If you don't want to get hosed by paying MSRP if not more, then it's always a good idea to wait until the people with their tongues hanging out have gone first, and demand falls to long-term levels. I suspect the Golf will do better than the i3 when it arrives, because it's a lot less expensive and more 'normal' looking, plus being mostly a known quantity. The spike in i3 sales last month was due to much lower-priced lease deals, which shows that a lot of people don't think the propeller and kidneys on the front are worth an extra $10-15k for the same range as a LEAF or Spark. Combine that with some comparos of the i3 and Golf rating the Golf as a better car, and I think it has real possibilities.cove3 said:
A couple of minor corrections/comments. I assume you meant the Chevy Volt, not the Spark in your remark about hybrids, as the Spark is a BEV. Assuming you aren't turned off by its looks, the now available Kia Soul EV is another option. At a much higher price tag, the Mercedes B-Class is also available, although it does sort of look like a low minivan.jess300ztt said:Here's my personal take on the subject:
I started a new job a few months back where my roundtrip daily commute is 55 miles (89km); I drive a 2002 Porsche Carrera 4. Love the car, but I now have 4-month old son whom I pickup most days (the wife has the family car). The car is about to be retired for awhile.
With my daily driving and newborn son, I decided to do a 180 from a sports car and go electric. No hybrids (Chevy Spark), pure EV. I have been researching electric cars for almost a year. Test drove the Leaf and enjoyed it, but still didn't get me to make the jump to an EV...I just can't get past the looks. For me, it's not just how the car drives, the styling plays a big part as well. Saw the release of the BMW i3 and was excited. Looks futuristic on the outside and unique...then I saw the inside. It's one ugliest interiors I've seen for a modern car. The screens look like a kid hot-glued an iPad mini to the dash.
The Telsa is an amazing car, except for the price. I've never spent $80k+ for a car and never will.
Finally, I came across the e-Golf. My first impression was "wow, it looks like a normal car!" Without having to spend $80K I can finally get an electric vehicle that doesn't look ridiculous. The reduction in maintenance cost and time at the pump for the e-Golf is enough for me justify the extra $$ over a regular Golf.
I live in Las Vegas and will be driving to Los Angeles next month to pickup up an e-Golf if I can get my hands on one. I might even attempt the 250 mile trip back instead of towing it
VW is partnering with SunPower to provide solar panel charging stations at homes (http://media.vw.com/model/pack/92/). I've been looking into getting solar panels for my house and this just made me move forward in my decision.
In short, I believe the e-Golf will be just as successful, if not more than the Leaf. It's definitely not the best EV out there in terms of range or charging, but with it's current price point and name behind it, it appeals to a huge group of buyers; enough to make me an early adopter. I'm just hoping VW will make the e-Golf more than just a "compliance car" in the next few years.
cove3 said:
Here's the thing. Charging at L1 (120 volts) takes a long time no matter what car you're using. - you typically get just 4 or 5 miles per hour of charging on L1, which is limited to a maximum of 12 amps (and often less on circuits which aren't in good shape), a charge rate no greater than 1.44 kilowatts. If your daily driving needs are <=40miles or so, you may be able to get away with only charging overnight on L1. But anything much over that and you won't be able to replace all of what you used the day before just charging overnight; you either need to charge during the day as well, or else use L2 (200-250 volt) charging at home or work.jess300ztt said:
The reason the B-class' only gets an 87 mile EPA range is because it normally only uses 28 out of the 36 kWh in the battery (it's also a considerably larger vehicle than the e-Golf/LEAF etc.). This is good for battery longevity. There's a $600 range package option that allows you to use more of the battery (depending on the source either 31.5 or 33 kWh) when necessary, and which also includes an electrically heated windshield. This should boost the range to 100-110 miles. A B-class in range mode along with a Kia Soul EV is going to be tested this coming weekend (assuming the weather cooperates) on a range course that has previously been used to test the LEAF, Spark EV, 500e, RAV4 EV, and IIRR the Fit EV, so we should have a better idea of its range under standardized freeway cruise conditions, to wit, level, minimal wind, 70 deg. F., no HVAC use and windows up, cruise control set at whatever speedometer indication gives 62 mph ground speed, etc.cove3 said:
There's no question that the B-class is designed to be a nice family cruiser and around town hauler, not something you'd want to take out and throw around; the Car and Driver comparison test with the i3 reflects that, so its really a question of what you want the car for: http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons/2014-bmw-i3-vs-2014-mercedes-benz-b-class-electric-drive-comparison-testjess300ztt said:
I think the Kia Soul EV is going to be the real competition to both, as it provides more range (I expect the e-Golf would come in around the same as the LEAF on the test below, but depending on efficiency maybe more like the Spark EV) at a good price. Not everyone's cup of tea, but with more range at an affordable price being the single most important desire for most BEV purchasers, plus the Soul's popularity as a gas car, it may well be the one to beat. Soul EV range test:GetOffYourGas said: