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I'm a new member and new RAV4 EV owner:

Tom Greene

Male, married

53 years old

Astronomer by profession

SF Bay Area (near Redwood City)

Also own Chevy Volt (my wife's)

I'm a pretty avid bicyclist and not much of a car guy but do appreciate efficient vehicles. My first car was a year 2000 Honda Insight that I bought used when I was 44, and I just sold it this morning (about 55 mpg lifetime). I got pretty interested in EVs about a year ago when Volts and Leafs were getting common on Bay Area roads, and I decided to go electric last fall after calculating that a modest photovoltaic solar power system could power a car and most of our house. I was smitten with the RAV4 EV when I test drove it last October, but our first EV purchase was for my wife and she wanted a car without range limitations. Chevy Volt to the rescue last December. I also met Dsinned, our forum moderator then, and he raved about his RAV4 EV (as well as his Volt). Our photovoltaic system became operational in April, and we have produced nearly 1 MWh of power since then. Last week I decided to go for the RAV4 EV after getting a tour of the Tesla factory (although I don't really have model S envy - too fancy for me), and Dsinned gave me some great advice and encouragement. I picked up my Blizzard Pearl baby this past Saturday June 1, VIN 633 (last 3 digits). My Leviton 40A EVSE just arrived and will hopefully be installed early next week.

The info and tone of this forum are great. I have already learned a whole lot and look forward to contributing in the future.