ABC News reporter Scott Shulman has learned a few things from owning and driving a 2012 Nissan Leaf and a 2004 Ford F-150 that’s 100% natural gas powered. Living in the Los Angeles area during a time when gasoline prices have spiked, here are a few interesting perspective on alternative fuel vehicles:
1. It’s costing 25 to 30 cents for a 28-mile round trip to and from work at ABC News.
2. The Leaf is filled with fast, sporty options, carries all his work gear, and he gets to drive solo in the carpool lane. The best part, he said, is not putting any of his cash in the hands of Hugo Chavez or the Saudis.
3. He gets to drive nearly 100 miles and has never been stranded with an empty battery. He also benefited from getting a lower electricity cost rate from his utility and saving about 30% off the purchase prices through federal and state incentives.
4. Natural gas for the pickup is costing about $1.83 a gallon (natural gas equivalent) when gasoline prices in West LA are $5 a gallon.
