Minimum Fuel

The “fuel gauge” in the EV indicated 3/4 which equated to 71 miles remaining. In everyone else’s petrol powered car, 71 miles left in the tank means the reserve fuel warning light is about to come on. No biggie if you’re only headed for the corner plaza or the gas station but a definite double think if you need to cross town and back. I can see that many trips would require planning and forethought, i.e. with the EV ‘can I make it there and back’. It’s complicated. Whereas a fuel powered car is easy to estimate with a known relatively consistent MPG rating, an EV is subject to additional variables. Static battery temps influenced by extreme ambient conditions can be a concern. Hills, AC or Heat, can cut the estimated range by half.

How many residual miles remaining on the indicator before things get serious. What is your comfort zone. The thing is, with a zero emissions vehicle there isn’t a gas engine. No backup limp home mode. When the energy is depleted that’s it. Call for a tow or carry a longish extension cord.

Until remote charging outposts proliferate I propose a business service which I will call: Battery Rescue. A mobile truck equipped with a fast charge (480v) system could be a phone call away. Help for those who misjudge or need peace of mind and preferable to suffering the indignity of a flatbed truck. Pricing tiers for 1x emergency or all the time subscription plan.

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