BK2EV
Well-Known Member
- First Name
- Brian
- Joined
- Apr 20, 2020
- Threads
- 7
- Messages
- 107
- Reaction score
- 160
- Location
- Virginia
- Vehicles
- 21 MachE AWD Premium ER, 2015 Challenger Hellcat
- Thread starter
- #1
Over the Thanksgiving holiday we decided to go for our first EV road trip in the Mach-e. The following represents a quick overview and thoughts along with some humor.
Itinerary - Northern VA to Charleston SC and back (1,000+ miles)
Prelim - We still had our free KWs on Fordpass to use so we figured the 95 corridor was a great route with lots of charging avail. We could be monogamous with Electrify America and use our free charging. Hey, then EA had free charging over the holiday weekend anyway, so we saved some free KWs for another trip.
A few days prior to departure I looked at the Electrify America and plotted out our route and charging stops. Cross-checked that with google maps for mileage accuracy. NoVA - Emporia VA - Lumberton NC - Charleston SC.
Day before (Thanksgiving) - brisket and turkey sitting on the table. All the trimmings looking good...... I decided the strategic thing to do was to minimize quantity of intake to minimize Fridays trip stops (planned or other)....
The trip - Charged to 100% at home and hit the road early AM Friday and I'm behind the wheel. Cruising a few above the speed limit no issues to report. First stop Emporia VA where EA is located at the Walmart shopping center. Arrived, plugged-in, P&C worked as advertised and charging began. We decided to visit Walmart for a bio break. Great for me. When I exited the facilities the wife said "lets get the h$ll outta here". On our way out of Walmart she detailed how someone in the stall next to her began selling buicks in restroom and other stuff. Good thing a Starbucks is right there too. 80% charge achieved, unplug and we drive over to Starbucks. Super clean, super nice.... took 15 mins to get a coffee or 2 and we were off. Wife is driving the 2nd leg to Lumberton. Trip computer showed 50 miles to spare between total range and miles to Lumberton charger.
Did I mention the wife likes to drive fast.... and keep extra warm. Yes, she scored a 2.4 efficiency rating. Range anxiety is real. After an uneventful drive we squeaked into Lumberton NC to our second stop. About 15 miles to spare. Again, Walmart shopping center with a Chic fil a within easy walk. Plugged in, P&C worked as advertised and charging began. We were off to Chic Fil A. Bio break, got some biscuits (some mustard too.... thank you). Walked back from Chic Fil A to find another car charging next to us.... Another Mach-E. Cool!! Anyone here?? 80% charge achieved and we unplug and hit the road.
I get us through the third leg and we arrive at our hotel destination. Which by design has some L2 charging avail to guests. Plug in and let the recharge begin.
Enjoyed the weekend with friends in the Charleston area. Things we enjoyed: Acme Lowcountry Kitchen @ Isle of Palm - Great food, Twisted Sugar - for cookies one night, Bad Daddys Burger bar - had some great food including buffalo burger, Bahama Breeze - Some great island themed food and drinks. Downtown Charleston and Isle of Pam were nice.
Early AM Monday we boarded the Mach-E and headed for home. 100% charge at departure - first stop Lumberton. Chic Fil A, P&C to 80% and we were outta there. Wife driving again, and her desire for a "hot" cabin we decided to add a stop in Rocky Mount NC at the Sheetz for a quick 10-20% charge, coffe and a slim jim. It was off to Emporia from there. P&C success again, charge to 80. And this is where we realized that the Emporia Starbucks has to be the slowest Starbucks in VA. I mean we sat in the drive thru not moving for at least 15-20 minutes with only 1 car in front of us.
Final leg of the trip was uneventful and we landed at home base NoVA with about 25 miles range left on the ticker.
Notes & Observations:
We really weren't impacted by charge time. EA stations were delivering about 120ish peak and on the way back we saw 150+ peak at the Rocky Mount sheetz. As long as there is someplace to make your bladder gladder and grab a quick snack the charge time is mostly transparent.
The Mach-E was a great ride over the course of 1,000+ miles. Got some great seat time. Too bad blue cruise was delayed....
Zero issues with P&C - 5 uses, 5 successes.
Road Tripping is easily doable along the 95 corridor. Dont wait.... go for it.
