Kim and I were thinking about buying an electric car. But there was a crucial question: would my upright bass fit? We got an unequivocal answer on our second attempt. The bass fit in a Nissan Leaf with only the one-third split of the backseat folded down, leaving room for a driver and two passengers. On our first attempt we tried to fit the bass in a Chevy Bolt, with only middling results.
When we decided to go for a 2018 Leaf, we took advantage of Green Energy Consumers Alliance’s Drive Green program, which provides discounts in addition to the federal and state incentives for people buying electric vehicles. In the end our out-of-pocket came in under half the sticker price for the model, trim and packages we got.
Charging the car has been hassle-free. We tapped a local electrician to install a 240V outlet on the side of our house, and the in-dash navigation system makes it easy to find public charging stations. We’d been looking forward to the quieter ride EV’s provide, but I hadn’t anticipated how the low-noise and low-vibration environment makes for a much more relaxed driving experience. We’re also now paying less per mile and polluting a lot less than we were. The Union of Concerned Scientists has a nice chart that lets you explore those numbers in detail.
If you’re thinking about buying a car consider getting an EV, and make sure to check out the Drive Green program. While we’re talking about EVs, it’s also time to push for electric buses, both for the T and Boston Public Schools. Let’s put our transportation on a low- and ultimately no-carbon diet. Besides, we all deserve a cleaner, quieter commute.
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