Driving an electric vehicle is a different experience from an internal combustion engine vehicle.
Most days, we charge our cars with the level 2 charger we had installed in our garage. Our electrical breaker box was already in the garage, so it was straightforward to have the dryer-plug-type-outlet installed.
(Photo: David Cassady)
Then, we purchased a Grizzle charger for about $400 and spent $150 having an electrician install it. We pay around 17 cents per kilowatt hour to fuel our cars (I don’t do math, but trust me, it’s a negligible increase to our electric bill to charge our cars.).
Most people in the U.S. drive less than 40 miles per day. The batch of EVs on the market now tend to offer between 200-500 miles on a full charge.
So, my wife Rejeana tends to charge once per week, overnight. I do the same, unless I need to make a trip to Louisville (about 80 miles away). I can charge the night before at home and then make the full trip without needing to stop and charge.
Because of new federal funding programs, the number of fast chargers (those that can get an EV back to 80% in 15-30 minutes) are multiplying.
From our home in Kentucky, we have made trips to the beach and the North Carolina mountains without issue, but we do plan our charging stops ahead of time. Given our need for snack and bathroom stops, we need to take breaks anyway.
Over the next few years, fast chargers will become more widely available and the range of EVs will continue to increase. But, the truth is, a 250-mile range easily covers the majority of travel scenarios for our family.
(Photo: David Cassady)
We usually arrive at a charger, on a road trip, with 20-30% charge left, and just need to charge to 80% to get to the next charger (and coffee stop). Our charging stops tend to be 15-25 minutes.
And remember, this is only for road trips. For our daily driving, home charging keeps us cheaply and fully charged.
Assuming humans don’t destroy the planet with weapons, the future promises quieter roads and no fumes through EVs.
And travel in an EV is just fun. Electric cars have instant torque, no transmission to wait upon, and offer incredibly quiet and smooth rides. These cars are both quick and comfortable. Don’t take my word for it — drive one.
In case you assume an EV is a Tesla, the good news is that many automakers are now offering EVs, with more models coming each year. Rejeana and I each have Volkswagen ID4 SUVs; hers is blue and mine is white.
Ford, Chevy, Hyundai, Kia and Volvo each have EV models worth considering. Toyota and Subaru are adding models in the coming months.
If you can’t yet jump to an EV, don’t fret. Hybrids are a solid middle ground for many, and it may be that recycling and composting are your way to care for creation.
The main thing is to do what you can now. If we all contribute in our own way, it really can make a difference for the future of God’s creation.
Editor’s note: This is the second of a two-part series. Part one is available here.
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President of Baptist Seminary of Kentucky in Georgetown and Louisville, Kentucky, and the founder and president of Faithlab. He can be heard on the weekly Faithelement podcast.
