As the Nissan Leaf moves closer to production late this year, consumers who have put down $99 deposits on the all-electric car are learning more about the financial impact of driving on the leading edge. And the costs are shocking, potentially tallying thousands of dollars.
Electric-car buyers need to factor not just the purchase price (or lease payments) and energy consumption, but the cost for an at-home charger and its installation.
The charger runs from about $700 to $1,200. Being much more than a power cord, the charger takes the alternating current from your house or elsewhere on the grid and converts it to DC for charging the batteries. It also protects the batteries from overheating, overcharging, or charging too fast. Some chargers may also allow you to monitor or control charging wirelessly or over the Internet. Should power be interrupted, it will also safely restart charging so you don't find your car's battery still dead in the morning.
The other portion of the cost of putting a charger in your home is installing an outlet to run it. Level 2 chargers, which can recharge a pure electric vehicle overnight, require a dedicated 240-volt circuit with a capacity of at least 30 amps. Installing such a circuit requires a licensed electrician. But the cost of the circuit varies wildly. Some homes may already have a 240-volt, 30-amp circuit to run a clothes dryer or an electric oven. And some of these may have a 200-amp panel with enough room to install another powerful circuit. Even then, it's still going to cost homeowners to have an electrician pull wiring to your garage or driveway for a new circuit. The farther the charger needs to be from the panel, the more it will cost. (Remember, you can't use the existing dryer circuit; the charger needs its own.)
Many older homes with only 60-100 amp supply may need a panel upgrade to install a 240-volt circuit, which can cost several thousand dollars.
One program with federal support will provide free chargers to 5,700 of the first Leaf buyers in 13 cities. (It will also roll out an additional 6,350 public charging stations and 2,600 free chargers for Chevrolet Volt buyers.) The program, called the EV Project, will also pay for up to $1,200 of the cost of installing the circuit to power the charger.
If you're not one of those lucky 5,700 buyers, you'll have to pay for a charger and installing a new electrical circuit. However, some early Leaf buyers have found that without the EV Project subsidy, even the simplest charger installations are costing more than $2,000. One early buyer on the mynissanleaf.com forum, who recently built his own house with an electric vehicle in mind, had prewired a dedicated 240-volt, 50-amp circuit in the garage, found the charger company wanted to bill him a flat rate of $1,200 to install the $700 charger, even though the circuit was already there.
The EV charging industry is still in its nascent stages. Until it sorts itself out, early adopters may face significant bills to properly upgrade their homes, and it will take some effort to minimize those costs.
Courts rule on legality of planting GPS trackers on suspects' cars without a warrant
GPS is everywhere. Now, according to a California court, it can also be used to track criminal suspects.
In a case involving a marijuana grower, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco has decided that police didn't violate the suspect's Fourth Amendment protection from unreasonable search and seizure by sneaking his driveway and attaching a GPS tracking device to the bottom of his Jeep. (Court document pdf.)
In a different case in Washington, D.C., an appeals court decision went the other way, ruling a lower court erred in admitting evidence acquired by the warrantless use of a GPS device to track that defendant's movements. The court overturned the conviction of one suspected conspirator. (Court ruling pdf.)
While your movements on public roads have never been private (an unmarked police car could legally follow you, for example), the Information Age continues to present new challenges to privacy, especially when it comes to law enforcement, from Internet usage to GPS signals in cars and cell phones.
Should law enforcement have access to GPS data? And is it fair to place trackers on vehicles without a warrant or permission if law enforcement has reasonable suspicions about criminal activity?
New-car fuel-economy stickers promise abundant information and connectivity
Officials from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) put two basic proposals out to consumers for a vote. These car window stickers provide much more detailed information than today's Monroney stickers, giving consumers details on energy consumption and environmental impact.
Greenhouse gas emissions in grams per mile, as well as a comparisonagainst all other cars
A bar comparing air pollution that is not included in the overall letter grade
One proposal includes all this information, along with a letter grade that attempts to sum it all up into one ranking. The other one contains less information, boiling it all down to overall energy cost for five years.
The array of information that goes into the new government ratings can be mind-boggling. Some might think they need a PhD in physics. But if it's presented too simply, something inevitably gets lost. The letter grades are not arbitrary, but mathematically derived from all the factors above. Therefore, the agencies are grappling with how much information to provide on the sticker, and how to provide deeper information for consumers who want it. (Tell the EPA which format you prefer and answer our informal poll below.)
