Category: EV & Me

Shine Nah: 2017 Chevrolet Volt

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Categories: EV & Me.

The Owner/Driver

Shine and her Chevy Volt! (Photo courtesy of Shine Nah)

Name: Shine Nah

Age: 21

Occupation: Student

The Vehicle

Year/make/model: 2017 Chevrolet Volt

Type: Plug-In Hybrid

Years owned: 3 years

The Experience

What made you decide to go electric and how did you decide what car to get?

I wanted to save money on gas because I’m from Southern California and knew I would be frequently driving back and forth from home to Davis. Because I do not work, I wanted to save as much money as I can.

How has the cost of purchasing and owning your EV compared to the cost of purchasing and owning a conventional car?

Personally, it is very beneficial for me to drive an EV because I can easily drive my friends around when we go places further away. I am more willing to drive because I don’t have to constantly worry about the price of gas.

I’m also a UC Davis student, so I can charge at the charging stations on campus. Rather than paying per hour for a charge, I only pay the cost of the parking permit plus an additional $10 a month. While the parking permit is expensive, I live further from campus so I drive to school and it mostly covers the price of charging my car, so it balances out.

What have been the biggest challenges of going electric?

The biggest challenge is finding places to charge when I’m away from home. And for some stations, you have to make a new account to charge your car rather than just paying by the hour, which can be a hassle when I am charging my car in places I don’t frequent.

What are the biggest misconceptions of going electric?

I think the biggest misconception is that electric cars are not fast—that they don’t perform as well as regular cars. However, there are quite a few electric sports cars that can go very fast. Porsche makes an EV that can go from 0 to 60 in 2.6 seconds and has a top speed of more than 150 mph.

Describe one of the farthest/coolest/most ambitious trips you’ve ever taken in your EV.

It has only been half a year since my Volt was passed down to me, so I haven’t been able to go on many trips. However, I have driven from Southern California to Davis numerous times. Although I’m not going anywhere new, the feeling of road tripping in an EV is still very exciting! I also spend significantly less on fuel, which makes the drive even better.

Do you have any good stories about your experience as an EV owner?

One day, a large group of my friends and I were debating on where to go for lunch. I was willing to drive to Sacramento because I had been craving Korean food. Some of my friends with cars weren’t willing to drive longer distances because they didn’t want to use up their gas. Regardless, I was craving Korean food, so I abandoned my friends who weren’t willing to drive and drove my friends in my car. It was extremely nice to eat wherever I wanted, without worrying about gas, while others had to settle for food we eat often.

What is the number-one thing you think could be done to encourage more people to go electric?

Increasing the amount of charging stations and making them simpler to use, instead of having to have an account to pay, would probably encourage more people to go electric. Personally, I think it is a bit expensive (per hour) to charge electric cars, compared to the range you get from hourly charging. If it was even cheaper to go electric and/or if the ranges of EVs increase, more people will make the change.

Mia Duong: 2013 Toyota Prius

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Categories: EV & Me.

The Owner/Driver

Mia and her husband’s Priuses! (Photo courtesy of Mia Duong).

Name: Mia Duong

Age: 54

Occupation: Fire Department – Hazmat Coordinator

The Vehicle

Year/make/model: 2013 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV)

Type: Plug-In Hybrid

Years owned: 6 years

The Experience

What made you decide to go electric and how did you decide what car to get?

We used to live in Irvine, California, then moved further south of Orange County. My commute is now twice as long as it used to be so I wanted an electric vehicle to save on gas and emissions. At the time of my purchase, my choices seemed to be limited to a Chevy Volt and a Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV). The Volt did not offer any purchase incentives whereas the Toyota Prius offered zero down and zero interest. So ultimately, we purchased my 2013 Toyota Prius PHEV. We loved that car so much that a year later, I talked my husband into getting another one. So I have a 2013 and my husband has a 2014 Toyota Prius PHEV!

How has the cost of purchasing and owning your EV compared to the cost of purchasing and owning a conventional car?

So far, I have saved a lot of money and time that I used to spend getting gas. One reason I purchased my 2013 Toyota Prius PHEV was because of the free charging station at my work. For the first two years, work let me charge my car for free! Now I pay about $.60 per charge. I can get 2/3 of the way home before my engine kicks in.

What have been the biggest challenges of going electric?

