Driving an electric vehicle (EV) over long distances is becoming more feasible, yet it still presents significant challenges. While advancements have been made, the experience is not without its difficulties.
My EV Journey to Driving EVs Long Distances
I’ve owned a Chevrolet Bolt for over a year, primarily using it for short commutes. However, I recently embarked on two longer trips: one from Cleveland to Chicago and another from Chicago to Indianapolis. Here’s what I learned from these experiences.
Range Anxiety Is a Real Concern
Range anxiety—the fear of running out of charge before reaching a charging station—is a genuine issue when driving EVs long distances. In my past experience with gasoline cars, I knew the distance between gas stations, so I felt secure. However, watching the Bolt’s miles-left counter decrease while driving created a different level of anxiety.
The Bolt displays three range estimates: the best-case scenario, the typical range, and the range if you use more energy-intensive features like air conditioning. I found myself obsessively planning my stops based on the worst-case scenario and avoiding using the air conditioning, even when it was desperately needed.
Public Chargers Are Improving
A year ago, many stories circulated about the difficulties of using non-Tesla EV charging networks, often requiring drivers to juggle multiple apps for different charging companies. However, during my trips to Driving EVs Long Distances, I encountered fewer problems than expected.
Although I did run into a faulty charger in Indiana, the solution was simple—just move to the next working charger. Some stations now accept credit cards, which is a convenient alternative to using multiple apps. For example, I used a charger in a Walmart parking lot that offered this feature.
Charging Speed Is Crucial
Charging speed is a significant factor in the practicality of driving EVs long distances. The Bolt, one of the slower-charging EVs, presented challenges on my trips. Most modern EVs can charge up to 80% capacity in about 30 minutes on a Level 3 charger.
However, my Bolt took over an hour to reach the same level. For instance, during my stop at a Chevy dealership along the turnpike, I waited for over an hour to get enough charge to continue my journey, which was much longer than I anticipated.
Charging Levels Explained Driving EVs Long Distances
- Level 1: Uses a standard wall plug, requiring several days to fully charge a 65kWh battery.
- Level 2: Utilizes a 240-volt plug, like those used for dryers, taking about eight hours for a full charge.
- Level 3: Fast-chargers that can fill up to 80% of a battery’s capacity in about 30 minutes for newer EV models.
Slower Speeds for Greater Efficiency
Speed significantly impacts how quickly an EV consumes electricity. Up to 60 mph, my Bolt was efficient, providing around 4.5 miles per kWh. However, at 70 mph, efficiency dropped to 3 miles per kWh. This decrease meant that I had to adjust my driving strategy, sticking with trucks in the right lane to maximize my range and avoid additional stops for charging.
The Cost of Public Charging
One of the most surprising aspects of driving EVs long distances is the cost of public charging. At home, I pay about $0.15 per kWh, making it inexpensive to charge the Bolt. On the road, however, I encountered rates over $0.50 per kWh, making a full charge more expensive than filling up a gasoline car with a similar range.
While some free or lower-cost chargers exist, such as one I found at a library in Lafayette, Indiana, they are not always conveniently located.
Key Takeaways
My experience with driving EVs long distances highlighted both the strengths and weaknesses of electric vehicles. For daily commutes and short trips, the Bolt is fantastic—economical, easy to operate, and convenient with home charging.
However, for longer trips, the limitations of current EV technology become apparent. The anxiety of running out of charge, the time required for charging, and the cost of public electricity all make long-distance EV travel less appealing.
Yet, things are improving. Newer EV models are equipped with larger batteries and faster-charging capabilities, which will make long-distance travel more practical in the future. While we may never reach the convenience of a quick gas station fill-up that provides 400 miles of range, the advancements in battery technology and charging infrastructure are promising.
For now, I’ll continue to use my Bolt for local travel, avoiding long-distance trips unless absolutely necessary. But if I do embark on another long journey, at least I know it’s possible—just not particularly enjoyable.
Driving EVs long distances may still pose challenges, but as technology evolves, these journeys will likely become easier and more accessible for everyone.
