Nissan Leaf Energy Report: One Month = 13 Gallons of Gas

In its first full month of service, and in the hands of 11 drivers, our long-term Nissan Leaf consumed a total of 438.196 kilowatt-hours-worth of electricity from Southern California’s utilities. In those 31 days, it’s also covered 1379 miles, which after some arithmetic means a daily travel rate of 44.5 miles. Given that a single gallon of gas contains the equivalent of 33.7 kW-hr of energy, the electrical energy appropriated for the Leaf’s battery equals that of about 13 gallons of gas. And there are a fair number of compact cars that have fuel tanks maxing out around 13 gallons.

Our Leaf has been charged at various locations in its first month, but if it had only been charged at my residence, the entire 438.196 kW-hrs would have cost roughly $57 based on the $0.13-per-kW-hr I was most recently billed (the lowest usage tier out of five). But at 438.196 kW-hrs, that consumption amount would have likely landed me in the middle third tier, where a single kW-hr costs $0.24, yielding a $105 tab. With gas at $4 per gallon, that $105 would have bought me 26.25 gallons of gas.

We can hear the Prius crowd now, muttering that their car’s 50 combined mpg could have squeezed a very competitive 1313-mile range out of those same gallons. But show me a conventionally powered production car that can offer the equivalent of 106 mpg. That’s the good news with EVs.

It’s when we shift our attention to the 24-kW-hr battery that we see the Leaf’s biggest constraint. They’re space-consuming, expensive, and painfully slow to refill. If there’s one thing an electric vehicle supporter and opponent can agree on, it’s that battery-electric cars aren’t the most versatile driving solutions. Not yet, at least. If your garage-less apartment community or tyrannical condo association is only letting you keep one car on the premises, you really shouldn’t slap a deposit down on the Leaf unless you’re ready for an all-new lifestyle dedicated to babysitting an EV’s charging needs. I’ll tell you now: the hard-working, lithium-ion pack lusts for companionship.

I’ll provide an example. A Leaf depleted of any usable charge needs 25 hours to refill using a household 110/120-volt outlet (what’s called Level 1 power). On Level 2 power (that’s 208-240 volts), the charging time plummets to a still-substantial 7 hours and 30 minutes. Those times are according to the Leaf’s own readouts but we’ve found the estimated charge times to generally be on the conservative side, regardless of charging level. Using our AeroVironment-sourced 208-volt charger, the Leaf wrapped up some 20 minutes earlier than expected. But the promising detail is that finishing 20 minutes ahead of schedule isn’t at all unusual. In more than a few home charging sessions, anywhere from 15-30 minutes was knocked off the anticipated charge time. Our current record is a surprising one hour and 14 minutes before the original end time.

Now, which is more satisfying for the driver—being greeted with charging times that don’t allocate sufficient time, or with charges that finish earlier than expected?

Based on our observations, the Leaf’s trickle charger can add 1.0-1.25 kW-hrs per hour, though we should remember that not all of the electrical energy flowing out of the socket is dispersed to the battery. Ohmic resistance and other losses zap efficiency, so when you’re charging an EV, you end up paying for some extra heating. For reference, 1.25 kW-hrs would be the equivalent of slow-dripping 4.75 fluid ounces of gasoline into a container for an hour. That’s a bit over half a U.S. cup—one cup is 8 fluid ounces. And per the Leaf’s own measurements, average energy use normally lingers around 3-5 miles per kW-hr.

Level 2 power can be remarkably consistent too. The MT garage’s 208-volt charger has been charging at a rate of 3.4-3.6 kW-hrs per hour. By comparison, from the statistics we’ve gathered so far, public ChargePoint stations rated for 240 volts can swing from 3.0-3.8 kW-hrs per hour though they mostly hover near 3.7 in the majority of our encounters, proving to be a valuable ally when you want to top off the battery. And in keeping with the slow-drip analogy above, 3.7 kW-hrs per hour would be about 14 fluid ounces of gasoline. A pint of the wholesome milk you consumed (or avoided) during grade school is 16 fluid ounces.