Every day when I arrive at work, I have to keep an eye out for a spot to charge my car. If there isn’t one, I park my car as close as I can to the chargers and as soon as there’s one available, I run down as fast as I can to move and plug in my vehicle. I have an app on my phone that lets me know as soon as there’s a spot available. Often my wonderful co-workers text me to let me know they’re done charging. They wait for me to arrive before moving their vehicle, so I can take their spot. Waiting for a charger is very annoying at times. If we want to make it easy for people to go electric, we need more charging stations everywhere!

What are the biggest misconceptions of going electric?

People don’t realize how big a deal charger availability is. It’s not very convenient for folks that have electric vehicles to charge their cars as charging stations are not easily available!

Describe one of the farthest/coolest/most ambitious trips you’ve ever taken in your EV.

Mia’s husband and daughter loading her bike into their Prius! (Photo courtesy of Mia Duong).

Since we’ve owned our Priuses for five to six years, we have taken these two vehicles everywhere, especially when the kids were on summer vacation. We’ve also gone to Palm Springs with our Priuses for long bike rides.

Also, our daughter is a freshman at UC Davis, so we have taken our Priuses to UC Davis from Southern California numerous times. The money we save on gas is phenomenal! It is only about $25 to fill each tank. We try to charge the battery whenever we can so we don’t have to use gas.

Do you have any good stories about your experience as an EV owner?

Our family is very sports oriented.  When we lived in Irvine, my husband played a lot of tennis. He ultimately got injured with “tennis elbow”, had to give up tennis, and took up cycling. He got our entire family into cycling as well. Once, when our daughter was 8 and our son was 12, we did a half-century ride (50 miles) in Solvang, CA. My daughter did the tandem with my husband, and my son and I rode solo.

Some people don’t think that electric vehicles are tough enough to support sports, but our family is evidence to the contrary! We use our Priuses to bring our bikes all over the place—check out the photos pictures of my husband and daughter in our 2014 Prius.

What is the number-one thing you think could be done to encourage more people to go electric?

Make people aware of all the great benefits that come with driving EVs! When I first got my 2013 Toyota Prius PHEV, the Clean Air Vehicle decals that came with it let me use the carpool lane while driving solo. My decals are no longer active but it was great while it lasted. We also received rebate checks from the State of California for buying “Clean Air” vehicles. On top of that, my employer gives points for each day that I use my electric vehicle. Four times a year, we turn our points in for great gift cards as an incentive for walking, cycling, carpooling, or using electric vehicles. For me that’s a WIN-WIN!

Stephen Noctor: 2018 Tesla Model 3

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Categories: EV & Me.

Stephen’s Tesla at the iconic Wigwam Motel on Route 66 (Photo courtesy of Stephen Noctor).

The Owner/Driver

Name: Stephen Noctor Occupation: Associate Professor, Scientist

The Vehicle

Year/make/model: 2018 Tesla Model 3 Type: Electric Years owned: 1.5 years

The Experience

What made you decide to go electric and how did you decide what car to get?

I decided to go electric to help our climate by reducing emissions from my driving, and to reduce our country’s reliance on foreign energy. I chose a Model 3 because it’s a fully electric car that is supported by a well-established rapid charging network.

How has the cost of purchasing and owning your EV compared to the cost of purchasing and owning a conventional car?

The initial cost to purchase an EV was a bit higher, but the operating cost is much, much cheaper.

What have been the biggest challenges of going electric?

I love the cars, so the biggest challenge initially was trying not to drive all day just for the fun of it. Besides that, I’ve had no challenges!

What are the biggest misconceptions of going electric?

That an EV won’t get you where you need to go, takes too long to charge, and makes just as much, or even more, pollution than a typical gas powered car.

Describe one of the farthest/coolest/most ambitious trips you’ve ever taken in your EV.

In October 2019, I went to Albuquerque for five days of work. Albuquerque is about 1,200 miles away as the crow flies but instead of flying, I drove there in our Model 3. I kept driving data to share with those interested in learning about driving electric cars on longer trips. The full trip was 2,721 miles through six states. I drove a total of 47 hours, made 17 Supercharger stops, and used just over seven hours of Supercharging (for which I paid $92.66). I drove an average of 150 miles between Superchargers and charged for an average of 23 minutes per stop. The Supercharger network is extensive, very easy to use, and provided all the energy I needed for the trip.

