Road Tripping on EVs and Gas-based Cars, A Perspective.

[BS8899]

Background:

I have two homes, one in Phoenix AZ, and one in Sausalito CA.

Before my (now) 2nd home in Sausalito, I had a 2nd home in Rancho Palos Verdes (LA suburb) when my son was going to school at USC.

I regularly drove the Phoenix to LA route (400 miles, door-to-door) and now, I drive the Phoenix to Sausalito (~780 miles, door-to-door) route.

I am a strong EV advocate. My home in Phoenix has been 100% solar-powered and wired for EV charging since 2008. Sadly, no pure EV was worth buying until the 2020s. I had a gas hybrid (2017 Lexus RX450H), and a 2019 Honda Clarity (PHEV)—now my son’s car. Currently, I drive a 2022 Lucid AGT and a 2023 Rivian R1S.

I want to share my perspectives about taking long road trips in a hybrid, a PHEV, and two different EVs. Nothing profound. Just some real-life experience and numbers for long road trips.



Framing:

I don’t intend to get into debates with anyone about the efficiency (miles/kWh) of EVs and whether it is related to the square or cube of the speed etc., drag coefficients, elevations, etc., etc.. Enough has already been said by many forum participants. Mostly, I loosely follow the speed limit, between 70-80mph on I10 and I5. In short, if you drive fast, your efficiency will be (substantially) lower than EPA and what you wished for. There are a lot of nuances than just the drag factor and the speed. That’s just life! Suck it up!



In Perspective:

• I drove my Lexus on many trips to LA and to Sausalito. In short, the Lexus performed flawlessly over a 6-year period. It gets ~28-29 miles/gallon. Its driver assist functions (lane-keep, adaptive cruise control, etc.) are on par with all the other cars, even though the Lexus is 5-6 years older than the Lucid and the Rivian (see below). I had ZERO problems with the Lexus over a 6+ year ownership. It was a quality car! The trip from Phoenix to LA takes ~6hrs, non-rush hour, 1X gas refill. Trip from Phoenix to Sausalito takes ~11hrs (no traffic), 2X refill. Cost of gas ~$120-140 (@$4.50/gallon avg) for the Phoenix to Sausalito trip, depending on the prevailing gas price.
  
  
• The Honda Clarity is the best-balanced car if you want EV economy/convenience and no anxiety on long drives. It gets 45+ EV miles (rated @47 miles) range when fully charged. I can get around town on EV-only and never needed any gas until I got on the road between LA and Phoenix. There, I used the “mixed mode” with EV and gas. It gives a good balance between power and economy. Trips between Phoenix and LA take 6hr, 2X refill (The Clarity only has a 7-gallon gas tank). The cost of gas is <$55 for the Phoenix to LA trip. I love this car!
  
  
• I bought the Lucid AGT (19” wheels) in Nov 2022, mostly because of the advertised range (EPA range rated at 516 miles). It is the longest-range EV around. In reality, it barely covers the 400-mile distance between Phoenix and LA. True, there are elevation changes (e.g., San Bernadino Mts, etc.) and highway speed (70-80 mph) that wreak havoc on your EPA range. On over 7,000 miles of driving the Lucid, the efficiency is ~3.6 miles/kWh. Pure highway driving (70-80 mph) is ~2.9-3.0 miles/kWh. The cost of charging for the Phoenix to Sausalito trip is ~$150-$160 with Electrify America (@56c/kWh). Free, if you have the free charging.
  
  On the Phoenix to Sausalito trips (780 miles), it takes ~12 hrs. The Lucid can make it with 2 charging stops. But you need to plan carefully. I arrived in Sausalito (from Phoenix) with 2 charging stops, with <5% SoC upon arrival! One good thing about the Lucid is its fast charging, unless your charging rate is limited by Electrify America throttling, and it happens often!
  
  The ground clearance of the Lucid is incredibly low. That’s how they get the drag coefficient down. Mechanically, this car is a thrill to drive. The interior is comfortable. But you must be extremely careful not to go over bumps fast or park too close to the curb! The infotainment and SW are sub-par! The navigation is barely functional and laggy. I must resort to my phone navigation on several occasions.
  
