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by embro 4141 days ago
Currently technology is OK.

Your reference to 300 miles is probably based on your most extreme situation when you go on a long trip. If the charging network (DC fast charging, in under 30 mins) is there, 300 miles isn't a problem.

I have a Nissan Leaf with 160 km range and it has never been a problem yet. Home charging is perfectly fine, every morning my car is full. I will never need a faster charger at home. Fast chargers are useful on the roads near highway exits for when you do long trips, much like with gas stations.

95% of the time, my travel distance is under 120 km per day so for only 5% of the time I need to plan a recharge or swap car with my parents, sisters or friends or rent a car for very long trips.

For people with a Chevrolet Volt, they don't even have this issue, when they go on long trips, they simply charge when they can and run on gas for most of the trip.

Personally, I am fine with current technology.

1 comments

In my case, I live in a city of 200,000 in the lower 48, and according to Tesla's website, the nearest open access charger is 347 miles away. Now I expect those numbers to go down, but currently, a Tesla would be a toy and not a viable means of transportation given my driving habits. I have no issue with alternative fuels such as electric or HFC, but it it is going to be a very long time before it is viable in low density parts of the country, at least for me.
Tesla chargers are only for Tesla, sadly. As much as I love them, I cannot use them either with my Nissan Leaf.

And yes, central and the lower states of US are behind in term of sales AND charging options available.

Hopefully this will change!