In addition to stopping at Superchargers, I made stops along the way at the Grand Canyon, Meteor Crater, Monument Valley, and more. Watching the sunrise in Monument Valley was probably the most memorable part of this road trip, but there were many other highlights. Driving electric through the American Southwest was a treat. I’ve posted my own blog that covers the trip in more detail, including how much energy was used to power the trip, and the emissions produced by driving electric compared to driving a gas-powered car. Do you have any good stories about your experience as an EV owner?

Yes, lots! They are featured in my blog, “Its Electric”, where I provide information and fun anecdotes for those thinking about getting an EV.

What is the number-one thing you think could be done to encourage more people to go electric?

Getting people behind the wheel so they can test-drive an EV—any EV.

David DeYoung: 2018 Honda Clarity

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Categories: EV & Me.

David and his 2018 Honda Clarity! (Photo courtesy of Dave DeYoung)

The Owner/Driver

Name: David DeYoung

Age: 65

Occupation: Retired

The Vehicle

Year/make/model: 2018 Honda Clarity

Type: Plug-In Hybrid

Years owned: 2 years

The Experience

What made you decide to go electric and how did you decide what car to get?

I wanted a vehicle that was more environmentally friendly. And because I occasionally drive to Southern California to visit family, I wanted a car that had reasonable range. When I bought the Clarity, it had the best combination of electric range, gasoline assist for longer trips, and size.

How has the cost of purchasing and owning your EV compared to the cost of purchasing and owning a conventional car?

It isn’t substantially different. The closest vehicle comparable to the Honda Clarity is the Honda Accord.  Factoring in the $7,500 federal and $1,500 state tax incentives, the purchase price for the two vehicles is pretty similar. Most of my driving is around town, using electricity, so the cost of fuel/energy to drive the Clarity is somewhat lower than the Accord. I have about 14,000 miles on the Clarity and it has only needed two trips to the shop for routine maintenance. This is about what I would expect had I purchased the Accord.

What have been the biggest challenges of going electric?

Because my version of the Clarity is a plug-in-hybrid, there haven’t been significant challenges.  The total (gas plus electric) range is a bit limiting in the Clarity because it only has a 7 gallon gas tank. So on long trips I have to refuel every 250 miles or so, but this isn’t much of a barrier.

What are the biggest misconceptions of going electric?

When it comes to EVs, the two biggest barriers that people cite are range anxiety (not being able to get to where you want to go on a single charge) and purchase price. But with a plug-in hybrid like the Clarity, neither of those are issues. You have a back-up gas engine that can take over if the electric range isn’t enough, and purchase price is about the same as other mid-level sedans once you factor in incentives.

Describe one of the farthest/coolest/most ambitious trips you’ve ever taken in your EV.

We occasionally drive from our home in Davis to visit family in Southern California. We almost always use I-5, since it is the most direct and fastest highway. Last year, we changed our usual pattern by driving back home using Highway 395, following the Eastern Sierras. I have backpacked throughout the Eastern Sierras for decades, and although we didn’t have time on this particular trip to backpack, we did have time to day hike. We took some of the narrow, winding, and steep roads to some backcountry trailheads (including Mosquito Flats, which sits at 10,000 feet). The Clarity, while not engineered for these types of roads, did fine. I was really happy with the gas mileage from Mammoth Lakes to Davis. We averaged 60 miles per gallon without an initial battery charge!

Do you have any good stories about your experience as an EV owner?

We use our Clarity mostly for short trips around town. Because its electric-only range is about 45 miles, most of our driving is electric. We only occasionally go to a service station to fill up the gas tank. Sometimes it is months between fill-ups, and even then, because the gas tank is so small, it is pretty inexpensive. More importantly, it feels good to minimize my use of fossil fuels!

What is the number-one thing you think could be done to encourage more people to go electric?

Make sure that the tax incentives remain in place, so that purchase prices for all-electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles remain reasonably competitive with gas-powered vehicles. Word of mouth is a great way to let prospective EV buyers know more about owning and maintain an EV, and most EV owners I’ve met are enthusiastic and eager to tell their story. Blogs, events, and other outreach efforts are important for informing people.

Denae Wagner: 2018 Tesla Model 3

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Categories: EV & Me.

Denae Wagner (and her Tesla Model 3) spot a rainbow! (Photo courtesy of Denae Wagner)

The Owner/Driver

Name: Denae Wagner

Age: 54

Occupation: Veterinarian
 

The Vehicle

Year/make/model: 2018 Tesla Model 3

Type: Electric

Years owned: 1 year and a couple months
 

The Experience

What made you decide to go electric and how did you decide what car to get?

I leased a Fiat 500e a few years ago and loved that car but the 80-mile range was limiting. I didn’t really know what a Model 3 was going to look like but as soon as I heard it could go 300 miles on a single charge, I put a deposit down.

How has the cost of purchasing and owning your EV compared to the cost of purchasing and owning a conventional car?

I had never bought a new car before the Model 3. I mostly bought used trucks, and my rule of thumb was that anything more than $10,000 was too much to spend. $10,000 won’t get you very far when it comes to buying an EV! I ended up borrowing from my credit union to purchase the Model 3, so my monthly car cost (to pay off the loan and for insurance) is about $1000 a month. My fuel cost is very low as I charge at work (UC Davis). UC Davis does add an EV charging fee to my parking permit but it is very reasonable. Before, I was easily paying 250 a month (often more) for gas. I have had no maintenance fees, other than adding some washer fluid. In an EV, there is no oil to change or other fluids to check. The only thing I have to do maintenance-wise is get the tires rotated.

What have been the biggest challenges of going electric?

For sure the cost. But there is something about purchasing an EV that made this purchase feel very different from any other vehicle I have purchased. Going electric was more than just a choice about how I get around—it was part of a commitment I am making to live a life that will leave a smaller footprint on the earth.

What are the biggest misconceptions of going electric?

That traveling and charging is a challenge.  Perhaps in some EVs that is true today, but not for a Tesla. In a few years, I suspect this issue will be erased for all EVs.

Denae and a friend during their road trip! (Photo courtesy of Denae Wagner).

Describe one of the farthest/coolest/most ambitious trips you’ve ever taken in your EV.

A road trip to Minneapolis with a friend this past summer—so very fun! I entered my destination into the navigation system and off we went. I think it was a 4,500 mile trip all said and done. Tesla’s network of superchargers made the trip super easy. In fact, we ended up visiting some places we otherwise wouldn’t have stopped because we needed to access the chargers there. I love taking trips in the Model 3. It’s so very comfortable and the car’s technical abilities really help remove the stress of a longer drive

Do you have any good stories about your experience as an EV owner?

I was on my way home during the summer road trip. It was early evening and I was somewhere in Colorado. There were storm clouds to the east but to the west the sun was setting. I was out in a stretch of nothingness and I noticed a motorist stopped by the side of the road with the hood of his car up. I pulled over and asked him if he needed help. He said his car was overheating and he didn’t have any water. I headed back to my car and grabbed a couple of water bottles and emptied them into a partially filled gallon jug I had for the trip and gave it to him. He didn’t say too much, but I could tell he was pretty thankful. I wished him well and walked back to my car feeling pretty thankful too, as I knew that particular problem was nothing that I would have to worry about…ever.

What is the number-one thing you think could be done to encourage more people to go electric?

Getting people behind the wheel to do a test drive. Once you see that an EV drives just as well—if not better—than a gas-powered car, going electric makes a whole lot of sense.

Hannah Kornfeld: Gig Car Share

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Categories: EV & Me.

The Owner/Driver

Name: Hannah Kornfeld
Age: 27
Occupation: Environmental Planner

 

Hannah Kornfeld with a Chevy Bolt Gig. (Photo courtesy Hannah Kornfeld)

The Vehicle

Gig car model you use: Chevrolet Bolts in Sacramento, Prius for trips between Bay Area and Sacramento       
Where you use Gig (Bay Area/Sac): Both! 
When you started using Gig: April 2019

 

The Service

Gig Car Share is a new service that provides access to all-electric vehicles in Sacramento and hybrid vehicles throughout the Bay Area. Gig allows users to choose the duration of their drive and provides the flexibility to pick up and drop off their cars in different locations. Users are able to park in a wide range of spots within the service territory, and can pay by the mile, hour, or day—whichever rate is lowest. More than 200 Gig cars are available in Sacramento, representing the nation’s largest all-electric car fleet.

 

The Experience

What kinds of trips do you use Gig for (work, adventure, errands, etc.)?
I’ve used Gig to meet up with friends after work and to commute between the Bay Area and Sacramento.

