In my years of reporting, I’ve driven over a dozen EVs. They’ve taken me on hiking trips, helped me run errands, and spun me around while doing donuts on a racetrack (I’m driving in the picture below). In all scenarios, it’s clear that they offer distinct advantages over gas-powered cars.
Some of the fastest racecars in the world are EVs, which is why the McLaren Racing CEO called battery technology the “biggest innovation” for F1 in the coming years. Racing around a track in an EV is terrifying, but I enjoy the acceleration in more mundane ways. It gives me a boost of confidence when merging on the highway, makes me quick off the line at a traffic light, and takes the edge off the experience of doing a 1,000-point turn to fit into a tight parking spot.
When Ford took me out off-roading in an F-150 Lightning, the guide asked me to roll down the windows in the middle of the woods. “Do you hear that?” he said. There was nothing to hear, which was the point. The gigantic car was so powerful, yet so silent. We crashed over boulders and splashed through mud puddles while actually enjoying the peacefulness of being outside.
On a daily basis, the quiet cabin means it’s easier to hear backseat passengers (school kids also told me they feel more at ease in quiet electric buses). Plus, there’s no billowing exhaust to inhale in the garage and damage your lungs. With no engine and fewer components, you’re not making as many trips to the mechanic and saving time on gas station stops if you charge at home.
Pumping the Brakes on the EV Revolution
President Trump’s all-out assault on EV adoption doesn’t change any of this. The cat’s out of the bag for EV drivers, which is why they rarely go back to gas cars, Electrek reports. But most people have never driven an EV; they only made up 10.6% of new car sales in the third quarter of 2024, the Alliance for Automotive Innovation reports.
“We just have to get people into EVs and then they’ll understand,” is a common sentiment tossed around at auto shows and in my private conversations with car companies. Ford CEO Jim Farley penned a passionate LinkedIn post about why driving an EV convinced him it’s the future, but it doesn’t quite hit the same until you’ve experienced it yourself.
Although Trump froze federal funds for charging efforts in an attempt to “terminate the green new deal,” you don’t need to be an environmentalist to want an EV. But if you are, it’s a thrill to drive a car that runs better and doesn’t emit along the way. (Transportation is the US’ largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, with passenger vehicles the being the biggest culprit, the EPA says.) Mercedes-Benz is even developing charging networks that use 100% renewable energy. True “green luxury,” for those who want to see it that way.
EVs Aren’t Right for Everyone, Yet
I’m not suggesting everyone should buy an EV. They are still expensive; most cost between $40,000 to $60,000, though there are a handful of great options around $40,000, like the Kia Niro and Tesla Model 3. The auto industry has also completely ignored the challenges of those living in apartments when it comes to charging. No landlord wants to pay to install a charging station, and there is a dearth of innovative solutions to get around that. As a general principle, I do not recommend that anyone buy an EV if they are going to rely on public charging.
Then there’s the range issue. Although electrons carried drivers more miles than ever in 2024, with the median range hitting a record 283 miles, it’s still not enough. Road trips are far more peaceful and reliable in a gas-powered car, which has plentiful fuel-up options that don’t take 30 minutes of waiting. Though battery technology research firms are racing to find powerful new chemistries, they’re still a few years out. Hyundai expects them to hit the market near 2030, with more range, faster charging, and lower prices.
So, not everyone will enjoy driving an EV, and that’s okay. But even with these issues, many communities and states already have high adoption levels. In California, EVs make up 27% of new car sales, Colorado’s at 25.5%, Washington state is at 24.6%, and Washington, D.C. is at 20.4%. Across the US, the share of gas-powered cars is dropping, while EVs and hybrids make up the difference.
(Credit: Alliance for Automotive Innovation)Hybrids Are Playing the Long Game
Many automakers, including Ford and Hyundai, are downgrading their EV ambitions. This is tragic for environmentalists, but it might be a necessary step to foster a genuine interest in battery technology that transcends politics. Consumers will start to see images of batteries on their dash screen, learn about things like regenerative braking, and start to like faster acceleration and paying less for gas. As the years roll by with no fires in their garage, concerns about batteries in cars will fade away.
Ram and Hyundai are also exploring a new hybrid technology called “extended range.” They power the vehicle with a battery, giving it smooth handling and quick acceleration, but a fuel tank recharges it. So drivers can get the feeling of driving an EV without any charging anxiety. Car companies will continue to bring innovative tech like this to market if consumers demand it.
As optimistic as I’m attempting to be, it’s still a great shame that Trump is moving to stop a once-in-a-generation wave of progress in automotive technology. His wet-blanket approach will likely delay the inevitable transition away from clunky, inefficient gas-powered cars. But no one should look to him as an automotive technology visionary, and no one should let him keep them from enjoying the distinct pleasure of EV driving.