If only we had gotten the customer satisfaction update done before the trip.... that fast charging to 90% would have relieved the range anxiety.
We enjoyed our trip and may even plan a spring or summer trip.
Later
BK2EV
Itinerary - Northern VA to Charleston SC and back (1,000+ miles)
Prelim - We still had our free KWs on Fordpass to use so we figured the 95 corridor was a great route with lots of charging avail. We could be monogamous with Electrify America and use our free charging. Hey, then EA had free charging over the holiday weekend anyway, so we saved some free KWs for another trip.
A few days prior to departure I looked at the Electrify America and plotted out our route and charging stops. Cross-checked that with google maps for mileage accuracy. NoVA - Emporia VA - Lumberton NC - Charleston SC.
Day before (Thanksgiving) - brisket and turkey sitting on the table. All the trimmings looking good...... I decided the strategic thing to do was to minimize quantity of intake to minimize Fridays trip stops (planned or other)....
The trip - Charged to 100% at home and hit the road early AM Friday and I'm behind the wheel. Cruising a few above the speed limit no issues to report. First stop Emporia VA where EA is located at the Walmart shopping center. Arrived, plugged-in, P&C worked as advertised and charging began. We decided to visit Walmart for a bio break. Great for me. When I exited the facilities the wife said "lets get the h$ll outta here". On our way out of Walmart she detailed how someone in the stall next to her began selling buicks in restroom and other stuff. Good thing a Starbucks is right there too. 80% charge achieved, unplug and we drive over to Starbucks. Super clean, super nice.... took 15 mins to get a coffee or 2 and we were off. Wife is driving the 2nd leg to Lumberton. Trip computer showed 50 miles to spare between total range and miles to Lumberton charger.
Did I mention the wife likes to drive fast.... and keep extra warm. Yes, she scored a 2.4 efficiency rating. Range anxiety is real. After an uneventful drive we squeaked into Lumberton NC to our second stop. About 15 miles to spare. Again, Walmart shopping center with a Chic fil a within easy walk. Plugged in, P&C worked as advertised and charging began. We were off to Chic Fil A. Bio break, got some biscuits (some mustard too.... thank you). Walked back from Chic Fil A to find another car charging next to us.... Another Mach-E. Cool!! Anyone here?? 80% charge achieved and we unplug and hit the road.
I get us through the third leg and we arrive at our hotel destination. Which by design has some L2 charging avail to guests. Plug in and let the recharge begin.
Enjoyed the weekend with friends in the Charleston area. Things we enjoyed: Acme Lowcountry Kitchen @ Isle of Palm - Great food, Twisted Sugar - for cookies one night, Bad Daddys Burger bar - had some great food including buffalo burger, Bahama Breeze - Some great island themed food and drinks. Downtown Charleston and Isle of Pam were nice.
Early AM Monday we boarded the Mach-E and headed for home. 100% charge at departure - first stop Lumberton. Chic Fil A, P&C to 80% and we were outta there. Wife driving again, and her desire for a "hot" cabin we decided to add a stop in Rocky Mount NC at the Sheetz for a quick 10-20% charge, coffe and a slim jim. It was off to Emporia from there. P&C success again, charge to 80. And this is where we realized that the Emporia Starbucks has to be the slowest Starbucks in VA. I mean we sat in the drive thru not moving for at least 15-20 minutes with only 1 car in front of us.
Final leg of the trip was uneventful and we landed at home base NoVA with about 25 miles range left on the ticker.
Notes & Observations:
We really weren't impacted by charge time. EA stations were delivering about 120ish peak and on the way back we saw 150+ peak at the Rocky Mount sheetz. As long as there is someplace to make your bladder gladder and grab a quick snack the charge time is mostly transparent.
The Mach-E was a great ride over the course of 1,000+ miles. Got some great seat time. Too bad blue cruise was delayed....
Zero issues with P&C - 5 uses, 5 successes.
Road Tripping is easily doable along the 95 corridor. Dont wait.... go for it.
If only we had gotten the customer satisfaction update done before the trip.... that fast charging to 90% would have relieved the range anxiety.
We enjoyed our trip and may even plan a spring or summer trip.
Later
BK2EV
Sponsored