How many miles do you drive in a day?
The Pike Research Survey says that “82% of respondents drive 40 miles or less per day, with an average daily driving distance of 27 miles.”
This just got me wondering - how far do I drive in a day? I've never really logged it. I think I drive under 40 miles each day, but I do a lot of short trips and I don't bike as much I should be. For all I know, I'm pushing 60 or - heck - even 80 miles per day!
So I'm starting a little challenge. I'm going to log my mileage when I get into my car at the start of the day and my mileage before I go to sleep. I'm attending a tango festival in Portland this weekend, so my driving on Friday and Saturday won't be good data, but I'll have the mileage this week and next week to look at.
How far do you drive in a day? Why not join me in logging your mileage?
Edit: I started a Flickr group to post the photos of my daily mileage.
Emily,
Wow! That's quite impressive. So it looks like a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) works with your lifestyle. You're fortunate to live quite close to work. I asked a similar question on Facebook, and it looks like a number of people do have a sub-40 mile driving range each day!
Based on google maps, my daily commute is 28.3 miles a day. This includes a side trip to drop off/pick up my kid at school.
By the way, I don't think your website is the trainwreck that some people say it is. Brammo's site used to be 10 times worse, although they recently updated it and it's much easier on the eyes. Also, your presence on twitter is great -- not too overwhelming with constant updates, and some great information in your links.
My round trip to work and back is 46 miles, however I work right across the street from the Wilsonville TriMet WES station so I would use the Pulse to get myself to a charging station in Beaverton and continue to take the train south.
My wife and I are planing on purchasing a Nissan Leaf if the price is around $20,000 after tax credits as our "family car", but if Arcimoto can work out a federal and state tax credit on the Pulse I would definitely have to consider it as a commuter option. Actually, if Arcimoto could get the Pulse down to about $12,000 after tax credits with a Li-poly battery pack I would have to put my preorder in and drive it every day! ;-)
I was really hoping to see the Pulse at the Oregon Electric Vehicle Association meeting last night, but we were told Arcimoto canceled the previous day... Hopefully your company can come next month!
Hey Chris,
We're always working to find tax credits to help offset the cost of purchasing an Electric Vehicle. Trevor Steele did a write up on some basic tax credit information on the Arcimoto Blog.
We're finishing up a schedule of future events. I know we are trying to make it to the next OEVA meeting. I'll keep you updated if we can be there in November.
I commute between 34-38 miles per day on average.
The concept looks good!
Round trip mileage is currently 41 miles by electric assisted bicycle; 40.0 by car.
Have you scheduled initial production yet?
My round trip mileage is 153, provided i do not stop anywhere. Otis to Beaverton since 2001. Electric vehicals have never been able to go far enough on a charge....
Hi mesuec1, that's quite a commute you have. Our longest-range battery pack will be rated for 160 miles, which should be able to get you there and back.
If you have any charging opportunity in Beaverton, you'll be able to easily handle the commute plus any errands you may have.
38 mile round trip to work for me, but I'll definitely be looking at the larger capacity batteries to extend the distance on a charge.
If you can come through with the Pulse getting 160 miles on a charge you have a winner. I want one!!! With 160 miles I can get anywhere in the San Francisco Bay Area and back home. This will be my primary car. What a wonderful world! When can I get one?
I've tracked my mileage regularly over the past 5 years up here in New Hampshire.
Before I started my own business and started working from home, I drove 109 miles round trip for work. Add a mile or three for lunch and errands, so I'd say 115 miles daily, M-F.
Almost all of it was highway, very little in any sort of meaningful traffic, so I had good mileage on both vehicles.
I'd still need my current vehicle for picking up equipment and supplies for my business, and I'd really love to see how a Pulse would handle a good old fashioned New England snowstorm.
But I could easily see myself using a Pulse for daily stuff.
My previous vehicle was a Ford Escort:
36,207 miles per year
1,046.80 gallons/yr
34.5 MPG
My current vehicle is a Kia Sportage:
37,887 miles per year
1,299.18 gallons/yr
29.8 MPG
From a marketing standpoint, the actual range is not the problem but the anxiety about perceived range.
Every time I talk with people outside the business, even offering them a 160 mile range, they say "Never in my life!". They are simply too afraid of running out of juice, even if their normal daily commute is below 50 miles. (Mine is 47 miles round-trip BTW)
The other major concern is range in cold weather. As at least 1/3 of the country has winter like temperatures for a large part of the year, even if the snow and slush isn't as much of a problem as in New Hampshire or here in Michigan, cold temperatures will reduce the charging capability of the batteries.
