As of Monday, December 26, 2011
© Copyright 2013
Rockdale Citizen
Lee Walding customized his Nissan Leaf license plate.
CONYERS -- Lee Walding knows that his new electric car, the Leaf, is lacking somewhat in practicality.
A full charge on the Leaf's battery takes him about 80 miles, and the mid-sized vehicle costs roughly $40,000. It's not an ideal option for someone looking for an affordable car to commute to Atlanta or take on vacation.
Walding is confident that will change.
"The first cell phones were as big as my shoe and cost $1,000," said Walding.
"It's hard for the average person to justify this car because its range is limited and the cost is high, but in 10 years, when the car costs half as less and can go twice as far, it will gain popularity."
Until then, Walding and fellow Conyers resident Lee Depkin can boast they are the first two in Rockdale and Newton counties to own the Leaf, a five-door hatchback battery-powered car made by Nissan and released on the market in December 2010.
The two men reserved the vehicles over a year ago online, and finally had an opportunity to test drive one at a special event held in Atlanta in January 2011.
The test drives didn't disappoint. Walding purchased his car from the Nalley Nissan dealership in Decatur on Nov. 22 and Depkin obtained his from the Stone Mountain Nissan dealership on Nov. 30.
"It performs very well, handles well, it's roomy and comfortable, and has very responsive steering," said Depkin.
"Everybody who sees it the first thing they say is 'It's bigger than I thought,'" said Walding.
The Leaf requires the installation of a charging station at the owner's home. It takes about seven hours for the car to fully charge. The user can communicate with the vehicle via computer or smartphone to power it up while it's still plugged into the charging station.
Walding said he can commute to his job as a pharmacist at the Covington Kmart for a full week on a charge.
A self-confessed auto enthusiast who owns several gas-powered cars, Walding said he first heard about the Leaf (an acronym for Leading, Environmentally friendly, Affordable, Family car) through an advertisement.
When he learned car owners get two energy tax credits, a $7,500 one from the federal government and $5,000 from the state, he decided to purchase it.
Walding estimates the cost for a full charge is about $2, equivalent to more than 100 miles to the gallon if he had a gas-powered car. While he knows he's not actually saving money on the car because of it's range and price tag, Walding views his purchase as an investment in protecting the environment.
"The car does cost me more than I'm saving, but I just like the idea of my little green contribution," said Walding.
He believes that as battery technology advances, he'll be able to keep his Leaf and simply have the battery upgraded. He's also allowed Nissan to monitor his trips through the built-in navigational system in the car for research purposes. He doesn't mind being a "guinea pig."
"They have to experiment with somebody," said Walding.
Depkin said advertisements for the Leaf didn't sway him to purchase it. Instead, a film, "Who Killed the Electric Car?" sparked his interest.
The 2006 documentary explores the creation and eventual demise of the electric car, specifically General Motors' EV1. The film examines how several influences, including big oil companies, state and federal governments and auto manufacturers, led to the literal destruction of the cars.
"Without getting into politics, I think one of the major problems facing this country is our reliance on Middle Eastern oil, making us vulnerable," said Depkin.
A retired chemical engineer, Depkin said his Leaf is replacing his Mazda Miata. The Leaf is perfect for his lifestyle which involves short trips through Rockdale and Newton counties.
Depkin said hybrid vehicles, which use two technologies -- gas and battery -- didn't interest him because repairs and maintenance could be too costly. With the electric car, there are no oil changes, no filter changes, no emissions tests to take.
Depkin said this is the first time he's embraced cutting edge technology
"I'd like to see electric vehicles become a significant part of the fleet," he said.
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Comments
Rob 1 year, 4 months ago
Some people have more money than brains! I'm glad that I could help out in their stupidity. Those tax credits these guys got from US the taxpayer. Just another reason Odumbo won't be re-elected. The average working guy having to fund subsidies for rich fools! Isn't government just great?
Frizzlefry 1 year, 4 months ago
Must be a slow news day.
SkyKing 1 year, 4 months ago
The tax credit was created by George Bush. I don't agree with the tax credit, however lets give the idiot that created it credit GWB.
Rob 1 year, 4 months ago
Bush-Obama Obama-Bush. No difference. Both huge government progressives. I do give these 2 guys credit though. At least they didn't buy the Government Motors Volt!
twoambers 1 year, 4 months ago
I feel stupid when I fork over $75 at the pump to fill up an averaged size car. More power to these guys, the more of these that sell, the less demand there will be for gas.
Rob 1 year, 4 months ago
You feel stupid? Just think how these guys feel. $40,000 for the car and $60 a month to charge the stupid thing! These cars are doing NOTHING to help the "planet". What do these guys think fuels the power plants that they have to plug into to charge their cute little cars? COAL! Not only are these cars not "green". They are heavily subsidized by the government. Where do those subsides come from? YOU AND ME! This whole electric car stuff is a joke from the get go. Although I'm not surprised we have 2 residents in Conyers that fell for the trap. We do live in King Richards socialist Utopia after all.
Clark 1 year, 4 months ago
You're right about the subsidies, but wrong about how green the cars are. A large chunk of Georgia's power comes from Hydroelectric and Nuclear power, but even so, a coal plant produces a LOT less pollution for each new electric car on the road, than that same car would if it was powered by gasoline. Electric from a single point source will ALWAYS win out over gas from a lot of distributed sources (cars), and such will also be the case when an electric-powered MARTA line finally reaches Rockdale.
ctownslimm 1 year, 4 months ago
I hate that this country cannot think outside the box a little more. We were the first to the moon. With the proper teamwork and motivation, we could figure out something besides gas. This electric is OK but electricity is made from coal and yes, even oil sometimes. Plus I read that these huge batteries last about 10 years then need to be replaced at a cost of about 10 thousand bucks. So that is 1000 dollars per year that you werent thinking about if you decide to replace it. I would love our country to dedicate some engineers and scientist to the replacement of these power sources in the same way we did the lunar mission, skunk works, and the atomic bomb.
chlpatent 1 year, 4 months ago
Wait until gas is back over $4.00 a gallon (or worse - it is a non-renewable resource after all), perhaps by summer 2012 if the economy keeps heating up, and then see what you think about the Leaf and all the other EV's coming from Ford, BMW, Mitsubishi, and so on this coming year, eh? They used to tell folks to 'get a horse' when the first infernal combustion engine vehicles came along...he who laughs last laughs best!
chlpatent 1 year, 4 months ago
Re the comment about coal powered electricity generation: In my neck of the woods (Fairfax Virginia) one can sign up for green energy through the electric power company (Virginia Dominion Power) anywhere from 10% to 100% (I chose the latter) of your electricity...and some places, like Washington state for example, much of the electricity is generated through hydro means (dams). Now I thought you folks down near the TVA got your power from your beloved nukes? And I think Georgia has signed on to build nuclear plants in the near future, eh?
RE the comments about Government subsidies for EV's and green tech: research all the subsidies the government (US and states) give to oil and coal companies, and then complain about that, eh? And since they get to pollute the air you breath and the water you drink with little consequences, they're costing you at both ends of your blow hole.
BTW, I have amasters degree in Electrical Engineering as well as a JD, and have been in the patent business for 20 years, so gee, I think I probably have some 'brains' by anyone's standards...and, as a matter of fact, most Leaf buyers are college educated and affluent. PS I also own a Ford Pickup so give me my 'redneck' creds, too, ok?
Frizzlefry 1 year, 4 months ago
Eh? eh? and LOL @ both ends of your blow hole. by golly I haven't heard that phrase in a month of Sundays! That's about 4 weeks, right? I only own a Ford so...
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