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Driving an electric car in Boston, now with less pain

Boston Overdrive -- In April last year, my neighbors thought I'd burn the building down while charging one of the first Nissan Leaf electric cars. Outside of the Charles Hotel parking garage in Cambridge, there were exactly zero public charging stations in the Boston area. It was cold, which meant the batteries had even less capacity than they normally do. I almost got stranded on my way to work. It was bad.

Now, after a week with a 2012 Nissan Leaf (base price $36,050), it's comparatively peachy to drive an EV here. Boston installed three public stations outside City Hall a month after my first test drive, and in October, Brookline placed two charging stations in Coolidge Corner, less than a mile away from my condo. The Boston Globe even has a high-voltage charging station, though it's not for public use.

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Submitted Jun 30, 2012 By: ziyulu

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stonecold5005 All-Star Author Waco Posts:817 Points:20,240 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Aug 13, 2012 8:12:05 AM Ignore stonecold5005 Report Abuse ok
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,609 Points:1,608,545 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2012 6:38:39 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse If I could afford one, I'd strongly consider. 1 kWh = 10 cents, 1 gallon of regular unleaded (current average) $3.09. That's 31 kWh.
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,609 Points:1,608,545 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2012 6:37:25 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse great for the move forward.
Gas_Eyes Champion Author Dallas Posts:2,672 Points:643,885 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Jul 1, 2012 8:05:26 AM Ignore Gas_Eyes Report Abuse The cost of the car does not justify the possible savings in gas. EV's are just a product for a niche market.
jrs4125 Champion Author Indiana Posts:2,753 Points:590,770 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Jul 1, 2012 7:38:35 AM Ignore jrs4125 Report Abuse I would own an EV if I could afford the price.
remay Champion Author Houston Posts:6,963 Points:2,116,640 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Jul 1, 2012 6:53:40 AM Ignore remay Report Abuse "... installed three public (charging) stations outside City Hall ..." Oh, woowwww! That really suports EVs, big time (not!.
bigthighs All-Star Author Tucson Posts:550 Points:52,965 Joined:May 2012	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 7:49:43 PM Ignore bigthighs Report Abuse what about the nissan beef car?
GoGoGoodyear Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:2,049 Points:506,355 Joined:Mar 2010	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 6:06:24 PM Ignore GoGoGoodyear Report Abuse That's fine if you have the money to buy one in the first place, and don't mind walking "less than a mile" from home to where you left your car plugged in to charge. The cost of that car alone would be unbearably more, not less pain, in my wallet!
Night Owl Champion Author Toronto Posts:7,545 Points:1,785,625 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 5:38:45 PM Ignore Night Owl Report Abuse Good for Boston.
dieselgus1 All-Star Author Montana Posts:528 Points:482,400 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 5:35:49 PM Ignore dieselgus1 Report Abuse These things just take time to get infrastructure going. Not sure plug-ins are the best as something still needs to generate electricity, but the point is infrastructure is not overnight.
snappytom2 Champion Author Corpus Christi Posts:3,541 Points:274,320 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 4:58:24 PM Ignore snappytom2 Report Abuse Most people drive relatively short distances in cities. So, why not?
Holly123 Champion Author Charlotte Posts:3,192 Points:789,010 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 4:53:40 PM Ignore Holly123 Report Abuse Ok.
5Golfer8 Champion Author Tucson Posts:2,133 Points:299,675 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 4:49:57 PM Ignore 5Golfer8 Report Abuse And so what electric cars are only good for city driving.
NemoIL Champion Author Illinois Posts:3,015 Points:1,311,170 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 4:44:08 PM Ignore NemoIL Report Abuse Electric vehicles are only good for short trips in a city envronment.
