DC-Rhode Island Round-Trip

[MojoWorking]

Just returned from an ~800 mile roundtrip from the DC area to Newport Rhode Island. On the way up I overnighted at the Aloft in Secaucus NJ and was able to recharge overnight to 100% for free at their Level 2 charging stations. The next morning I was easily able to make to Newport with over 40% left on the battery. I used Newport’s downtown ChargePoint chargers to top-up between charging at son’s house. Left Newport with 100% charge and drove straight through on my return trip with two charging stops. 1st stop in Secaucus NJ, I topped up to 80% at the Walmart during a 30 minute lunch break. I think I could have made it back to DC from there but didn’t want to chance it. 2nd charge stop was at Maryland’s Chesapeake House rest area. There was a bank of Six 50kW charging stations supplied by the Electric Vehicle Institute (EVI). In 20 minutes I was able to charge from 20% to 45% which easily got me home. The trip home took an extra 20min due to my 2nd charge stop but not much different than my ICE vehicle.

All in all the trip was uneventful. I had no charging issues at EA, ChargePoint or EVI. I have a premium awd extended range MME and averaged 65-70mph at 3.5miles/kWh for the entire trip. The MME got plenty of attention at rest stops and in downtown Newport RI. My only issue was at the Secaucus Walmart there was a dolt in a Tesla taking up an EV charging spot just for parking. Very poor etiquette.

Sponsored