I started driving an EV every day in the fall of 2021. As I was cruising up Route 2 on a frigid evening this past week, I was struck by how much in that time I’ve come to love driving an EV.
I preface this post by stating that I would prefer an EV for a myriad of reasons, regardless of how well it drives. I feel like it is a better choice to make for the environment, and every time I drive past a gas station I count my blessings that refueling for me is as easy and simple and clean as a plug. And the significant cost savings – both in refueling and in maintenance – certainly are a major draw.
But to me, the actual act of driving an EV is the game-changing factor. It’s hard to put it into eloquent words, but the secret sauce of my EV is the power availability. Step on the pedal – in any situation at any time – and it goes. No turbo lag, no shift points, no limitations. When you are heading up the Route 2 hill in Belmont/Arlington and the car scoffs at the incline, it is special. And the acceleration is quiet – I know some get a thrill out of the rumble of an ICE engine, but in our insanely noisy world I’ll opt for the elegance and style of an EV quietly ripping up the pavement.
Have I had some learning moments with an EV? Absolutely. There have been times when I watched the available miles tick down to single digits. But is it any different or more stressful than trying to find an open gas station on a near-empty tank? I’ve experienced both and there is zero difference with the impending dread of being stranded. That being said, an electric car is way more accurate on available miles left to drive than an ICE car, which only gives you a rough estimate of fuel remaining but doesn’t have the ability to give you exact numbers.
What I’ve found with EVs is that you have to learn a new approach to refueling. Pretty much all of my anxiety-inducing moments were because I forgot to fully charge my car overnight. Once you get used to the fact that you should always top off your charge, you really don’t have any surprises. And driving with a full tank every day is a sneaky nice benefit – no more having to interrupt my day for refueling.
For longer road trips, you just have to do some simple pre-planning about where to stop, rather than expecting a gas station to pop up when you need it. In the extra 15 or 20 minutes you take to refresh your charge, you get in a few extra steps that you most definitely need, or check the emails and texts which have been piling up as you drive, or grab a bite to eat. It’s not a heavy lift. All you are doing is adjusting your mindset on how your road trip should unfold.
What’s interesting with a 3-year old EV is how little has changed with the car. Sure EVs are usually heavier than comparable ICE vehicles, but I still have my original tires after 40,000 miles. And the battery has barely degraded – I may have lost a couple of miles at most of charging capacity. In the end, it’s just a damn good car that is hugely dependable, less expensive to maintain and a lot of fun to drive. It’s better for the environment than an ICE car, but ultimately it is a winner for me because it is a better product for me.
