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How a Nissan LEAF owner commutes over 130 miles daily

Electric cars are just for short distances. Right? Well, with the right circumstances, they can do more than that as Steve Marsh proves with his 130-mile daily commute, which has put over 100,000 miles on his Nissan LEAF and saved him thousands in gasoline costs.

Marsh, who lives in the Seattle, Washington area, has driven his LEAF for more than 100,000 miles with his daily commute of over 130 miles round trip. He was honored by Washington Governor Jay Inslee (pictured: Marsh at left, Inslee at right) at a ceremony showcasing him and his LEAF as well as the fast-growing charging infrastructure in the state.

Marsh purchased his 2011 Nissan LEAF new and has driven it daily since. He estimates that doing so has saved him thousands in gasoline costs over his previous internal combustion engine (ICE) car:

"With a daily commute of about 130 miles, I've saved more than $9,000 compared to my old gas-powered car since I bought my LEAF," said Marsh, who credits Washington's strong charging infrastructure. "With plenty of public charging options, as well as a charger installed at my office, my LEAF is a perfect car for my commute."

Marsh's decision to buy the LEAF was based largely on its low cost of ownership. It's cheaper to fuel and maintain, making it simpler and cheaper to own over the long run, says Marsh.

The LEAF owner is a financial controller at Taylor Shellfish and talked briefly in front of a gathering at a local Nissan dealership where the Governor of Washington, Jay Inslee, and state Transportation Secretary Lynn Peterson spoke about Washington's plug-in grid adoption and proliferation. Marsh directly attributes his ability to drive his LEAF for 130 miles daily to that infrastructure. He drives to work, plugs in, and then drives home. He often uses chargers at public locations when he stops to shop or eat on the way to and from work as well, augmenting his charge on the way.

The video below highlights the event and Marsh's candid remarks about his car:

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