Did I mention I paid a visit to a DC fast charger? A solitary Level 3 public charger (generically meaning 300-500 volts) sits in a parking lot in Vacaville, California, about 50 miles northeast of San Francisco. In an advance scouting run, I took a closer look without the Leaf, and found that the CHAdeMO charger had been turned off since we last saw it on a Mitsubishi i drive. The taped-up paper sign said Northern California utility provider Pacific Gas and Electric Company was working on “appropriate certification,” and we’re told that regulatory red tape is the lone reason the DC quick charger is unavailable to the public (courtesy of Mitsubishi’s David Patterson). Because the charger was sourced from the Tokyo Electric Power Company, it doesn’t meet certain rules in the U.S. to allow mass utilization. So we’ve yet to find an operating fast-charge dispenser for our car’s optional DC plug ($700 for SL trim, included with SL-e), but we haven’t given up yet.

*Photography by Michael Shaffer, DC quick charger photo by Benson Kong

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Cruze Beats Corolla As GM Leads a Strong Sales Month

After losing the sales race to Ford in March, General Motors came out swinging in April, with a 26.4 percent sales gain over April 2010. Ford posted a 24.5 percent gain over a particularly strong April ’10. GM’s margin over Ford a year ago was 21,001. Last month, the margin was 49,996.

Both GM and Ford estimate April industry sales of about 1.7 million including medium and heavy-duty trucks. That’s a Seasonally Adjusted Average Rate in the mid-13 million range, in case you care about that.

Chevrolet had a big month in selling sedans. It sold a record 25,160 Cruzes to 24,701 Malibus and 21,071 Impalas. Break out retail sales among Cruze and Malibu, however, and the compact’s sales consisted of 18,470 retail units and 6,690 fleet, while the midsize car, which will be replaced early next year with the 2013 Malibu, sold 13,599 retail and 11,102 fleet. The ancient Impala is heavily fleet.

Both Chevy and Ford already seem to be benefitting from slowed production at Japanese automakers.

GM’s push to move the compact class out of the bargain basement seems to be working. Chevy sales chief Alan Batey says the average transaction price of a Cruze is about $19,000, while the ATP for the Malibu is about $21,000.

We’re downsizing our engines, too. There is a replacement for displacement, according to Ford’s George Pipas. In December, Ford sold 100 percent of retail F-150s with V-8s. Last month, half of the F-150s sold retail left dealers’ lots with V-6s. The EcoBoost 3.5-liter made up 37 percent of F-150 retail sales, while the naturally aspirated 3.7 V-6 accounted for 13 percent.

Ford says strong truck fleet sales points to an improving commercial market, and national economy.

GM says its retail sales increased 25 percent over a year ago, with passenger car retail up 49 percent and crossover retail up 28 percent. Fleet sales comprised 33 percent of GM’s April ’11 number and 36 percent of Ford’s numbers. Year-to-date, they comprise 26 percent of GM’s sales and 34 percent of Ford’s. However, Ford breaks its fleet sales out in terms of the more profitable government and commercial fleet, which accounted for 20 percent in April and 19 percent year-to-date, versus daily rental fleet, which was 16 percent and 15 percent. Half of Ford’s April fleet sales consisted of F-Series, Econolines and Crown Victorias.

Toyota says fleet sales remain under 10 percent and that share will decline as the Japanese earthquake and tsunami takes its effect on the company’s production. The resulting parts shortages and factory power outages has affected supply more than sales, though if you don’t like the color selection of your local dealer’s Prii, you might go to a competitor. Toyota reports a 45-day supply of Camrys and about 40 days for Corolla. Prius is down to 10 days, though Toyota promises it will find you one before it turns away any customers.

And so, to the numbers …

1. General Motors 232,538, up 26.4 percent.

At 25,160, the Chevrolet Cruze passed Toyota Corolla last month. That compares with 13,701 Cobalts sold in April ’10 (Chevy also sold 37 Cobalts last month).April was a strong month for Camaro and Mustang, though Challenger was down. Chevy sold 10,852 Camaros, up 18.6 percent, to 8,180 Ford Mustangs, up 59 percent. Dodge sold 3,617 Challengers, off 3 percent.Chevy sold 29,342 Silverados, off 0.9 percent. Combined with Avalanche (1,339, -12.5 percent) and GMC Sierra (10,523, +12.4 percent), GM trucks fall 4,231 units short of Ford F-Series sales.Chevy sold 17,067 Equinoxes, up 42.4 percent, and 9,666 Traverses, up 7.2 percent.Buick sales rose 51.2 percent, to 18,413. LaCrosse remains its leader, at 5,649, up 7.9 percent. It sold 4,525 Regals and claimed a 49-percent conquest rate on that car.Cadillac sales rose 16 percent, to 13,127. CTS was up 28.7 percent, to 4,220, though SRX remains the brand’s volume leader, at 4,380, up 12.2 percent.Chevy delivered 493 Volts last month.

