When I was an Elantra owner, I was able to participate in the "What Happened In or Around my Elantra Today" thread. But now that I've traded her in for a '12 Nissan Leaf, I can no longer participate. So, I've started my own thread dedicated to the Leaf and what happens in/around it.
Today: Ran some errands, including washing my car cover at the laundromat so that I could put it on the Leaf. Then I washed, waxed, and cleaned the windows, wheels and tires. Looks great.
My husband also washed his Xterra today and I helped him get some water spots off, to his amazement.
Forgot to mention, I was waiting at a long turn out of Walmart, and a black Leaf pulled up behind me. The lady driving it gave me the thumbs-up and I gave her one back.
I didn't drive my Leaf much today. Just moved it out of the way of the people doing yard work. I myself helped hold a ladder and rake branches that our friend was trimming off the tall bushes.
My wife and I went to the new Scores restaurant that just opened downtown, we had a gift card as a wedding gift, at the entrance of the restaurant was an i-Miev with the logo of the restaurant on the doors, it is the home delivery car definitely a lot of i-Miev in my city but they are bought by restaurants and stores. I*looked inside and noticed it has a normal automatic shifter instead of a puck.
Today, I was getting on 205-N from an onramp, and I had a full car (husband in front, kids in back). As I was speeding up on the ramp to merge, this guy in a '90s Lincoln Continental sped past me to my right, literally on the shoulder. There was no reason for him doing this, as I was going plenty fast and I wasn't stopping him from being able to merge or anything. Then there was a traffic control light that we had to stop at, and you know I laid on my horn.
After getting on the freeway, I caught up to him and got behind him, just to psych him out a bit (like maybe act like I was gettin' his plates). Well, then he pulled away and kept on driving crazy, and there was no way I was going to mimic that.
But my husband got mad at me for honking at him, because he was afraid the guy would try and get out of his car and punch me or something. Um, yeah, the guy's gonna punch ME because I am the one driving badly - NOT.
Forgot to mention - we were waiting at the traffic control lights to the freeway onramp, and we had the windows down, as well as the guy in a truck next to us. He was like, "Is that all electric?" and we're like, "Yep!" and he asked, "Is it a prototype?" and we're like, "Nope, you can buy it!"
The guy in the Lincoln was probably embarassed that a leaf can outrun his car and tried to show you that his car was still faster. Yep, you just burned $10.00 worth of fuel accelerating buddy.
Another rude person today. We went to Fred Meyer to do some shopping and charge up a little, and there was someone parked in my usual spot where I charge my car, so I had to park in the one next to it, which was fine. The cord is pretty long from the charger. But then, another car pulled up into the other electric charging spot (a Subaru Forester) and 4 hippie-looking girls, some with dreadlocks, got out. The spot is clearly marked with a sign specifying it's for EV's, and the charger is right in front of it. There were no other spots that an EV could park to charge.
I was like, "Hey, that's an electric car charging spot!" and one of the girls was like, "Yep, sure is!" and walked away. Pretty surprising that these so-called hippies in their dirty Subaru would care so little. I mean, luckily for me, I live pretty close by and so charging up there wasn't essential, but imagine if someone had traveled quite a ways and needed to charge up badly, and stumbled upon their charging spot being entirely blocked!
They were still parked there when we came back out, so I wrote a polite note explaining that the electric charging spot is important because it's our only way to fuel; we can't get gas.
I just checked and we have free 7 level 2 charging stations in my city (Rancho Cucamonga, Ca) just in case an EV car is in my future. I may wait for the range to go up and the price to come down some more.
and by free you mean the tax papers are subsidizing over 75% of the cost of purchasing an electric car and the subsequent "free charging stations"?:mellow:
I'm with you Jun, much rather see my taxes go to support high speed rail systems and electric vehicle charging stations. Both at the local level and federal too. cheers.
It's been a busy day in/around the Leaf so far. Charged her up all night, because instead of going to our own church today, we went to my grandparents' church on the other side of the Portland metro area. They invited us because they were having a special band playing and BBQ afterwards.
Well, the band was amazing. The main singer is from Rwanda and was 6 years old during the genocide happening there; most of his family was killed and he ran away to the jungle. He came back home after the fighting was over, and he rejoined his mother who was still alive. Then, she was killed by people who wanted to take their home. So he lived alone on the street for 6 years and eventually met someone who funded him to go to school, etc. He also loved to write songs and won a music contest, which helped launch his music career. Anyway, pretty amazing story, and such a positive attitude in spite of such horrendous, heavy circumstances.
My "uncle" Ray (not really blood uncle but pretty much a family member) saw my new Leaf and was IN LOVE. He thinks me may want to trade his newer Scion xB in for one!
After going home and running a couple errands, I am charging the Leaf at the free Blink charger at Fred Meyer while sitting at the Starbucks inside catching up on work. Just while plugging her in, 2 different guys came up and asked me questions about the car.
Today was a busy day for my Leaf. First off, I went to a job interview. Then, after getting home, I went to the post office to mail some packages. Ended up getting a call from our friend asking if I could give another friend of ours a ride to an emergency dental appointment. [She can't drive because of handicap and TriMet just changed some rules toward "honored citizens" that made her pass now illegal.]
Anyway, so downtown we went. I found a nearby charging station inside a parking garage. There were three chargers total, and at one was a Tesla (sweet) and the other one was occupied by a large Lexus SUV (not EV). Luckily, the third spot was free.
