I was considering buying a hybrid or electric car when my sister, Ellen, told me about an electric car/bike demo day she was organizing in Wayland. It was a great opportunity to go drive several electric cars at one and talk to the owners about their experiences. For me, the Nissan Leaf was the best fit and thanks to Green Energy Consumers, who had pre-negotiated a leasing deal, I was able to just lease the car for 3 years with no negotiating of price. My biggest roadblock to leasing an electric car was the need to drive to Vermont to see my daughters and the electric cars can drive 250 miles max. but really they don’t go that far typically if you turn on anything like the AC/HEAT. When I told my brother-in-law, John about this barrier, he shared that there is a community of people dedicated to green transportation who “share” vehicles”. He offered to swap cars with me for the few times a year that our Prius wasn’t available, and I needed to drive to Vermont. Problem solved! I love sharing cars and helping each other achieve our environmental goals. John convinced me that we should buy a car for “most” of our needs and not the few times a year with a different need. I had a 220V outlet installed in my garage (cost about $200) and the dealer gave it to me gratis to seal the deal) so the car charges twice as fast. I don’t think I will keep it at the end of the lease as I don’t like some features and I would like an electric car that can make it comfortably to Vermont, which means about 300 miles for me. I am confident that by 2021 we will have those choices.
