Tesla Model 3

Have Nissan lost worldwide CarWings Data?

Posted on December 14, 2013 by jpwhitehome

165 Miles for my LEAF is shy of the 700 Miles driven so far. – Click to enlarge

According to Nissan CarWings, a vehicle telematics service, I have driven 165 miles so far in December 2013. I know I have covered 700 miles during the same time period. CarWings shows no data whatsoever for my vehicle for the first two days of December, and the ‘regional ranking’ has been the same for the last 5 days.

Two days lost at beginning of December, no change over last week?
Click to Enlarge

Something isn’t right I thought. Wondering if this is limited to my vehicle I looked deeper into the regional and worldwide CarWings data. I found that only 2 US drivers are in the top 100 worldwide for the number of miles driven so far in December 2013. Normally the US makes up about 50% of the top 100 high mileage drivers. Of further interest, included in the top 25 worldwide drivers, are all from Japan. So maybe the data loss extends beyond the US to all world regions except Japan? The Top worldwide mileage of 1,200 miles is about what one would expect at this time from the higher mileage LEAF drivers. Steve Marsh who is approaching 100,000 miles in his LEAF isn’t in the top 100. (Although this could partly be explained by the fact Nissan have lent Mr Marsh a car to be sure the car reaches 100,000 miles on December 16th when they will publicly recognize the achievement).

Only two US drivers in top 100 worldwide?
Click to Enlarge

We’ve seen occasional data delays in CarWings in the past, but this would seem to be first time evidence of widespread data loss. December data was delayed by over a week, such delays are not out of the ordinary for CarWings, but I’ve not noticed so much data go missing in action before.

Anybody else have problems with their CarWings data?

Only Japan appear to have complete data.
Click to Enlarge

Posted in CarWings, Electric Car, Nissan LEAF | Tagged Data Loss, LEAF, nissan, vehicle telematics | 10 Comments

LEAF takes its first unscheduled visit to the shop. Cost? $0.00 plus free fuel and car wash!

Posted on November 16, 2013 by jpwhitehome

Explanation of dashboard light I saw on my LEAF

Over the 2 1/2 years I’ve owned my LEAF a few minor issues have occurred with a speaker failure and window winder both of which waited until the next scheduled maintenance for repair under warranty. This last week I had to take the LEAF to a dealer on an urgent basis due to an EV System Warning Light that came on on the dashboard.

When I bought the LEAF I fully expected to be in the shop every 2-3 months having something with the electric system worked on. It’s new technology, once expects failures. Much to my surprise the vehicle has been very reliable never failing once and only requiring half as many trips to a shop for scheduled maintenance thanks to not having any engine oil to change or injectors to clean.

The warning light came on after two failed attempts to charge the vehicle at a public charging station at Peartree Village shopping precinct in Brentwood, TN. I did get a good charge at an adjacent unit. Once I started the car up and drove off I noticed the warning light and later looked it up in the user manual. The manual advises the owner to ‘Contact a Nissan Dealer’ to deal with the issue.

Diagnostic Trouble Codes stored in my LEAF’s computer systems. Click to enlarge

I have a program on my smart phone called “LEAF Spy Pro” which allows one to retrieve a whole host of data from the cars computer systems. I hooked this up and read the Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC’s) and noticed two entries. The code itself isn’t very explanatory but did seem to be something to do with charging the vehicle. Clearly the two failed charging attempts had triggered these errors.

I dropped the car off that evening at the dealer and picked up a loaner rental vehicle. The next day the dealer called and asked a series of questions about the previous days charging. Had I used that unit before, did it employ a charge timer? What timers did I have programmed on my car and at home? After checking with corporate Nissan they came to the conclusion the car was just fine, all blame for the diagnostic codes was with the public charging station. I picked up the car that night and its been fine ever since. I reported the findings to Blink / CarCharging group to let them know their charging station was setting diagnostic codes in LEAF’s.

Newton Nissan Service Department Rock!

The dealer, Newton Nissan, didn’t charge for the visit and even washed my car for free too. Great customer service!! The rental loaner vehicle was complementary as well thanks to my having purchased an extended warranty when I bought the vehicle new. When I dropped off the car it had a 20% charge. When I picked up the car it was charged to 80%!! Free fuel as well!!

When was the last time you took your gas car into the dealer and got over 1/2 tank of fuel for free?

Posted in Blink, Carcharging, Customer Service, Electric Car, Level 2 EV Charger, Newton Nissan, Nissan LEAF | Tagged LEAF | Leave a comment

Carcharging likely to end Free EV Charging at Kohl’s and other Blink sites

Posted on November 5, 2013 by jpwhitehome

On a recent Webinar hosted by the San Francisco Bay area LEAF owners, CarCharging (who recently purchased the assets of the bankrupt Ecotality/Blink Network) answered any and all questions posed to them by Webinar participants. The purchase is just a few weeks old, so the representatives were fairly non-committal. This is understandable, the dust has barely settled and they are still trying to figure out how to absorb the Blink Network infrastructure into their network.

