Buying an EV as a commuter vehicle - does it make sense?

[Seasoned Oak]

The Bolt would not be a problem for you in height or legroom, but it might feel a little narrow sideways. The volt would be a tad cramped IMO.

And the Tesla?
Id bet most people would take the All Electric Range hit for a roomy SUV type EV . Something your climbing in and out of several times a day, cant be a phone booth on wheels. As i get older the comfort factor goes up. People all around me much larger (wider) than myself. The Newer vehicles seem more cramped then the older ones.

 

[Ashful]

As the owner of both the bolt and a volt and tesla which one is more roomy inside. Leg room, elbow room ect. Im 6-3, 235lbs and even in my 2015 full size GMC truck the driver seat area is surprisingly cramped.

A friend of mine owned a Volt for 2 years, and now he has had a Bolt for almost 2 years. I just checked with him, and he is very similar to your dimensions, at 6’-4” and 230 lb. He said the Volt was completely comfortable, no issues whatsoever. The Bolt is good on head room and leg room, but he initially noticed the seat was a bit too narrow for him. He thought it would bother him on long trips, since the seat pushed into his hips a bit, but after two years he reports it has really become a non-issue.

 

[Seasoned Oak]

but he initially noticed the seat was a bit too narrow for him. He thought it would bother him on long trips, since the seat pushed into his hips a bit, but after two years he reports it has really become a non-issue.

Narrow seats are a part of the problem. Im only 16in wide at the hips and i barely fit in my GMC truck driver seat with the center console down. Same in the camaro. On a recent flight to tenessee in a midsized jet it was a snug fit between the arm rests on the plane. I know a good % of the population is wider than 16in. Many quite a bit wider. Also my knees hit the dash in the truck if im not careful getting in ,that with the seat all the way back. Much tighter than my older trucks were. Ill have to get used to it like your friend i guess.

 

[begreen]

Narrow seats are a part of the problem. Im only 16in wide at the hips and i barely fit in my GMC truck driver seat with the center console down. Same in the camaro. On a recent flight to tenessee in a midsized jet it was a snug fit between the arm rests on the plane. I know a good % of the population is wider than 16in. Many quite a bit wider. Also my knees hit the dash in the truck if im not careful getting in ,that with the seat all the way back. Much tighter than my older trucks were. Ill have to get used to it like your friend i guess.

I've found the F150/F250 with the front bench seat to be swimming with room. That said, with the low roofline, I do have to duck my head to get in the Volt. I have a fussy back so proper support is one of the most important things for me on a trip. The Volt has been great in this regard. The F150 bench seat is not as good in spite of having a total range of adjustments.

 

[DBoon]

Another Bolt owner here - wouldn't go back. If I go easy on the speed and acceleration, I can get 300 mile range in warm weather. The acceleration surprises everyone who is in it. Seats are fine as far as I am concerned (though I am not a big person by any means). Yeah, the interior plastic looks a little cheap, but then again, I didn't pay Tesla money for this car and while others are talking about how an EV will be there car someday, I'm driving one right now for not a ridiculous amount of money. It is a quieter, smoother, better ride than what most others have who have paid as much or more. There is also nothing like a great sound system in an EV.

 

[jebatty]

DBoon - my feelings exactly.

 

[semipro]

I've encountered a bit of a challenge with respect to buying a commuter EV - how best to get it home?
I'm looking mostly at Leafs due to their availability and price, some as far away as several hundred miles. With 80 miles of range and a 3.5 hr. Level 2 recharge time I could make the trip home in several hops between chargers. Alternatively, I could haul it on my 18 ft. trailer, rent a car trailer, or rent a car dolly.
Something else to consider. I guess at least I have options.

 

[Highbeam]

I've encountered a bit of a challenge with respect to buying a commuter EV - how best to get it home?
I'm looking mostly at Leafs due to their availability and price, some as far away as several hundred miles. With 80 miles of range and a 3.5 hr. Level 2 recharge time I could make the trip home in several hops between chargers. Alternatively, I could haul it on my 18 ft. trailer, rent a car trailer, or rent a car dolly.
Something else to consider. I guess at least I have options.

I would just throw it on the trailer. I've owned flatbed trailers and rented car trailers from U-haul recently. They're 50$ a day and very well built to be easy to load, tow, and tie down cars. You'll be towing this thing for 6 hours. A 12 hour road trip. Keep it easy.

 

[maple1]

Second the Uhaul trailer - if you don't want to wear & tear yours. We moved across the country from AB to NS in 1993, Uhauling it. A box van pulling a trailer with an Accord on it. Asked for a diesel but when I showed up to pick it up it was a gas. Averaged 4mpg - that was expensive even with cheap gas. We had issues before we got here, but not overly serious and none with the trailer setup. Have also rented small cargo trailers from them the past couple years for some furniture moving episodes - hard to go wrong at $15-19/day (depending on size).

If you go there & drive it back, you will need two drivers. Or bus it or something one way.

 

[Ashful]

I would just throw it on the trailer.

Practical solution, but let’s not let the irony of towing an EV behind a gas guzzler due to range shortcomings pass us by, without sufficient attention. I’d have some sort of banner to hang on the back of that rig, when passing thru blue states.

 

[semipro]

Practical solution, but let’s not let the irony of towing an EV behind a gas guzzler due to range shortcomings pass us by, without sufficient attention. I’d have some sort of banner to hang on the back of that rig, when passing thru blue states.

1st banner idea for the back of the Leaf: "Zero Emission Vehicle"

 

[Highbeam]

Practical solution, but let’s not let the irony of towing an EV behind a gas guzzler due to range shortcomings pass us by, without sufficient attention.

I don't see it as a shortcoming as much as a limitation. I would be happy to pick one up in my smoking diesel truck!