General EV Conversation
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 69,226
Likes: 4,222
From: Maryland
Was in WV over the weekend, stopped by the new Buc-ees in Mt Crawford on 81. They are putting in 20 Mercedes EV chargers. I stopped and totally naturally I was there for 25 minutes or so, used the bathroom, got some snacks and some brisket and ate the brisket before I left. Perfect EV charging stop, and its almost halfway, its 171 miles left to my destination and about 180 miles travelled. So, with that there I would say I'm pretty comfortable getting an EV and driving it on that trip.
only a matter of time before the charging availability and time and range issues are a thing of the past for MOST people and places.
the thing that amazes me, and the #1 question i get from people who obviously know nothing about EVs is "how long will the battery last?"
perhaps i should respond with "how often do you fill up with gas and how much do you spend?"
the thing that amazes me, and the #1 question i get from people who obviously know nothing about EVs is "how long will the battery last?"
perhaps i should respond with "how often do you fill up with gas and how much do you spend?"
Lead Lap
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 3,958
Likes: 409
only a matter of time before the charging availability and time and range issues are a thing of the past for MOST people and places.
the thing that amazes me, and the #1 question i get from people who obviously know nothing about EVs is "how long will the battery last?"
perhaps i should respond with "how often do you fill up with gas and how much do you spend?"
the thing that amazes me, and the #1 question i get from people who obviously know nothing about EVs is "how long will the battery last?"
perhaps i should respond with "how often do you fill up with gas and how much do you spend?"
rather than answering a question with a question and making it difficult.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 35,651
Likes: 426
From: ON/NY
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 19,948
Likes: 3,839
From: California
It is a valid question, especially if you live in places where charging infrastructure is poor and neglected. But I've seen with my own eyes it being solved. The number of superchargers in California now outnumbers gas stations. In just the last two years traveling with an EV has become a no brainer. Bit is right about another thing, lots of armchair EV critics who have no idea what they are talking about. Bit used to be one of them, so he should know 🤣
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 69,226
Likes: 4,222
From: Maryland
I personally will always prefer to not have to stop for 25+ minutes to charge on a trip. That's not to say that isn't a thing that is manageable and isn't that big a deal, but I would rather have the ability to drive straight without stopping, or stop for 5 minutes to refuel if I want to do that. Its the only thing that still holds me back.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 19,948
Likes: 3,839
From: California
I personally will always prefer to not have to stop for 25+ minutes to charge on a trip. That's not to say that isn't a thing that is manageable and isn't that big a deal, but I would rather have the ability to drive straight without stopping, or stop for 5 minutes to refuel if I want to do that. Its the only thing that still holds me back.
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Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 69,226
Likes: 4,222
From: Maryland
You said in one of your posts that you spent more than 20 minutes at a stop. I spend the same amount of time at a charging stop as I would if I stopped at a gas station. By the time I go to the bathroom, stretch my legs it's time to move on. I never drive without stopping, never have, never will, gas or charging. That said, it's never taken more than 20 minutes to charge, except when I had the Polestar, that took anywhere from 35 to 40 minutes, but that was a 2023 model with a slow charging curve
This is just a tradeoff with an EV vs an ICE car, it is what it is. We are a long way off from 5 minute charging stops, if that ever happens. Its a tradeoff I will accept but its not something that excites me.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 19,948
Likes: 3,839
From: California
I CHOSE to spend 20 minutes at Bucees. I don't want to HAVE to make that stop, thats the difference. Sometimes I'm happy to stop, sometimes I just want to keep on driving. When I stop for gas I stop, pump gas, buy a soda and perhaps pee while the pump is pumping and go. its 5 minutes not 25 minutes. My car however gets almost 600 miles of highway range, I don't ever have to stop for gas. The Pacifica gets about 400 miles which also gets us wherever we're going without stopping basically.
This is just a tradeoff with an EV vs an ICE car, it is what it is. We are a long way off from 5 minute charging stops, if that ever happens. Its a tradeoff I will accept but its not something that excites me.
This is just a tradeoff with an EV vs an ICE car, it is what it is. We are a long way off from 5 minute charging stops, if that ever happens. Its a tradeoff I will accept but its not something that excites me.
