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Post by empowerrepower on Jan 3, 2015 13:38:54 GMT 11
Hi,
There could be many different motivations for owning an EV, but they have had a very modest take-up in Oz so far. I've noticed that when I mention electric vehicles in conversation, I often get a blank look, like they haven't yet made it onto the average person's radar.
As EV owners, I'm wondering in what ways some of you like to promote EV ownership? Have any strategies been particularly effective?
Just curious, Liz
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Post by eburbsleaf on Jan 3, 2015 20:46:54 GMT 11
Hey Liz - One thing we have tried as a group is meeting up to spread the word at EV shows across the states (the pics on the banner are from two such meets) this gives us a chance to give real world stories to those who are interested enough to come along to the shows. But to your point there isn't a great deal of advertising of the LEAF and so most think its a hybrid until i tell them its pure electric....
Ive found the best sort of promotion has been 'normalising' EV ownership. Its the car on the school run, the food run etc etc. People start to see more of it (not too many around these parts to say "them") and it can start to become the norm..
Hopefully with the Tesla Model S and the Kia Soul EV (if its coming) electric cars will be seen more of a real world car that an early-adopter/bleeding edge (which I think EVs will be for at least a few more years).
Tony
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Post by Jim Hare on Jan 6, 2015 8:29:25 GMT 11
Hey Liz,
I do it one person at a time. It's a favourite topic of conversation that usually leads to a test drive. I've probably swayed about 100 people since getting the LEAF. Hopefully awareness will increase exponentially.
I think when the perceived barriers such as range are removed, we'll see a massive sway to EVs.
Until then I think it will remain a specialist market.
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Post by datsunleaf on Jan 6, 2015 18:42:50 GMT 11
Hi Liz,
I do the same as Jim, one at a time. taking people for test drives, talking to people at work, trying to influence work to possibly fund a fast charger and to allow charging at work, all to no avail yet, it just frustrates me how little help we get with regard to infrastructure from either federal or state governments when other countries such as Germany are pushing hard to get it right. Also a shame Nissan hasn't been more vocal and pro-active
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Post by Deleted on Jan 6, 2015 20:08:23 GMT 11
I tend to frequent the DC Fast Charger at UWA currently.
This is a very public spot as it is in front of the University Club and also in front of the Reid Library and is the heart of the Uni.
as well as
i) Cockburn Central Gateway Shopping Centre
ii) Garden City Shopping Centre
used to / sometimes visit
Fremantle Queensgate Car park
12 hours park and charge for free, though I don't usually stay for 12 hours.
used to park at highly visible areas
a) Barlee St Beaufort St
b) The Avenue Leederville
for dinner
Tuning Sesions at the RAC Driving Centre
Participated in the WA sprint champs; came 2nd last year.
Rock up at Barbagallo Raceway on Tuning sessions
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Post by jacky on Jan 7, 2015 1:11:47 GMT 11
Hi Liz, I do the same as Jim, one at a time. taking people for test drives, talking to people at work, trying to influence work to possibly fund a fast charger and to allow charging at work, all to no avail yet, it just frustrates me how little help we get with regard to infrastructure from either federal or state governments when other countries such as Germany are pushing hard to get it right. Also a shame Nissan hasn't been more vocal and pro-active No hopes on any help from Governments. Both ALP and LNP are not interested in helping EVs. Very disappointed with Nissan AU. Many Nissan dealers in Japan, UK and USA have 50kW rapid chargers installed. If Nissan was doing the same in here, the charging network would be way much better! |
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Post by quaternary on Jan 9, 2015 5:08:46 GMT 11
Another way we promote EVs is to use 'car sitters'.
When we go on holiday and begrudgingly take the gas-guzzler, like we did over Christmas for 10 days, we leave the Leaf with a friendly-likely-convert to play with. This has the advantage of them being able to trial it, plus demo it to all their friends/workmates/neighbours. Thus a whole new circle of people get exposed to the magic of the Leaf and the concept of an EV.
