The Expert Podcast

• Recorded on Memorial Day weekend — but this topic is relevant year-round.
• Can electric vehicles (EVs) really handle a classic American road trip?
• Is there enough charging capacity and infrastructure to confidently plan long-distance travel?
• Summer travel season highlights this question: Can you take the same trip in an EV as easily as in a gasoline car?
• According to recent articles, the answer depends on where you live.
• California drivers might feel confident, but what about other states and metro areas?
• Do you see enough EV charging stations where you live?
• Would you feel comfortable taking a 1,000-mile road trip, stopping every 100–150 miles?
• Extra stops mean extra time: for example, a 500-mile trip with three charging stops could turn an 8-hour drive into 11 hours or more.
• How do these logistics impact your road trip plans?
• The ability to make long trips is a major factor stopping many people from switching to EVs.
• Gas-powered vehicles still make up 98% of cars on the road — range anxiety is a big reason why.
• Many EV owners still keep a gas car for long trips. Is that your strategy too?
• While current EV owners report being satisfied with charging overall, concerns remain about availability and convenience.
• The number of charging stations is growing — up 58% to 50,000 stations nationwide — but spread across 50 states, that’s only about 1,000 per state.
• Compare that to the tens of thousands of gas stations that refuel cars in minutes.
• EV chargers come in three levels:
  • Level 1: Very slow (mainly for home use)
  • Level 2: Adds about 25 miles of range per hour of charging
  • Level 3: Much faster — can add significant range in minutes
• Level 3 chargers are crucial for long trips.
• But 18 states have fewer than 100 Level 3 chargers; California leads with 6,000.
• Are there enough fast chargers on your favorite routes to make you feel comfortable taking an EV to the beach or to visit family?
• Share your experiences: Have you taken a long road trip in an EV? Was it easy to find charging? Or do you still rely on a gas car for long-distance travel?