As I said, NOT an equivalent vehicle. Of course a mid size SUV is going to get FAR better gas milage than a full size pickup. Apples to Oranges comparison.
ummm yeah. That's why I drive the gasoline suv (On interstate road trips over 300 miles)
Awesome. Apparently they're building a 200 stall superchargers at Yeehaw Junction FL. It's going to be very nice as these because somewhat of the norm like how there are mega truck stops across the major Interstates.For those who have never seen it, this is the 120 stall Supercharger at Barstow (CA):
If someone isolates a single expense, it’s easy to pretend that an ICE is more expensive.
Today, EA has upgraded to faster chargers, mostly 350 KW.Having just completed my 14th EV road trip of more than 1500 miles (that was preceded by just a couple weeks of another trip totaling 3400 miles), I have a couple of thoughts about the state of DCFC charging in the U.S.
First, in most of the country, there is no valid excuse for NOT using an EV for long distance travel. Sure, there are some pretty wide EV charging deserts in the Centennial states, and I wish more of the western national parks had fast charging like the south rim of the Grand Canyon. But I crossed through Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia (not exactly EV friendly states) entirely on secondary roads - most of them two-lane rural roads - without any difficulty whatsoever and with a minimum of route planning. And I am 70 years old and drive an SR Pro.
As a fierce critic of Electrify America this is hard to admit, but I think they might be getting better. I have nearly 200 EA billed charging sessions - and many dozens of failed ones - but lately the failures (including throttled chargers) have become less frequent. Just this week I was at an EA station in Erick (OK) and when I grabbed the plug I noticed both it and the cable were new (attached to an OLD dispenser). Maybe this is a small sign that EA is finally making an effort to properly maintain its equipment.
On my most recent trip (this week), I was surprised by how little congestion there was at the charging stations. I remember in the summer of 2023 it was a much different story. I’m not sure it’s any one factor, but several. There are simply more chargers in the field. Both Tesla and Rivian are opening their networks to other brands, which is taking some pressure off EA. In fact, at a shopping center in Albuquerque, I saw Tesla, Rivian, and EA chargers within 500 feet of each other in the same parking lot (I used the Tesla because they were - by far - the cheapest). I also think that the growing number of hotels/motels that have L2 charging (both free and paid) reduces the dependence on DCFC for long distance travel. I want to offer kudos to a Hyatt property in Mobile (AL) for its excellent array of L2 chargers that were free to guests (see photo).
On the less-good-news front is the cost of DCFC charging. Many of the new players - GM Energy, Rivian, IONNA, etc. are charging ridiculous rates for electrons, and that’s AFTER taking NEVI funds to create their sites. They also don’t offer membership programs. Basically Tesla offers the best network - many good locations, high reliability, reasonable rates, and a membership program that is a fair value.
Finally, all too often EV charging sites lack amenities that we expect at any gas station - canopy protection from the weather, windshield washing sticks, trash cans, restrooms, convenience stores, and so forth. Even brand new locations by the major players are, more often than not, just dispensers stuck in a parking lot. I think there is a missed business opportunity here.
Bottom Line: EV fast charging in America is definitely getting better and there is little excuse for hand-wringing when taking your Lightning outside the city limits. But the quality and cost of that experience need to improve.
As an EA Pass+ member with just short of 200 billed charging sessions spread over 13 states, I am intimately familiar with the company's various generations of chargers (I also have various internal docs that I can't disclose because I signed an NDA). There are still a large number of ABB Terra HP 350 (and older BTC) chargers, originally adopted in 2018, installed at sites across the country. These chargers (really, dispensers - they are the ones with the "hole" at the top) have proven to be maintenance headaches and tend to thermally throttle in the summer. They are gradually being supplanted by the more recently deployed Gen4 chargers - BTCP HPCD6 - that claim a rating of 350 kW. These tend to be more reliable (they are the dispensers with the slanted design at the top). EA also has a couple sites testing some gear that has proven reliable in Europe.
I too have used several different charge sites. EA was my favorite as I got fast-charging but they also have High-rate costs- ($.68/Kwh at Selma, CA in June). I also like Tesla but I have found that I cannot charge at many of their sites. Their rates are a bit lower as I found Tesla at $.47/Kwh in Selma. I just wish Tesla would open more of their charging sites to we F-150 lightning owners.my '22 PRO SR takes me anywhere, anytime I want to go... recently over 300 miles to the beach, WITH our camper in tow, and POWERING the camper with ProPower for roof air conditioning, ALL the way there.... and back....
and, AGREED, the 'state' of DC Fast Charging LOCATIONS, Distances between locations, AND newer designs, as well as newer BRANDS, along with capabilities for NACS and other 'specific' manufacturers, like RIVIAN, have created a path to success... no matter WHERE you wish to drive.
Admittedly, I steer away from EA and CP and EVgo, since my former years were basically 'stuck' with them as the only options. Now, though, even with Tesla and Rivian, we have GM Ultiums(350kw) at Pilot/FlyingJ locations, and some with AWNINGS, as well as upgraded Chargepoint MERCEDES(200+kwh) and other 'branded' CP units that are MUCH FASTER than the typical 50kw single, or 125kw 'shared', locations... even some RaceTrac fuel stations now have COVERED 350kw CCS/NACS units, using the 'older' Shell ReCharge software/screens, but work well once activated.
Pricing: yes, but I've seen Tesla locations get as low as .27 per kwh during 'overnight' hours, if that fits your traveling schedule - when towing a powered Camper, it works just fine: snack, bathroom, and even napping, are included : )
Locations: yes, it's unfortunate that the locations for many DC Fast Chargers are placements where, well, there could certainly have been more consideration for driver NEEDS: while every gas/fuel station has a bathroom option, EV drivers apparently haven't risen to that importance. We are relegated sometimes to far off parking lot corners, desolate or vacant strip mall outer-lying spaces, or locations with some amenities, but which 'close' far too early.
ALL IN ALL, though, if you want to travel, you can. You may have to plan ahead, and be ready for the 'unmanned' locations, but... yes, it certainly can be done, and, yes, it's certainly LIGHT YEARS ahead of the former years in our LEAF where traveling with a 70 mile range was a possibility, but not necessarily for the faint-of-heart. We learned early, and now, with 240miles range, take nothing for granted.
You are comparing apples to bricks there though.
Everybody's math & metrics are a bit different.
