Liberating Range Anxiety With Long e-Highways

It is theoretically now possible to drive an electric car from San Diego to Vancouver with some time, planning and a good dose of curiosity.

It’s hard to believe a few years ago we were debating whether or not the electric car, EV would actually come alive this time. Not only is it alive, it is kicking and screaming. You can feasibly plan a trip from San Diego to Vancouver, Canada in an electric car, should you have the time and desire. None of this came without a lot of work, persistence and an incredible amount of seeing what works, removing what doesn’t from sidelining us.

e-Highway Stretches Two Continents. You could say this e-highway now stretches two continents. After all, in a few decades, they will most likely stitch all continents together. With a strong push from Aerovironment, and the Washington State Department of Transportation, Level 1 and 2 are charging is available with 10 new public electric charging stations electric. 7 are conveniently located along Interstate 5, the rest on U.S. Route 2 in northern Washington.

Charging Convenience. In order to move our society so engrained with convenience, electric charging stations must be easy to reach, easy to use and conveniently placed so that they not only extend trips but also offer entertainment along the way. Indeed, 8 of the 10 new Aerovironment electric charging stations allow for the use of DC fast chargers. As you recall, fast DC charger allow a full charge of an almost depleted battery pack in less than 30 minutes. All of them have Level 2 charging capability. And in order to make it even more convenient, the charging locations are located near shopping centers and other entertainment venues.

And what does this mean for us? Well, for one thing it is finally eroding the range anxiety fear certain companies spent too much money on marketing that scare tactic. We wish, they would have spent that money on more worthy goals such as refining the electric drive or their current product line. But it also hints at another point, that charging stations could stay free if the right and intelligent business models develop around their use. Indeed, if businesses understand the value of allowing electric car drivers to charge free when they shop in their stores or malls, much the way parking is validated by businesses, charging stations could attract more business and help sustain local economies. Portland has done a great job with something similar by making its inner city rail system free. Businesses pay for it, people come to shop in the city. It’s a win-win strategy for all.

In the meantime, another milestone has been covered by making a trip from San Diego to Vancouver a reality in an electric car. Just think of it. Skiing in Whistler then drive down a few days later in your EV and go surfing in San Diego thanks to the electric highway.