  
• The Rivian is built like a tank! It is rugged and rides high. It is reasonably comfortable, though not luxurious. With the large pack (battery), it is rated at ~321miles (road tires, quad motor). You can squeeze out another 15 miles or so using Conserve mode (FWD only). From my experience and other Rivian owners’ reports, the efficiency is close to 2.3 miles/kWh, higher than the 2.0 miles/kWh claimed by Rivian. It can pull 7,000 lbs and carry a lot of stuff! It rides high and can handle rough roads. The 3rd row seats are not that bad, though I won’t ride the 3rd row for a 13-hour trip. The SW and infotainment system is superior to that in Lucid’s. The navigation is excellent, the destination search is very informative and far better than Lucid’s.
  
  If your trips are less than 550 miles, you can do it with 2 charges. But my Phoenix to Sausalito trip requires 3 (or even 4) charging stops. But if you like rough roads and 4-wheeling, Rivian is the only (EV) way to go!
  
  Rivian has its own “Adventure” charging network. It used to be free (ended Nov 2023). Rivian now charges a uniform 36 cents/kWh. These DC chargers are rated at 300kW. My experience is, that every single one worked, and they don’t throttle, far better than Electrify America! And Rivian charger’s rates (36 cents/kWh) is MUCH cheaper than Electrify America (and Tesla)! On paper, the Rivian does not charge as fast as the Lucid per the charging specs. In reality, the Lucid does charge faster, but the difference in actual charging time is not as big as the specs suggest since the Lucid’s peak charging rate is only relevant over a small SoC range (e.g., from 20% to say 40%). Nevertheless, taking the Rivian on the 780-mile journey will result in an additional stop (or two) and 35 minutes or more. The cost of charging is ~$130-135 (@36c/kWh) if you use all Rivian Adventure charging stations.

In conclusion, if I only have one car and I need to do long-distance driving, I’d opt for a PHEV. The Lucid AGT’s range and fast charging are pluses for long road trips and fun to drive. It saves 1 to 2 charging stops and ~1+hr of travel time on a 780mi trip. But the Lucid has the highest fuel cost (if you must pay for it). The navigation system is quirky, laggy, and almost useless. The Rivian R1S is roomy and rugged. Best for family/dogs, camping, 4-wheeling, and hauling thing. Its range and efficiency are not as good as the AGT. However, the Rivian Adventure chargers are great and about 30-45% cheaper than Electrify America and Tesla chargers. According to Rivian, its Adventure Charging Stations use renewable energy such as solar and wind.

Apologies for the long rambling post. To each his own!

 

[xponents]

Background:

I have two homes, one in Phoenix AZ, and one in Sausalito CA.

Before my (now) 2nd home in Sausalito, I had a 2nd home in Rancho Palos Verdes (LA suburb) when my son was going to school at USC.

I regularly drove the Phoenix to LA route (400 miles, door-to-door) and now, I drive the Phoenix to Sausalito (~780 miles, door-to-door) route.

I am a strong EV advocate. My home in Phoenix has been 100% solar-powered and wired for EV charging since 2008. Sadly, no pure EV was worth buying until the 2020s. I had a gas hybrid (2017 Lexus RX450H), and a 2019 Honda Clarity (PHEV)—now my son’s car. Currently, I drive a 2022 Lucid AGT and a 2023 Rivian R1S.

I want to share my perspectives about taking long road trips in a hybrid, a PHEV, and two different EVs. Nothing profound. Just some real-life experience and numbers for long road trips.



Framing:

I don’t intend to get into debates with anyone about the efficiency (miles/kWh) of EVs and whether it is related to the square or cube of the speed etc., drag coefficients, elevations, etc., etc.. Enough has already been said by many forum participants. Mostly, I loosely follow the speed limit, between 70-80mph on I10 and I5. In short, if you drive fast, your efficiency will be (substantially) lower than EPA and what you wished for. There are a lot of nuances than just the drag factor and the speed. That’s just life! Suck it up!



In Perspective:

• I drove my Lexus on many trips to LA and to Sausalito. In short, the Lexus performed flawlessly over a 6-year period. It gets ~28-29 miles/gallon. Its driver assist functions (lane-keep, adaptive cruise control, etc.) are on par with all the other cars, even though the Lexus is 5-6 years older than the Lucid and the Rivian (see below). I had ZERO problems with the Lexus over a 6+ year ownership. It was a quality car! The trip from Phoenix to LA takes ~6hrs, non-rush hour, 1X gas refill. Trip from Phoenix to Sausalito takes ~11hrs (no traffic), 2X refill. Cost of gas ~$120-140 (@$4.50/gallon avg) for the Phoenix to Sausalito trip, depending on the prevailing gas price.
  
