Rather than make the original post too long, I've split it.
Many here who are die-hard truckers will not find this of major intrest; I, however find it to be wonderful news.
My daily driving, now that I am retired involves a couple of trips downtown for shopping, visiting friends for coffee and the like. Total driving doesn't exceed 15 miles a day.
Currently, I only own my Titan and a motorcycle. I've had to restrict my motorcycle riding because of a bad hip. So, I end up driving my Titan on all these short visits to town.
The Leaf, if I can get one would be a major savings on gas, and wear and tear caused by short trips on my Titan.
While the advertising touts 100% emissions free, we all know that to be side-stepping the issue. True the car itself doesn't create any emissions; however the power plants that do produce the electricity needed to charge the battery does. Then too, the battery involves emission charges when it finally needs to be recycled.
Expected price will be in the range of $16K to $25K plus the battery lease. Nissan ends up eating some of the cost, surely a means to introduce the Leaf to the market and get the concept into the mainstream. Operating costs of the Leaf's battery lease and charging are expected to be less than the cost of operating a similar class vehicle running on gas.
In today's
Seattle Times the following article demonstrates that federal money is being used to build-up the infrastructure needed to make the use of all electric vehicles more practical:
Local News | Stimulus funds jolt car-charging-station plans | Seattle Times Newspaper
I really hope this works out and that I can afford to purchase one when it becomes available.
Red