Zero E-Michigan

The Volt waits while the Tesla charges. Image source: Karl Bloss In mid-August our 2015 Chevy Volt discussed in  last month's essay on plug-in hybrids  displayed an "Engine Maintenance" warning.   The message (see below) informs the driver that the car has used so little gasoline that it needs to burn some, presumably to keep the fluids in the internal combustion engine (ICE) moving, seals lubricated, etc.  From June through mid-August, the car was driven about 1,500 miles of local-only trips fueled primarily by electricity and only 0.4 gallons of gas.   The on-screen message startled my daughter who was still getting used to the car.  After some time on Volt forums, I learned that this message is sort of a badge of honor among Volt drivers because it means you're using so little gas. Low gasoline usage maintenance screen Image source: Karl Bloss Time to Burn Some Gas The end of university summer vacation necessitated a return trip to Kansas ...

Can Electric Vehicles Go On Road Trips? Gas stations?  We don't need no stinkin' gas stations! I frequently attend electric vehicle (EV) outreach events such as National Drive Electric Week, car shows, and sometimes I even get accosted at public EV chargers.  In addition to questions like "how far can you go on a charge?" and "how long does it take to charge?", one of the most frequent questions I hear from drivers unfamiliar with EVs is "what happens when you want to go on a road trip?"  Although people prefer a simple answer, in this case, it's complicated and it's heavily dependent on what type of car you have. The quick answer:  Yes, but it may not be convenient...yet. Road Tripping in a Plug-In Hybrid For those unfamiliar with the term plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), sometimes called an extended range electric vehicle, these cars have an electric drive train with an internal combustion engine (ICE) as a range ex...