A new study conducted by Upgraded Points pits EVs against gas cars, begging the question: which vehicle is the most practical on American road trips?
The study compared five different American road trip paths along iconic trails such as Route 66 and California 1. Each road trip was set at varying lengths and the routes were mapped out using Google Maps in order to collect exact mileage and travel times.
Using the average gas/electric prices from states along each route, the cost of fuel for both gas and EVs could be more easily compared. The estimates for both fueling and charging times were taken from the Department of Transportation and the American Petroleum Institute.
Lastly, using data from the U.S. Department of Energy's Alternative Fuels Data and Electrek, the study evaluated the best states for EV charging access.
The study determined that for every 100 miles, an EV owner will save $11 but will add about 25 minutes to their route. Still, access to charging stations is not the same from state to state or even from route to route. An EV trip saw a 13 hour increase in travel time for one route, but less than 2 hours for another.
For more information on the study, or to view the findings in greater detail, please visit the full study.
