Lessons Learned From a Long Distance Winter Road Trip in a Bolt EV

[RichCapeCod]

Thanks for that interesting trip report. Having put 20 years in the NYPD I find that I have no desire to return to that city (too crowded, too expensive, too noisy, too tough to get around. But, otherwise, it's fine.)

Hope to pick up either a Bolt (most likely choice) or a used 2018 Leaf (long shot), summer of 2019. The car ain't gonna leave Cape Cod, for all the reasons you mentioned in your post!

Best,

Rich

[SparkE]

https://bro05.blogspot.com/2018/01/lessons-learned-from-long-distance.html?m=1

The one line takeaway? Gas cars are still King for road trips for the time being. Especially if you have an impatient wife

Re: "cold temp driving" : stumbled across this 12V electric blanket for cold weather driving. This might be ONE answer to not losing so much winter range in a BEV (don't use the heater as much) :

https://www.amazon.com/Electric-Blanket ... 001QJQ22O/

I am sure there are other brands.

[LeftieBiker]

That one is very like the one I used the Winter before I retired. It worked well. Make sure you cover most of your legs as well with it, for optimum effect.

[DarrenDonovan]

I’ve driven from San Francisco to Disneyland (Anahiem area) twice. Once in 60 degrees temps and once in 40’s and 50 degree temps.

Both trips were the same as far and time and range.
I do one 30 minute DCFC and one 60 minute DCFC along the way.

Considering we’d always stop for one meal and/or one gas station stop along the way in a gasoline car, this trip is only about 30 minutes longer in the Bolt EV.

However, driving home the first time I encountered a head wind and had to slow down to 55 mph so my range would stay about the same (as driving 65).

Where did you stop for those charging sessions?
Thanks,

[gpsman]

Salinas & Buellton.