What to write about

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The perils of writing about the Nissan LEAF

Don’t get me wrong. In fact, I love writing about this great new technology, and helping to educate consumers about the potential of moving from a traditional petroleum burning vehicle (be it gasoline or diesel powered), and bringing them into the fold of the few, the proud, the electric. The challenge is this – the Nissan LEAF has changed very little since its introduction into the world, and I’ve already written about those changes that have been made to the 2013 models (found here, and here, and here.). I have some stories in mind to write about the range improvements of the 2013, and to pass along some information about the differences between the ’11-’12, and ’13 models in future articles. But I actually have to have the time to do this real-world research to be able to provide some degree of credibility to my scribblings. So, as a result, sometimes I go for several days without figuring out what to write about the Nissan LEAF. Which is where I find myself now. It’s been over a week since my last article. What do I write about, I’ve been wondering.

I have many sources of new ideas. Being a part-time writer, and full-time worker, the writing gets the short end of the stick though. Sometimes I’m amazed that I can find any time to write at all. But I keep getting drawn back into this (my after-hours, non-paying job) because I really, really want to help others to see what I have already discovered for myself – that electric vehicles (the LEAF in particular) are absolutely amazing alternatives to driving that gas burner to work every day. I have said this many times before, and I’ll say it again now – electric cars (including the LEAF), are not right for everyone. But for those of us that they are right for (which is actually way more than most people realize), they are absolutely amazing.

Talking with one of my co-workers this evening, he was explaining how someone that he was talking to owned an older truck. He drives the truck about 50 miles each way to work, and is currently spending about $500 each month on gasoline. My co-worker described to him how purchasing a LEAF could allow him to keep the truck, but commute to work in the LEAF, save money, and keep his truck for when he needs to use it for other purposes (like doing those things that a truck is actually designed for. Keep in mind that this assumes that he could charge the LEAF while at work.) When the LEAF is explained to someone in this manner, it almost becomes a no-brainer.

So the point of my article this evening is this – tell everyone that you know about this amazing new vehicle called the Nissan LEAF. When they say “That’s not new. It’s been out for a couple of years now” ask them how much they know about it. When they start hemming and hawing, enlighten them.

We’ve all seen those world improvement phrases such as “Think globally. Act locally.” This is our opportunity to do just that.

This entry was posted in Industry News, Is the Nissan LEAF right for me?, LEAF 101, LEAF Acquisition, LEAF Information, Purchase. Bookmark the permalink.

4 Responses to What to write about

  1. Ron Solberg says:

    What to write about? I would like to know more about ClipperCreek EVSE units such as their history and their place in the market for example. I am biased because I have a CS 40 and a CS 100 installed in 2010 (http://carstations.com/1247) though they have yet to be used, as crazy as it may seem, I am thinking about buying another CS 100 yet this year. Nissan wished me luck but stated that they work with corporations, governments and municipalities. Except for ClipperCreek, I found that many other EVSE brands seem to operate in much the same manner. It is my hope that ClipperCreek products are a good value, but I do not have much to back this up.

    • Ernie Hernandez (LEAFguy) says:

      Ron – thanks for the feedback. You bring up a good point – there are many makers of EVSE systems. Look for an overview article in the future about EVSE providers.

  2. WWanita says:

    Dear livingleaf,
    thank you for this website!
    I have a Nissan Leaf from 2012. I got it second hand in the beginning of this year (2017). I drive four times a week 25 km to work and then the same stretch back. I have hitherto driven in ECO mode in order to save range. Since I now have begun to charge the car at work I decided to “dare” to drive home without putting on the ECO. To my big surprise for the first time I had gained instead of lost range both on Friday last week (2km) and Monday, yesterday (5km)!
    This seems really strange, how come this has never happened when I have driven in ECO mode which should seem more logical? It seems as if the modes are mixed up (however, I definitely feel that the ECO mode is less “perky” so it seems at least be correct in some way).
    Is this an experience others have had ?
    Thank you very much !
    WW

    • Ernie Hernandez says:

      WWanita – Welcome to Living LEAF. Your observations are interesting. As you note, when in ECO mode, the throttle is less sensitive. You need to press harder to get the same response that you do in D mode. Just so you know, full throttle is the same in either mode. Regarding the improved range in D mode – I’m not really sure why this is happening. But as they say – take the money and run! Good luck!

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