What made you decide to go start using Gig?
The ease of being able to pick up the car and park it anywhere (abiding by parking rules, of course!). The cost of renting the vehicle, insurance, and parking is also reasonable.

How has the cost of using Gig compared to the cost of purchasing and owning a conventional/EV car?
I unfortunately still own my car and am too dependent on it for longer trips (both in time and distance). Gig is a bit limiting because there are specific zones in which the car must be picked up and dropped off. The driving factor (pun intended) for me is the simplicity of using Gig and knowing that my ride is zero emissions (if it’s a Chev Bolt). 

What have been the biggest challenges of using Gig?
Besides the limited zones in which Gigs can be parked, the biggest challenge I’ve seen involves using the cars when you don’t have cell reception. The app can’t communicate with the car if you don’t have reception, which can lead to AAA having to tow the vehicle back into an area with cell reception. I’d recommend to everyone using Gig to also have the free Gig Card sent to you in the mail, which lets you unlock your Gig if you don’t have reception. It could be the saving grace if you lose cell reception and the car is locked.    

What are the biggest misconceptions of Gig/carsharing?
One of the most common misconceptions I hear is that Gig is not environmentally friendly. Some criticize Gig for still requiring the use of single-occupancy vehicles and think that they require fossil fuels. However, the Chevy Bolts that are seen cruising around Sacramento are entirely electric and have no tailpipe emissions! While Gig still allows people to continue riding and driving in individual cars (rather than transit), I think it provides an opportunity for a behavior switch. People that may not have thought about leasing or purchasing an electric vehicle may become more likely after testing one out using Gig. Gigs are fun to drive and have an impressive range of about 250 miles!

Describe one of the farthest/coolest/most ambitious trips you’ve ever taken using Gig.
I haven’t had an opportunity to do many fun or ambitious trips yet, but I have driven a Gig about half a dozen times from San Francisco to Sacramento.     

Do you have any good stories about your experience as a Gig user?
All of my experiences with Gig have been positive so far! The biggest win for me was discovering that the Prius Gigs can be used for one-way trips between zones (e.g., Bay Area and Sacramento) for about the same price as a one-way Amtrak ticket – but in about half the amount of time!     

What is the number-one thing you think could be done to encourage more people to use Gig/carsharing services?
Spread the word! Many people see the cars around and haven’t bothered to look into what Gig is. There’s a great incentive to share your referral code with friends (you each get $25)! Also, the zones for Gig and carsharing services generally need to be more strategically placed in disadvantaged communities and areas where transit and other shared modes of transportation (like bike and scooter share) are limited.     

Kelly Fleming: Gig Car Share

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Categories: EV & Me.

The Owner/Driver

Kelly Fleming with a Chevy Bolt Gig in Sacramento. (Photo courtesy Kelly Fleming)

Name: Kelly Fleming
Age: 30
Occupation: Policy Analyst

 

The Vehicle

Gig car model you use: Bolt. Unless I’m in the Bay Area, where I use the Prius C.
Where you use Gig (Bay Area/Sac): Both! But mostly Sacramento.
When you started using Gig: I started using Gig in February. I was able to beta test for Gig before the public launch in April.

 

The Service

Gig Car Share is a new service that provides access to all-electric vehicles in Sacramento and hybrid vehicles throughout the Bay Area. Gig allows users to choose the duration of their drive and provides the flexibility to pick up and drop off their cars in different locations. Users are able to park in a wide range of spots within the service territory, and can pay by the mile, hour, or day—whichever rate is lowest. More than 200 Gig cars are available in Sacramento, representing the nation’s largest all-electric car fleet.

 

The Experience

What kinds of trips do you use Gig for?
I use Gig for a variety of trips. The most useful to me is getting to and from the Amtrak station. It is the most affordable option and feels the safest when I get in late. I also use Gig when the weather is bad to get around downtown, or late at night to get back home when I don’t feel safe walking alone.

What made you decide to go start using Gig?
I’ve used similar carsharing services in other cities I’ve lived in and enjoyed the freedom and convenience of being able to drive the car one way and then choose how to get back. I was very excited to learn that Sacramento would get the first all-electric carsharing service and even more excited to learn how affordable it is. There was no downside to signing up since Gig has no membership fee, and I thought it was a cool way to drive an EV for the first time.