Cheepo Champion Author Tampa Posts:9,889 Points:3,128,005 Joined:Apr 2003	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 4:32:10 PM Ignore Cheepo Report Abuse Why??????
jwalkerh Champion Author Louisiana Posts:6,127 Points:1,368,645 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 4:26:35 PM Ignore jwalkerh Report Abuse Way too expensive and difficult to charge. This is not a venture for the absentminded or forgetful person...
itzagasgasgas1 Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:3,969 Points:1,598,520 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 4:24:26 PM Ignore itzagasgasgas1 Report Abuse Good.
RAC110 Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:5,949 Points:1,851,545 Joined:Mar 2003	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 4:22:14 PM Ignore RAC110 Report Abuse if it costs more than gas cars it is not much of a bargain
bigmace111 Champion Author Albany Posts:2,713 Points:612,650 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 4:11:00 PM Ignore bigmace111 Report Abuse Convenient to charge, but at what costs?
McMutt Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,137 Points:1,308,300 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 4:10:42 PM Ignore McMutt Report Abuse I'm glad you're living with it and not me. Sounds like a PA!
rickone All-Star Author Detroit Posts:545 Points:392,685 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 4:10:30 PM Ignore rickone Report Abuse Interesting - Thanks for posting.
bluebird1 Champion Author Toronto Posts:15,725 Points:3,106,950 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 4:10:15 PM Ignore bluebird1 Report Abuse Don't sit directly on the battteries & you won't have pain driving!!! Of course, chargers are going to roll in but still awhile off before I'd take one for a roadtrip. I like the Euro. idea of having a built for it trailer to charge an EV to allow such extended trips - believe it was Volvo. You just wouldn't want to buy the whole unit.
dollarwatcher Champion Author Wisconsin Posts:7,935 Points:1,533,270 Joined:Mar 2007	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 4:09:57 PM Ignore dollarwatcher Report Abuse Glad yo can afford one, most can't.
CocoPaz Champion Author Santa Barbara Posts:2,365 Points:321,445 Joined:Jun 2012	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 4:09:35 PM Ignore CocoPaz Report Abuse Interesting to read a "been there, done that" regarding the Nissan Leaf. I'd been wondering how convenient they were to own. Oh, and thank you for the "nursing notes"...
bobdec Champion Author Miami Posts:8,959 Points:1,768,845 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 4:06:02 PM Ignore bobdec Report Abuse do away with EV's
Adman1989 All-Star Author Massachusetts Posts:575 Points:125,480 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 4:03:56 PM Ignore Adman1989 Report Abuse this is great news!!!
pbug101 Champion Author Georgia Posts:2,449 Points:577,950 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 4:02:17 PM Ignore pbug101 Report Abuse ok
muquee Champion Author Harrisburg Posts:2,426 Points:521,370 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 4:01:30 PM Ignore muquee Report Abuse Blah Blah
farn1958 All-Star Author Twin Cities Posts:886 Points:183,385 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 4:00:01 PM Ignore farn1958 Report Abuse About the price of the car...
radiorumor Champion Author Texas Posts:2,802 Points:752,660 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 3:56:38 PM Ignore radiorumor Report Abuse Don’t think I would want to take out across Texas in one right now
Bud122CA Champion Author California Posts:7,461 Points:1,604,125 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 3:55:56 PM Ignore Bud122CA Report Abuse To much $$$, have to buy electricity to recharge, recharging takes a long time and I wouldn't want to be in one when it gets hit by a German Shepard. The dog will walk away and the people will go to the hospital or morg.
FJCruiserCA All-Star Author California Posts:517 Points:325,800 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 3:49:51 PM Ignore FJCruiserCA Report Abuse Too much money for EV.
lll4386 Champion Author Seattle Posts:3,885 Points:597,500 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 3:49:43 PM Ignore lll4386 Report Abuse Less $$$ electric cars would be OK
ChuckGVT Champion Author Vermont Posts:6,693 Points:1,692,225 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 3:48:28 PM Ignore ChuckGVT Report Abuse Not enough range and way too expensive.
oldiesman Champion Author New York Posts:6,422 Points:2,192,985 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 3:47:41 PM Ignore oldiesman Report Abuse Not me!
