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Joe Peraino of Portland is a retired psychologist, a new Maine grandpa and has visited all the national parks in the continental United States.
My wife and I were early adopters of electric vehicles, buying one of the first models available in Colorado back in 2016. We held onto it for six years, but with most of our trips concentrated around the state and our trusty SUV for longer hauls, we never took our electric vehicle on a long-distance adventure.
Fast forward to this year. With a recent move to Portland and a looming wedding invitation in the Hudson Valley, we found ourselves a little nervous about tackling a long trip in our new electric vehicle, a sleek Hyundai Ioniq 6. We needn’t have worried.
Planning the route from Portland to Lake Placid, with a detour through scenic New Hampshire, revealed a wealth of charging options. From speedy Level 3 chargers that could top off the battery in 20 minutes to convenient Level 2 chargers perfect for overnight stops, the network was extensive. These charging stations, often located near shopping centers, became welcome rest stops, allowing us to stretch, grab a bite and even do some last-minute shopping.
The cost savings compared with gas were eye-opening. While lounging at our hotel, we charged our car with a Level 2 charger. That charging session provided 100 miles of range and set us back a mere $1.96. Think about it: to cover the same distance in a typical gas-powered car getting 25 miles per gallon, you’d need four gallons, which, at today’s national average of $3.50 per gallon, would cost a whopping $14!
The return trip back to Portland was a breeze. We even made a spontaneous stop at the iconic Dairy Bar on the University of Connecticut campus in Storrs, fitting in another charge at a nearby outlet mall (where I managed to snag a new athletic shirt!).
The ease of charging throughout the trip emboldened us to take another unplanned jaunt, driving to visit a relative in southern Massachusetts without any route planning.
There’s a lot of negative press surrounding electric vehicles, particularly about limited charging infrastructure and long waits. But our experience in New England paints a different picture. Compared to our days in Denver and the vast open spaces of the West, charging stations here are plentiful. Don’t let fear mongering and outdated information deter you from exploring the world of electric vehicles.
In a region like New England with its concentrated population centers, range anxiety shouldn’t be a concern. Electric vehicles offer a fun driving experience, require minimal maintenance, can be charged conveniently at home and, most importantly, help us reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. And if you’re still on the fence, consider this: For two-car families, the electric option makes perfect sense for your second vehicle.
