What are the electric cars out there?

nderwater wrote: I was very pleasantly surprised by the new Kia Soul at the Atlanta Auto Show last weekend, and an EV version hits sales floors in coastal markets this fall. If Soul lease rates are priced anywhere what Nissan is asking for the Leaf, I think the Soul EV could be a real contender: http://www.kia.com/us/en/vehicle/soul-ev/2015/experience

So... the same specs as the Leaf, more or less? I dunno, I guess at that point it's just a question of which body style you like more.

mtn wrote:

Nashco wrote:

mtn wrote: Also, I realize that Smart, Fiat, Ford, etc. have all electric cars available, but I've never seen them and suspect they aren't available near me.

Are you purchasing or leasing? What is your target price? Are you willing to transport a vehicle in from another location (like a coastal state) for the right car/price/features? Do you have any requirements besides this (number of seatbelts, minimum range, etc.)? Answers to these questions will significantly affect what a list of potential vehicles would look like. Bryce

Leasing. Unless purchasing results in a payment significantly less. Target price? Less than $1500 down payment/due at signing, and less than $250 monthly payment. Not willing to transport. I need 1 seatbelt. Round trip for work is 85 miles, but there is a charging station at work. I think that, unfortunately, the range+price restrictions will rule everything out. The iMiev is likely the only one I can afford, and that won't go far enough (and charge fast enough once at work).

My Volt monthly is about $20 higher. Don't remember my down payment.

If you're new to leasing get the details on the required insurance levels in advance. I missed that part and figured it was the same as the levels required for financing.

Also, the advice on test driving the Volt in L and sport mode is spot on. It really has one ratio, so both settings are available to maximum speed - it's really setting throttle and regen mapping.

tuna55 wrote: So... the same specs as the Leaf, more or less? I dunno, I guess at that point it's just a question of which body style you like more.

In addition to the smaller/lighter lithium polymer battery Kia is touting the Soul's driving dynamics, which is my biggest complaint with the my parents' Leaf.

nderwater wrote:

tuna55 wrote: So... the same specs as the Leaf, more or less? I dunno, I guess at that point it's just a question of which body style you like more.

In addition to the smaller/lighter lithium polymer battery Kia is touting the Soul's driving dynamics, which is my biggest complaint with the my parents' Leaf.

Really? I rather like the way the Leaf drives. What did you not like?

Compared even to our Kia Sorento cuv, I find that the Leaf has a pretty gutless power plant, numb steering, and slow cornering reponse. To me it feels like a driving appliance--not that a driving appliance is inappropriate in this category, but I'm hoping for for an EV driving experience that's a little more engaging.

I do have to agree that the Leaf isn't "fun" to drive, in that it's not very engaging. That's not a knock on the car, I really like mine. I went into it looking for a unique, efficient, reliable and cheap to operate daily driver and that's exactly what I got. It's great. But if you're looking for that sporty "fun to drive" experience you'll be disappointed. The fun in the Leaf is all the gadgets it has and trying to squeeze the best range out of it.

I heard the Soul EV is coming. Definitely interested, as I like the Soul. When my Leaf lease is up, I fully plan to get another EV. Those two will be my top contenders.

Are all these electric cars lease only cars?

If so, what you suspect they do with them after the lease is up? Re-lease them? Sell them?

aircooled wrote: Are all these electric cars lease only cars? If so, what you suspect they do with them after the lease is up? Re-lease them? Sell them?

They are NOT lease only, but leasing is often more financially attractive, especially considering that the battery lifespan is not well known, nor is replacement cost or future obsolescence.

If I lease, I don't own the battery pack and if the next gen doubles the range, I can switch with no penalty.

Also, the leases are crazy cheap when you consider that my $150-$175 in monthly gas went to $20-$30 in electricity.

Here in Georgia, the state offers a $5,000 tax rebate for individuals who buy or lease a new EV. Pair that with the fuel savings from replacing a traditional car and the cheaper EV leases can nearly pay for themselves.

Here is a link to a possible new, different application on hybrid cars.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9vZLYMoTCQ

I don't think that it will quite be the be all, end all, but it should be able to be adopted to old cars and improve gas mileage afford-ably.

I have a question about the tax rebate. They give you a $5,000 rebate: does that mean that they allow you to claim a deduction of $5,000 on your stated income for that tax year (therefore receiving a refund of a few grand), or does it go right towards the car's total price somehow?

Restated, am I buying (or leasing) a $30,000 car and then getting $4,500 back months later on my tax refund; or am I buying a $30,000 car for $25,000?

When leasing, the dealership claims the incentive, so it comes off the price automatically. When buying, it will be applied to your tax year burden, so you would pay the full price now, and get it back later from Uncle Sam, provided your tax burden is greater than the rebate.