TO THE EDITOR:
Regarding “EVs are viable for long distances — with planning, luck,” Richard Truett, autonews.com, Nov. 8: I’m wondering why Truett didn’t use Ford’s built-in navigation planner or the independent app A Better Routeplanner? This would have helped route him to compatible DC fast charging stations and taken into account things like weather, payload, etc.
Second, it was a big mistake not to charge to 100 percent. You can use the full battery capacity for exactly this type of scenario.
It’s a fair critique that private/inaccessible charging stations are listed on Ford’s app. There is, however, a DC fast charger at the GM dealer in downtown Findlay, Ohio, that shows up on PlugShare.
When Truett couldn’t initially find the chargers at the casino, why didn’t he check PlugShare? It says parking Level 1, and people have left notes on where to go.
Truett mentioned getting stuck in traffic as a hazard. But if you’re in stop-and-go, your EV is far more efficient than traveling 70 mph, due to regenerative braking and the fact that gasoline engines only work efficiently at a steady state.
On other observations: Rest stops are not permissible locations for charging because of a federal ban on commercial sales. If somebody wants to spend six figures and operate a free station, they could. But economics dictates that’s not likely. I agree, however, that there should be better signage for charging stations.
Drivers, dealers and OEMs need to help get people up to speed. We’re all new at some point.
BEN CIRKER, Columbus, Ohio, The writer is an environmental scientist and EV driver.