2. Ford Motor Company: 189,778 up 16.4 percent.

F-Series was up 11 percent, to 45,435.Ford Focus was up 22.4 percent, to 21,189. Of that, 12,324 were the new ’12 model, and 4,941 were the old. If you’re nostalgic for a straight-to-rental compact, Ford has about 2,500 ’11 Foci remaining.Fusion was up 11.7 percent to 21,189, falling behind Chevy Malibu’s retail/fleet sales.Ford claims the Explorer as a success, with 12,593 sold, up 137.9 percent over the old, body-on-frame model. Taurus was up 1.6 percent, to 6,262.Even with spy shots showing up for the ’13 Vertrek-inspired Escape, the old model sells well, at 21,240, up 10.9 percent.Lincoln sales fell 0.6 percent, to 7,236. The MKZ, at 2,546, up 40.1 percent, and the MKX, at 1,859, up 16.5 percent, were the only gainers. MKS plummeted 28.6 percent, to 828, MKT was off 27 percent to 456, and Navigator outsold its unibody sibling, at 604, off 35.6 percent. Dealers sold 0 Mercurys last month, down from 9,128 in April ’10.

3. Toyota Motor Sales: 159,540, up 1.3 percent

Sales were off 2.4 percent, when adjusted for daily sales rate (27 selling days in April ’11 versus 26 in April ’10). Like Ford last year, Toyota had a very good April ’10, with a 24.4 percent increase.Camry was up 5 percent, to 30,443 units, one of the few volume models posting an increase.Corolla was off 16.5 percent (by daily selling rate), to 24,215. Toyota is in the process of shifting some Corolla production from NUMMI in Fremont, California, to its Tupelo, Mississippi plant, and is filling in with more imported units.Prius was off 4.3 percent to 12,477.Scion tC was up 119.9 percent, to 2,674.Tundra was off 10.6 percent, to 8,312.Lexus sales fell 7.8 percent (daily selling rate) to 17,576.All Lexus cars were down, with 3,493 ES models (off 23.5 percent), while all Lexus trucks were up, with RX up 0.8 percent to 7,802.

4. American Honda: 124,799, up 5.7 percent.

Honda was up 5.9 percent, to 113,195, and Acura was up 4.2 percent, to 11.604.Accord sales fell 8.1 percent, to 30,310. Crosstour accounted for 2,130 units, off 16.5 percent.Civic was up 3 percent, edging out Chevy Cruze, with 26,777 sold.Fit sales rose 66.3 percent, to 8,116.Insight was up 35.4 percent, to 2,644 and 1,819 CR-Zs were sold.Odyssey sales fell 9.8 percent, to 9,954.Pilot sales were off 2 percent, to 9,488.CR-V was up 25.3 percent, to 21,683. Honda has delayed introducing its all-new ’12 CR-V by one month because of production problems associated with the earthquake.MDX was Acura’s bestseller, up 1.4 percent, to 3,912.TSX was next, at 3,105, up 14.7 percent. Of those, 365 were wagons.

5. Chrysler LLC: 117,225, up 22 percent.

Dodge brand was up 14 percent, to 44,320 and Jeep was up 65 percent, to 32,384.Ram brand was up 29 percent, to 19,260, though Chrysler brand was off 9 percent, to 20,379.Claims best April sales since ’08 and best midsize sales since March ’08.That would be 8,274 Chrysler 200s, up from last year’s 4,053 Chrysler Sebrings, and 7,577 Dodge Avengers, up 26 percent.Dodge Charger fell 5 percent, to 8,485, still well ahead of the Ford Taurus. With ’11 Chrysler 300 production ramping up, sales of this car dropped 21 percent, to 3,263.Jeep Grand Cherokee remains hot, at 9,802, up 189 percent, while the smaller, cheaper Dodge Journey languishes at 4,598, up 3 percent.Dodge Caravan was off 16 percent, to 8,793, while Chrysler Town & Country fell 34 percent to 8,842.Fiat sold 882 500s, up from cinquecento 500s in March.Ending Chrysler on a high note, Ram pickup was up 29 percent, to 19,260.

