Making Sparks: GCEA's EV Blog

MARK & LAURIE VOEGLI (Nissan Leaf) The Leaf was so quiet!! Without any shifting of transmission, you lose track of the car’s speed a little.  We think it’s a great car.  We really like the idea of electric vehicles and are considering purchasing one as a second vehicle.

JASON LAKEY (Leaf) -   It felt similar to our Prius.  It was intuitive and easy to drive.  I love the idea of an electric car.  However, the Leaf is impractical for our family at the moment since it is not capable of leaving the valley without significant inconveniences. If one of us was a commuter to and from CB everyday it would be a bit more realistic. I know there are other EV's with longer range that are quite a bit more expensive. Once the price comes down on those of the range on a car in the price range of a Leaf goes up we would consider buying one.  MATTHEW BIRNIE (Spark) – I drove a hybrid for years and at low speeds this was similar.  It was fun to drive around town, quiet and easy to park.  I think it would be great for an urban commuter.  It would work here for that also as long as you had access to another vehicle.  The range is a significantly limiting factor.  Probably not considering an EV purchase...

  Richard and Sherrill Stenson – EV loan January 10-17, 2019 We had such a good experience driving the Chevy Spark for our EV loan.  We were amazed at how quiet it was and convenient to drive.  We took it up to Crested Butte and left it charging at the station by the tennis court while we caught a movie, and it gave us plenty of juice to make our trip back home to Gunnison.  We took it out cross country skiing, and the skis fit just fine in the car.  We would love to own one of these little EV’s and would like to explore the option of creating a local co-op of potential EV owners who would like to go in together on a vehicle and share in the use.  Thank you so much GCEA for the opportunity to change our thinking about EV driving and ownership!

Another member is satisfied with their EV loan! Krista Hildebrandt had some great comments to say about her week with Spark-e! I had so much fun driving the little Spark – I called it my “meep meep” car all week since it was small, cute and zippy.  I mostly drove it around Crested Butte, from my house to the mountain where I work for CBMR Ski Patrol.  In my free time, I loaded up my dog and my cross country skis to head out for some adventure and everything fit just fine inside the EV.  Even with the cold weather, I was able to keep the car plugged in at night and fully charged for me to drive the next day.  I fully enjoyed my EV driving experience, and hope I can get one of my own someday! If you are in GCEA's area, please give us a call to get on the loaner list!

GCEA's EV Program has received a lot of great feedback recently! GCEA offers community members the opportunity to drive the Chevy Spark (Spark-e) of the Nissan Leaf. This program gives people the opportunity to experience an electric vehicle in their everyday life situations. SHAN HAYS Car borrowed – Chevy Spark Comments – It was very quiet but very peppy, and fun to drive!   We were impressed how it made it up our steep driveway after the weekend snow.   We are much more likely to purchase an EV, maybe as early as next year. CHRIS DACH Car borrowed – Nissan Leaf Comments – Driving the Leaf was “giggly fun!”   After driving the EV for a week, I realized it’s a “must have.”   I felt guilty driving a gasoline car afterwards, especially when sitting at a stoplight and starring at other cars’ tailpipes.   My next car will be an EV! BRYAN GRAY Car borrowed – Nissan Leaf Comments – I was expecting it to be somewhat of a novelty, but was ...

ALLIY’S EV JOURNAL: Thursday, October 11 th 2018 Today’s travels took me up to the Crested Butte office, to pick up the Leaf and bring it back down to Gunnison for a member to borrow.   I was a little nervous driving around in the snow, not knowing how the EV would handle, but it took me where I needed to go without any issues.   It got me thinking about whether there are any differences in winter care between EVs and vehicles with combustion engines and if EVs need special treatment in the winter.   Come to find out, they DO!   Here are some tips and tricks to prolong your EV battery in the winter, while staying comfortable during your drive. 1.        PRECONDITION YOUR BATTERY! This is the single most recommended thing you should do.  If your car offers the option of setting a time to depart and warming up the battery while it's still plugged in (and most of them do), use it! Remember, a cold battery is n...

The Bolt took a trip up to Crested Butte to help shuttle the EV loaners around! We picked up Spark-e from a member and dropped off the Leaf with a member in CB South! Spark-e is getting cleaned and will get back out there with another member tomorrow!  If you are a GCEA member and interested in loaning out Spark-e or the Leaf call GCEA at 970-641-3520.  If you would like to test drive the Bolt  stop by the Gunnison Headquarters or call 970-641-3520.