  
• The Honda Clarity is the best-balanced car if you want EV economy/convenience and no anxiety on long drives. It gets 45+ EV miles (rated @47 miles) range when fully charged. I can get around town on EV-only and never needed any gas until I got on the road between LA and Phoenix. There, I used the “mixed mode” with EV and gas. It gives a good balance between power and economy. Trips between Phoenix and LA take 6hr, 2X refill (The Clarity only has a 7-gallon gas tank). The cost of gas is <$55 for the Phoenix to LA trip. I love this car!
  
  
• I bought the Lucid AGT (19” wheels) in Nov 2022, mostly because of the advertised range (EPA range rated at 516 miles). It is the longest-range EV around. In reality, it barely covers the 400-mile distance between Phoenix and LA. True, there are elevation changes (e.g., San Bernadino Mts, etc.) and highway speed (70-80 mph) that wreak havoc on your EPA range. On over 7,000 miles of driving the Lucid, the efficiency is ~3.6 miles/kWh. Pure highway driving (70-80 mph) is ~2.9-3.0 miles/kWh. The cost of charging for the Phoenix to Sausalito trip is ~$150-$160 with Electrify America (@56c/kWh). Free, if you have the free charging.
  
  On the Phoenix to Sausalito trips (780 miles), it takes ~12 hrs. The Lucid can make it with 2 charging stops. But you need to plan carefully. I arrived in Sausalito (from Phoenix) with 2 charging stops, with <5% SoC upon arrival! One good thing about the Lucid is its fast charging, unless your charging rate is limited by Electrify America throttling, and it happens often!
  
  The ground clearance of the Lucid is incredibly low. That’s how they get the drag coefficient down. Mechanically, this car is a thrill to drive. The interior is comfortable. But you must be extremely careful not to go over bumps fast or park too close to the curb! The infotainment and SW are sub-par! The navigation is barely functional and laggy. I must resort to my phone navigation on several occasions.
  
  
• The Rivian is built like a tank! It is rugged and rides high. It is reasonably comfortable, though not luxurious. With the large pack (battery), it is rated at ~321miles (road tires, quad motor). You can squeeze out another 15 miles or so using Conserve mode (FWD only). From my experience and other Rivian owners’ reports, the efficiency is close to 2.3 miles/kWh, higher than the 2.0 miles/kWh claimed by Rivian. It can pull 7,000 lbs and carry a lot of stuff! It rides high and can handle rough roads. The 3rd row seats are not that bad, though I won’t ride the 3rd row for a 13-hour trip. The SW and infotainment system is superior to that in Lucid’s. The navigation is excellent, the destination search is very informative and far better than Lucid’s.
  
  If your trips are less than 550 miles, you can do it with 2 charges. But my Phoenix to Sausalito trip requires 3 (or even 4) charging stops. But if you like rough roads and 4-wheeling, Rivian is the only (EV) way to go!
  
  Rivian has its own “Adventure” charging network. It used to be free (ended Nov 2023). Rivian now charges a uniform 36 cents/kWh. These DC chargers are rated at 300kW. My experience is, that every single one worked, and they don’t throttle, far better than Electrify America! And Rivian charger’s rates (36 cents/kWh) is MUCH cheaper than Electrify America (and Tesla)! On paper, the Rivian does not charge as fast as the Lucid per the charging specs. In reality, the Lucid does charge faster, but the difference in actual charging time is not as big as the specs suggest since the Lucid’s peak charging rate is only relevant over a small SoC range (e.g., from 20% to say 40%). Nevertheless, taking the Rivian on the 780-mile journey will result in an additional stop (or two) and 35 minutes or more. The cost of charging is ~$130-135 (@36c/kWh) if you use all Rivian Adventure charging stations.