My friend tipped me off that the Wal-Mart by where we live has Blink chargers, and I never knew! So after driving her back, I checked 'em out. I was able to leave my car there and walk up the hill to my house, then later walked back down to get my car. Exercise=good. On the way down, there was this random guy from my neighborhood walking, and he started chatting with me while we were waiting at the crosswalk. I didn't get a creepy vibe. We ended up talking about electric cars, lol.
Once I got down there and realized no one destroyed my car, I took her back home. BTW, at least one charger was occupied by a non-EV both times I was there. :angry:
It's weird having a car you must plug somewhere far from home and walk LOL I use my car because I don't want to walk LOL it's like driving my Elantra to the nearest gas station and walk back home and walk back to the gas station to pick up my car when the tank is full. Not sure I like the idea.
I was curious so I checked in Austin and they are currently offering unlimited charging for $5 a month Plug-In Partners for Drivers i suspect this will go up in price over time but its a good way to kickstart the program. I definitely have no issue with my tax dollars funding this.
These definitely do not exist in KY though. I hardly even see a hybrid vehicle out here.
That's cool, I've never heard of Plug-In Partners; sounds interesting. Blink is definitely the most common around here and is still free (prob. won't stay that way).
Around here, hybrids are extremely common, the Prius being #1. However, I went downtown again today and saw a lot of Insights. Also, more Leafs downtown; fewer in the 'burbs.
However, when charging today, another Leaf parked next to mine and was charging. I was chillin' in my car and the people came back out. Asked them how they like their car. Said they'd had it over a year and they are happy with it.
I hate to say it but working at a Chevrolet dealer has me really liking the Volt. While the Leaf works for Holly's lifestyle, it doesn't work for me because my vice is driving; some people drink, some engage in activities of questionable legality but I drive when I need to unwind.
I cannot afford one so don't expect a 'What Happened In or Around My Volt Today' but I love the idea of it. I could drive to and from work two to three days on just the battery but if the mood struck after work, I could take an extended drive using the gas. And unlike many GM products of the past, it's very well-made. I got to take one for a quick spin yesterday and other than the spongy and touchy brakes and the low-hanging apron that dragged on EVERYTHING, I really liked it.
Awesome! I haven't driven the Volt, but from what I've seen I think it's a cool car. Yeah, I don't like the thought of not being able to skip town whenever I want in my car. However, I am on a pretty tight budget anyhow that doesn't allow for many excessive trips. I will be going to the coast with my bestie Thursday and Friday (taking her car, of course).
Well, Blink started charging me today. Didn't know it at first, which sucks, because I went to Wal-Mart, which was across the street from where my husband was getting his car stereo installed, so I decided to go over there and charge while I was waiting. Well, non-EVs blocking all chargers. :angry: Then, a lady moved from a spot that wasn't an EV spot, but was barely close enough to reach. So I charged there for a few minutes, then when I saw an actual EV spot open up, moved there to free up the other space for regular cars. Anyway, to make a long story short, it charged me $1.50 each time, for the full hour, even though I hadn't been there for an hour. Woops. Still cheaper than gas, I have to tell myself.
Then, we went for some shopping and dinner at Olive Garden, so I plugged into another Blink station in the parking lot between all the places we were going. 3 hours = $4.50.
Well, Blink started charging me today. Didn't know it at first, which sucks, because I went to Wal-Mart, which was across the street from where my husband was getting his car stereo installed, so I decided to go over there and charge while I was waiting. Well, non-EVs blocking all chargers. :angry: Then, a lady moved from a spot that wasn't an EV spot, but was barely close enough to reach. So I charged there for a few minutes, then when I saw an actual EV spot open up, moved there to free up the other space for regular cars. Anyway, to make a long story short, it charged me $1.50 each time, for the full hour, even though I hadn't been there for an hour. Woops. Still cheaper than gas, I have to tell myself.
Then, we went for some shopping and dinner at Olive Garden, so I plugged into another Blink station in the parking lot between all the places we were going. 3 hours = $4.50.
That's cool, I've never heard of Plug-In Partners; sounds interesting. Blink is definitely the most common around here and is still free (prob. won't stay that way).
Around here, hybrids are extremely common, the Prius being #1. However, I went downtown again today and saw a lot of Insights. Also, more Leafs downtown; fewer in the 'burbs.
However, when charging today, another Leaf parked next to mine and was charging. I was chillin' in my car and the people came back out. Asked them how they like their car. Said they'd had it over a year and they are happy with it.
Today in the Leaf - Went to the mall and bought some of those fake parking tickets. They're yellow and ticket-sized and everything. I got to Walmart and all the chargers were blocked; I waited until I came back out and was ready to leave to put the ticket on a BMW that was still there. It said "Princess" on the back, so I figured "why not?"
Also had some biatch honk at me in a parking lot today for letting a family cross. Stupid people make me mad.
Was this at a national store, like Spenser's? I've been looking for those! There are times, here in Okie land, where their need is great!
I'm still wrapping my head around the charging stations at Wal-Mart. We don't have anything like that out here.
Looks like the state legislature will need to enact a law similar to the handicap parking tags. If you park in a charging spot, you had better be hooked up, or at least a certified hybrid vehicle. Otherwise, huge fine and subject to towing. End of problem!
{{{Stupid BMW Princess. She probably resembled an English pug. :grin: }}}
Holly they managed to sneak a WalMart 'Neighborhood Market' in off Evergreen and 185th on my side. I think it used to be the Dania furniture store and you can see it from 26.
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