Honda EV+ (Honda EV Plus) Electric Car -- Electric Vehicles for everyone

Honda EV+ Electric Vehicle Drivers (Not connected to Honda Motors)

GM EV1 Test Drive

Using the somewhat noisy "inconvenience" charger for 12 hours refills the car. Must remember to take it out of the trunk, hook it up to a normal 3-prong plug, and then plug in the paddle.

Our (loaner, for now) EV1 at the old folks' home. Side and back windows do not have the thermal glass which Honda has, so it's a good idea to park in the shade.

General Motors has always had a fascination for Electric Cars, it seems, going back to the 1920's. Electric Cars were the dominant "horseless carriage" around 1900. GM not only funded the modern EV, it perhaps started the whole EV bandwagon with the 1990 LA Auto Show.

A smaller company like Solectria could do wonders with one-tenth the money GM spent, but let's give GM the glory of bureaucratic success, and maybe they will see the light to fund a car as good as the Solectria "Sunrise".

So we did want to give GM the honor of first refusal, and we did look at the EV1 when it first came out. My judgment at the time: a hobbyist's car, unsuitable for the mass market, and certainly not practical for us, a not-so-wealthy family who need all vehicles to be able to do all jobs, like carrying boxes and groceries as well as kids.

The big problem, though, was range. The EV1 has a maximum range of 100 miles, in practice sometimes as little as 50 miles. That makes commuting to Wilshire, or Orange, or West LA, a bare minimum, with no room for side trips. So when Honda came out with the slightly more expensive 4-seater EV+, with a maximum range of 148 miles and a practical range of at least 100 miles, we couldn't put our money down fast enough. I thought they would all be snapped up, it was such a good deal. Four seater, with well-designed ergonomic features, well-integrated regen braking (you use it but don't have to think about it), the NiMH battery (developed originally by GM's Ovonics joint venture with ECD), and a pickup good enough to beat any gas car so far from a standing start. We didn't know it at the time, but it is very efficicient for climbing hills, too, a disadvantage for the EV1, and the main reason for the EV1's inability to climb to the top of Baldy or Big Bear.

(n.b.: THIS STATEMENT has become INOPERATIVE. click here to see a picture of at least one old lead-acid
EV1 on top of old Baldy!)

Honda has not attracted a fan club, despite the great car, perhaps because it is so comfortable that no one has many complaints. Some Honda EV+ owners we contacted said, "...form a club? what for? It works great, I love it....". Honda's corporate attention span has now turned from battery EVs to Hybrids. Their 300 car program may be all there is for the Honda NiMH EVs.

Meanwhile, GM has not been inactive, planning to come out with a NiMH version of the EV1

(n.b.: This has occurred Dec. 5, 1998. Click here for one driver's comparison)

as well as a four-seater version. In the light of their renewed commitment to the EV program, we felt that considering an EV1 all over again is required.

The new NiMH EV1 not only has better batteries, it turns out to have much improved electronics as well as better stability. Early reports of its range is 250% of the old lead-acid range (as of Dec. 20). Almost as good as the Solectria Sunrise, perhaps 220 miles on a single charge. With 6.6 kw chargers, that would give us a full charge no more than 4-6 hours, and enable routine trips to San Francisco.

There is now an EV rental program at LAX and other places. Perhaps if there were an "EV Corridor", San Francisco to LA, there could be a rental program: rent the EV in LA, drive it to SF, and turn it in. Many people would go for this as an introduction to EVs, I think. It goes with the other idea, of using EVs for all Driver Training courses in High Schools. They are the easiest vehicles to drive, and kids would not have to fool with shifting, starting, stalling, hills, etc. What a way to learn!

With commitment from a company like GM (or Honda or Ford, for that matter), all these things and more would be possible. And it looks like GM is "staying the course". They, as well as Honda, deserve our support.

Our EV1 twin site, with pointers to EV1 resources

Wednesday, July 29 Saturn of Cerritos is very accomodating. I meet Melanie, future EV1 specialist, Ron R., EV1 specialist, and even the owner of the Dealership comes out to express his support for the vehicle and its future. I am impressed. Nice shiny red EV1 (the least popular color, it turned out) with 3200 miles on it. I left my old Toyota on the Saturn Dealership lot and drove the EV1 home, to Fry's, back to Cerritos, and then back home. Damian, our guest and an EV sceptic, rode it the final leg. He thought it was a hoot, and seemed to imply that he would consider an EV for his next car (around October). He's a future Century City Lawyer, so it would make lots of sense for him. Returned with one bar, planning to ride to work tomorrow. Don't know exact mileage for the day.