In conclusion, if I only have one car and I need to do long-distance driving, I’d opt for a PHEV. The Lucid AGT’s range and fast charging are pluses for long road trips and fun to drive. It saves 1 to 2 charging stops and ~1+hr of travel time on a 780mi trip. But the Lucid has the highest fuel cost (if you must pay for it). The navigation system is quirky, laggy, and almost useless. The Rivian R1S is roomy and rugged. Best for family/dogs, camping, 4-wheeling, and hauling thing. Its range and efficiency are not as good as the AGT. However, the Rivian Adventure chargers are great and about 30-45% cheaper than Electrify America and Tesla chargers. According to Rivian, its Adventure Charging Stations use renewable energy such as solar and wind.

Apologies for the long rambling post. To each his own!

Respectable opinion! I do hope the Saudi's, in partnership with Lucid, make their own ev charging network which would result in more reliability and dominance akin to their petrol success! It's a sad thing that PHEVs arent being made more with companies just directly jumping to EV, which I think is wrong. The Ramcharger(yes, that ram 1500) seems to be the PERFECT example of this, as it has the advantages of EV's(instatorque, speed, efficiency) with the practicality of a series hybrid! How I wish GM didn't abandon the Volt with that beautiful voltec powertrain.. it had so much promise.

 

[Amster]

I gave up my 2018 Honda Clarity for the Lucid GT. It was a really solid car. My first experience with EV. My brother now has it. For a person who never drives more than 5 or 10 miles every other day, it essentially becomes a cheap EV with extra range when you need it.

 

[Daniel2022AT]

Background:

I have two homes, one in Phoenix AZ, and one in Sausalito CA.

Before my (now) 2nd home in Sausalito, I had a 2nd home in Rancho Palos Verdes (LA suburb) when my son was going to school at USC.

I regularly drove the Phoenix to LA route (400 miles, door-to-door) and now, I drive the Phoenix to Sausalito (~780 miles, door-to-door) route.

I am a strong EV advocate. My home in Phoenix has been 100% solar-powered and wired for EV charging since 2008. Sadly, no pure EV was worth buying until the 2020s. I had a gas hybrid (2017 Lexus RX450H), and a 2019 Honda Clarity (PHEV)—now my son’s car. Currently, I drive a 2022 Lucid AGT and a 2023 Rivian R1S.

I want to share my perspectives about taking long road trips in a hybrid, a PHEV, and two different EVs. Nothing profound. Just some real-life experience and numbers for long road trips.



Framing:

I don’t intend to get into debates with anyone about the efficiency (miles/kWh) of EVs and whether it is related to the square or cube of the speed etc., drag coefficients, elevations, etc., etc.. Enough has already been said by many forum participants. Mostly, I loosely follow the speed limit, between 70-80mph on I10 and I5. In short, if you drive fast, your efficiency will be (substantially) lower than EPA and what you wished for. There are a lot of nuances than just the drag factor and the speed. That’s just life! Suck it up!



In Perspective:

• I drove my Lexus on many trips to LA and to Sausalito. In short, the Lexus performed flawlessly over a 6-year period. It gets ~28-29 miles/gallon. Its driver assist functions (lane-keep, adaptive cruise control, etc.) are on par with all the other cars, even though the Lexus is 5-6 years older than the Lucid and the Rivian (see below). I had ZERO problems with the Lexus over a 6+ year ownership. It was a quality car! The trip from Phoenix to LA takes ~6hrs, non-rush hour, 1X gas refill. Trip from Phoenix to Sausalito takes ~11hrs (no traffic), 2X refill. Cost of gas ~$120-140 (@$4.50/gallon avg) for the Phoenix to Sausalito trip, depending on the prevailing gas price.
  
  
• The Honda Clarity is the best-balanced car if you want EV economy/convenience and no anxiety on long drives. It gets 45+ EV miles (rated @47 miles) range when fully charged. I can get around town on EV-only and never needed any gas until I got on the road between LA and Phoenix. There, I used the “mixed mode” with EV and gas. It gives a good balance between power and economy. Trips between Phoenix and LA take 6hr, 2X refill (The Clarity only has a 7-gallon gas tank). The cost of gas is <$55 for the Phoenix to LA trip. I love this car!
  
  
• I bought the Lucid AGT (19” wheels) in Nov 2022, mostly because of the advertised range (EPA range rated at 516 miles). It is the longest-range EV around. In reality, it barely covers the 400-mile distance between Phoenix and LA. True, there are elevation changes (e.g., San Bernadino Mts, etc.) and highway speed (70-80 mph) that wreak havoc on your EPA range. On over 7,000 miles of driving the Lucid, the efficiency is ~3.6 miles/kWh. Pure highway driving (70-80 mph) is ~2.9-3.0 miles/kWh. The cost of charging for the Phoenix to Sausalito trip is ~$150-$160 with Electrify America (@56c/kWh). Free, if you have the free charging.
  
