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[vitaminC]

After reading this story in the WSJ today, I'm left wondering if we'll see any similar deals in the future for e-bikes? (I know the answer is no) With the current offers from Nissan and Fiat, it's actually less $ to get an e-Car than than something like the 2013 Zero S- and that just doesn't seem right. Granted, it's a lease for the cars, but I usually only keep vehicles for ~3 years anyway, so that's not a big deal, and I'm guessing the resale on e-bikes is not that great.

[protomech]

Typical lease costs for the less expensive EV cars - Spark EV, Fiat 500e, Leaf S:
* $7200 payments = $200/mo * 36 months
* $1000 down payment
* $1200 power = ~300 Wh/mile * 36k miles * $0.115/kWh
* $400 1 set of tires
$9800 after 36 months
+ insurance, maintenance, cost of installing EVSE (often can be rolled into the monthly payments)

Typical 3 year costs for a 2013 S ZF8.5, assuming the same 36k miles:
* $14000 base price
* - $1400 10% tax credit
* $600 power = ~150 Wh/mile * 36k miles * $0.115/kWh
* $1000 tires = replace rear every 6k, front every 12k
$14200 after 36 months + owning the bike

To break-even cost-wise, you have to ask whether the bike is worth $4400 to you or a potential buyer after 3 years.

The EV car leases are a pretty great deal for consumers, especially as it pushes battery longevity risk back on the manufacturer. I don't think we'll see a lease deal like this from Brammo or Zero .. first because motorcycles are rarely made available to lease, second because their distribution network is still very small. I think they COULD offer an optional battery performance guarantee at relatively small cost.

In the end, the cost is fairly similar. A less expensive bike - eg Zero XU - could swing costs back in favor of the bike ($11k after 36 months + owning the bike), provided that it meets your needs.

I think it's close enough to say that the costs are comparable, and you should buy what you want to drive or ride.

[vitaminC]

Well, obviously I'm here because I want to ride   

If it was just about saving money, I could ride my bicycle to work everyday and come out way ahead on any type of calculation.

Thanks for your input, and also posting your charging stats- that's quite informative!

[protomech]

As a counterpoint, here's what Edmunds says for the costs of the first 3 years owning a Camry LE sedan:
http://www.edmunds.com/toyota/camry/2012/tco.html?style=101403728

* $9060 depreciation
* $1870 financing
* $5262 fuel (assuming 12k miles/year)
* $400 1 set of tires
$16592 after 36 months
+ insurance, non-tire maintenance, taxes etc