That's where both proposals use new technology to expand the sticker electronically. Both will list a website where consumers can look up deeper information for every car. But for certain smartphone users, the process is even easier. In one corner of each proposal is a black-and-white image called a QR Code ("QR" for quick response), similar to a bar code. The QR code allows a consumer to take a picture of the code with smartphone cameras, and the phone will automatically load the webpage with additional information. That seems pretty slick.
One of the biggest challenges comes from presenting gasoline-equivalent energy consumption for electric cars, for which overall efficiency and pollution are determined more by where the electricity comes from than from the car. The agencies have no legal authority to gauge the efficiency of powerplants for vehicles. But using the website and location information can allow you to see the implications for choosing an electric car over a gasoline-powered one, for example. As electric vehicles become more widely available, that could be an important resource for potential customers.
The poll is not scientific. It reflects the opinions of only those Web users who have chosen to participate. The results cannot be assumed to represent the opinions of Web users in general, nor the public as a whole. Consumers Union is not responsible for content, functionality or the opinions expressed therein.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has received several reports through its early warning system of the steering column becoming separated in 2011 Hyundai Sonatas. Such a problem can result in a catastrophic loss of steering control. In other cases, the agency says a cross-threaded bolt can loosen over time, but not result in a complete separation of the steering column.
In opening such an investigation, NHTSA is trying to determine how widespread the problem is before beginning the process that could lead to a recall. The new Sonata is the first model-year 2011 vehicle facing a safety investigation by NHTSA.
Should you buy an all-new car or a proven carry-over car?
Fall brings the annual new-car model-year transition, and both television screens and dealership lots are now being filled with 2011 cars. Expect to be pummeled with ads focused on the latest performance, styling, and technology hype?all aimed at making your current ride seem boring, quaint, and destined for an imminent trade-in. But buying a brand-new model the minute it arrives from the factory may not be the best strategy.
Consumer Reports car-reliability data shows that most vehicles improve over the model run of their design, due to running changes to address bugs and owner niggles, and to improve general refinement. In other words, the first year for any new or redesigned model tends to bring the most problems. So, before rushing out to purchase such a model, be sure to consider a top-rated carry-over car?or wait for the second (or later) model year of a new design.
In a given year, only about 20 percent of the models are redesigned or significantly updated. That leaves the majority of vehicles being sold as carry-overs. Before you get seduced by automaker claims that their latest and greatest cars have made marked advances over older models, leap-frogging with more advanced powertrains and safety technologies, consider waiting until these fresh designs have been fully tested and have demonstrated a proven reliability record. After all, we have seen several new models lately not perform as well as their predecessors on both counts, and there are far more choices in carry-overs.
In looking through the models that carry over relatively unchanged this fall, we find quite a number of very good cars?ones that consistently meet Consumer Report's stringent criteria to be recommended. (To be recommended a car has to perform well in Consumer Reports testing; have average or better reliability; and, if crash tested, provide a good overall safety rating.)
These featured cars are all good choices, and as you can see, most have national year-end incentives to make them even more attractive. For this analysis, we have focused on 2010 models, though each vehicle carries over for 2011 with only nominal changes. Full 2011 pricing is not yet available for most featured vehicles.
As you study the chart, the potential savings below MSRP reflects any available customer rebates, hidden dealer incentives, and dealer holdbacks?essential information to help you negotiate the best deal. The vehicles are ordered within their category based on overall test score.
Buying a leftover 2010, rather than a 2011 model, should save you serious money upfront. As fall approaches, most dealers will be increasingly flexible to clear old inventory and you'll still get a full warranty. Of course, you might miss out on new safety features and other technology. And, in terms of depreciation, a leftover new car is considered a year old the moment it is driven off the lot. That means if you sell or trade it in after a few years, it will be valued similarly to other vehicles of that model year (not accounting for mileage) even though it's been on the road for fewer months. If it's being replaced by a knockout redesigned model, the resale hit could be even harder.
But if you tend to keep your car a long time or are a high-mileage driver, the near-term depreciation shouldn't be much of a factor. In fact, there can be special appeal for long-distance drivers as buying a 2010 at year's end will give you one more model year to spread your miles over, potentially changing your eventual trade-in from a lower-value, high-mileage car to one that is average. If you drive more than an average 12,000 miles a year, there could be impact on the trade-in value?unless you could apply those miles to one more year. (So, 15,000 miles a year on a 2010 bought at the end of the model year, would divide out to the 12,000-mile average after five model years, based on just four years of driving.)