What have been the biggest challenges of using Gig?
Since Gig is a new service, there have been a couple of minor bugs with the Gig app. The customer service has been great in resolving issues quickly, though. I have no complaints about the actual carsharing service. It’s affordable, convenient, and accessible. I still own my own car, but Gig is often a better choice if parking costs money, or if I only want to drive one way. I just wish Gig were available further outside the downtown area, including in Davis.

What are the biggest misconceptions of Gig/carsharing?
People seem to not understand the one-way carsharing concept. They often assume that Gig is similar to Zipcar, where you must return the car to where you picked it up. Actually, Gig is more like Car2Go and JUMP. You find a car on the app and then take it to your destination, where you can park on any public street with a 1-hour or more limit (in Sacramento). The cost of charging/fuel, parking, and insurance are all included, and the trip is billed based on distance and time. No need to worry about racing the clock or finding a charging station!

Describe one of the farthest/coolest/most ambitious trips you’ve ever taken using Gig.
Just last week, Gig started allowing rides in the Prius C Gigs between the Bay Area and Sacramento. I was in San Francisco for a late seminar, and a car accident on the Bay Bridge caused a friend and me to miss the last Amtrak train back to Sacramento. Luckily, we found a GIG and a promotional deal got us both all the way home for just $22!

Do you have any good stories about your experience as a Gig user?
I have never had an eventful trip in a Gig, which in my opinion is a good thing. The service is reliable, quick, and provides a nice back-up option if I find myself caught in the rain when I had planned to walk, or out past the time transit stops running. Gigs are also all equipped with bike racks in case I ever get stranded with a flat tire.

What is the number-one thing you think could be done to encourage more people to use Gig/carsharing services?
Advertise! I’ve had a lot of strangers ask me about Gig when I’m getting in one. I think the company is doing a good job with billboards and referrals, but it might be helpful to put a flyer on the Gigs to help people learn what they are and how easy they are to use.

Eric Wilson: 2014 Tesla Model S & 2018 Chevrolet Bolt

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Categories: EV & Me.

The Owner/Driver

Eric Wilson’s kids (and 2014 Tesla Model S!) at a charging station in Atascadero, California. (Photo courtesy Eric Wilson)

Name: Eric Wilson
Age: 39
Occupation: Director of Sustainability and STEAM Initiatives
 

The Vehicle

Year/make/model: 2014 Tesla Model S and 2018 Chevrolet Bolt
Type: Both fully electric
Years owned: Purchased Model S in 2014 and leased Bolt starting in 2018
 

The Experience

What made you decide to go electric and how did you decide what car to get?
I vowed never to purchase another Internal Combustion Engine vehicle. At the time, the Model S was the only viable long-range option. Supercharging was a big selling point for the Tesla back in 2014. The fact that we live in CA and it was manufactured here, that it was the safest car on the road, and that we could seat seven (with the two rear-facing seats) all helped seal the deal – in addition to the obvious electric powertrain. We were living with family, so our overhead was low. Although it was, and still is, out of our price range, it was important enough to make the transition to electric. Last March I got rid of our other car, a Toyota, and leased a Bolt while we try to figure out what we’re going to do more long-term.

How has the cost of purchasing and owning your EV compared to the cost of purchasing and owning a conventional car?
It’s difficult to compare. The Tesla required a pricey service plan. We have had no maintenance cost on the Bolt, but we’ve driven the Tesla nearly 115,000 miles and driven the Bolt 10,000 miles.

What have been the biggest challenges of going electric?
Infrastructure. We have charging at my work – which I oversee – and at my wife’s work. Her employer put in 50 charging stations but started ramping up the pricing to the point where it was prohibitive for her. We put in a 100 Amp subpanel at the house where we were living when we first bought the Tesla, and then put in a 50 Amp circuit for charging at the home we ended up purchasing. Several people have adopted EVs at work, which is great, but requires juggling people’s charging requirements.

What are the biggest misconceptions of going electric?
That it’s impractical. Going electric may require more planning, but it’s not a huge inconvenience. It’s particularly doable for families with multiple vehicles, since you can just replace one car with an EV for short-range trips and keep a conventional vehicle for longer excursions.

Describe one of the farthest/coolest/most ambitious trips you’ve ever taken in your EV.
From LA, we’ve driven to San Francisco, Monterey, and Las Vegas, but I’d really like to do a cross-country trip.