An advantage to us is it helps offset some of the carbon-guilt we're generating by using the gas-guzzler. And - serious bonus - this last time, on return it was groomed inside and out!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 9, 2015 18:43:07 GMT 11
One way to promote EVs.
Get stopped by a police officer for random breath test.
Was on way back after karaoke. Wasn't drinking.
Chatted about 5 mins about electric cars.
Officer believed that electric cars were the way of the future.
I mentioned how Honda, Hyundai, Toyota and GM were going hydrogen and that the US military
eg. Hawaii
were already using fuel cells.
But that hydrogen was being given away for free at the moment cos there is no way of measuring how much has gone into the tank.
HEVs tend to have a range of 600 kms.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 10, 2015 11:57:37 GMT 11
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Post by Feng on Feb 1, 2015 18:47:01 GMT 11
I plugged my car in to charge a few times last week and a workmate made the comment, "Gee you seem to be running out of charge a fair bit more lately". That had me thinking: On one hand showing off the EV is good exposure, on the other, having people see you charge at work all the time makes it look like it doesn't have enough range. I don't charge at work as often as I used to but that kind of impression was something I hadn't thought about in the past.
Saw a white Model S on my way back from Terrigal today. Oh man, so nice.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2015 23:46:34 GMT 11
I'm doing it with uber. Beige Floor mats Gettting a bit dirty but worth it. Might Change to rubber or a darker colour eventually.
Clients seem to like the wood
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Post by Feng on Feb 3, 2015 0:08:43 GMT 11
The only souvenir we have from the lemon Golf are the rubber floor mats we kept and use in the LEAF. Not as nice as the standard floor mats but you never have to worry about soiling them.
The wooden dashboard looks very nice from the photos.
Is Uber legal in Perth? I've read about other states fining drivers but Uber pays the fines. Sounds like a hassle.
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Post by southernvolt on Feb 3, 2015 0:21:51 GMT 11
I'm doing it with uber. Beige Floor mats Gettting a bit dirty but worth it. Might Change to rubber or a darker colour eventually. Clients seem to like the wood You mean you're running the i3 as an Uber car? HOw are you going with the range? Are you just doing a trip here and there? |
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Post by southernvolt on Feb 3, 2015 0:23:42 GMT 11
Hi Liz, I do the same as Jim, one at a time. taking people for test drives, talking to people at work, trying to influence work to possibly fund a fast charger and to allow charging at work, all to no avail yet, it just frustrates me how little help we get with regard to infrastructure from either federal or state governments when other countries such as Germany are pushing hard to get it right. Also a shame Nissan hasn't been more vocal and pro-active As per Phoebe's other post today I think this may change. Turnbull raved about the Tesla factory and the car and if his Wife has actually bought one like the rumours say then things will change. |
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Post by empowerrepower on Feb 3, 2015 1:17:03 GMT 11
Yes, I just popped into Malcolm's facebook page to encourage him to lead the government towards supporting renewable energy innovation and EVs. His words in his speech were, "Government has an important role to play in supporting innovation..." Hmmmmm.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2015 10:01:28 GMT 11
i use the DC FC when it is working  ; error 39 at the mo, lightning? else I use petrol when I run out of leecy. get about 120 kms on elect n 120 on petrol = 240 kms (volts). i3 also has 32 amp charging. Elecktrobay bollards n chargepoint j1772 bollards are 32 amps. Just don't use the RAC DTEC unit at the mo, cos it seems to be on a 20A circuit; even trips with the UWA LoLtus. coach doors make customers feel special, but watch out for the top lock; can knock heads also make sure the doors are closed firmly, else car will warn that coach door is open no seatbelt undone warning in the back though, hence the 4 star Euro NCAP rating. I wonder if the Queen wears seatbelts when in the rear of a limo / Bentley / Rolls |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2015 10:20:20 GMT 11
loan it to work colleague
he was skeptic now is a believer
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Post by Deleted on Feb 22, 2015 11:22:00 GMT 11
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Post by empowerrepower on Feb 25, 2015 14:00:00 GMT 11
I get my Leaf on March 7th, and want to do my bit to promote EVs. I've just contacted the organiser of the Sunshine Coast event for World Environment Day (June 8th) taking place at the uni here, about putting my car on display, and they've said yes. I'd like to get a few owners of other types of EVs to join me, so that people can see the variety. I've sent a message to a local I-miev owner who I know online. Would like to find a BMW i3 owner too.
