Bad news for Leafs in Phoenix

[Right Lane Cruiser]

True, but with the range of this car I'm good for at least two days of commuting plus some errand running.

[ALS]

Originally Posted by basjoos

But you do have to worry about being able to EV back to work the next day if a storm or other event has knocked out the power to your home. With a gasoline or diesel car you'll likely have several more days worth of commuting distance still in your tank when you get home, but with an EV you're likely toward the end of your potential range when you arrive home and need to plug in before you can do any more driving the next day. Each mode of transport has its advantages and disadvantages.

That is why I like Plug in Hybrids with some battery range, you get the best of both worlds.
If the power goes out for a few days out you still can run on the ICE and if gas gets too expensive you can make shorter trips on the battery alone.

[herm]

You can always hook it up to a generator, preferably diesel.

[50 mpg by 2012]

Originally Posted by aca2983

My first thought is how much is the A/C being used?

80oF nights and 100+oF days in Phoenix probably puts a little demand on A/C and battery ... ya think?

[CRT1]

Originally Posted by Right Lane Cruiser

At this point the problem really does seem to be related to heat -- there are plenty of LEAF owners in the NW of the country with lots of miles and no obvious degradation at all..

It seems at least from the mynissanleaf wiki that everyone who has reported lost bars are in TX or AZ or southern Cali. Clearly heat related.

There seem to be a couple of other cases where someone was charging to 100% and fully depleting their battery every day on their daily commute also in CA.

I think you will be fine, Sean. Being a northerner myself, the Leaf at the top of my short list, too.

I'm concerned that Nissan is overselling the capabilities of this low-tech pack and it is going to give them a big black eye and set EVs back another 10 years in the public's eyes.

[PaleMelanesian]

Originally Posted by 50 mpg by 2012

80oF nights and 100+oF days in Phoenix probably puts a little demand on A/C and battery ... ya think?

AC? Wuzzat?

[Right Lane Cruiser]

Originally Posted by CRT1

It seems at least from the mynissanleaf wiki that everyone who has reported lost bars are in TX or AZ or southern Cali. Clearly heat related.

There seem to be a couple of other cases where someone was charging to 100% and fully depleting their battery every day on their daily commute also in CA.

I think you will be fine, Sean. Being a northerner myself, the Leaf at the top of my short list, too.

If you manage to acquire one I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Originally Posted by CRT1

I'm concerned that Nissan is overselling the capabilities of this low-tech pack and it is going to give them a big black eye and set EVs back another 10 years in the public's eyes.

I'm a bit concerned about this as well but at least we can be reasonably certain that since Nissan has thrown all its weight behind electrification it would take some seriously large backlash to cause them to back off.

[EVuser]

Seems that no matter how many miles you test something there are always test results and then consumer test results. Get a bad tank of gas and it is gone in a week or so. Get a bad battery pack and you want some strong company support. This will likely turn one way or the other based upon the perception of strong customer support or lack thereof.

[herm]

Originally Posted by EVuser

Get a bad battery pack and you want some strong company support. This will likely turn one way or the other based upon the perception of strong customer support or lack thereof.

As far as I know, no manufacturer will warrant capacity.. all they warrant is performance and factory defects.

[CRT1]

Originally Posted by herm

As far as I know, no manufacturer will warrant capacity.. all they warrant is performance and factory defects.

There are still lemon laws and plenty of lawyers out there. In this case the capacity cetainly effects performance of the vehicle. The capacity drop seen in the AZ cases are unexpected and unreasonable. I think a judge or jury would certainly agree.