One question I posed to them was regarding the free charging offered by charging hosts such as Kohl’s. I asked if Carcharging would continue to support this model with their hosts. A very emphatic and unconditional no came back quickly from the Carcharging representative. The days are numbered for free charging at Blink units.

Another webinar attendee asked who would own the Blink units provided to residential EVProject participants. Under the original program the EVProject would provide and install EV charging equipment at no cost in exchange for usage data. At the end of the government sponsored EV project, ownership of the units was scheduled to transfer to the homeowners. The answer given to the ownership question was very vague and the question of ownership was essentially dodged. The Carcharging representative did commit to continuing the relationship with all EVProject homeowners, but how and what that means has yet to be determined. My interpretation is that they have yet to figure out what their legal position is on many issues and they did state they are in earnest discussions with the DOE on the EVProject and how things should be handled from this point on.

Key takeaways from the webinar are :-

1. Carcharging are committed to resolving reliability issues with Blink units asap. They see reliability as key to their success as a car charging provider. They claim to have made significant strides in this direction already.

2. Carcharging have committed to introduce a single card or payment system to activate any of their units. Carcharging own a smorgasbord of different charging hardware which is as a result of four recent acquisitions. In some cases where obtaining spare parts is difficult they are swapping units for units they can support. How Carcharging are going to achieve a single payment method was not revealed (I don’t think they have figured that out yet), but it is a stated goal Carcharging representatives repeated several times.

3. Carcharging are in discussions with Nissan in establishing a partnership for the installation and management of Sumitomo DC fast charging equipment in the US.

The Webinar raised as many questions as it answered, but there were some positive takeaways and reasons to be optimistic regarding how this buyout will flesh out. Here’s hoping for a positive outcome.

Thanks to the SF Bay Area LEAF owners association for hosting, organizing and advertising this Webinar.

Posted in Blink, Carcharging, Electric Car, Level 2 EV Charger, Level 3 EV Charger, Opinion, Uncategorized | Tagged aquisition, bankruptcy, Blink Network, Carcharging, SF Bay Area LEAF owners, Webinar | Leave a comment

First TN Dealer Quick Charge Station installed in Cool Springs

Posted on October 26, 2013 by jpwhitehome

Quick Charge Station at Nissan of Cool Springs

Nissan have promised to subsidize the installation of over 100 quick charging stations at Nissan dealers. They have been fairly coy as to which cities they are targeting with this initiative. A pilot study was undertaken in California where 27 quick charging stations were installed.

Now we have our first dealer quick charge station in Tennessee at Cool Springs. On one hand this is very good news that Tennessee is a target market for this initiative. I look forward to seeing more of these units go into the ground over the next few months. However the location of this dealer is within 5-10 miles of three other quick charge stations at Nissan HQ and a Mapco Gas station. It would be nice to see the dealer quick chargers located in areas where quick charging is currently unavailable. North and West of Nashville could both benefit from well placed quick charging stations. Here’s hoping for more of these units in Tennessee.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Nissan dealers, Quick Charge Station, Tennessee | 3 Comments

Used LEAF Values Rebound Strongly

Posted on September 23, 2013 by jpwhitehome

Prices are arising

I’ve been tracking the used value of my LEAF and the depreciation has been steeper than the average vehicle. However in the last two months used LEAF prices have increased by over 6%. Nissan are selling all the LEAF’s they can make (or choose to make) and buyers are now turning to the second hand market, where up till recently bargains could be had. The car dealers lament was that no one wanted to buy a second hand LEAF. Now new cars are scarce people are seriously considering used models, many less than a year old with low miles.

Kelley Blue Book

My LEAF’s value, according to Kelley Blue Book, fell over 12% from April 2013 until July 2013. However in August and September 2013 its value has rebounded over 6% recovering half of the losses for the year. If this keeps up over the next two months, then the value will have held steady for the year. By all accounts the new LEAF shortage may continue for several more months as Nissan source the parts necessary to manufacture the batteries.

Nissan have said that supply won’t match demand until late 2013 or even into 2014 depending upon the demand this fall. One thing isn’t falling this fall, and that’s the price of a LEAF.

