Heated Seat, Finally

Thanks for the heat!

A few weeks ago I paid Auto-Trim Design of Helena to install a seat heater.  I have already used it on some cold mornings and it's very nice!

I can't believe I've gone through two winters without one.  Two bad things happen when cold temps begin: you lose a lot of range to the cold, and you lose range when you turn on the cabin heater.  Kind of a catch 22-- the only time you need the cabin heater is when the battery is suffering the most, thereby losing even more driving range.

Instead of using the main traction battery, a heated seat operates off the little 12V battery, the same as plugging in an accessory to your cigarette adapter.  In other words hardly lose any driving range by using a seat heater compared to using the Leaf's cabin heater.  And it feels amazingly warm.  

Regrettably my wife will not be enjoying a heated seat as she felt the expense was not worth it for both the driver's and the passenger seat.  I suppose she can enjoy it if she steals my car for the day :)

Starbucks

This Spring a new Starbucks opened in Helena.  That's nice, but even better, they included a Chargepoint EVSE! The front two spots are "EV charging only," or so you would think.

I parks where I wants

Most times both spots are occupied by non-electric vehicles.  The above pic is a little unusual because the right EV parking space is available, but I liked the license plate.

I emailed Starbucks today and suggested that they paint the "EV only" message in large font directly on the space.  I think that people just don't realize that they're not supposed to park there unless they're actively charging an EV.

Paint the space and most people will be courteous

Some of my in-laws have taken the position that if it isn't illegal, then customers can park in the EV only spaces.  I disagree, but will concede that it is not illegal to be a jerk.  My in-laws may want to take note that some states are making it illegal to not be actively charging but yet occupying an EV-only space.