Thursday, July 30 Car did not charge up. I plug into a different 3-prong plug and go to work in old Toyota.

Friday, July 31 Car finally charges, but only to 7 bars. I have to take it a little easy, but can't resist some fast starts getting onto the 405. At the 710 Long Beach Fwy, down to 5 bars. At the 110 Harbor, down to 4 bars. At the 105, traffic socks in. I am at 3 bars. Stop and go, using air conditioner all out, 2 bars at the 10 Santa Monica Fwy. West to Crenshaw, still 2 bars. I drive for fun, arriving at Wilshire with 1 bar. Park car in sun, leave literature on windscreen in case people want some. At Noon, I drive to Ralph's on Wilshire Blvd, just West of La Brea, with fellow co-worker Chuck. During lunch, car re-charges on one of their two chargers to 4 bars (37%). As usual, I insist that my passenger drive back to work, a big thing since Chuck has never even seen an EV before. The EV1 is not as easy for the novice to figure out--in the Honda, I never say a word, and they just go. In the EV1, I have to tell him how the shifter moves. Still have not figured out how to lower windows, myself. Anyway, car "dings" as we back up, which distracts him, but he drives gingerly up to Highland, thinking it's great. A Cadillac takes off ahead of us, and I say, "what are you holding back for?" On the Honda, confidence in speed comes naturally, but EV1 apparently intimidates the novice. After he zooms, he is astonished at what the car can do. Yet another convert.
After work, I return to Ralphs for a charge, since 3 or 4 bars won't get me home. Another EV1 is in the other charging stall, and I start handing out literature (Ron R. has given me some good magazines). As usual, I can hardly get away. After one set of people finish, the next start in with the same questions. Finally, I enter Ralph's, meeting manager "Dave". I thank him for the chargers, handing him literature also, and get permission to use his name. He states that the two stalls are used by many, including actor Ed Begley. After some shopping, back to the car. The driver of the other EV1, "Brad", says that the left-side charger he's using never charges the car more than 91%. Must report that to Gloria Quinn. I start handing out literature again. As I make my escape, I demonstrate how quiet the car is to yet another interested driver. The car has charged to 7 bars (56%) during all this. I watched power readout on magnecharger climb from 50% at 6:17 to 56% at 6:28 while listening to Gray Davis on radio. Mileage is 3342. At 3344, down to 6 bars. 3352, down to 5 bars. Down the 110, arriving at the 405 with 4 bars at 3362. Down to 3 bars at 3368, 2 bars at 3372, 1 bar at 3378.
I am starting to get the idea of how to drive this car, and have finally found the window switches (they are on the center console). You need to play with the manual override on the regen braking, and also learn how the car responds. After driving the Honda, which requires no thought at all, just jump in and go, it becomes apparent that this car requires a little skill to get the most out of it. I like it a lot better after driving it a bit, and now can see how we can drive it to Carlsbad (hopefully on one charge). Est. mileage: 30 to work, 4 driving around, 36 going home, total 70 miles. Est. usage 12 bars or 106%. Each bar got appx. 6 miles..

Saturday, Aug. 1 Scrub the trip to Carlsbad until tomorrow. We are just too wiped out from week of work and all things we are supposed to do. We let EV1 charge to 11 bars, and take off for the Old Folks' after 5PM. It is very hot, so A/C on max the whole way. 2.3 miles, down to 10 bars. East on the 22 Garden Grove Fwy, 7.2 miles, down to 9 bars. 13.0, down to 8 bars, and arriving at 13.9 miles with 8 bars. West on Lampson to South on very crowded Euclid. With an opening, I zoom out of the pack, showing them dust but no smoke. 18.9 miles at 7 bars, and arriving at Fry's with 21.8 miles, 7 bars and 60% power left. It was the same story over again--we could not leave the car for all the inquiries we fielded. In the EV+, I would have taken them for a test drive, but we want the EV1 to charge--we don't have a magnecharger at home. I pass out more literature (getting low already), and talk to lots of people who follow us into Fry's, talking about the car. EV1 charged to 93% while we shopped--Frys is not busy on Sat. night--at 27.2 miles, down to 9 bars. At 32.2, down to 8 bars, and after two stops at bank and post office, arriving back at 36.6 miles with 8 bars. We also stopped at Seal Beach Police Station, where they have 3 brand new talking plugs (for the EV+) and one magnecharger. None are powered yet. Total usage: est. 35% before charging, and a further 20% to get home. 36.6 miles using an est. total of 55% charge, so a range of 36.6/.55 or about 68 miles. Each bar of power on the average took us 6 miles.

Sunday, Aug. 2 I alone am excited about trip to Carlsbad. Will offers to give us EV+ so it will be easier. Wife is bored with the idea. We have to make side trip, can't use shorter PCH, and leave late with 11 bars. Up Seal Beach Blvd to Lampson. 3.4 miles at Fwy, we are at 10 bars.7.7 miles and 9 bars. 13.5 miles at Old Folks Home. Kids hunt us down on skates, want to know how it is to drive, etc. I can't give test drives, but give them some literature. 14.7 miles down to 8 bars. 21.1 miles down to 7 bars. We take off the 5 on Culver, travel South to 405. 27.6 miles and 6 bars at the Irvine Hand Car Wash, 18011 Culver Drive, Irvine. We decide to stop and charge with 57%. We cross street to Ralphs, Tea Shop and read paper. Foolishly, I think that 45 minutes of magnecharger will give us 5 kwh of chage, or 5 bars. It turns out that the yield depends on the charge you start with: EV1 only has 75% and 8 bars. Down the 405, 32.8 miles and 7 bars. 37.3 miles, down to 6 bars. 45.7 miles, down to 5 bars. We are only in Laguna Niguel, and are already in trouble. We look on the Calstart list, find Saturn of San Juan Capistrano, 33033 Camino Capistrano. We pull off, look for numbers, finally find it. Wife is now convinced that this trip is a hare-brained waste of valuable weekend time. The magnecharger in front has a Saturn in it, and wife is sure place is closed. Just then, Tim Gibson, EV1 Specialist, comes out and shows us where the active chargers are, and we examine the many EV1 cars. EV1 has traveled 48.2 miles, and starts charging with 5 bars and 47.3%. This is a great place for EV1, there are many EV1 at Saturn of San Juan Capistrano, and they are EV1 enthusiasts. Tim is great, shows us the showroom with lots of EV1 display material and a coffee machine, even though we are only visitors bumming charge and are already committed to Saturn of Cerritos. That's what teamwork is all about, I guess.

Our next stop--Saturn of West 78, in Oceanside. We cannot charge the EV1 at our destination, because charging the EV1 requires magnecharger, which our hosts do not have. So we will have to park EV1 some miles away at a public charger. Tim finds out that Saturn of West 78 in Oceanside is open to 7, so we can charge up there. EV1 has 8 bars and 65%. At 52.0, down to 6 bars. At 69.3, down to 4 bars. At 76.0, down to 3 bars of power at Saturn of West 78, EV1 starts charging with 27%. "West 78" salesman greets us coldly, secretary and Manager tell us that "the gate" usually is locked at 5:00, will be locked at 6:00, and that we should go to Costco on Emerald, 3 miles to the East. This involves more driving for aged parents, who must pick us up. Guess these guys have not got the word about GM's commitment to EV1. Aged parents arrive, also start dumping on me. I am beginning to agree that this trip is more trouble than fun. No one knows what we should do--down the Coast to Cannon Road, or believe these clowns about Costco.

We finally find our way to the Costco, as my charge slips to 3 bars. Unfortunately this Costco does not have the promised magnecharger. Guess that's one of those "soon to be installed" ones that haven't been soon enough. What to do. I tour nearby stores on the chance that it's there somewhere, but no one knows anything. Starting to get worried. Cannot bang on doors for power, with EV1, because you can't plug it into a normal 220 dryer plug, like other EVs. We look on benevolent Calstart and Edison-EV list, find "TEXACO STAR MART", 221 N. Emerald Dr. We agree to try it, if not, go down coast. Everyone is miffed. However, Texaco does appear, and saves the day. We leave literature under wipers and take off. Good wife is now refusing to take log notes or speak, but we were about 23% with 3 bars.

We arrive at the pad, a very inconvenient intrusion into our visit. If we had 12 hours, we could have used 110v. "Convenience" charger to charge at parents house, but we do not have that kind of time. Looks like EV1 is not as practical as EV+, unless the house you drive to has a magnecharger.