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Post by empowerrepower on Mar 21, 2015 0:48:54 GMT 11
It has been a busy few days in Leaf promotion. I'm a primary teacher, and float between classes, so have been reading classes a picture book with an air pollution theme, and followed up with some car show-and-tell pics. The principal also mentioned the car on parade, and now I have heaps of kids asking about it. Next I'll do some actual car viewings with some interested Year 3 classes. I look at the kids I teach, and truly believe that they'll be driving EVs when they grow up.
I also took 3 colleagues for a drive in the last two days, and they were fascinated. On Wednesday, my husband and I did an interview with the local community paper. We regard promoting EVs as a bit of a project, and it is fun seeing how people react.
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Post by empowerrepower on Mar 25, 2015 13:19:27 GMT 11
The local community paper is out, and we made the front cover. The article is good, but has a few factual errors, but I guess when you talk to a journalist it doesn't always get reported exactly how you said it. Perhaps it was the late afternoon light, but the Leaf shows up as a lovely violet blue. www.gcnews.com.au/
I actually let my husband take the car to work today, although it was hard to let it go. I must admit, I've been hogging the Leaf a bit. On Monday I took my neighbour for a drive, and yesterday our electrician. Just love driving up the range to Maleny, such great hills to show off on. 
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Post by Phoebe on Mar 25, 2015 13:42:39 GMT 11
Congrats on the article and particularly the photo on the front page  |
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Post by Feng on Mar 25, 2015 14:09:40 GMT 11
That was a great article. The numbers might be embellished but it helps give a better impression of EVs. You might want to post it on the LEAF Australia Facebook page, it's good advertising!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2015 12:18:38 GMT 11
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Post by gabzimiev on Apr 1, 2015 14:14:30 GMT 11
"Could be worse Ben. Plugin driver banging on your door late of night begging for access to your power point, and sleeping over for the night expecting a free breakfast in the morning." this comment from Feng has my latest idea to promote EVs and that's EV dating !!!
Stay the night power the car move on to the next leg of your road trip.
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Post by Feng on Apr 1, 2015 14:20:08 GMT 11
I'd like to clarify that comment was made by some silly hydrogen zealot on a forum elsewhere!
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Post by Feng on Apr 14, 2015 11:31:44 GMT 11
The LEAF Facebook page got overrun by people who were convinced that EVs are bad for the environment and no amount of facts could change their mind. I can't tell if they were trolling or were really that clueless since they kept getting their facts wrong. Just came here to vent because it was starting to hurt my head arguing with them. You guys... you guys understand me.
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Post by jeffjl on Apr 14, 2015 12:37:54 GMT 11
Feng, EVs are bad for the environment. The point as I see it is that they are a lot less bad for the environment than ICE vehicles.
One thing about trying to debate people who have made their minds up is that it tends to harden their position. They invest so much emotionally that they need to defend their position to save face and be right. See evolution, creationism, global warming, wind turbine syndrome, vaccinations, etc.
It does not matter what others believe, physics and chemistry will always be correct.
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Post by Feng on Apr 14, 2015 13:10:20 GMT 11
Too right!
I thought the argument about batteries being toxic to manufacture interesting and looked into it. Here's some trivia I'll repost: The annual production of graphite, one of the main components in a battery was 1,100,000 tons in 2012 (couldn't find a more recent source). A LEAF battery has 40kg of graphite (and 4kg of lithium for that matter). Of the ~160,000 LEAFs produced in the past five years, that amounts to 6,400 tons of graphite needed.
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Post by lesmando24 on Apr 14, 2015 18:29:57 GMT 11
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; error 39 at the mo, lightning?
