My Take: Make the switch to an EV car. You won't be sorry.
If what I read online is true many people who may be interested in replacing an internal combustion engine (ICE) car still harbor doubts and misgivings pertaining to “range anxiety.” One article I read even stated that EV drivers have gotten tired of answering questions about the topic. My experience has usually shown quite the opposite. Most of my fellow EV drivers are more than willing to answer any questions about EVs.
My son and I took a used Tesla Model 3 from Holland to a buyer in Louisville, Kentucky. One of my part-time jobs is to drive for a local dealer. The car was sold online. We were the logical choice for the drive as we both have EVs, as does my wife. This car was nicer than mine. It was a long-range model. We made sure we were charged up before leaving.
We decided to charge up, just for kicks, in St. Joe. We stretched, emptied our bladders and enjoyed a Panera sandwich; 25 minutes later, we were off again. Next stop was the Meijer in Carmel, Indiana — the town that prides itself on roundabouts. We repeated the previous process, but enjoyed sushi from the Meijer store. We made it all the way to Louisville without charging again, and still had a half battery left.
We took a family vacation to Asheville, North Carolina, this summer. This was our furthest sojourn in our bare bones, basic Tesla Model 3. We stopped in St. Joe. Again in Carmel. Our car, being a low bucks variant, is good for 220 miles between charges, so we had to stop more often. There were three of us in the car with suitcases, etc. We had the air on and did a constant 72 mph.
We never suffered any sort of range anxiety. Our iPad-like screen showed us how much power we had and where available superchargers were located! The breaks were nice. We stretched our legs, used the facilities and ate or snacked. No muss, no fuss. Meijer has done an excellent job of providing superchargers. We now have them at the south side Meijer, too.
We also have a home charger. My phone has an app that lets me monitor miles powered and cost. Recently my wife added 185 miles of range to her Kia EV. The cost was? Sitting down, good people? $5.54. If you drive a car that gets 20 mpg and gas is $4 a gallon, that comes out to roughly $36! We also have solar panels, which mitigates the cost.
My wife’s Kia gets over 320 miles on a full charge. We took it to Gilmore Car Museum near Gull Lake this weekend. The three of us at posted or slightly above speed limits. Air on high and using the ventilated seats! Yes, a Kia Niro with ventilated seats! No range anxiety whatsoever and we left with far from a full battery! The real feel was well over 90 so we had that AC cranked way, way up.
Please, please do a wee bit of research. Range anxiety is a myth — maybe even fake news! Trips may require a wee bit of advanced planning, although with a smart phone and the onboard computers EVs have, this is even untrue! The car lets you know how to successfully make the trip! Make the switch. The future awaits and it is bright. Kick gas and OPEC to the proverbial gutter. Do your bit for the environment, all the while doing your family’s budget a tremendous service. Spend those bucks on far better things. You won’t be sorry!
— Jeff Raywood is a resident of Holland.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: My Take: Make the switch to an EV car. You won't be sorry.