To check out the best vehicles for your needs, compile a custom list of great carry-over models from our New Car Selector, or by viewing our Recommended models. In the Cars area of ConsumerReports.org, you can choose from eight Ratings and Buying Advice sections?each dedicated to a different car type, such as sedans, minivans, and SUVs. There, you can accelerate you search with specific recommendations and direct links to model overview pages for pricing, owner costs, and road tests.
Consumer Reports also has a "Build & Buy" service that lets you configure a new vehicle online via the model overview pages and then get guaranteed, competitive price quotes from up to three dealers in your area who have agreed to meet certain guidelines of conduct. Available to online subscribers, the service is completely free and you are under no obligation to buy.
For more information on upcoming new vehicles, see our New Car Preview section. Also check out our new-car buying guide for advice on choosing, buying, and financing a new car.
NHTSA investigates stalling problem in Volkswagen Jetta TDIs
Volkswagen diesels may be practical and fuel efficient, but perhaps not flawless.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched an investigation into stalling problems with 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI diesel cars. According to the investigation, there have been seven complaints that the cars have unexpectedly stumbled, then almost immediately stalled while driving. NHTSA is looking for more information on how frequently this occurs and its potential safety effects. If you own a TDI and have experienced the problem, you can add your experience by filing a complaint on NHTSA's website.
We have been impressed with the two current-generation Jetta TDIs we have tested, a 2008 sedan and a 2010 wagon (coming soon), for their impressive fuel economy well-finished interiors and enjoyable driving dynamics. We were also impressed with the Golf TDI hatchback we tested. While we reported on our manual transmission-equipped 2010 Jetta and Golf TDI being overly easy to stall in some low-speed situations, such as second-gear stop-and-go traffic, we haven't experienced stalling as described in the NHTSA report.
If it turns out the TDI does have an abnormal stalling problem, we hope that it gets corrected quickly.
Fuel-efficient tires tested: Continental ProContact ECOPLUS+, Cooper GFE, Michelin Energy Saver A/S
Cooper GFE
We recently added two new tire models, the Cooper GFE and Michelin Energy Saver A/S, to the T-speed rated all-season tire ratings, available to online subscribers. Both are marketed as fuel-efficient tires with good all-season grip. It used to be if you wanted a fuel-efficient tire, your choices were limited to original equipment tires. (The automobile manufacturers often request fuel-efficient tires to bolster fuel-mileage ratings.) Last year Goodyear introduced the Assurance Fuel Max, marketing it as a fuel-efficient replacement tire. On Goodyear's heels, Cooper and Michelin introduced two new competing models. Also, Continental recently introduced the ProContact ECOPLUS +, and we have just posted ratings on that model, as well. (See our video showing tire testing and buying advice.) What did we find?
Michelin Energy Saver A-S
The Continental ProContact ECOPLUS+, Cooper GFE, and Michelin Energy Saver A/S all performed well in our battery of tests. The Michelin garnered an excellent overall score, just behind its sibling the long-wearing Michelin HydroEdge. The Energy Saver has exceptionally low rolling resistance and rated Good or better in nearly every test category, except for snow traction where it achieved only a Fair relative rating?same as the HydroEdge. But where the HydroEdge excels in tread life, the Energy Saver A/S was just average achieving a Good rating.
The Cooper GFE is a Very Good choice overall, suitable for all-weather conditions and low rolling resistance, but not as low as the Michelin Energy Saver A/S. Tread life is just Fair based on our test assessment, but Cooper does offer a 60,000 mile treadwear warranty whereas the Michelin has none.
The Continental ProContact ECOPLUS+ earned a high overall score, second to the top-rated Michelin Hydroedge in the S- and T-speed rated all-season category. We consider it to be an excellent choice for those consumers looking for a fuel-efficient tire with all-weather grip.
Buying tires You might be tempted to buy a tire solely based it fuel efficiency but keep in mind the savings are relatively small. A 10- or 20-percent difference in rolling resistance between two tires might just mean only a one or two percent improvement in fuel economy. No matter of what tire you buy, check the inflation pressure routinely, since underinflated tires have higher rolling resistance and will cost you mpgs. When considering what to buy, we suggest looking at a tire model with a high overall score that has good braking, handling, and hydroplaning resistance. From a short list, consider a tire that suits your needs including winter grip, comfort, and tread life, and then use rolling resistance as a tiebreaker. (Read more tire buying advice.)
Gasoline prices are down in most areas of the country compared to the week before. The national gasoline average is $.07 above the price this time last year. Diesel fuel is about $.26 above this time last year.