Ayeghoti Champion Author Michigan Posts:2,435 Points:346,875 Joined:Aug 2007	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 3:44:18 PM Ignore Ayeghoti Report Abuse oh?
fire@53 Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:11,823 Points:2,768,100 Joined:May 2003	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 3:44:02 PM Ignore fire@53 Report Abuse I will not buy an all electric vehicle period, because of limited range.
TNT2EC Champion Author Wisconsin Posts:4,984 Points:1,511,635 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 3:41:54 PM Ignore TNT2EC Report Abuse Driving is hell to start with.
Fitwit Champion Author Stockton Posts:6,389 Points:1,353,920 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 3:41:52 PM Ignore Fitwit Report Abuse I hope it's easier to find a charging station than it is to find a handicapped parking place at the grocery store on Saturday afternoon.
uptherefiners Champion Author Chicago Posts:5,048 Points:1,002,000 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 3:38:03 PM Ignore uptherefiners Report Abuse Driving an obozo the clown car in Boston, now with less pain fixed
BBHybrid Champion Author Pittsburgh Posts:6,465 Points:1,294,070 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 3:33:54 PM Ignore BBHybrid Report Abuse electric cars are NOT the solution
saleboss Champion Author Phoenix Posts:3,929 Points:1,177,875 Joined:Feb 2006	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 3:33:36 PM Ignore saleboss Report Abuse Don't want anything electric!
Suzy7Q Champion Author Wisconsin Posts:2,172 Points:368,580 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 3:30:38 PM Ignore Suzy7Q Report Abuse These things should have been installed before selling electric cars.
f4driver Champion Author Maine Posts:2,520 Points:684,320 Joined:Aug 2007	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 3:30:23 PM Ignore f4driver Report Abuse Boston, now what does that speak for the rest of the US....It ain't gonna work, now, later, ever.
mattymattmatt All-Star Author Scranton Posts:889 Points:363,465 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 3:29:55 PM Ignore mattymattmatt Report Abuse I just don't understand this thinking that the money is there to buy these "affordable" cars. Sure, okay, you make the argument that you spend the money now in order to reap the benefits of saving the money on gas later. But what am I going to do about the money needed NOW to pay for a car that will supposedly benefit me later. Am I taking out a loan? Is there a new gov't program that I am not aware of? Are there any grants? Not to mention, let's say that I do get this car and I'm making payments on the principle and the interest of a loan that I would get. What happens when a part for these newer cars goes and I have to shell out more money for said part? Now, I'm even more in the hole and it's going to take that much longer to break out of it. The point is that, for the time being, it makes much more monetary sense to stick with the car I have had and am familiar with.
alaskan101 Sophomore Author Washington Posts:140 Points:253,575 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 3:27:39 PM Ignore alaskan101 Report Abuse keep working on it
vincentV All-Star Author Toronto Posts:652 Points:137,305 Joined:Oct 2010	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 3:26:27 PM Ignore vincentV Report Abuse wow
g747 Champion Author Mobile Posts:4,531 Points:931,720 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 3:25:15 PM Ignore g747 Report Abuse Trade it for a Toyota Prius!!!!!!!!!; & you won't have that problem.
lross94 Champion Author Lexington Posts:1,568 Points:1,276,315 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 3:24:09 PM Ignore lross94 Report Abuse I will have to pass. I can't afford a second mortgage, and that is what it would take to be able to buy a $36,000 car.
herndonks Champion Author Baltimore Posts:1,116 Points:211,685 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2012 3:24:02 PM Ignore herndonks Report Abuse I am sitting in a Starbucks in Baltimore, surrounded by many people who drove their gas powered cars to get away from their homes (400,000 homes without electric power in Baltimore area today). If they drove all-electric cars many would be stuck at home, completely powerless and grounded.