  On the Phoenix to Sausalito trips (780 miles), it takes ~12 hrs. The Lucid can make it with 2 charging stops. But you need to plan carefully. I arrived in Sausalito (from Phoenix) with 2 charging stops, with <5% SoC upon arrival! One good thing about the Lucid is its fast charging, unless your charging rate is limited by Electrify America throttling, and it happens often!
  
  The ground clearance of the Lucid is incredibly low. That’s how they get the drag coefficient down. Mechanically, this car is a thrill to drive. The interior is comfortable. But you must be extremely careful not to go over bumps fast or park too close to the curb! The infotainment and SW are sub-par! The navigation is barely functional and laggy. I must resort to my phone navigation on several occasions.
  
  
• The Rivian is built like a tank! It is rugged and rides high. It is reasonably comfortable, though not luxurious. With the large pack (battery), it is rated at ~321miles (road tires, quad motor). You can squeeze out another 15 miles or so using Conserve mode (FWD only). From my experience and other Rivian owners’ reports, the efficiency is close to 2.3 miles/kWh, higher than the 2.0 miles/kWh claimed by Rivian. It can pull 7,000 lbs and carry a lot of stuff! It rides high and can handle rough roads. The 3rd row seats are not that bad, though I won’t ride the 3rd row for a 13-hour trip. The SW and infotainment system is superior to that in Lucid’s. The navigation is excellent, the destination search is very informative and far better than Lucid’s.
  
  If your trips are less than 550 miles, you can do it with 2 charges. But my Phoenix to Sausalito trip requires 3 (or even 4) charging stops. But if you like rough roads and 4-wheeling, Rivian is the only (EV) way to go!
  
  Rivian has its own “Adventure” charging network. It used to be free (ended Nov 2023). Rivian now charges a uniform 36 cents/kWh. These DC chargers are rated at 300kW. My experience is, that every single one worked, and they don’t throttle, far better than Electrify America! And Rivian charger’s rates (36 cents/kWh) is MUCH cheaper than Electrify America (and Tesla)! On paper, the Rivian does not charge as fast as the Lucid per the charging specs. In reality, the Lucid does charge faster, but the difference in actual charging time is not as big as the specs suggest since the Lucid’s peak charging rate is only relevant over a small SoC range (e.g., from 20% to say 40%). Nevertheless, taking the Rivian on the 780-mile journey will result in an additional stop (or two) and 35 minutes or more. The cost of charging is ~$130-135 (@36c/kWh) if you use all Rivian Adventure charging stations.

In conclusion, if I only have one car and I need to do long-distance driving, I’d opt for a PHEV. The Lucid AGT’s range and fast charging are pluses for long road trips and fun to drive. It saves 1 to 2 charging stops and ~1+hr of travel time on a 780mi trip. But the Lucid has the highest fuel cost (if you must pay for it). The navigation system is quirky, laggy, and almost useless. The Rivian R1S is roomy and rugged. Best for family/dogs, camping, 4-wheeling, and hauling thing. Its range and efficiency are not as good as the AGT. However, the Rivian Adventure chargers are great and about 30-45% cheaper than Electrify America and Tesla chargers. According to Rivian, its Adventure Charging Stations use renewable energy such as solar and wind.

Apologies for the long rambling post. To each his own!

Great report.

I travel frequently Milwaukee to Detroit. 420 miles. Flat terrain. In summer I charge once. 4.2 mi/kWh driving 74mph and (very importantly) using ACC entirely to negotiate traffic. In winter I charge twice achieving 2.8 mi/kWh. I stop every 3 hours to use the restroom in any case. Charging every 200 miles this way takes 20 minutes. Longer than a 5 min bathroom stop in an ICE vehicle but not that bad. I’ve found out what works for me.

 

[Adnillien]

I think the EA pricing can be cheaper than 56 cents per kWhr. Their pass price (no monthly fee) is 48 cents, their pass plus ($7.00 per month) is 36 cents. Overall I thought your analysis was fair.

