First Nations have long endured infrastructure challenges, from boil-water advisories to fragiles electricity grids to winter-only roads. But that’s not stopping some from looking to pivot to electric vehicles
My experience in Europe where the EV infrastructure is more developed, long trip are not an issue. I don’t even plan my trip, I just go and charge when I need it.
Right but north Americans get closer, much more regularly.
The point of my comment was to strip away any notion of region or everyday use, and only focus on energy… Density per hour driving, and the available habits of refueling via whatever source.
In the uk the woodland trust are.putting chargers into car parks so you can atop on a long drive for.a walk in the woods, it’s great for those rare long journeies and can tie in with lunch perfectly.
Supermarkets and similar are doing the same so you can shop and charge at the same time. Were going to see more of this as infrastructure improves and roll out continues, rather than adding time fueling electric cars for most people will remove the need to ever make a stop just to fill up.
But I’m discussing the situation where you have 8h of pure movement to complete. Every stop is a burden. Currently fueling a gas car takes easily less than 10 minutes, and with 2 people both can use the restroom and prepare the car in 15, generously.
I’m not saying thats an every day thing. I’m just discussing the differences between ev and ice cars right now, regarding the pace of a long journey.
In my opinion, currently, the “perfect” garage would have an EV for local travel which is used regularly, and an ice car for long journeys.
The “perfect” choices, if available, would be ev in the garage, rent an ice car for long trips.
The “middle ground” I’m interested in personally is a hybrid, but I’m in no need of replacing my vehicles currently.
We have done quite a few trips over 2000 km — often with young children. Stopping for 20 - 30 minutes every 3 - 4 hours to grab a bite and hit the bathroom does not seem much of a burden. We did one last summer that included three North American countries. We did not even think about it. We just pulled out of the driveway, drove, and stopped when it made sense. Great trip.
you’re the exception, not the norm. When I have to take the worktruck to BC its 12hr days stopping once for 200L. 3-4 day drive depending on the weather and borders. Simply can’t do that in an electric and itll be a long time before the infrastructure is ready for it. Think thats an extreme circumstance? How about Ottawa from Toronto in 6hrs? thats a STRETCH with modern long range electrics. Quebec City, the Sue, Halifax? All one day drives with gas currently. Until that problem is solved; electric is a great city runner and not much more.
How often do you “long haul”? I’d argue an EV (with all of the perks of never going to a gas station again) is a great primary car and an ICE might make a decent SECOND car if you need to drive longer distances
and if the charging infrastructure in your area is lacking.
People are not generally inclined to plan on regularly needing a rental. I’m not saying that’s how it should be, but for car buyers the phrase of “I’ll rent every time I have a special task” isn’t a winner. It should be, if folks realistically assess how often those special tasks happen (probably rare), but that’s not how buyers work. They want to be able to say “my car meets all my needs”.
Again, I’m agreeing that rentals are the perfect choice, because “special tasks” are actually pretty fucking rare. It’s just an uphill battle of purchasing comfortability
What exactly qualifies as long haul? Average EV range is almost 300km which is pretty damn far before you need a charge-up. I live in a small town and my PHEV only goes 40km on a charge and I still only have to charge every other day most of the time.
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You simply cant long-haul an electric reliably yet. As of right now its a great SECOND car…
guess I hallucinated that trip from Seattle to Vegas and back, huh
i was sure I saw myself in the battlebots audience last season, but I guess I hallucinated that too
i must be going crazy (or you’re wrong)
I never said you cant do it, but its going to suck and take forever.
I’m telling you it didn’t.
… in north America.
My experience in Europe where the EV infrastructure is more developed, long trip are not an issue. I don’t even plan my trip, I just go and charge when I need it.
Edit, wording
Still a 8h driving day will require more charging time than gas refill time, regardless of how many chargers there are.
Acknowledged on your planning point, that’s a huge improvement.
Sure. Nobody disputes that.
But it’s a very small percentage of the population who drives like that.
And for much of the rest of the people, an EV can be a viable option.
Right but north Americans get closer, much more regularly.
The point of my comment was to strip away any notion of region or everyday use, and only focus on energy… Density per hour driving, and the available habits of refueling via whatever source.
In the uk the woodland trust are.putting chargers into car parks so you can atop on a long drive for.a walk in the woods, it’s great for those rare long journeies and can tie in with lunch perfectly.
Supermarkets and similar are doing the same so you can shop and charge at the same time. Were going to see more of this as infrastructure improves and roll out continues, rather than adding time fueling electric cars for most people will remove the need to ever make a stop just to fill up.
Totally, that’s great
But I’m discussing the situation where you have 8h of pure movement to complete. Every stop is a burden. Currently fueling a gas car takes easily less than 10 minutes, and with 2 people both can use the restroom and prepare the car in 15, generously.
I’m not saying thats an every day thing. I’m just discussing the differences between ev and ice cars right now, regarding the pace of a long journey.
In my opinion, currently, the “perfect” garage would have an EV for local travel which is used regularly, and an ice car for long journeys.
The “perfect” choices, if available, would be ev in the garage, rent an ice car for long trips.
The “middle ground” I’m interested in personally is a hybrid, but I’m in no need of replacing my vehicles currently.
What is long haul?
We have done quite a few trips over 2000 km — often with young children. Stopping for 20 - 30 minutes every 3 - 4 hours to grab a bite and hit the bathroom does not seem much of a burden. We did one last summer that included three North American countries. We did not even think about it. We just pulled out of the driveway, drove, and stopped when it made sense. Great trip.
you’re the exception, not the norm. When I have to take the worktruck to BC its 12hr days stopping once for 200L. 3-4 day drive depending on the weather and borders. Simply can’t do that in an electric and itll be a long time before the infrastructure is ready for it. Think thats an extreme circumstance? How about Ottawa from Toronto in 6hrs? thats a STRETCH with modern long range electrics. Quebec City, the Sue, Halifax? All one day drives with gas currently. Until that problem is solved; electric is a great city runner and not much more.
How often do you “long haul”? I’d argue an EV (with all of the perks of never going to a gas station again) is a great primary car and an ICE might make a decent SECOND car if you need to drive longer distances and if the charging infrastructure in your area is lacking.
It’s also like these people have never heard of rentals.
People are not generally inclined to plan on regularly needing a rental. I’m not saying that’s how it should be, but for car buyers the phrase of “I’ll rent every time I have a special task” isn’t a winner. It should be, if folks realistically assess how often those special tasks happen (probably rare), but that’s not how buyers work. They want to be able to say “my car meets all my needs”.
Again, I’m agreeing that rentals are the perfect choice, because “special tasks” are actually pretty fucking rare. It’s just an uphill battle of purchasing comfortability
Yeah, people can and do roadtrip in EVs. If you’re on a 4 hour trip a 20 minute charge is a minor inconvenience at worst, and a needed break at best.
What exactly qualifies as long haul? Average EV range is almost 300km which is pretty damn far before you need a charge-up. I live in a small town and my PHEV only goes 40km on a charge and I still only have to charge every other day most of the time.