Summary
– Sign up for daily news updates from CleanTechnica via email or follow on Google News
– Author describes a memorable EV drive in the southwest, visiting national parks and the Very Large Array
– The Guadalupe Rim Road is a challenging route for EVs due to lack of infrastructure and charging options
– Route from Cloudcroft to Queen involves steep climbs and gravel roads, impacting energy consumption
– The road includes significant changes in elevation and views of the back side of the Guadalupe Mountains, with patches of pavement due to steepness
Article
The article discusses the author’s experience driving the EV9 through a challenging road in the southwest, known as the Guadalupe Rim Road. The road offers stunning views of the landscape behind the Guadalupe Mountains, showcasing the unique geology of the area. The author highlights the difficulty for EVs in this remote region due to the lack of charging infrastructure, surrounded by oil country. Despite these challenges, the author embarks on the journey from Cloudcroft to Queen, navigating through gravel roads and steep inclines, consuming more energy than expected. An RV park in Queen, New Mexico, and charging stations in Alamogordo and Cloudcroft provide the necessary charging points for EVs in the area.
The Guadalupe Mountains, located in Texas, feature ancient reef formations that have been uplifted over time, creating a unique landscape with diverse geology. The area is sparsely populated, with ranchers and visitors being the primary inhabitants. Due to the lack of water sources and challenging terrain, settlement in the region has been limited. The author describes the road up the rim of the Guadalupe Mountains as a remote and rugged route that is not commonly traveled by EVs. The article sheds light on the harsh conditions of the area, making it a challenging environment for electric vehicles.
The journey from Cloudcroft to Queen takes the author through varying landscapes, from pine forests to grasslands, before ascending into the Guadalupe Mountains. The author shares the experience of driving on gravel roads and steep inclines, which significantly impact the energy consumption of the EV9. Despite the lack of infrastructure and charging options along the route, the author manages to navigate through the challenging terrain with careful planning and preparation. The remote nature of the region adds to the adventure of the journey, offering a unique perspective of the southwest landscape.
The author reflects on the significance of exploring remote areas like the Guadalupe Rim Road in an electric vehicle, showcasing the potential for EVs in off-grid locations. The article emphasizes the need for more EV drivers to embrace the challenges and rewards of venturing into remote regions, paving the way for electric overlanding adventures. As EV technology continues to advance, the accessibility of remote areas for electric vehicles is expected to improve, opening up new opportunities for sustainable travel. The author’s experience highlights the resilience and adaptability of EVs in challenging environments, demonstrating their potential for off-grid exploration.
Overall, the article provides a detailed account of the author’s journey through the Guadalupe Rim Road in an EV, shedding light on the challenges and rewards of traveling through remote regions in an electric vehicle. The unique geology and landscape of the Guadalupe Mountains add to the adventure of the journey, showcasing the beauty of the southwest region. Despite the lack of infrastructure and charging options, the author’s experience demonstrates the feasibility of exploring remote areas in an EV with proper planning and preparation. The article encourages more EV drivers to embrace off-grid adventures and highlights the potential for electric vehicles in sustainable travel.
Read the full article here
