In This Episode:
- A Kelly Blue Book editor’s real-world EV road trip experience—what went wrong?
- Toyota’s Chief Scientist says the world isn’t ready for EVs—why?
- Lessons learned from an EV road trip through North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee.
Key Takeaways from the Road Trip:
- Make a Charging Plan (and a Backup Plan)
- Charging stations aren’t as common as gas stations.
- Real-world EV range is often 20–30% less than advertised.
- Charging takes much longer than refueling a gas car.
- Don’t Rely on Range Estimates
- EV range can vary significantly due to driving conditions.
- Running low? You may have to adjust your route unexpectedly.
- Be Ready for Charging Network Limitations
- Not all charging stations are part of the same network.
- Using multiple networks can increase costs.
- Make the Most of Charging Delays
- Charging can take hours—forcing travelers to find things to do.
- The trip in this episode had 13 hours of charging time—that’s 50% of the total driving time!
- EVs May Not Be Practical for Long Road Trips (Yet)
- EV adoption is growing, but infrastructure lags behind.
- Even Ford’s CEO admits that charging stations are not up to standard.
Toyota’s Chief Scientist Weighs In:
- EVs aren’t the best solution for everyone.
- Battery supply issues and charging infrastructure remain major roadblocks.
- EVs are great for short commutes, but long trips require adaptation.
Final Thoughts:
- EVs offer great performance and torque, but they don’t fit everyone’s lifestyle yet.
- As more EVs hit the road, will infrastructure keep up?
- What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments!
🎧 Listen now and decide if an EV is right for you!