Summary
- Took a 6-hour, 370-mile EV road trip from New York to Montreal with family
- Used Plugscore app and downloaded payment apps for charging stations
- Charging station in rural upstate New York made the trip easy, opened a few months ago
- Network of EV chargers is growing rapidly, nearly doubled since January 2021
- EV charging infrastructure is improving with new initiatives like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and NEVI program, making trips more predictable and dependable
Article
In June, the author embarked on his first electric vehicle road trip, driving his family from New York’s Hudson Valley to a transportation conference outside of Montreal, Canada. Despite having minimal experience driving an electric vehicle, the trip was successful and drama-free due to recent investments in electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The author relied on the Plugscore app and other charging apps to plan their route and locate charging stations along the way. With a range of 300 miles on their Hyundai Ioniq 5, they only needed to charge once during the trip, which took them through New York’s Adirondack Park.
The drive through New York’s colonial history landmarks to the Adirondack Park was picturesque, with rolling hills, forests, and waterways. As the car’s range began to decrease while climbing the Adirondack hills, the author paid close attention to their energy consumption, utilizing regenerative braking to recharge the battery on downhills. Despite initial concerns, the family arrived at a charging station in North Hudson with 30 miles of range left. While waiting for the car to charge, they explored a nearby establishment with diverse offerings such as camping supplies, Pakistani food, and children’s toys.
After completing the charging stop in North Hudson, the family continued their trip through the Adirondacks and rural Quebec to reach their hotel north of Montreal. The author utilized a charger at the hotel to recharge the car to full capacity during their stay. The trip was made easier by the implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which funded charging stations along major highways through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program. Stations funded by NEVI had to meet certain standards, ensuring a more predictable driving experience and reliable charging infrastructure.
The author emphasized the importance of improving the electric vehicle charging infrastructure before more people feel comfortable transitioning to electric vehicles. A 2022 survey identified charging logistics as a top concern for US residents considering electric vehicles. However, the network of chargers is rapidly expanding and improving, with the number of publicly available EV charging ports nearly doubling since January 2021. Programs like NEVI and other Bipartisan Infrastructure Law grants are supporting EV infrastructure in various locations, from national parks to community institutions like transit stations and libraries.
The ability to travel in an electric vehicle seamlessly and without drama is a testament to the improvement in electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The author highlighted the growth and development of charging stations across the country, making road trips like theirs a breeze. With the support of government initiatives like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and tax credits for businesses and homeowners, the future of electric vehicle infrastructure looks promising. Ultimately, the goal is to make electric vehicle charging a predictable and reliable experience for all drivers, allowing for ordinary and unremarkable drives that focus on the destinations and experiences along the way.
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