National regular gasoline prices
Price
Change from last week
Regular gasoline/gallon
$2.68
? .02
Diesel fuel/gallon
$2.94
? .02
Regional regular gasoline prices
East Coast
$2.61
? .04
?New England
$2.68
?.04
?Central Atlantic
$2.64
? .04
?Lower Atlantic
$2.56
? .03
Midwest
$2.64
?.01
Gulf Coast
$2.53
? .04
Rocky Mountain
$2.82
?.01
West Coast
$3.04
? .04
?California
$3.09
? .05
Source:Energy Information Administration, 8/30/10. Figures rounded to the nearest cent.
Buick Regal earns IIHS Top Safety Pick designation
The Buick Regal is the latest in a fast-growing group of cars to earn a Top Safety Pick designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). (Read the full results.)
Earning that designation means a car has performed well in all of the Institute's tests, including a front crash test, side-impact test, head-restraint design, and its stringent new roof-crush test. IIHS rates cars in all these tests on a scale of Good, Acceptable, Marginal, and Poor. The Regal earned a Good in all these tests.
The Regal is the smallest model from Buick, brought over from GM's German Opel subsidiary. Look for a full test in our October issue and even sooner online.
Your vote: Should new car fuel economy labels include letter grades?
Option 1: Letters
Today the government proposed new fuel economy labels for the 2012 model year that will accommodate electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. There are two different proposals being offered to the public for consideration before about Nov. 1.
The proposal comes in response to a demand for new fuel economy labels from Congress that requires new labels to take into account greenhouse gas emissions and fuel costs, not just miles per gallon. It also comes in the nick of time for the first new electric cars to hit the market late this fall, the Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt. (Read: "Here come the electric cars: Chevrolet Volt, Nissan Leaf and more.")
"This is the first overhaul of the fuel economy labels in 30 years," says David Strickland, administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). "This update is long overdue." NHTSA developed the proposals in conjunction with the Environmental Protection Agency.
The new labels are published on the EPA and the NHTSA websites. And the official Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (PDF), lists a letter grade for every car currently sold.
Option 2: Without letters
One set of labels includes a letter grade for each vehicle based on a Bell curve, just like you received in school. The other omits the letter grade and focuses on each vehicle's predicted annual fuel cost (also included in the other label) rather than a comparison with other vehicles.
Visit the EPA site to submit a comment or vote for your favorite label. And share your thoughts on these choices below.
Both labeling strategies shift from measuring fuel economy in terms of miles per gallon to energy consumption. We think distance traveled per unit of energy consumed, provides a better comparison between vehicles. (Read "Not all mpg's are created equal.")
The new stickers are designed to preclude the confusion that led General Motors to announce the extended-range Volt's fuel economy as 230-mpg last year. The company used a calculation that didn't count the electricity the car consumed and used a composite average driver who hardly ever filled up with gasoline. Nissan quickly countered with a claim of 327 mpg for the Leaf, which in fact uses no gasoline at all. At best, these claims are confusing, at worst, misleading. (Read: ?2011 Chevrolet Volt highlights from Consumer Reports track?)
In addition to the EPA's new measurement, other ways have been proposed to measure the overall energy consumption or environmental impact of electric cars. Perhaps the most straightforward was the one used by the Automotive X Prize, a $10 million competition for cars that get 100 miles per gallon equivalent. (See our complete Auto X Prize coverage and related blogs.) X Prize judges simply measure the total energy each car consumes in any fuel and converts it to btus, apparently reasoning that there's no reason a standard unit of energy from one energy source should cost any more than another. Then it converts the total number of btus back to an equivalent number of gallons of gas. While simple and familiar, this method can also be confusing, especially for pure electric cars.
We think all of these approaches have validity so long as consumers can understand what they can expect to pay in driving costs.
With electricity, however, even that can be uncertain. Using the national average home price of electricity of 11 cents per kilowatt hour, we expect electric cars to cost about 4 cents per mile in energy costs to drive. Depending on when you recharge, it could cost less as some utilities are promising lower rates for charging at night.
However, the Car Charging Group, the first company to install public charging stations in New York City, says they expect to charge 50 cents per kwh, more than twice as much as the highest home electric rates in the continental U.S. That would make electric cars more expensive to run than most gas cars and defeat the purpose of lowering energy costs. For example, if you had a Chevy Volt and the batteries had run flat in New York, it would be cheaper to drive home on gasoline than to recharge at one of these public charging stations. Ultimately, where you charge may be as important as what type of energy you use.
The poll is not scientific. It reflects the opinions of only those Web users who have chosen to participate. The results cannot be assumed to represent the opinions of Web users in general, nor the public as a whole. Consumers Union is not responsible for content, functionality or the opinions expressed therein.
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