Re: EV Plus Experience

• To: Multiple recipients of list EV <EV@SJSUVM1.SJSU.EDU>
• Subject: Re: EV Plus Experience
• From: Chris Espinosa <cde@apple.com>
• Reply-To: Electric Vehicle Discussion List <EV@SJSUVM1.SJSU.EDU>
• Sender: Electric Vehicle Discussion List <EV@SJSUVM1.SJSU.EDU>

I have to echo Tim's comments on the EV Plus. I've had mine (leased from Stevens Creek Honda) for just about a month now.

Getting the 240V charger installed has been the biggest hassle, mainly because city inspectors didn't believe the subpanel in our garage had the oomph to drive the charger and all the other circuits it was carrying, so we had to spring for a new main breaker box for the house and conduit to carry a separate line for the charger to the garage. Then there were other problems, so we've essentially replaced everything from the pole to the car, had the power off for a total of about 15 hours, and are on a first-name basis with Edison EV's contractors. Costly, too.

The charger is interesting in that it has separate outlets and lights for 110 and 240v operation, but when I turn it to 240, the 110 light comes on! I wonder if it's just an internal miswire. Haven't gotten the 110 cord yet but from what I hear it won't be much help.

Unlike conversions and 1998 production EVs like the RAV4, the EV Plus is an unusual body shape, so people notice it coming down the street. I'm sure every EV driver knows the pedestrian neck-twist that happens when you drive by people close enough to (not) hear you, but it seems pronounced with the EV Plus because the first reaction is "Gee, that's a funny-looking car, I wonder what it is?", followed by "What the hell is that?". At night the gas-discharge headlights (25Kv, *not* user-replaceable!) also attract attention. People are used to them on low black high-end BMWs and Mercedeses, but when they see a sort of narrow, sort of tall, and WAY quiet Honda slinking towards them with these bright blue headlamps it makes people notice.

The number one question I get is "How fast does it go?". Second-most frequent is the more important "So you plug it in every night?". I guess experienced EVrs are by now accustomed to the misperceptions that EVs are a) slow and b) need to be recharged every night. (Like Tim I'm getting 70-90 miles per charge, fine for 2 or 3 days of commuting or several days puttering around town). Nobody ever asks how much to recharge. People seem to think electricity is "free", or at least since it shows up on a monthly bill instead of a gas pump it's less of a wallet-hit. This may be the secret weapon of EVs: people will feel the immediate loss of the $20/week at the pump expenditure and not notice the additiona bucks on the electric bill.

Which I haven't seen yet, as I haven't been through a whole billing cycle and I didn't opt for the separate meter. The timer didn't even seem worth it because though City of Palo Alto Utilities (a city-owned municipal utility provider) can't imagine a staggered rate structure for off-peak hours or EV use, their basic household rate is $0.05 to $0.06 per kwh, which makes driving the EV Plus pretty economical on a day-to-day basis.

And so far as the lease is set up, what I pay for is a) the lease, which is comparable to that of an SUV; b) juice; and c) car washes. That's it. The lease covers ALL routine maintenance, ALL service, even collision insurance. They'll even replace the tires if they blow because they're 45 psi low rolling resistance and I can't just run down to Big O and get new rubber. So the total cost of ownership is not onerous. It's much higher than a conversion, of course, and lower only than luxury cars, but it can be done out of discretionary income.

I think this is important that major motor vehicle manufacturers are stepping up to deliver vehicles that have the fit and finish, leasing terms, and looks of gasoline vehicles, people who discount EVs as golf carts or homeboult kits will start to take notice.

Chris

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Re: EV Plus Experience