When we return to pick up car, it has charged to 11 bars, 99%, and everyone is happy again. We hand out literature and buy some stuff in Texaco Star Mart, thanking them for the charger. As aged parents drive off, we go up the 5. From this point on,

"Total Range" = Projected Range + Trip counter

was never less than 80 miles, and often higher than 90 miles, as I learn how to drive this car. Pendleton is a nightmare, as I keep it to 55 in the slow lane while cars whiz by. No checkpoint, San Onofre with 8 bars remaining. Exit to the Coast road. Somewhere along here the tight suspension, tight positive steering, small steering wheel, all suddenly clicks: this is a sports car, a "mean machine", one step down from a race car. I am driving for distance, taking the Dana Point hill slowly, but enjoying it. Laguna Beach at 42.2 miles with 6 bars left. Corona Del Mar with 5 bars and 49 miles. Driving at the speed limit, for once, but a car stops suddenly in the right lane, blocking our long line of cars leaving Marguerite light. It is nice to be able to punch it, escape the danger, and leave the pack behind. Without that burst of power, would have been stuck behind the careless malefactor. Superior Ave. in Newport with 5 bars remaining and 53.6 miles. Monitoring sum of the "projected range" and trip counter gives a good indication of efficiency, I find, and I am about at 88 here. Wife's worry about not having enough power to get to work tomorrow will prove ill-conceived. Down to 4 bars at 55.2 miles. Finishing with 67.0 miles and 2 full bars remaining, predicted range of 18.

Monday, Aug. 3 EV1 has charged to 8 bars showing on our 110 "convenience" charger. Down to 6 bars at the 710, 5 bars traveling North on the 110 Harbor, 4 bars past the 105, 3 bars West on the 10 by Crenshaw. I am having fun and do not want to give this car up. Arrive with 3 bars showing. Today I am unable to take off lunch, so have to drive to Ralphs at 4 PM. After 45 minutes or so, the EV1 charges exactly to 50%, with 6 bars showing. Down Wilshire to La Brea to 10. East on 10, down to 5 bars. Using regen mode, having fun. For some reason, freeways part, and Harbor South is wide open. 405 South is busy, up to Long Beach, but speeds pick up as I exit Palo Verde in Long Beach and visit CSULB with 3 bars remaining(!). I have lots of confidence in this car now, but it takes a lot of attention, fun for me. I can understand how many just love this car. I will hate to give it up, even though I do not have magnecharger at home and always have to think about economy. With 11 bars, the trip to LA would not require topping off at Ralphs. If there were a charger at work, I would be able to drive for fun the whole way -- almost as much fun as driving motorcycle, without the bugs! Finally arrive home with 2 bars showing. Could have kept 3 bars with careful driving.

Tuesday, Aug. 4 Back to the EV+ today, Will has the EV1. With this car, I just park it in the fast lane and don't have to think about driving. Make the 36 miles in with 6 bars remaining, and take two fellow co-workers for noon drive. We shoot up Crenshaw to the 10 West, off at La Brea North, pick up Venice (where Zack takes over), then up Highland to Wilshire. Both are impressed, Zack wants to get one. This excursion, 9 miles of fast demos and acceleration, drops me down to 5 bars. On the way home, I take Western, because all freeways are jammed. Arriving with 2 bars showing, about 12% left, so used 88% for 84 miles.

Wednesday, Aug. 5 Vanilla run today in the EV+, 36 miles in and 36 miles back. Arriving home with 3 bars showing (est. 27%). So for the 72 miles, used about 7.3 bars, or almost 10 miles per bar. Missed the acceleration of the EV1 (now I can really feel how much less power the EV+ has), but was happy for the climate control (set to 68-70 the whole trip), the larger steering wheel, the better window controls, and the greater range. With the EV1, I would have had to drive much slower and cautiously to preserve range. But those short bursts of power sorta make it all worthwhile. Saturn of Cerritos is letting us have the EV1 another couple of days, bless them, and I look forward to driving it tomorrow. It will be with a full charge, since someone is loaning us a porta-charger, and we will be able to top off tonight.

Thursday, Aug. 6 Whoops, change of plan. Lisa gets to drive the EV1, Will gets the EV+, and I get the trusty old Toyota.

Lisa says at follows:

Even people who say they don't want one, stand around and look at it for a long, long, long time. The seat has to be made to adjust back from forward position. The keyless entry is great. It is really easy to drive, and it is true, this is the car which all students should learn to drive with--it is just pure driving, no extraneous junk with engine stalling, starting, hills, etc. Lisa arrives home (about 38 miles of driving) with 6 bars remaining. We will take the EV1 out tonight. I think she is sold on having one for commuting. Does this mean that I get stuck with old Toyota for commuting to LA in hot sun?

