The Expert Podcast

• A Kelly Blue Book editor’s real-world EV road trip experience—what went wrong?
• Toyota’s Chief Scientist says the world isn’t ready for EVs—why?
• Lessons learned from an EV road trip through North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee.

1. Make a Charging Plan (and a Backup Plan)
   • Charging stations aren’t as common as gas stations.
   • Real-world EV range is often 20–30% less than advertised.
   • Charging takes much longer than refueling a gas car.
2. Don’t Rely on Range Estimates
   • EV range can vary significantly due to driving conditions.
   • Running low? You may have to adjust your route unexpectedly.
3. Be Ready for Charging Network Limitations
   • Not all charging stations are part of the same network.
   • Using multiple networks can increase costs.
4. Make the Most of Charging Delays
   • Charging can take hours—forcing travelers to find things to do.
   • The trip in this episode had 13 hours of charging time—that’s 50% of the total driving time!
5. EVs May Not Be Practical for Long Road Trips (Yet)
   • EV adoption is growing, but infrastructure lags behind.
   • Even Ford’s CEO admits that charging stations are not up to standard.

• EVs aren’t the best solution for everyone.
• Battery supply issues and charging infrastructure remain major roadblocks.
• EVs are great for short commutes, but long trips require adaptation.

• EVs offer great performance and torque, but they don’t fit everyone’s lifestyle yet.
• As more EVs hit the road, will infrastructure keep up?
• What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments!