The Leaf becomes a Taxi?

[nissangirl74]

That's what is happening in Europe.

http://www.newsroom.nissan-europe.com/E ... aid=104914

Many cities are switching to electric cars because the cost of diesel fuel has risen so much. They've installed quick-charge stations around the city so Leafs can recharge up to 80% in only 30 minutes. That might be OK in Zurich, where the population is 376,000 and the city is only 33.93 sq miles. Can you imagine that in a city like New York City or Vegas? NYC is 468.5 square miles with a population of over 8 million people. Vegas is 135.8 square miles with a population of 596,000 people. Can you imagine the taxi drivers there having to stop for 30 minutes to re-charge their cars? They'd explode.

Your thoughts? Anyone who has spent time in Europe and is familiar with that traffic, please chime in.

[float_6969]

Yea, not a viable option in post places here. Part of the difference is that gasoline is way more common here, and the regulations we have are different.

I like the Leaf. If they could get the range up to 175-200 miles. I'd buy one. I have a weekly commute to pick up my daughter and it's about a 130 mile round trip, EVERY WEEK. I'd love an all electric for that trip.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

I could see it become viable here, there would just need to be wireless charging. If not, people would just have to be ok with the driver unplugging and reeling up the cable while they wait to get going every now and then.

[MinisterofDOOM]

Taxis can do whatever they want for all I care. The last thing I ever want in a car is NOT to be driving.

[Bubba1]

Taxis can do whatever they want for all I care. The last thing I ever want in a car is NOT to be driving.

It seems like an okay deal for the cab owner, well, until those batteries have to be replaced, which will be catastrophic if several cars' batteries go at about the same time.. But I can't see the drivers liking it as they face more unpaid down time waiting for the charging to complete, plus their ability to take a long distance fare depends on how much of a charge they have left.

[OriginalWheelman]

If I recall correctly, there are already two Leafs operating as taxis in NYC. They share a medallion so only one is on the road at a time.

[raremotive]

I had some time to think about it since the news came out that NY will be trying the Leaf.

Nissan should take hints from Dewalt:



Separate the battery from the car. Have it a quick change feature. Thus eliminating the need to have 2 Leafs...

If I had a fortune to blow... I would attempt start up a company that would standardize a "quick-change" car battery that most the auto manufactures would agree to use. Then I would establish quick-change stations through out urban areas...and bank off of refill service charges.

This would allow the electric car hold better resale value too, because the battery is no longer part of the value of the car.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

you'd need lift assists for the batteries. They'd be too heavy to lift on their own, unless you separated them into tiny little pieces. The other problem is that they store them down low in the car, kindof a pain to get to, but good for handling.

[raremotive]

you'd need lift assists for the batteries. They'd be too heavy to lift on their own, unless you separated them into tiny little pieces. The other problem is that they store them down low in the car, kindof a pain to get to, but good for handling.

Then I would establish quick-change stations through out urban areas...and bank off of refill service charges.

All part of the plan. These service stations will be equipped with the equipment and trained service men to do the change. Or better yet since we are in the 21 century we could have the equipment automated which would feel like going through a car wash, cept it's changing your battery from underneath.

I ventured around the idea of a side loading battery, which means you can put wheels on the bottom of the battery to allow it to side. The car and battery would need a locking mechanism (this is the largest complication as far as effort require to prove it's a safe design, besides getting the auto manufactures to agree on making their cars sightly longer and having battery doors on the sides of the car)

To change, just slide it out to an accepting skid. And to make it even more quicker.. you can have the battery enter one side and exit the other.. than all you would have to do is insert new battery and have a skid to accept the rejecting battery on the other side.

Just ideas..

[PapaSmurf2k3]

^automate to wash the car at the same time and you've got a winner haha.