EV Articles by Paul Gipe

I’ve pulled together all my articles on EVs and driving electric under one heading–as much for my own benefit as for the benefit of readers.

Rtemagicc electric vehicle electricity consumption early 2015 jpg jpg

Our Nissan Leaf’s Electricity Consumption Early 2015

By

Paul Gipe

When we got our recent bill from Pacific Gas & Electric Co., I thought I’d take a look at hour our Electric Vehicle (EV) was affecting our consumption.

Route from our home in Bakersfield to the Flying J truck stop at Lebec, California near the summit of the Tejon Pass.

EV Trip Report: Bakersfield to Lebec and the Grapevine

By

Paul Gipe

For those of us who live in the San Joaquin Valley, getting to and from Los Angeles in an Electric Vehicle (EV) is a challenge. Southbound, the last charging stations are in Bakersfield. Then it’s a long 30-mile run across the valley floor before Highway 99 and Interstate 5 make a steep climb over the summit of the Tejon pass.

Tehachapi on plugshare jpg

Level 2 Charge Station Coming to Tehachapi this Summer

By

Paul Gipe

The City of Tehachapi plans to install a Level 2 commercial charge station near City Hall sometime this summer, says Chris Kirk, assistant city manager. When installed, the station will double the number of charge locations in Tehachapi.

Img 20150220 00096 jpg

EV Trip Report: Bakersfield to Glenville

By

Paul Gipe

It was a beautiful day and there was a report of abundant wildflowers on the road to Woody. Glenville is beyond Woody and we thought we’d test our Leaf’s range once again in the foothills east of Bakersfield.

Google route map from EV Trip Planner: 45 miles and more than 4,000 feet of elevation gain.

EV Trip Report: Bakersfield to Tehachapi

By

Paul Gipe

On Sunday Nancy & I drove our car to Tehachapi from Bakersfield, California. That in itself isn’t significant. Thousands of cars and trucks climb the 4,000 feet from the San Joaquin Valley to the Tehachapi Pass everyday. What is unusual is that we drove the 45 miles in our 2015 Nissan Leaf, an electric car.

Mountain valley rv park 20150215 000 jpg

Charging an EV at Tehachapi’s Mountain Valley RV Park

By

Paul Gipe

Recreational Vehicle (RV) parks with NEMA 14-50 receptacles are popular with drivers of Electric Vehicles (EVs) where no EV-specific chargers exist—as is the case between Bakersfield and Mojave, California. These outlets provide 240 volts at up to 40 amps of continuous current, equivalent to that from EV-specific chargers.