Severn Man Purchases New, 100-Percent Electric Car
Michael Young's Nissan LEAF might be the first 100-percent electric car in Severn.
Photos
Videos
Michael Young used to spend $40 or more filling up his car with gasoline. Now, after purchasing the new, 100-percent electric Nissan LEAF, he spends only $3 "charging" his car.
You read that correctly. $3.
His new car's minimal impact on the environment was a big factor in purchasing the new LEAF, but saving money was a big part of it too, Young said.
"Gas isn't going to get cheaper," Young said.
The 44-year-old Severn resident bought the car from Sheehy Nissan in Glen Burnie on Dec. 23, but he reserved the vehicle back in April 2010. "I put $100 down and that got my name on the list," Young said.
The LEAF has a suggested retail price of about $35,000, but Young said he saved about $2,000 off the list price and also benefitted from a $7,500 federal tax credit.
After learning that he was all lined up to get the all-electric car, Young purchased a charging station that allows him to fuel the LEAF at home. Once fully charged, the LEAF can go roughly 100 miles before it needs to be recharged, Young said.
"My commute is only five miles or so, so [the car] will be able to last quite a long time," he said.
Once fully depleted, it only takes about $3 to recharge the entire car, Young said.
Several other features in the environmentally friendly car allow it to last longer depending on the driving conditions, said the new owner.
"While driving down a large hill, the LEAF actually charges itself by gathering energy inside the engine," Young said. "It also has solar panels on the roof to charge things like internal lights and the radio."
Young also said he doesn't have to sacrifice engine power when it comes to the leaf, and that merging onto major highways isn’t a problem at all.
"I'll take anyone on going zero to 60," he said.
While in neutral, Young put the gas pedal to the floor and the car exerted no audible sound.
“It’s so quiet, there’s a small speaker in the back so when I go in reverse, local bystanders know a car is coming,” Young said.
John Frenaye
8:49 am on Friday, December 30, 2011
This is awesome. Does it have any sort of back up? I wonder what happens when you try to get 101 miles out of a charge? Without charging stations in place (yet) seems like a risky deal. But for a commuter car, pretty awesome.
Jonathan Moynihan
10:22 am on Friday, December 30, 2011
He used 100 miles as an approximation, so I'm sure there are times when the car can go longer than 100 miles. Because of the residual charge when going downhill, the car itself could go much further if it's a downhill drive. Dunno where you'd find that though, maybe San Francisco!
Michael Young
10:36 am on Friday, December 30, 2011
Honestly this isn't my only vehicle. This is the car that I will use for 90%+ of my driving. When I need to travel out of the area, I will use my other car. I'm still getting use to the distance I can go in the Leaf. When started off this morning I had 99 miles. Then it fell to 80 miles, but stayed there for a few miles. So it's not a precise distance that the Leaf can be driven.
John Frenaye
11:04 am on Friday, December 30, 2011
I'd like to see Jonathan sort of follow this. This tech is cool. Would like to know more--true cost savings, maintenance, etc. I guess with 100% electric you only go a percentage of the guesstimated miles to be safe.
Thanks--probably one of the more interesting topics I have seen in a while!
Jason Humm
11:06 am on Friday, December 30, 2011
Sounds just like those "range" calculations that many cars have. It's an instant snapshot of the expected range based on current driving conditions. A hard take off from a light gives you less range. But at cruising speeds, the range should be more accurate. I would assume the battery "gauge" is similar.
Sam Campbell
11:41 am on Friday, December 30, 2011
I got to test drive his car and it really makes you think more on how your driving, because of the gauge that tells you whether your using or generating energy. Oh and no kidding it doesn't make a noise when you put the excelerator down because it doesn't have a gas motor. But when you drive you can hear it up to a certain speed so pedestrians can hear it. I think they should make apps for it to sound like different things, like the Jetsons space car or a motorcycle the list can go on.
Shanna
3:26 pm on Friday, December 30, 2011
how much did it cost to install the home charger?
Jennifer Hood
9:56 pm on Saturday, December 31, 2011
Interesting concept, those electric cars. I really don't know a lot about them as they are not my thing. I prefer my mini-can or yes suv, gasp I have a mid and full size car - lol. I would be a little leary with the series of power outages in the region (and not all weather related) I am glad you have another car as well.
Michael Young
12:57 pm on Monday, January 2, 2012
The charging system cost about $2200 once everything was installed. The charger itself was $800, the rest was installation costs. The state gave me $400 back as an incentive.