Posted in Electric Car, Nissan LEAF | Tagged cars, kbb, Kelley Blue Book, new leaf, Second Hand Values, Shortage | 2 Comments

SIgns of Ecotalities financial struggles already showing – website down

Posted on September 1, 2013 by jpwhitehome

Blinknetwork website down – Click to enlarge

Ecotality the company that runs the Blink Network of EV Charging stations recently announced that it would seek bankruptcy protection. I’ve noticed slow downs and temporary interruption to their website recently. This Labor Day weekend the site is totally unresponsive. The problems started yesterday when I could not login to see my account details, today the site is totally out of commission.

Some companies come out of bankruptcy protection OK, but if services are suffering just a few weeks into their restructuring efforts, this does not bode well for the future.

It’s a shame because I have always been impressed with their responsive customer service, they seem to value their customers, so I’d like to see them succeed. The business model is weak however. Revenue from public charging stations is likely quite small. A dollar per hour won’t make them rich, and charging more would result in next to no takers for their charging service. One strategic error they made was to place charging stations at retail outlets, which are great for high visibility/branding, but people spend an hour or less at many of these locations, such as McDonalds. I believe they should have targeted employers where someone would be plugged in most of the day. Workplace charging is a great way to encourage people to consider an EV for the first time and thereby spur adoption of EV’s.

The worry now is that they will not be able to afford to maintain the network of charging equipment. They have stated that this is their first priority, but all the will in world will not keep the receiver away. I wonder if ChargePoint are eying a possible opportunity to buy the assets of Ecotality and expand their network rapidly. ChargePoint have a better web presence, and their equipment is very professional looking.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

EV Charging Wars thanks to a Lexus

Posted on August 30, 2013 by jpwhitehome

Lexus takes an EV parking Spot – Click to Enlarge

At busy locations it is quite common for EV charging spaces to be occupied by gasoline vehicles. On a recent trip to Franklin TN I stopped at Wholefoods on a Friday lunchtime. Busy busy time. One EV spot was taken by a silver LEAF, the other by a Lexus gasoline car. I surveyed the situation and noticed an open spot on the next aisle over next to the silver LEAF. I drove around and fortunately the cord on the GE charging stations is very generous and reached my car.

It occurred to me that the Lexus might leave and a LEAF drive up looking for a charge. I left my EV Charging Protocol card up in the window giving my cell phone number to call or text. The Courtesy Protocol Card I left indicated it was OK to unplug my car after 1pm.

Note from ‘Miffed’ LEAF Owner – Click to Enlarge

Upon returning to my vehicle, there was a black LEAF in the spot previously occupied by the Lexus. I noticed a note on my car Window. The LEAF owner was clearly miffed. However rather than contact me and ask for permission to charge, the note indicated that I should not have charged my vehicle from an ‘unauthorized’ space and denied him/her a charge. The black LEAF’s charge port was locked, so I could not start a charge for the owner.

What should I have done? Driven off? I tried putting myself in the shoes of the black LEAF owner. Clearly he/she had a reasonable expectation of getting a charge in an open EV charging spot only to find the charging station in use in another space opposite. The frustration is clear. I then thought what would I have done? And what should I do? Certainly I’d be miffed too, however there are a few things I could do. Call or text the driver using the number given (I received no call or text). Or I could leave a note saying, “If you get back before me plug me in, I’ve left my charge port open”.

The real enemy here is the Lexus owner who was inconsiderate enough to park in an EV charging space. There’s no need for EV owners to get mad with each other. We should get mad at the gasoline car drivers who have no consideration for others.

Have you ever noticed its the luxury cars that most often exhibit an attitude of entitlement? I’m sure they think they are more important than the rest of us.

Posted in Electric Car, Level 2 EV Charger, Nissan LEAF | Tagged cars, cell phone number, entitlement, gasoline car, gasoline vehicles, ICED, It's getting real in the wholefoods parking lot, Lexus | 2 Comments

Life Just Got Easier for EV Owners

Posted on August 22, 2013 by jpwhitehome

Click To Read EMail Notice

Blink Networks have just announced that with immediate effect all of the 4,000 public charging stations in their network will no longer require a ZIP code to be entered to begin a charging session. Hurray!!

This is a very welcome change making the charge process much simpler. Up until now entering a zip code was an extra step, that on some units with badly calibrated screens, was almost impossible to accomplish. This may seem impatience by EV drivers, but it is not laziness, when it is raining the entering of the ZIP code can make the experience unpleasant. EV charging stations typically aren’t under a canopy like gas pumps.

Posted in Blink, Electric Car, Level 2 EV Charger, Level 3 EV Charger, Nissan LEAF | Leave a comment

Dealership Woes – Another reason to cheer Elon Musk on

Posted on July 27, 2013 by jpwhitehome

Elon Musk is in a pitch battle against the car dealerships countrywide, and I hope he prevails and I can buy his ‘LEAF Killer’ come 2015. Like many Americans, I hate buying a car, not because I don’t like cars, I do, but because of the buying ‘experience’ we are subjected to. This week reminded me why I hate car dealers as much as I do.

