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5 Scenic E.V. Road Trips 5 Scenic E.V. Road Trips
(8 days later)
A record 43.2 million travelers are expected to hit the road this weekend for the Fourth of July holiday, according to the automobile owners group AAA, an increase of 1.7 million or 4 percent over 2019. But compared to the pre-pandemic times, more road trips now have the potential to veer green, thanks to the steady uptick of electric car interest and availability, as well as an expanding number of routes with the necessary infrastructure.A record 43.2 million travelers are expected to hit the road this weekend for the Fourth of July holiday, according to the automobile owners group AAA, an increase of 1.7 million or 4 percent over 2019. But compared to the pre-pandemic times, more road trips now have the potential to veer green, thanks to the steady uptick of electric car interest and availability, as well as an expanding number of routes with the necessary infrastructure.
States like Indiana and Michigan have joined Colorado and others in building more charging stations on scenic routes and byways, while car rental companies are enlarging their electric car fleets. Hertz Rental Cars (also the parent company of Dollar and Thrifty) recently announced plans to dedicate a quarter of its fleet to E.V.s by the end of 2024, and competitors, including Enterprise and Avis, already lease Teslas, Chevrolet Bolts, Nissan Leafs and other electric vehicles. And UFODRIVE, an European company that exclusively rents electric vehicles through an app, has expanded into a few select U.S. cities this past year.States like Indiana and Michigan have joined Colorado and others in building more charging stations on scenic routes and byways, while car rental companies are enlarging their electric car fleets. Hertz Rental Cars (also the parent company of Dollar and Thrifty) recently announced plans to dedicate a quarter of its fleet to E.V.s by the end of 2024, and competitors, including Enterprise and Avis, already lease Teslas, Chevrolet Bolts, Nissan Leafs and other electric vehicles. And UFODRIVE, an European company that exclusively rents electric vehicles through an app, has expanded into a few select U.S. cities this past year.
But interest and accessibility doesn’t necessarily mean effortless, smooth rides, especially for those new to electric vehicles. There is a learning curve, particularly when it comes to understanding the types of chargers available, the speed at which they’ll charge and the compatibility between chargers and vehicles.But interest and accessibility doesn’t necessarily mean effortless, smooth rides, especially for those new to electric vehicles. There is a learning curve, particularly when it comes to understanding the types of chargers available, the speed at which they’ll charge and the compatibility between chargers and vehicles.
Thankfully, whatever vehicle you are driving, websites, maps and apps can help plan your journey and find charging stations ahead of time. Brent Cowing, an E.V. driver who bought his first Tesla in 2018 and then a Rivian truck in 2022, is a fan of A Better Route Planner, a website and app that allows you to customize your route based on the make and model of your vehicle, the frequency and length of stops you’d like to take, and more.Thankfully, whatever vehicle you are driving, websites, maps and apps can help plan your journey and find charging stations ahead of time. Brent Cowing, an E.V. driver who bought his first Tesla in 2018 and then a Rivian truck in 2022, is a fan of A Better Route Planner, a website and app that allows you to customize your route based on the make and model of your vehicle, the frequency and length of stops you’d like to take, and more.
“It’s a different mind-set, but it doesn’t bother me that I might have to stop for 20 minutes, or even longer,” said Mr. Cowing, 41, a father of two and the chief executive and founder of Protectli, a computer hardware manufacturer. “Especially with kids. By the time we all get out of the car and into the bathroom, grab some snacks, it’s not such a big deal.”
Here are five scenic drives around the United States that are well suited to E.V. travel:
California is lousy with scenic drives, from its extensive, 840-mile coastline to routes through the magnificent Sierra Nevada. But it’s hard to beat the majesty of the coast north of San Francisco, where Highway 1 twists and turns along vertiginous cliffs and jaw-dropping panoramas of the wild Pacific. Head north from San Francisco to Point Reyes National Seashore before following the coast through Bodega Bay and Jenner, where a meal or an overnight at the Timber Cove Resort or the Sea Ranch Lodge will recharge you for the 60-mile leg to the picturesque town of Mendocino. Loop back and head east through the redwood forests of Philo and Boonville and south to San Francisco via Highway 101, right through Sonoma wine country. You’ll find charging stops in Healdsburg, Sebastopol, Sonoma and Petaluma, and wineries like Ridge and Martin Ray are equipped with charging stations as well.