[east2west]

"on a backcountry trip in the desert ... strap on extra gallons of fuel" -- Since you are going into a desert, would a portable solar charger work in place of extra fuel? The downsize is that it is only usable in daylight and it might not be able to charge fast enough, but solar panel is not flammable like gasoline so safer. It is probably more realistic to have solar charging stations in desert, independent of electric grid; at least we don't have to run wires into desert just to charge cars.

Smooth acceleration will help prevent someone getting car sick. Similarly, absence of car exhaust helps, too.

[tracedddd]

It’s a challenge to get enough solar panel area to rely on for charging unless you were camping for a few days every few hundred miles or something. Someday I hope it’s viable but it’s really not a great solution right now compared to ICE.