With the "238" mile range of the Bolt, it seems like we are on the brink of viable EV trips from SF to LA on I5, where you only goal is to cover the distance, and not take a leisurely stroll down 101.
While the range makes it seem like a single stop in Kettleman City for a Quick Charge would get you to the doorstep, the speed travelled on I5 was slightly more than "optimal" EV range speeds. I have not made this trip in quite awhile, but as we look to replace an ICE car with an EV, this, and the quick trip up to Tahoe/Yosemite are 2 of the ones which I try to figure out if I would be comfortable attempting.
I initially thought that it was crazy there were not already Fast chargers at Kettleman City until I realized that there has not been an EV with the range to get you there from the Bay yet, so it is totally a chicken and the egg. It would be a good -mid-point, but if you do not have coverage at the quarter mark, no one could make it to the mid point.
Hopefully the Bolt and BMW i3 REX and other EV's with about 200 mile range will become prevalent and a company would feel that they could market it for a big splash to add another route to the "West Coast EV Highway".
p.s. What do you long range drivers use to plan a route? I have viewed Plugshare, and typically use Waze/GoogleMaps for route/traffic info, but have not found an all in one which plans the route with charge stations as integral automatic stops.
While the range makes it seem like a single stop in Kettleman City for a Quick Charge would get you to the doorstep, the speed travelled on I5 was slightly more than "optimal" EV range speeds. I have not made this trip in quite awhile, but as we look to replace an ICE car with an EV, this, and the quick trip up to Tahoe/Yosemite are 2 of the ones which I try to figure out if I would be comfortable attempting.
I initially thought that it was crazy there were not already Fast chargers at Kettleman City until I realized that there has not been an EV with the range to get you there from the Bay yet, so it is totally a chicken and the egg. It would be a good -mid-point, but if you do not have coverage at the quarter mark, no one could make it to the mid point.
Hopefully the Bolt and BMW i3 REX and other EV's with about 200 mile range will become prevalent and a company would feel that they could market it for a big splash to add another route to the "West Coast EV Highway".
p.s. What do you long range drivers use to plan a route? I have viewed Plugshare, and typically use Waze/GoogleMaps for route/traffic info, but have not found an all in one which plans the route with charge stations as integral automatic stops.