Friday, Aug. 7 I am 20 minutes late, and decide to drive for speed, not conservation. Starting with 11 bars, down to 8 bars at the 710. I just parked it in the fast land and passed everything in sight. Would really love it if EV were permitted to use HOV lanes--at one presentation at SCAQMD, they dismissed the idea, saying "...the Highway Patrol is against it..." But why? what harm would it do to the under-utilized HOV lanes? What better way of promoting EVs? Down to 7 bars at the 110, down to 6 bars at the 10. I take Arlington, arriving at 32 miles and only 5 bars at my destination. Leaving at 4:20, decide NOT to recharge at Ralphs on Wilshire. Instead I will drive for conservation. My predicted range is 18, giving at total usage of only 50 miles, 26 short of getting home. Nursing the 5 bars, they turn to 4 before the 10 East. Guess hot weather is not so good for battery life. My predicted range is going down much slower than the trip counter is rising, I now have 16 and 38. Nursing the 4th bar, I take the long line for the Harbor, then decide to bail onto the Grand Ave. bypass to the 10 East. Slow going in the fast lane, helps me conserve. Finally down to 3 bars after using the Santa Fe bypass trick. I am at13 and 43. Down the 710, which clears up after the 105. I am down to 11 and 49. East on the 91, I am down to 9 and 55. Less than two bars showing, could probably make it home (complete trip is 72, 8 more than the sum of my predicted range and trip counter) but only on reserve. Decide to stop in at Saturn of Cerritos for a booser charge and to say hello. Thankful I did, because I arrive with 1 mile of range left. We have to turn the car in tomorrow, so we go over the cost figures for leasing. Thanks, Saturn, for the opportunity to test-drive the revolutionary EV1!

Recharge to 16 miles and 3 bars, I still just barely make it home with the power display showing three diamonds, meaning that EV1 is close to using reserve. Arrive home with 76 miles.

