[ctdonath]

I recently ballparked the cost of a home solar charger for my Leaf EV. Came out around half the price of the car ... not cheap, but feasible for someone serious about it.

I do have a propane-powered electrical generator for emergency/backup home power. Some day I'll try charging the Leaf with it.

[mikeash]

Have you ever worked out your approximate cost per kWh for the generator? I imagine it's painful compared to what you get from the power company, but I'd be curious to know just how painful.

[ctdonath]

About $1.23/kWh.

Ad verbiage for the allegedly 3250 running watts generator states "engine run time of 10 hours at 50% on a common 20Lb (gas grill type) cylinder". So that's under $2 for 1.625kWh, which is roughly the power draw for recharging the Nissan Leaf in question, which takes 20 hours - costing upwards of $40. More to your point, that's about $1.23/kWh. Not cheap, but a 10x markup is appropriate and acceptable for emergency needs.

[mikeash]

Thanks. That sounds pretty reasonable for a generator, considering.