Do you have any good stories about your experience as an EV owner?
Other owners have almost entirely been friendly. About 10 months in, I met another driver at a charging station in Buellton, CA, who put 47,000 miles on their Model S in just over a year. That’s pretty cool. We’re approaching 115,000 miles in 4.5 years. I’m proud of that, though I’d really prefer to not have to drive at all.

What is the number-one thing you think could be done to encourage more people to go electric?
Expose people to the technology. People are often most afraid of what they don’t know.

Tim Stevens: 2017 Honda Clarity

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Categories: EV & Me.

Tim Stevens with his 2017 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell Vehicle. (Photo courtesy Tim Stevens)

The Owner/Driver

Name: Tim Stevens
Occupation: Retired (previously an environmental scientist with the State of California)
Location: Davis, CA

 

The Vehicle

Year/make/model: 2017 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell Vehicle
Type: Fully electric (uses a hydrogen fuel cell to generate electricity)
Range: 366 miles
MPGe: 68
MSRP: The Honda Clarity FCV is primarily available as a three-year, closed-end, $369/month lease.
Time owned: 2 years (in the second year of a three-year lease period)

 

The Experience

What made you decide to go electric and how did you decide what car to get?

I was retiring in 2016 and I knew that my (well-used) 1992 Honda Accord should also be retired. For my first-ever new car, I wanted a non-petroleum or reduced-petroleum vehicle. But fully electric cars with adequate range and performance (i.e., the two Tesla models available at the time) were very expensive. While I was considering my options, my Accord was seriously damaged in a hit-and-run accident, so I had to get another car in early 2017.

I initially intended to purchase a plug-in hybrid, and I favored the reliability, handling, performance, and features of the Honda Accord. But in 2017 Honda was offering only the plug-in hybrid option for its Clarity line, not for the Accord. So I turned my attention to the Clarity plug-in hybrid. But when I went to early Clarity promotional events in Sacramento put on by Honda, I was particularly impressed with the fuel-cell model of the Clarity. I also liked the idea of being an early “pioneer” with a fuel-cell electric vehicle. Finally, I figured that if things didn’t pan out, it was only a three-year (lease) commitment. As it happened, the Clarity—with its range, performance, zero-vehicle-emissions, and features—has proven to be a good fit for me at this stage in my life.

How has the cost of purchasing and owning your EV compared to the cost of purchasing and owning a conventional car?

The Clarity is a leased car. Honda has offered generous financial incentives (e.g., moderate monthly payments and free fuel!) during the three-year lease contract for its fuel-cell vehicle. Plus I received a large rebate ($5,000) from the state and got stickers that allow me to use high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) freeway lanes. So I feel that leasing the Clarity, under Honda’s promotional program, was a good financial decision. So far the car has not required any unusual maintenance, and I hear that Honda has worked to ensure that yearly maintenance costs will be more consistent among dealers.

What have been the biggest challenges of going electric?

The electric motor powering the Clarity seems excellent. It provides good acceleration and so far is performing reliably. Other features (like air conditioning, heating, and power accessories) all work very well. The one big challenge has been that until recently there was just one hydrogen fueling station in the Sacramento metropolitan area (in West Sacramento).  Fortunately, one of two additional stations planned in the region has recently gone online and a third should be up and running sometime in 2019.

What are the biggest misconceptions of going electric?

When people think electric, they tend to think of either expensive, flashy Teslas or of under-powered, “golf cart”-like vehicles with poor performance and inadequate operational range. The Clarity is neither of those things. And besides the Clarity, there are plenty of new types of electric cars either here now or coming soon from other manufacturers that are or will be (a) affordable and (b) adequate for daily drivers.

Describe one of the farthest/coolest/most ambitious trips you’ve ever taken in your EV.

The Clarity is limited to locations within an adequate distance from hydrogen fueling stations, which are currently in the high population density areas of southern and northern California. The longest trip I have taken so far is to Palo Alto and back.

Do you have any good stories about your experience as an EV owner?

People seem impressed by the Clarity! I personally like the cabin roominess and semi-luxurious features like heated, power-reclining leather seats and the excellent GPS map display.

What is the number-one thing you think could be done to encourage more people to go hybrid/electric?

Plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) and fuel-cell vehicle (FCV) manufacturers appear to be in competition. I believe there is room for both—indeed, that they should work together instead of in opposition. Most PEVs have to improve operational range, which they could do through fuel-cell technology. Meanwhile, more hydrogen fueling stations are needed if manufacturers are to convince consumers that FCVs are good buys. FCV manufacturers could partner with PEV manufacturers to construct joint fueling stations that can serve both types of vehicles. Also, local government agencies need to address regulatory hurdles that are delaying hydrogen fueling stations. We’ll see within the next 10–20 years whether these obstacles gets addressed and whether PEVs, FCVs, or some new type of car comes to dominate the market.

Phoenix Chong: 2011 Nissan Leaf

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Categories: EV & Me.

Phoenix Chong with her 2011 Nissan Leaf. (Photo courtesy Phoenix Chong)

 

The Owner/Driver

Name: Phoenix Chong
Occupation: Retired attorney
Location: Oakland/San Francisco, CA

 

The Vehicle

Year/make/model: 2011 Nissan Leaf
Type: Fully electric
Range: 84 miles
MPGe: 99
MSRP*: $32,780
Time owned: 7+ years
*When new, at time of model release.

 

The Experience

What made you decide to go electric and how did you decide what car to get?

I had been looking for an electric car ever since roughly 2003, when conflict in the Middle East made me decide that I wanted to do everything I could to decrease my reliance on fossil fuels. For a while, I used biodiesel powered by recycled potato chip oil to fuel my car. But after becoming a solar household in 2004, I began searching for an affordable electric car. I had bought a vintage vehicle that I planned to convert to electric when Nissan announced it was finally coming out with an all-electric vehicle. At the time, the only other all-electric option was the Tesla, which cost more than I wanted to spend. So it was a no-brainer—Leaf it was!

How has the cost of purchasing and owning your EV compared to the cost of purchasing and owning a conventional car?

The quality of the Leaf is high enough that I am very satisfied after 7 years of ownership. I love the low maintenance of the Leaf. As a low-mileage driver, the only maintenance I’ve had to do is replace all the tires last year at about 35,000 miles. I’m not thrilled that the battery capacity has diminished somewhat as the car has gotten older, but c’est la battery vie. I save by not buying gas, but I need to pay to charge now and then when I’m on the road and need to top off. But generally, if I charge at home, I get free power from my solar panels.

What have been the biggest challenges of going electric?

Insufficient charging infrastructure. Chargers aren’t always available where you need them, and as more folks adopt EVs, there will be a longer wait for the public chargers that do exist.

What are the biggest misconceptions of going electric?

Range limitations really aren’t that big a deal once you get familiar with how far your car can go. Just like with any car, don’t push your limits. You wouldn’t use a small sedan to haul a trailer, and so you shouldn’t plan a long-distance car trip in a lower-range EV (but if you’re a Tesla owner with lifetime supercharger access, go for it!). Other misconceptions are not realizing how liberating it can be to never have to go to a gas station again. Your car refuels while you sleep!

Describe one of the farthest/coolest/most ambitious trips you’ve ever taken in your EV.

In my early years as an EV owner, I did 3 quick charges and drove almost 200 miles in one day to push the Leaf’s capabilities. But going far isn’t the holy grail of EV transport. I mostly drive to do office catering in central SF, and the Leaf does a stellar job of meeting my needs. Nowadays you can get an EV with a 200–300 mile range. But if 80–90% of your daily driving is under 50 miles, it might be worth it to get a cheaper, lower-range EV and use the savings to just rent a car or carshare for those few days when you are traveling farther.

Do you have any good stories about your experience as an EV owner?

I have a good story about someone else! I read about someone who modified a Leaf with an electric outlet so that he was able to use the power from his Leaf’s battery to power his fridge and other necessities when a hurricane struck and took down the electric grid. I’m planning to similarly modify my Leaf so that I can use it to live off grid for a little while if necessary.

What is the number-one thing you think could be done to encourage more people to go hybrid/electric?

I’m so much more aware of the smog and stink caused by gas emissions when I’m sitting in traffic jams in San Francisco. High-density cities could decrease the health and environmental effects of traffic by creating incentives to encourage EV use in congested areas. For instance, EV delivery vehicles should be allowed to park in yellow zones despite not having a truck loading permit.

Also, I wish there was a way to apply residential energy credits at public charging stations. With our residential solar photovoltaic system, we generate more electricity than we use at home. It would be great if we could just enter our PG&E account number and PIN at a public charging station to apply our net metering credits instead of paying with cash or card.