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Wednesday, July 29	Saturn of Cerritos is very accomodating. I meet Melanie, future EV1 specialist, Ron R., EV1 specialist, and even the owner of the Dealership comes out to express his support for the vehicle and its future. I am impressed. Nice shiny red EV1 (the least popular color, it turned out) with 3200 miles on it. I left my old Toyota on the Saturn Dealership lot and drove the EV1 home, to Fry's, back to Cerritos, and then back home. Damian, our guest and an EV sceptic, rode it the final leg. He thought it was a hoot, and seemed to imply that he would consider an EV for his next car (around October). He's a future Century City Lawyer, so it would make lots of sense for him. Returned with one bar, planning to ride to work tomorrow. Don't know exact mileage for the day.
Thursday, July 30	Car did not charge up. I plug into a different 3-prong plug and go to work in old Toyota.
Friday, July 31	Car finally charges, but only to 7 bars. I have to take it a little easy, but can't resist some fast starts getting onto the 405. At the 710 Long Beach Fwy, down to 5 bars. At the 110 Harbor, down to 4 bars. At the 105, traffic socks in. I am at 3 bars. Stop and go, using air conditioner all out, 2 bars at the 10 Santa Monica Fwy. West to Crenshaw, still 2 bars. I drive for fun, arriving at Wilshire with 1 bar. Park car in sun, leave literature on windscreen in case people want some. At Noon, I drive to Ralph's on Wilshire Blvd, just West of La Brea, with fellow co-worker Chuck. During lunch, car re-charges on one of their two chargers to 4 bars (37%). As usual, I insist that my passenger drive back to work, a big thing since Chuck has never even seen an EV before. The EV1 is not as easy for the novice to figure out--in the Honda, I never say a word, and they just go. In the EV1, I have to tell him how the shifter moves. Still have not figured out how to lower windows, myself. Anyway, car "dings" as we back up, which distracts him, but he drives gingerly up to Highland, thinking it's great. A Cadillac takes off ahead of us, and I say, "what are you holding back for?" On the Honda, confidence in speed comes naturally, but EV1 apparently intimidates the novice. After he zooms, he is astonished at what the car can do. Yet another convert. After work, I return to Ralphs for a charge, since 3 or 4 bars won't get me home. Another EV1 is in the other charging stall, and I start handing out literature (Ron R. has given me some good magazines). As usual, I can hardly get away. After one set of people finish, the next start in with the same questions. Finally, I enter Ralph's, meeting manager "Dave". I thank him for the chargers, handing him literature also, and get permission to use his name. He states that the two stalls are used by many, including actor Ed Begley. After some shopping, back to the car. The driver of the other EV1, "Brad", says that the left-side charger he's using never charges the car more than 91%. Must report that to Gloria Quinn. I start handing out literature again. As I make my escape, I demonstrate how quiet the car is to yet another interested driver. The car has charged to 7 bars (56%) during all this. I watched power readout on magnecharger climb from 50% at 6:17 to 56% at 6:28 while listening to Gray Davis on radio. Mileage is 3342. At 3344, down to 6 bars. 3352, down to 5 bars. Down the 110, arriving at the 405 with 4 bars at 3362. Down to 3 bars at 3368, 2 bars at 3372, 1 bar at 3378. I am starting to get the idea of how to drive this car, and have finally found the window switches (they are on the center console). You need to play with the manual override on the regen braking, and also learn how the car responds. After driving the Honda, which requires no thought at all, just jump in and go, it becomes apparent that this car requires a little skill to get the most out of it. I like it a lot better after driving it a bit, and now can see how we can drive it to Carlsbad (hopefully on one charge). Est. mileage: 30 to work, 4 driving around, 36 going home, total 70 miles. Est. usage 12 bars or 106%. Each bar got appx. 6 miles..
Saturday, Aug. 1	Scrub the trip to Carlsbad until tomorrow. We are just too wiped out from week of work and all things we are supposed to do. We let EV1 charge to 11 bars, and take off for the Old Folks' after 5PM. It is very hot, so A/C on max the whole way. 2.3 miles, down to 10 bars. East on the 22 Garden Grove Fwy, 7.2 miles, down to 9 bars. 13.0, down to 8 bars, and arriving at 13.9 miles with 8 bars. West on Lampson to South on very crowded Euclid. With an opening, I zoom out of the pack, showing them dust but no smoke. 18.9 miles at 7 bars, and arriving at Fry's with 21.8 miles, 7 bars and 60% power left. It was the same story over again--we could not leave the car for all the inquiries we fielded. In the EV+, I would have taken them for a test drive, but we want the EV1 to charge--we don't have a magnecharger at home. I pass out more literature (getting low already), and talk to lots of people who follow us into Fry's, talking about the car. EV1 charged to 93% while we shopped--Frys is not busy on Sat. night--at 27.2 miles, down to 9 bars. At 32.2, down to 8 bars, and after two stops at bank and post office, arriving back at 36.6 miles with 8 bars. We also stopped at Seal Beach Police Station, where they have 3 brand new talking plugs (for the EV+) and one magnecharger. None are powered yet. Total usage: est. 35% before charging, and a further 20% to get home. 36.6 miles using an est. total of 55% charge, so a range of 36.6/.55 or about 68 miles. Each bar of power on the average took us 6 miles.
