Driving an EV after decades of driving gasoline powered cars is like starting a new relationship. You’re super excited, and you know that it is the right thing to do to reduce fossil fuel use and air pollution. You just don’t know what to expect, and no one can tell you exactly what it will be like because everyone’s EV experience is unique.
You take it slowly at first, commuting to work and doing errands. You might even have a mutual friend, let’s call it a charger, at your work which helps to expedite the pace of the relationship. You’re feeling good. Plus, your new EV is quiet, less expensive to operate, and you don’t miss hanging out at the gas pump with the gas guzzling ex.
It’s going well and you decide that it is time to spend a long weekend together. It is just you and your new EV. The two of you alone with no copilot, and you are smitten with each other. But you do wonder, can we make this relationship work? Will there be challenges along the way? Even your friends who are in a similar relationship can’t explain it exactly. Hop in and I’ll tell you about my ride!
Purchasing my first Electric Vehicle
I purchased my EV, a Volkswagen ID-4, in February 2022 when “things” in my old car, e.g., heat, AC, a few windows, stopped working and repair costs were looming. I typically buy a new car every 210+K miles and 10-12 years so I knew that, if I didn’t get an EV this time around, I’d be tied to an internal combustion engine for many years and that I would regret it.
To help decide if an EV would be a good match for me, I spent about 30 minutes reading reviews online and chatted with friends who have EVs, many of whom were early adopters. In addition to cutting their gasoline consumption to help slow climate change, they consistently said that they like the minimal maintenance of EVs, the quietness, the ease of charging at home or work, and the lower cost per mile to operate.
However, I noted that all but one of my EV-owning friends also had access to another car within the family to use for road trips. So, while everyone I spoke with was happy with their EV on a daily basis, nearly all seemed cautious about having an EV as their only car because of road trip range anxiety. And, this drew me to the challenge of getting an EV and then setting out on a 230-mile road trip (one-way) to see whether I made the right decision.
I had good timing and found an ID-4 that had been pre-ordered and canceled by the buyer so I was sitting in the driver’s seat within in 2 days of putting down a deposit. Saying goodbye to the gas pumps and charging my EV at home or at public chargers for about 1/3 the cost of gasoline (and often for free), is incredibly freeing.
However, owning an EV does require some adapting as you develop a charging routine that works best for you. My EV has a range of about 250 miles, and the manufacturer recommends charging only to 80% to maintain battery life.
How does an EV charger work?
If you’re new to EVs, here is some background on charging. A Level 1 charger (which came with my ID-4) uses a household 120-volt 3-prong outlet and adds about 3-5 miles every hour.
Most Level 2 chargers – also called a J-plug or a SAEJ1772 – add 20-25 miles every hour. Most EV owners install one at home to be able to fully charge overnight. I haven’t done this yet because the Level 1 charger, combined with public chargers, meets my current needs.
Level 3 chargers use direct current (DC) and typically take 25-35 minutes for a full charge and are the only practical way to charge on a road trip. For more details on charging, this is a good article. You can also learn more about EV technology here.
Taking a road trip with an Electric Vehicle
My goal for the 230-mile drive from Durham, NC to Mt. Pleasant, SC was to charge at Electrify America stations which are FREE to VW owners for 3 years. Making the road trip to visit my friends Ann and Jimmy in my old car, would have cost about $60 each way at current gas prices.
A few minutes of planning time was needed to locate Level 3 charging options heading south on I-95. If you have a human copilot, this can be done along the way. In addition to the Electrify America App, I also downloaded the Charge Point App as a backup. Charged up to 200 miles of battery at home, my 18-month old golden retriever, Fiona, and I were off.
What did I learn, how did I adapt, and what will I do differently next time?
Is driving an EV hard?
First, driving an EV is a relearning process, especially on long distances, so giving yourself some grace and patience to adjust is helpful. It’s a different mindset and kind of a game more than a race to the finish.
Charging to 90%+ at trip start is helpful. While the manufacturer’s recommended 80% maximum charge is normally enough for daily driving, I wished I had an extra 25 miles leaving from home.
For my return trip, I adjusted the maximum charge to 90% and will continue to do this for future road trips. Because the rate of charging slows once the battery reaches 80%, increasing the charge to 90%+ at Level 3 chargers doesn’t necessarily save you time on the road.
Level 3 chargers are essential on road trips and knowing charging options before hitting the road is especially important when traveling solo.
Speed matters. A charge to 200 miles might take me 225-250 miles in city driving. With highway driving at 65+ mph, it may only cover150 miles. To extend my range, I occasionally drive ~65 mph when the speed limit is 70 mph.
Other hacks to extend range. On my way from Durham to Charleston, I made two stops and each charge took about 35 minutes, plus the time getting off/on the highway. On my return trip, I learned enough that I only needed one charge stop. In addition to a pre-trip charge to 90%+ and driving slower, turning the AC down or off saves miles.
And, I did draft a truck for a bit. Finally, I always use the regenerative braking mode which extends the range by operating the electric motor in reverse, recapturing some of the vehicle’s kinetic energy and charging the battery while you drive.
Traveling solo with a pet has pit stop challenges in any type of vehicle, especially in hot weather, because most rest stops and gas stations don’t allow pets inside. This can be more difficult with EV charging because the Level 3 stations are typically in a big box parking lots.
While my car was charging, I enjoyed walking Fiona, but I often ended up not having access to indoor plumbing because most stores aren’t pet friend. There was one welcome exception with a pet-friendly Lowes so Fiona could take care of her business outside and then accompany me indoors.
So, given my road trip experience, am I happy with my decision to have an EV as my only car? Absolutely and the low/no cost charge sure feels good!
What could be improved?
I envision charging stations of the future emerging as 30-45 minute “destinations,” with a coffee shop atmosphere, quick meals and snacks, pet-friendly restrooms, dog parks and playgrounds, and perhaps a small business center.
I think the future will have fewer “race track pit stops” and that our driving culture will adapt and allow more time to stretch our legs and cherish the journey, allowing us to recharge along with our cars.