CL Community Team
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,582
Likes: 236
From: San Francisco, CA
As plentiful as chargers are in California and for daily driving, driving an EV long distance from San Francisco to SoCal, Santa Ana area was extremely inconvenient for me last year. I was in my friend's M3 Pre-highland model RWD (not long range). The vehicle was rated 270ish miles at 100%. We had to stop 4 times for charging for about a 400 mile road trip, but granted we started off with little to no charge. The Tesla navi was having us charge to percentages that I didn't agree with, though I can't say for certain who knows better. It doesn't make sense in my mind to charge to 60% and then have to stop again according to the route planner. We certainly did not need that many bathroom breaks.
Anyway, I vowed I would not do that again unless the vehicle has longer range. This particular trip would have been more convenient in a gas powered vehicle. It's just my personal thoughts. Please don't give me the whole EV schpeal, as I own 2 EVs. But I will most definitely rent a vehicle the next time I drive down to Socal.
Anyway, I vowed I would not do that again unless the vehicle has longer range. This particular trip would have been more convenient in a gas powered vehicle. It's just my personal thoughts. Please don't give me the whole EV schpeal, as I own 2 EVs. But I will most definitely rent a vehicle the next time I drive down to Socal.
Last edited by RXSF; Sep 16, 2025 at 09:21 AM.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 19,948
Likes: 3,839
From: California
As plentiful as chargers are in California and for daily driving, driving an EV long distance from San Francisco to SoCal, Santa Ana area was extremely inconvenient for me last year. I was in my friend's M3 Pre-highland model RWD (not long range). The vehicle was rated 270ish miles at 100%. We had to stop 4 times for charging for about a 400 mile road trip, but granted we started off with little to no charge. The Tesla navi was having us charge to percentages that I didn't agree with, though I can't say for certain who knows better. It doesn't make sense in my mind to charge to 60% and then have to stop again according to the route planner. We certainly did not need that many bathroom breaks.
Anyway, I vowed I would not do that again unless the vehicle has longer range. This particular trip would have been more convenient in a gas powered vehicle. It's just my personal thoughts. Please don't give me the whole EV schpeal, as I own 2 EVs. But I will most definitely rent a vehicle the next time I drive down to Socal.
Anyway, I vowed I would not do that again unless the vehicle has longer range. This particular trip would have been more convenient in a gas powered vehicle. It's just my personal thoughts. Please don't give me the whole EV schpeal, as I own 2 EVs. But I will most definitely rent a vehicle the next time I drive down to Socal.
If I still had my Polestar, I wouldn't take that on any more trips, I had some very interesting experiences with that vehicle
Last edited by AMIRZA786; Sep 16, 2025 at 09:31 AM.
the funny thing about complaints of having to charge on longer trips is what's conveniently left out is all the time SAVED not having to go to gas stations during MOST use of the vehicle!
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 19,948
Likes: 3,839
From: California
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 69,226
Likes: 4,222
From: Maryland
If someone wants a 5 minute charging stop, than an EV is not for them, 5 minute charging is a long way off, although I've done plenty of 10 minute charging stops. The trade off is totally worth it to me. Half the cost of fueling at the pump. Better, smoother driving experience. It's the reason I don't take my Sienna or rent a gas car for trips unless I need more seats, or need the space of a minivan
I too agree the benefits are worth the tradeoff, but that was Jill's point...its always going to be a tradeoff. Always going to be a reality that exists between the two platforms.
As plentiful as chargers are in California and for daily driving, driving an EV long distance from San Francisco to SoCal, Santa Ana area was extremely inconvenient for me last year. I was in my friend's M3 Pre-highland model RWD (not long range). The vehicle was rated 270ish miles at 100%. We had to stop 4 times for charging for about a 400 mile road trip, but granted we started off with little to no charge. The Tesla navi was having us charge to percentages that I didn't agree with, though I can't say for certain who knows better. It doesn't make sense in my mind to charge to 60% and then have to stop again according to the route planner. We certainly did not need that many bathroom breaks.
Anyway, I vowed I would not do that again unless the vehicle has longer range. This particular trip would have been more convenient in a gas powered vehicle. It's just my personal thoughts. Please don't give me the whole EV schpeal, as I own 2 EVs. But I will most definitely rent a vehicle the next time I drive down to Socal.
Anyway, I vowed I would not do that again unless the vehicle has longer range. This particular trip would have been more convenient in a gas powered vehicle. It's just my personal thoughts. Please don't give me the whole EV schpeal, as I own 2 EVs. But I will most definitely rent a vehicle the next time I drive down to Socal.
Last edited by SW17LS; Sep 16, 2025 at 10:44 AM.