Plugging Into the Future
A Guide to Understanding Electric Vehicles
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Electric vehicles may be going mainstream, but the public still has questions. Lots of them. Plugging Into the Future is a weekly column that answers common questions that pop up over and over again among drivers who are researching their first electric vehicle (also known as an ‘EV’) purchase. We will answer basic questions such as “How much does it cost to charge an EV?” and “What is the proper etiquette for public charging?” as well as address slightly more advanced topics such as “Why is aerodynamic drag so important?”
If you have a question you’d like to see answered, let us know in the comments section below!
This Week’s Topic
EV Road Trips: Surging Out of Your Comfort Zone
TL;DR There is a viral meme that goes something like this: outside of your comfort zone is where the magic happens. What does that have to do with electric vehicle (EV) road trips? Well, everything, actually. Most new EV drivers have an informal “range map” that is...
EV Road Trips: Surging Out of Your Comfort Zone
TL;DR There is a viral meme that goes something like this: outside of your comfort zone is where the magic happens. What does that have to do with electric vehicle (EV) road trips? Well, everything, actually. Most new EV drivers have an informal “range map” that is...
By John Higham
John has been driving electric for 12 years. He served on the Electric Vehicle Association Board of Directors for three years. His first EV was a Miata, converted in his garage. Since then, he has owned seven other EVs. John recently retired from aerospace after 32 years of building spacecraft. In retirement, he looks forward to working to accelerate the adoption of electric mobility.
EV Road Trips: Surging Out of Your Comfort Zone
What does it take to prep for an EV road trip? Mostly just a little careful planning. Driving beyond your comfort zone is where your EV turns into just a car.
Previous Topics
Congratulations! You Bought Your First EV. Now What Happens?
The learning curve for driving electric is not steep nor particularly long. But it isn’t zero, either. So what should your next steps be after buying your first EV?
Outsmarting the Guess-O-Meter
Anyone who has hung out in EV-centric forums for any length of time has seen the acronym ‘GOM’ used to describe the estimate of the number of miles remaining in your EV’s battery. All you really need to know is that GOM stands for “guess-o-meter,” but let’s dive a bit deeper than that.
EV Adapters and Extension Cables Give You The Charging Flexibility You Crave
Adapters for Level 1 & 2 AC chargers (both to and from Tesla and J1772) are relatively inexpensive and can give you flexibility when using public charging infrastructure. Extension cables can be a bit more pricey but also invaluable when flexibility is needed. Adapters for DC fast charging are more expensive and problematic. So how do you pick the best product to fit your needs?
The Advantages of The Two Charging Standards – To Tesla, or not to Tesla. That is the question.
In the North American market, there are two main charging standards for electric vehicles. Tesla uses its own proprietary plug for electric vehicle charging, which supports Level 1, 2, and DC fast charging (or DCFC). “Everyone else” (in North America) uses the J1772 standard for Level 1 and 2 charging and the CCS Type 1 standard for DCFC.
Why You Should Consider Buying an Electric Vehicle
There are as many reasons for buying an electric vehicle (or EV) as there are people buying them. If you’re put off by environmentalists telling you that you should buy an EV or else civilization will cease to exist as we know it, you’re not alone. Spoiler alert: that’s far from the only reason to buy an EV.
By John Higham
John has been driving electric for 12 years. He served on the Electric Vehicle Association Board of Directors for three years. His first EV was a Miata, converted in his garage. Since then, he has owned seven other EVs. John recently retired from aerospace after 32 years of building spacecraft. In retirement, he looks forward to working to accelerate the adoption of electric mobility.
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