 

[BS8899]

I think the EA pricing can be cheaper than 56 cents per kWhr. Their pass price (no monthly fee) is 48 cents, their pass plus ($7.00 per month) is 36 cents. Overall I thought your analysis was fair.

Appreciate your feedback. I think your point is fair. Yes, EA's pass and pass-plus pricing is better. However, EA's pricing is regional. As such, "your cost might be different" depending on where you are charging. The major highway EA stations are typically more expensive. Whilst, the Rivian 36 cent pricing is universal.

 

[borski]

Appreciate your feedback. I think your point is fair. Yes, EA's pass and pass-plus pricing is better. However, EA's pricing is regional. As such, "your cost might be different" depending on where you are charging. The major highway EA stations are typically more expensive. Whilst, the Rivian 36 cent pricing is universal.

All good points. A great analysis. @Bobby is driving his GT from Phoenix to San Diego on a single charge right now, and will post a recap when he’s done, so it’ll be interesting to compare.

 

[Amster]

All good points. A great analysis. @Bobby is driving his GT from Phoenix to San Diego on a single charge right now, and will post a recap when he’s done, so it’ll be interesting to compare.

If he can get all the way back without charging, he must be driving very, very slowly.

 

[BS8899]

If he can get all the way back without charging, he must be driving very, very slowly.

If he can get all the way back without charging, he must be driving very, very slowly.

I won't bet against Bobby! BTW, Phoenix is 1,086 ft above sea level. Boby is simply gliding home to San Diego! He is going to pull a fast one on us!

 

[borski]

If he can get all the way back without charging, he must be driving very, very slowly.

Charged to 100 and at last check in was getting 4.2 mi/kWh so at this rate he’ll certainly make it.

But yeah, very curious to see his report!

 

[borski]

I won't bet against Bobby! BTW, Phoenix is 1,086 ft above sea level. Boby is simply gliding home to San Diego! He is going to pull a fast one on us!

Technically from Casa Grande which is 1,381 ft

 

[Unmutual]

For road-tripping nothing beat my diesel E-class: 37 mpg highway and 600+ range per fill-up. I got rid of it when I bought the AGT ....

 

[BS8899]

Technically from Casa Grande which is 1,381 ft

I think Bobby is way ahead of all of us!

 

[chinesejpl]

@BS8899 thank you for this real world write up. I love reading these types of posts.

 

[DeaneG]

I was thinking of taking a road trip to Bishop CA / Lone Pine / Alabama Hills / Death Valley, and just noticed that It isn't really possible in my GT. Maybe in another year or two as Tesla and Rivian open their charging networks, and federal NEVI funding starts to yield fruit.

The PHEV SUV I'd considered before buying the Air would have made the trip simple, but wouldn't have been as much fun the other 95% of the time.

 

[Steveinarizona]

Great summary. I agree that for someone like you, a quality PHEV makes more sense. I do these kinds of trips maybe once a year so I just rent an ICE vehicle. The rest of the time the EV works great for me and I can keep it between 20 and 80% SOC. But if I were making your trips, I would go PHEV all the way.

 

[BS8899]

Great summary. I agree that for someone like you, a quality PHEV makes more sense. I do these kinds of trips maybe once a year so I just rent an ICE vehicle. The rest of the time the EV works great for me and I can keep it between 20 and 80% SOC. But if I were making your trips, I would go PHEV all the way.

California has a more robust EV charging infrastructure than most other places. As such, I am comfortable with the EVs transiting through CA highways. That said, EV-trips make the journey a bit longer because of the additional stops and charging times. In Arizona, the charging network is substantially more limited. I am not so sure how it is in other states. Interestingly, Rivian's Adventure charging stations are (intentionally) located in more rural places for people who love the outdoors. To my knowledge, the Rivian fast DC chargers are only for Rivians at this time. I think they might open these locations for other vehicles in the future.

As many have commented, EVs in urban areas are very handy, especially if you also have at-home charging. Road trips require more careful planning. Always have a Plan B, in case your desired charging location is not available for whatever reasons.