Sunday, Aug. 2	I alone am excited about trip to Carlsbad. Will offers to give us EV+ so it will be easier. Wife is bored with the idea. We have to make side trip, can't use shorter PCH, and leave late with 11 bars. Up Seal Beach Blvd to Lampson. 3.4 miles at Fwy, we are at 10 bars.7.7 miles and 9 bars. 13.5 miles at Old Folks Home. Kids hunt us down on skates, want to know how it is to drive, etc. I can't give test drives, but give them some literature. 14.7 miles down to 8 bars. 21.1 miles down to 7 bars. We take off the 5 on Culver, travel South to 405. 27.6 miles and 6 bars at the Irvine Hand Car Wash, 18011 Culver Drive, Irvine. We decide to stop and charge with 57%. We cross street to Ralphs, Tea Shop and read paper. Foolishly, I think that 45 minutes of magnecharger will give us 5 kwh of chage, or 5 bars. It turns out that the yield depends on the charge you start with: EV1 only has 75% and 8 bars. Down the 405, 32.8 miles and 7 bars. 37.3 miles, down to 6 bars. 45.7 miles, down to 5 bars. We are only in Laguna Niguel, and are already in trouble. We look on the Calstart list, find Saturn of San Juan Capistrano, 33033 Camino Capistrano. We pull off, look for numbers, finally find it. Wife is now convinced that this trip is a hare-brained waste of valuable weekend time. The magnecharger in front has a Saturn in it, and wife is sure place is closed. Just then, Tim Gibson, EV1 Specialist, comes out and shows us where the active chargers are, and we examine the many EV1 cars. EV1 has traveled 48.2 miles, and starts charging with 5 bars and 47.3%. This is a great place for EV1, there are many EV1 at Saturn of San Juan Capistrano, and they are EV1 enthusiasts. Tim is great, shows us the showroom with lots of EV1 display material and a coffee machine, even though we are only visitors bumming charge and are already committed to Saturn of Cerritos. That's what teamwork is all about, I guess. Our next stop--Saturn of West 78, in Oceanside. We cannot charge the EV1 at our destination, because charging the EV1 requires magnecharger, which our hosts do not have. So we will have to park EV1 some miles away at a public charger. Tim finds out that Saturn of West 78 in Oceanside is open to 7, so we can charge up there. EV1 has 8 bars and 65%. At 52.0, down to 6 bars. At 69.3, down to 4 bars. At 76.0, down to 3 bars of power at Saturn of West 78, EV1 starts charging with 27%. "West 78" salesman greets us coldly, secretary and Manager tell us that "the gate" usually is locked at 5:00, will be locked at 6:00, and that we should go to Costco on Emerald, 3 miles to the East. This involves more driving for aged parents, who must pick us up. Guess these guys have not got the word about GM's commitment to EV1. Aged parents arrive, also start dumping on me. I am beginning to agree that this trip is more trouble than fun. No one knows what we should do--down the Coast to Cannon Road, or believe these clowns about Costco. We finally find our way to the Costco, as my charge slips to 3 bars. Unfortunately this Costco does *not* have the promised magnecharger. Guess that's one of those "soon to be installed" ones that haven't been soon enough. What to do. I tour nearby stores on the chance that it's there somewhere, but no one knows anything. Starting to get worried. Cannot bang on doors for power, with EV1, because you can't plug it into a normal 220 dryer plug, like other EVs. We look on benevolent Calstart and Edison-EV list, find "TEXACO STAR MART", 221 N. Emerald Dr. We agree to try it, if not, go down coast. Everyone is miffed. However, Texaco does appear, and saves the day. We leave literature under wipers and take off. Good wife is now refusing to take log notes or speak, but we were about 23% with 3 bars. We arrive at the pad, a very inconvenient intrusion into our visit. If we had 12 hours, we could have used 110v. "Convenience" charger to charge at parents house, but we do not have that kind of time. Looks like EV1 is not as practical as EV+, unless the house you drive to has a magnecharger. When we return to pick up car, it has charged to 11 bars, 99%, and everyone is happy again. We hand out literature and buy some stuff in Texaco Star Mart, thanking them for the charger. As aged parents drive off, we go up the 5. From this point on, *"Total Range" = Projected Range + Trip counter* was never less than 80 miles, and often higher than 90 miles, as I learn how to drive this car. Pendleton is a nightmare, as I keep it to 55 in the slow lane while cars whiz by. No checkpoint, San Onofre with 8 bars remaining. Exit to the Coast road. Somewhere along here the *tight suspension, tight positive steering, small steering wheel, all suddenly clicks: this is a sports car, a "mean machine"*, one step down from a race car. I am driving for distance, taking the Dana Point hill slowly, but enjoying it. Laguna Beach at 42.2 miles with 6 bars left. Corona Del Mar with 5 bars and 49 miles. Driving at the speed limit, for once, but a car stops suddenly in the right lane, blocking our long line of cars leaving Marguerite light. It is nice to be able to punch it, escape the danger, and leave the pack behind. Without that burst of power, would have been stuck behind the careless malefactor. Superior Ave. in Newport with 5 bars remaining and 53.6 miles. Monitoring sum of the "projected range" and trip counter gives a good indication of efficiency, I find, and I am about at 88 here. Wife's worry about not having enough power to get to work tomorrow will prove ill-conceived. Down to 4 bars at 55.2 miles. Finishing with 67.0 miles and 2 full bars remaining, predicted range of 18.