6. Nissan North America: 71,526, up 12.2 percent.

Nissan sold 64,765, up 14.5 percent. Infiniti was off 6.2 percent, to 6,761.Altima was up 16.7 percent, at 17,232.Sentra jumped 42.2 percent, to 9,367.Versa was off 2.8 percent, though, to 6,413.Nissan delivered 573 Leafs last month.Infiniti sold 2,588 G sedans, off 13.8 percent, and 1,267 G coupes, up 0.4 percent.

7. Hyundai: 61,754, up 40.3 percent.

If you combine Hyundai and Kia sales, the total is 108,828, good enough for sixth place.Elantra was its bestseller, up 128.8 percent to 22,100. Sonata was up 17.3 percent, to 21,738.Genesis was up 16.9 percent, to 2,648. Hyundai sold 222 Equuses, er, Equii.

8. Kia: 47,074, up 56.7 percent.

Bestseller Sorento was up 41.4 percent, to 12,001.Forte was up 47 percent, to 8,535.Optima was up 124.3 percent, to 6,533.

9. Volkswagen: 28,542, up 23.4 percent.

Remained ahead of Subaru on the strength of Jetta sales, which were up 74 percent, to 16,995.VW sold no Passats as it prepared for the ’12 model. CC sales rose 39.7 percent, to 3,163.Tiguan sales rose 47.8 percent, to 2,791.

10. BMW Group: 25,247, up 19.6 percent.

BMW brand was up 8.9 percent, to 18,801.Mini gained 67.7 percent, to 6,446.Cooper/Cooper S hardtop was up 43.7 percent, to 3,367, while the convertible was off 15.8 percent, to 565 and the Clubman fell 2.9 percent, to 805.Mini sold 1,709 Countrymen. Or is that Countrymans?

11. Subaru: 24,762, up 6.7 percent.

Says WRX/STI sales more than doubled, as part of Impreza’s 15 percent gain to 4,367.Outback was up 23.1 percent, to 9,465.

12. Mazda: 20,638, up 9 percent.

Bestseller 3 was off 7.9 percent, to 8,584.CX-7 was up 28.4 percent, to 2,873, while CX-9 was up 23.9 percent, to 2,750.Iconic Miata was up 14.2 percent, to 659.

13. Daimler AG: 19,624, up 3.8 percent.

Mercedes-Benz sold 18,042 cars and trucks, up 2.3 percent.That leaves 467 units for Smart, off 31.3 percent, and 1,115 Sprinters, up 85.8 percent.Mercedes E-Class was the bestseller, up 17.9 percent, to 5,342.

14. Audi: 10,018, up 7.5 percent.

A4 was the bestseller, up 4.8 percent to 3,328. Audi sold 408 A7s.

15. Mitsubishi: 8,081, up 106 percent.

Outlander and Outlander Sport combined sales were up 98 percent.

16. Volvo: 6,404, up 40.9 percent.

Led by the S60 at 1,972 cars, up 100 percent.

17. Jaguar/Land Rover: 4,231, up 16 percent.

Land Rover was up 8 percent, to 2,982.Jaguar was up 39 percent, to 1,249.

18. Porsche: 3,172, up 82 percent.

The new Cayenne leads the way, up 384 percent, to 1,578.

19. American Suzuki: 2,132, up 9 percent.

Kizashi is its bestseller, up 42 percent, to 577.

Compacts in March:

Honda Civic: 26,777Chevy Cruze: 25,160Toyota Corolla: 24,215Hyundai Elantra: 22,100Ford Focus: 17,265

Midsize cars in March:

Toyota Camry: 30,443Honda Accord: 30,310Chevy Malibu: 24,701Hyundai Sonata: 21,738Ford Fusion: 21,189

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