So you have an EV – congratulations, and welcome to the future of automobile travel! But… you have questions. For example, are EVs really better for the environment? They don’t use fossil fuel, but where does all that electricity come from?  And what happens when those batteries are disposed?  EVs are still expensive relative to gas vehicles (GVs) – do they save you any money? And what about hybrids? Are you nervous about taking your EV out of town or on a long trip? Are you worried you won’t find a charging station where and when you need one? Are some EVs better or worse than others? What is the charging experience like? What costs more, a full charge or a full tank of gas? I can help demystify the process of owning and traveling in an EV so that you’ll know what to expect vs a GV.

This course is not a travelogue, nor is it an exhaustive course on EV technology. Rather, I intend to help you understand what it’s like to experience driving and traveling in an EV, including charging it, navigating between chargers, and getting used to the features of an EV. I have owned a Tesla and a Porsche EV and have taken many long-distance trips with both along the heavily populated eastern corridor and into the hinterlands.

Discussion topics will include a comparison of EVs and GVs, the differences between hybrids, plug-in hybrids and fully electric vehicles, the driver experience, a comparison of Tesla vs. other brands of EVs, EV charging, trip navigating and planning, the EV user community, helpful apps, and why one might or might not want to buy an EV (tax credits, environmental considerations, charging infrastructure).The class will be discussion and Q and A. I will send some links to relevant articles about EVs and will identify some useful apps.  Weekly preparation should be an hour or less to read provided articles.