Monday, Aug. 3	EV1 has charged to 8 bars showing on our 110 "convenience" charger. Down to 6 bars at the 710, 5 bars traveling North on the 110 Harbor, 4 bars past the 105, 3 bars West on the 10 by Crenshaw. I am having fun and do not want to give this car up. Arrive with 3 bars showing. Today I am unable to take off lunch, so have to drive to Ralphs at 4 PM. After 45 minutes or so, the EV1 charges exactly to 50%, with 6 bars showing. Down Wilshire to La Brea to 10. East on 10, down to 5 bars. Using regen mode, having fun. For some reason, freeways part, and Harbor South is wide open. 405 South is busy, up to Long Beach, but speeds pick up as I exit Palo Verde in Long Beach and visit CSULB with 3 bars remaining(!). I have lots of confidence in this car now, but it takes a lot of attention, fun for me. I can understand how many just *love* this car. I will hate to give it up, even though I do not have magnecharger at home and always have to think about economy. With 11 bars, the trip to LA would not require topping off at Ralphs. If there were a charger at work, I would be able to drive for fun the whole way -- almost as much fun as driving motorcycle, without the bugs! Finally arrive home with 2 bars showing. Could have kept 3 bars with careful driving.
Tuesday, Aug. 4	Back to the EV+ today, Will has the EV1. With this car, I just park it in the fast lane and don't have to think about driving. Make the 36 miles in with 6 bars remaining, and take two fellow co-workers for noon drive. We shoot up Crenshaw to the 10 West, off at La Brea North, pick up Venice (where Zack takes over), then up Highland to Wilshire. Both are impressed, Zack wants to get one. This excursion, 9 miles of fast demos and acceleration, drops me down to 5 bars. On the way home, I take Western, because all freeways are jammed. Arriving with 2 bars showing, about 12% left, so used 88% for 84 miles.
Wednesday, Aug. 5	Vanilla run today in the EV+, 36 miles in and 36 miles back. Arriving home with 3 bars showing (est. 27%). So for the 72 miles, used about 7.3 bars, or almost 10 miles per bar. Missed the acceleration of the EV1 (now I can really feel how much less power the EV+ has), but was happy for the climate control (set to 68-70 the whole trip), the larger steering wheel, the better window controls, and the greater range. With the EV1, I would have had to drive much slower and cautiously to preserve range. But those short bursts of power sorta make it all worthwhile. Saturn of Cerritos is letting us have the EV1 another couple of days, bless them, and I look forward to driving it tomorrow. It will be with a full charge, since someone is loaning us a porta-charger, and we will be able to top off tonight.
Thursday, Aug. 6	Whoops, change of plan. Lisa gets to drive the EV1, Will gets the EV+, and I get the trusty old Toyota. Lisa says at follows: Even people who say they don't want one, stand around and look at it for a *long, long, long* time. The seat has to be made to adjust back from forward position. The keyless entry is great. It is really easy to drive, and it is true, this is the car which all students should learn to drive with--it is just pure driving, no extraneous junk with engine stalling, starting, hills, etc. Lisa arrives home (about 38 miles of driving) with 6 bars remaining. We will take the EV1 out tonight. I think she is sold on having one for commuting. Does this mean that I get stuck with old Toyota for commuting to LA in hot sun?
Friday, Aug. 7	I am 20 minutes late, and decide to drive for speed, not conservation. Starting with 11 bars, down to 8 bars at the 710. I just parked it in the fast land and passed everything in sight. Would really love it if EV were permitted to use HOV lanes--at one presentation at SCAQMD, they dismissed the idea, saying "...the Highway Patrol is against it..." *But why? what harm would it do to the under-utilized HOV lanes?* What better way of promoting EVs? Down to 7 bars at the 110, down to 6 bars at the 10. I take Arlington, arriving at 32 miles and only 5 bars at my destination. Leaving at 4:20, decide NOT to recharge at Ralphs on Wilshire. Instead I will drive for conservation. My predicted range is 18, giving at total usage of only 50 miles, 26 short of getting home. Nursing the 5 bars, they turn to 4 before the 10 East. Guess hot weather is not so good for battery life. My predicted range is going down much slower than the trip counter is rising, I now have 16 and 38. Nursing the 4th bar, I take the long line for the Harbor, then decide to bail onto the Grand Ave. bypass to the 10 East. Slow going in the fast lane, helps me conserve. Finally down to 3 bars after using the Santa Fe bypass trick. I am at13 and 43. Down the 710, which clears up after the 105. I am down to 11 and 49. East on the 91, I am down to 9 and 55. Less than two bars showing, could probably make it home (complete trip is 72, 8 more than the sum of my predicted range and trip counter) but only on reserve. Decide to stop in at Saturn of Cerritos for a booser charge and to say hello. Thankful I did, because I arrive with 1 mile of range left. We have to turn the car in tomorrow, so we go over the cost figures for leasing. Thanks, Saturn, for the opportunity to test-drive the revolutionary EV1! Recharge to 16 miles and 3 bars, I still just barely make it home with the power display showing three diamonds, meaning that EV1 is close to using reserve. Arrive home with 76 miles.