Click on image to enlarge

I got a mailer from the dealership I bought my LEAF from explaining how they are simply desperate to get their hands on my LEAF for their second hand lot. They provided an estimate of $17,100 for my old LEAF which is actually very good. There was handwritten note emphasizing the $17,100 bait. They also offer ‘up to’ $10,000 off the price of ‘select vehicles’. The only catch? You have to visit the dealership, they won’t do this deal over the phone or the internet.

I went in. I knew I shouldn’t but I did it anyway, just for the hell of it. And it was hell.

I plugged up my LEAF at their level 2 charger and was greeted by a young and enthusiastic salesperson, who is actually quite a cool dude in my opinion. I showed him my mailer saying that the dealership wanted to buy my old car and sell me a new one. I said I was interested in a 2013 LEAF SL they had on their lot. He got the keys and let me look over the vehicle and drive it. The 2013 LEAF is a great vehicle, with many improvements over their Gen I LEAF. OK I said, let’s see if we can make the numbers work.

As it turns out they could only offer $15,000 for my old LEAF, which is actually a fair price according the Kelly Blue Book. So far so good. So what discount will you offer me off MSRP for the new vehicle I asked. The mailer suggested up to $10,000, how close can you get to that?

The answer was $500.

I really didn’t expect to get $10,000 off a new LEAF. He pointed to the small print on the mailer that indicate the offer was for a 2013 Titan, stock number 9010. Only. Typical trick. I agreed that I wasn’t really expecting $10,000 but $500? Really? Is that the best you can do?

After being at the dealership for one and and a half hours, apparently that was indeed the best they could do. The sales manager came to visit the salespersons office and shared that he and I were on ‘different wavelengths’. I promptly left after retrieving my car keys.

Click to enlarge email

I went home and found a website http://www.truecar.com that promised no haggle pricing at 3 local dealerships. Hey presto, guaranteed $3,500 off MSRP for a new 2013 SL LEAF. Within minutes I had three dealerships calling my cell phone and emailing me saying, sure we will honor the discount of $3,500 off MSRP. Guess what? One of those dealers happy to give me $3,500 off was the dealer I just left.

Why do the dealers play these mind games?

Elon Musk, Hurry up with your ‘LEAF Killer’ and simple no haggle internet ordering.

I’m ready. Really really ready.

I talked with another LEAF owner who recently purchased a 2013 LEAF, he asked if I had checked out the VPP program, it offers between $3,000 and $4,000 off MSRP, no haggle. As it turns out my employer is part of the program. I can get a VPP ‘number’ which I can take to any Nissan dealer and get 3-4K off a new LEAF, no haggle. The dealer I visited never established where I worked, or what incentives that employment might provide. Another lost sale and frustrated customer. Pathetic.

I’m waiting Elon…….

Posted in Customer Service, Newton Nissan, Nissan LEAF, Test Drive | Tagged kelly blue book, new leaf, stock number | Leave a comment

Used LEAF market is comatose

Posted on June 2, 2013 by jpwhitehome

I have watched the used LEAF market over the last few months to try and see what a used LEAF will sell for. I watched 9 LEAF listings on eBay over a 4 month period. Here’s how the listing outcomes have broken down.

9 LEAF’s listed.
0 Vehicles Sold, reserve not met or zero bids.
2 listings received no bids.
Lowest ‘high bid’ $1,675 – Reserve Not Met.
Highest ‘high bid’ $15,900, Reserve Not Met.
Buy-it-Now prices averaged $21,500.

LEAF does not sell second hand.
Click to enlarge

I got a very low trade in estimate for my LEAF from my local Nissan dealer. The salesman said the estimate is so low because ‘No one is buying used LEAF’s”. Apparently he was telling the truth!!

2013 LEAF sales are brisk compared to previous year models, but it looks like used car buyers are very wary of the LEAF giving it a wide berth.

One possible explanation, other than fear of an EV, is that many people I speak to are surprised to hear you can actually charge up a LEAF using a 120v standard outlet. “Really? they ask, I thought you had to have a special charger installed”. If folks think they have to buy an expensive charger for home, that creates a mental barrier. Even so I would recommend getting a dedicated unit in your garage, it is much more convenient. Bosch are now selling charging units for the home starting at $495. They aren’t expensive anymore. Who knew?

Another issue is that there are few if any incentives for second hand EV purchasers, the government incentives are going to new car buyers only.

With very depressed secondhand values, looks like I’m keeping my LEAF ’till the wheels fall off.

Posted in eBay, Newton Nissan, Nissan LEAF | Tagged cars, government incentives, leaf sales, transportation | 6 Comments