargers long distance road trips would be just like taking the ICE. The Nissan Leaf and a few other makes of electric cars can be charged up to 80% in about 20 minutes. This is a game changer and makes distance travel practicle. In Europe the roll out of level 3 chargers has been fantastic. I found this picture of a charging station in the Netherlands wish we could get something link this in Canada.

Another Flat Tire on my Leaf

Got another nail this time back tire. The guys at Queenston Tire and Rim just helped out. Great guys and they can get tires for the Leaf if in the Hamilton area give them your business.

Nissan Micra The Range Extender for the Leaf

The Canadian market is going to get the very low priced Nissan Micra starting at $9998.00 CND. Why would an electric car owner and advocate be interested in this car? Well first lets compare the other cars on the market we have the Chevrolet Volt and the new BMW i3 with range extender. These cars have a back up if you run out of electric juice.

As an owner of a pure electric car like the Nissan Leaf there might be a few times here and there that you need to go further than the range of the vehicle or somewhere were a level 2 charger might not be available. Those in cold areas like myself might also want to make a longer trip with the heater on. With advances in batteries and more charging station all the initial concerns will be gone in the next few years, but in the meantime if you bought a Leaf and find you needed a car with a range extender instead, you can keep your Leaf and park a Micra for when you need it. It looks like a fun little car might even replace that old gas guzzler.

Hamilton to Toronto Auto Show Nissan Leaf Trip

Last week I wanted to get down to the Toronto Auto Show and take the Leaf for this trip. This winter has not been kind and the range on my 2012 Nissan Leaf has been averaging 130KM in drive mode, I was a bit worried I would not make it all the way to downtown Toronto. I checked PlugShare and found a charging station at the Harbourfront Center parking garage. The total distance was about 80KM.

With summer weather the Leaf would be able to handle 160-180KM no problem, but with cold weather and having to run the heat I was not sure if I could get there in one run without stopping somewhere along the route to charge. There were about 5 charging opportunities in case I could not make it all the way at least I had a backup plan.

We headed out on the QEW and I wanted to see how far I could make it driving only highway. Without running the heat I was able to make it all the way to the CNE grounds where I got off the QEW and drove the rest of the way on city streets. I reached the parking garage with 30KM to spare. Not bad considering I did this in winter conditions with mostly highway driving. We had made it and the charge time to get back was about 4 hours. We walked over to the convention center and attend the show. It was perfect it took us 4 hours to make it through the show which means that we did not have to wait around and would be able to head home after the show.

The trip back I decided to take Lakeshore across all the way to Burlington and then jump on the highway. It was pretty cold heading back and we needed to run the heat. There was a charger on route at the Loblaws in Port Credit and considering we wanted to be comfortable we stopped to charge and used the opportunity to buy some groceries which we were planning on getting anyways. After about 45 minutes of charging we headed home. I made a mistake and missed a turn and had to circle back which cost a few KM of range to get back on Lakeshore. We kept on and made our way to the highway in Burlington crossed over the Skyway and were home with 1 bar left. The trip to Toronto in our other car costs about $15 to $20 we were able to make this trip for less than a $1.50. Even with the parking we paid for in Toronto it would have cost us that amount regardless if we charged or just parked at the garage there were no extra cost for charging.

We had a great day out saved money and were able to get from point A to point B in the same amount of time it takes in a gasoline powered car.

How to Stop Being ICED

The one thing most electric car owners did not expect to deal with is getting ICED. This is the term for having a public charging station blocked by a car that is not using the charger. It is very frustrating for those who need to charge and are unable due to the blocked spot. As the electric car gains in popularity this act may be reduced in time with fines or better public education. In the meantime owners of electric cars need to take some steps to avoid a bad situation.

If traveling to an area with limited amount of chargers plan ahead just in case the spot is taken and you will not be able to charge. If you have the choice to visit for an example a city center with plenty of chargers it might be worth heading there first and maybe consider public transportation to your destination from the charger. I rather take a bus and know that my car is charging instead of getting to a charger closer to my destination, but not being able to charge.

Always have a backup plan just in case. Study the PlugShare app know where chargers are located along your route. Leave home with a full charge is my number one rule leave nothing to chance. It's not only being ICED, but thing do not always work out. The more educated you are the better chance of a successful trip.

There will be a day that you will be able to get to a charger and not be ICED, but for now being prepare might be the best way to get to where you are going without stress or the possibility of not being able to charge.

Bonus Emergency Tips:

Memorize wall outlets

Look for parking garages with wall outlets

Call ahead and ask and if they have a wall outlet you can use.

Check PlugShare for other EV owners that can let you use their home charger