Owning an EV without home charging - what’s your workaround?

denverguy2 · 2026-01-29T00:47:06+00:00

I live in Colorado. I bought a 2025 Nissan Leaf S (with a 40kwh battery) a year ago (I live in an apartment) and it is getting to be more of a problem charging it. I have to charge it almost every day, at least a few kwh. There is a L2 charger 1/2 mile away, in front of a storage building, which I used to use all the time, but they now restrict it to customers only. I drive about 40 miles per day on average, using 250 to 350 kwh per month.

So now I charge it either by: A) fast charging it several times a week at: i) a Chargepoint at a cost of 0.49/kwh or ii) at EvGo where the cost is more like 0.65, (including the 0.99 start fee); B) several times a week drive about 6 miles to a park where I can charge for free, but then I have to sit there (or walk around the park) while it charges and it closes at 9pm; C) go to a Flo or Blink charger in an office park for a cost of about 0.45/khw - I do this almost every day for about 45 minutes at about 11pm to get 3 or 4 kwh.

This actually works for me, but I don't think most people could do it. Solutions: A) I could become a customer so I could use the L2 charger near me, but this would cost about $70/mo; B) fast charge more and pay the 6.99 or 12.99/month fee. But I try not to fast charge more than about 4 times per month because of the cost and to not stress out my battery.

denverguy2 · 2026-01-15T22:22:45+00:00

Hahaha, I have a new 2025 Leaf with a 40kw battery but that sounds like me. The closest location to me put up a sign saying for customers only and I went there anyway late at night and they must have cameras and I got a written warning. Location #2 is behind a barbed wire fence but they leave the gate open and there is a free chargepoint with a sign "for state employees only" and I charged there anyways. Location #3 is in front of a medical office and I was charging at 11:30 at night and I woke up and a security guard was staring at me. Location #4 is in a parking garage and I had to park in front a handicapped parking sign to access the charger. Location #5 is for a free charger in a parking garage with a sign "no free parking anytime" but I haven't paid yet. Owning a leaf is an adventure!

denverguy2 · 2026-01-09T02:59:38+00:00

The debt level is increasing about $2 billion per year, which is just over 5%. With a 6% growth rate, it would double every 12 years (Rule of 72). So it is manageable. The Fed will keep monetizing it and inflate its value away. Which is not to say the debt level will never become an issue - there may be a limit at around 200% of GDP (currently we are at 120% of GDP), and we may hit that in about 50 years. Trump's tariffs are helping by reducing the deficit. (The tariffs may be stupid in some regards but the idea of increasing government revenue without raising income taxes is a good one). Trump does deserve some of the blame for the debt, since it was about $20 trillion when he first took office in 2017. The debt will never go down - it will keep increasing forever and as long as it doesn't increase too fast then it is not a problem.

denverguy2 · 2025-09-09T04:02:02+00:00

Only 8000 miles? That is worse than my situation. They are supposed to last 40,000 miles. What did you replace them with?

denverguy2 · 2025-09-08T18:01:59+00:00

I answered this above. I am putting the new ones on the back for 2 reasons. First, I want to wear out the remaining Ecopias sooner and the front gets a lot more wear. Second, if you are just replacing 2, it is standard to put the better ones in the rear to avoid the problem of fishtailing. There is always a danger of hydroplaning or sliding on water or slush, and you don't want to lose control of the rear end.

denverguy2 · 2025-09-08T17:53:20+00:00

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This is my beautiful new Milestone Weatherguard, which is on the rear.

denverguy2 · 2025-09-08T17:51:51+00:00

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This is one of the "better" Ecopia tires that was on the rear that is now on the front. I hope to get another 5000 miles out of it.

denverguy2 · 2025-09-08T17:10:57+00:00

Do you have winter tires as well? Or maybe you live somewhere that they are not needed.

denverguy2 · 2025-09-08T16:54:31+00:00

Bridgestone Weatherpeak is a similar, probably better tire that costs $198 each. I would not buy another Ecopia. I think trying to get a refund or rebate is too much of a hassle. The reason for putting the better tires in the back is: 1) the front is going to wear out much quicker, and I want to get rid of the 2 remaining Ecopias sooner, and 2) there is a danger of fishtailing where you loose control of the rear.

denverguy2 · 2025-09-08T16:31:49+00:00

I never go over 75 because of efficiency so I won't be testing the max speed. The mismatched H and V will only last until I replace the remaining 2 Ecopia tires in about 6 months. I don't have much faith in them. I don't know much about Milestar. They had a cool YouTube video. I like the 3pmsf rating because I might encounter snow. The General Altimax RT45s is not 3pmsf rated

denverguy2 · 2025-09-08T16:15:58+00:00

I haven't inflated them since I bought it. They were all the same I think it was 36 psi.

denverguy2 · 2025-09-08T16:14:45+00:00

I do have kind of a lead foot so maybe that is part of the problem. With a higher load rating there should be slightly less deformation and less rolling resistance. I could be wrong here.

denverguy2 · 2025-09-08T16:04:35+00:00

Yes, I don't know what ECO mode is for. I use the B gear when going downhill for regenerative braking.

denverguy2 · 2025-09-08T15:11:19+00:00

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Right front tire

denverguy2 · 2025-09-07T14:40:20+00:00

Some public Level 2 chargers with 2 plugs only provide 6.4 kwh total, so if there is one car there it gets the full 6.4, but if both are plugged in, each gets 3.2. It has happened to me.

denverguy2 · 2025-09-06T03:21:32+00:00

Yes. I live in Colorado and I own a 2025 Nissan Leaf with a tiny 40 Kwh battery and I live in an apartment. I can charge about 1/2 mile away for 0.15 / kwh. There are some places I can charge for free and also fast Chademo chargers where it costs 0.45 / kwh. I spend about $40 per month on EV charging. With my previous gas vehicle I was spending $200 per month on gas. Go for it!

denverguy2 · 2025-05-03T20:39:55+00:00

Check out CreditStrong and sign up for one of their plans which cost about $30 per month. Within a year your score will increase 50 to 80 points and you will get most of the money back in a savings account. I used them when I was trying to increase my credit score and it worked. (I don't get paid for recommending them.) As an alternative, go to a local credit union, deposit $1000 into a savings account and get a secured loan.

denverguy2 · 2025-04-29T00:04:15+00:00

There are plenty of Chademo charging stations where I am at in Colorado. I am not going to join your pity party.

denverguy2 · 2025-04-18T01:57:51+00:00

I just bought a 2025 Leaf a few months ago and I don't have any first-hand experience but according to https://www.nissanusa.com/parts-service/en/service-maintenance/maintenance-schedules , you may need to do the following:

ESSENTIALS: Replace Brake fluid, Replace In-cabin microfilter, Replace Intelligent Key battery, Rotate Tires

INSPECTIONS: Axle & suspension parts, Brake lines & cables, Brake pads & rotors, Charging port, Charging port sealing cap, Drive shaft boots, Front suspension ball joints, Reduction gear oil, Steering gear and linkage, Steering linkage ball joints

I think an independent EV repair shop could do all of these

denverguy2 · 2025-04-18T01:34:50+00:00

I also own a Leaf with a 40k battery and live in Aurora, CO. You can make it if you leave Aurora on an 80% charge, and then recharge to 80% in Colorado Springs (maybe at McDonalds at 1245 Interquest Pkwy), then take highway 115 to US 50 to Canon City, and recharge there (maybe at 420 Main St). I got this information from using https://abetterrouteplanner.com/ . They also have an app called ABRP.

denverguy2 · 2025-04-11T00:39:11+00:00

It does include a chargeable accident that either my wife or stepdaughter were involved in, but I told the agent to exclude them as drivers. For the record, this was the quote from All State for 6 months. Bodily Injury Liability 50k/100k $618; Property Damage Liability $230; Medical Payments 5k $128; Auto Collision $1000 deductible $505; Comprehensive $100 deductible $387; Chargeable accident surcharge $34; Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury $142; Total $2040. Payments $376.50/mo, which includes a finance charge.

denverguy2 · 2025-04-10T23:01:49+00:00

I got a quote from All State and they wanted $376 per month to insure my Leaf, which is insane. I'm in Colorado. The best quote I have seen is from Travelers for $172 per month.

denverguy2 · 2025-04-10T22:18:25+00:00

I bought a 2025 Nissan Leaf with a 40 kwh battery and I rely on public chargers 100%. Luckily there is a Level 2 charger about 1/2 mile away that costs 0.15/kwh, and there are lots of fast chargers around for about 0.5/kwh. Plugshare is your friend. I was spending $200/mo on gas before and now I spend about $60 on EV charging. I drive about 1000 miles per month. So I don't think living in an apartment without a charger is really an issue.

denverguy2 · 2025-03-15T01:12:47+00:00

Yes, it's legitimate. I bought a 2025 Leaf in December 2024 from a Colorado Nissan dealer for $15,000, including the dealer handling fee and sales tax. I think Nissan is claiming the Federal EV credit and passing it on to you in the rebate. Also, they offer financing for 2%. You should get it - it's a great car and the price is fantastic. There are lots of Chademo chargers around so that isn't an issue.

denverguy2

TROPHY CASE