 

[BS8899]

Recently posted on Autoevolution RE: A Lucid AT owner's 1,800 mile road trip from Chicago to Phoenix, charging at Electrify America stations. The extra time required for charging (vs an ICE car), highway drive efficiencies, and costs are similar to my experience. There is no question that driving an EV on long trips requires careful planning and extra time. That said, I am still a strong EV advocate but want the EV owners to be mindful of the discipline and planning required to manage long road trips. EVs with rated range of 250 miles or less are more challenging on road trips. Typically, road trips of 350 miles and shorter (1 charge for most EVs, Lucids might be able to do it non-stop) is not a big deal. On longer trips (1,000 to 2,000 miles), careful planning and extra time are required.

Lucid Air Owner Perfectly Summarizes the Current State of Zero-Emission Road-Tripping

After a lengthy road trip with a great electric vehicle (EV), this guy shared his take on how things went. He even compiled a charging history

www.autoevolution.com

 

[joec]

Recently posted on Autoevolution RE: A Lucid AT owner's 1,800 mile road trip from Chicago to Phoenix, charging at Electrify America stations. The extra time required for charging (vs an ICE car), highway drive efficiencies, and costs are similar to my experience. There is no question that driving an EV on long trips requires careful planning and extra time. That said, I am still a strong EV advocate but want the EV owners to be mindful of the discipline and planning required to manage long road trips. EVs with rated range of 250 miles or less are more challenging on road trips. Typically, road trips of 350 miles and shorter (1 charge for most EVs, Lucids might be able to do it non-stop) is not a big deal. On longer trips (1,000 to 2,000 miles), careful planning and extra time are required.

Lucid Air Owner Perfectly Summarizes the Current State of Zero-Emission Road-Tripping

After a lengthy road trip with a great electric vehicle (EV), this guy shared his take on how things went. He even compiled a charging history

www.autoevolution.com

Yes. 100 percent. Everyone who shops for an EV needs to know this.

It’s not that long road trips are impossible. Or even difficult. But they do require planning. Generally, I spend 10-20 minutes on PlugShare finding the chargers (and backup chargers) I want to use days before the trip. It’s not a huge burden, but it is necessary if you want everything to go smoothly.

You also need to feel out your specific car and how well it does with your driving habits. Forget the EPA. It’s a nonsense number. The more road trips you take, in various weather conditions, the more you’ll get a sense of how far the car (and your butt) can go between charges.

If you just pull out of the driveway and expect the car to find you everything you need, you will be frustrated and potentially get yourself into trouble. I’m convinced this is where 90% of the “EVs suck for road trips” sentiment comes from. Poorly set expectations and a lack of forethought.

EVs make excellent road trip vehicles, under the right conditions. They are quiet, comfortable, and cost effective over the long term. My Air is by far the best road trip car I’ve ever owned.

Short range EVs are best kept to city commuting.

 

[hmp10]

"Autoevolution" recently published a perspective on road tripping with a Lucid. As someone who has not yet had to pay for Electrify America charging (our Dream has 3 years of free charging), I was surprised by the high energy cost of this trip using EA chargers -- $355 -- compared to an ICE car.

Lucid Air Owner Perfectly Summarizes the Current State of Zero-Emission Road-Tripping

After a lengthy road trip with a great electric vehicle (EV), this guy shared his take on how things went. He even compiled a charging history

www.autoevolution.com

For me, this reinforces my long-held view about EV ownership in the U.S. right now. For someone whose driving is mostly local, takes occasional road trips, and can charge at home, EVs with at least 300 miles of rated range are absolutely the way to go. Annual fuel costs will be much lower in most parts of the country, you are spared dozens of gas station stops over the course of a year, oil changes enter the history books, and you'll have the endless pleasure of smooth, instant-torque power.

However, on road trips even in the best of circumstances, you'll have to stop a bit more often and for longer times to recharge than to fill up a gas tank. You'll be more limited in where you can fuel up. Fueling costs might be higher outside a free-charging plan. And if you want to go roaming the far reaches of Wyoming, Maine, or North Dakota, you'll have to do a lot of careful planning and some praying.

I have friends who are perennially on the fence about whether they should switch to an EV, and they always cite variations of charging arguments: range, finding chargers, what if power goes out, what about hurricane evacuation (Floridians, you understand). When I actually query them item-by-item about the type and distance of driving they actually do in their ICE cars, every one of their arguments fall away. Three have already made the switch to EVs (VW ID.4, Chevy Bolt EUV, Mustang Mach-E), and they have never looked back. A fourth is starting to consider a Lucid Touring.