Personally, I'm waiting for a good electric car. With a 47 mile round trip commute, I'll be perfectly happy with a 100 mile range.
As the industry standard develops now, the ranges seems to be:
PHEV: 40 miles before backup engine kicks in (Chevy Volt...)
Pure EV: 100 miles on a charge. (Nissan Leaf, Ford Focus EV, BMW 123E, BMW MiniE...)
A lead-battery based alternative can be attractive from a cost standpoint for a city lifestyle. But it will be hard to pass the anxiety threshold with anything under 100 mile range.
I like the Arcimoto concept, but wonder what will happen when the big OEMs really put their muscle into the EV market? If the business model to survive on 20,000 units a year, I think it is a good concept.
But after working as consultant in the EV field and driven about a dozen different EV and PHEV on the way out on the market, unfortunately very few of the small players can compete with the big guys when you factor in cost, driver comfort, interior quality, NVH, safety, handling....
I drive alot! It's 35-40 miles (on highway @70mph) one way to work. Then I might do some rounds adding another 40 miles (@35mph-70mph in town) then on back home adding another 40 miles (@70mph) or so (that's 120 miles). Granted I do that 2 days a week. I work from home the rest of the time. In the past I've driven 25k a year mostly highway commuting and running about town (but recently I've slowed down a bit).
In my everyday commute for work I'll post 120 miles. On a weekend trip I might put 200 miles on the car for camping or visiting an old friend. Long story short, it's got to have a 120 mile range (combined real world speeds) and quick charge capability or it's worthless.
I'm thinking of building my own EV similar to your design, Actually it would be almost identical but more aerodynamic. Have you put this in the wind tunnel to get better economy? Have you priced out the new batteries from ultralithllc for a long commuter version? Have you worked with the quick charger systems that the major car makers are coming out with?
I'm not looking for a sports car. I'm just looking for something with a top speed of 80mph (limited) that can go 90 miles at speeds and still have some room to drive around town at 35mph doing city driving. If you can achieve that then you have a real world commuter vehicle.
http://www.youtube.com/user/ChrisLuxembourg#p/c/848C47346BA9307D/0/TE7lm...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLASs0ueF7I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvY0vPfD7zg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5V2FgwN_re4&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAN3M7ek_ao
http://www.ultralithllc.com/
Unfortunately, my line of work doesn't allow me to rely on public transport. But the price-point of this vehicle will allow many of you out there to rely on the Pulse for alt public transport. The hitch for most people buying a new vehicle with limited range will only allow the pulse to be a secondary vehicle. The secondary vehicle really only needs to be a 2 seater at most so this platform is ideal. I can't wait to see what becomes of it. Good luck to Arcimoto on rolling out the Pulse. Maybe your next gen or tour class vehicle will suit my particular needs. Or maybe I'll move closer into the city.
I don't drive every day, but when I do, it's usually at least 60-80 miles in a day (I live 27 miles from the nearest large town). If I drive inland for a major supply run, I drive close to 200 miles in a round trip. I love the Arcimoto SRK and would prefer to drive that on the highway to the big beast that gets me off road and out of town in the event of a tsunami warning, but the battery range is currently insufficient for my needs.
Thanks for letting us know -- we'd love to offer a battery pack with a longer range, and we're looking into options right now. Watch this space.
Hi all,
I drive around 300 miles per month, as I live very close to work and have everything I need within my Miami beach community.
On occasion I take a trip to the keys and elsewhere, but at 16.9 MPG, my 1995 Jeep is a carbon-footprint maniac and it actually costs less to rent a small car for 2 days plus gas than to fill up my jeep and use it. At any rate, the Arcimoto Pulse would be my main vehicle, and I would likely sell the jeep and buy a longer-range (300-400) plug-in hybrid as my back-up. I think that would be a good combination.
Just for interest, I really only drive 300 miles per month because my Jeep is a gas-guzzler..NOT that I am boring and don't want to go anywhere,lol....
Later
Ray
Miami beach
When I think about it I guess I drive less than 40 miles a day. There are about 10 miles from my home to work so that would mean I drive about 20 miles a day. Hmmm, perhaps I should have an automobile donation and ride a bike instead, except for the rainy days I doubt I would miss my car!
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Good question! I just calculated my average daily mileage for my last 38 months of driving (based on starting odometer reading and current odometer reading): 15.6 miles per day! A bit more than I thought it would be. This includes road trips, too. I am currently fortunate enough to live just a few blocks from work, so I barely have to drive at all these days!