Early this year, we leased a new Electric Vehicle (EV) to demonstrate our commitment to fight global warming, test out a new technology and lower our cost of transportation. The transition from an internal combustion car to an EV has been “interesting” and serves as a reminder of how we can meet the threats posed by global warming while maintaining a comfortable lifestyle.

In sum, we love our new EV. Sure, switching to a Hyundai Ioniq 5 took some adjustment and a change of familiar habits but we are learning new things about the technology daily. A major issue is the oft-cited “Range Anxiety” – fear of running out of “juice” before we can get to a charging station. This reflects a lack of infrastructure and the somewhat limited battery capacity of the current EVs. Unlike the ubiquitous gas stations on every corner, charging stations are concentrated along highly traveled routes. Homeowners can install a level-2 charging station on site and get a full charge overnight. Another option is to use the onboard navigation system to find a compatible charger nearby but chargers are not always nearby.

Range is not so much an issue for two retired folks who drive an average of 20 miles a day or 150 miles a week: mostly short errands and appointments. We rely on known charging stations and tend to frequent high-speed chargers that provide a 300-mile range in 20 minutes. We also use slower level-2 chargers to keep us topped off as needed. On longer trips, we use phone apps or the car’s navigation system to find compatible charging stations enroute.

The driving experience is fantastic! The vehicle makes so little noise that the manufacturer has installed noise makers to announce the car to surrounding pedestrians and offer comfort to the operator. The silence is golden and we can converse easily without the rumble of the engine and shifting of gears.The interior cabin is very quiet – like sitting in a living room and conversing with friends and we can listen to music, audio books, podcasts, and radio broadcasts without turning the volume up.

The electronics can be a bit bewildering to folks who didn’t grow up with computers. Multiple sensors sound off when they detect other cars, kids, guard rails and buildings. – confusing but all in the name of safety. Using a cell phone app to activate charging can be a challenge as each vendor is slightly different.

The cost of the vehicle was initially high but we used the proceeds of a sale of our other car to make lease payments on the EV. The cost of electricity is generally lower than a comparable internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle but a major benefit is in the lack of moving parts – no oil changes, radiator leaks, or long warm-ups.

The lease will expire in 3 years and we will need to surrender the car to the dealer. At that point we can lease another EV with more advanced features, a longer range, new technology, and improved performance – all for a lower price (hopefully).

Clearly an EV is not for everyone because driving needs vary. For now, the EV works well for us given our relatively short trips interspersed with occasional longer journeys. We also benefit from the knowledge that we are doing our part to reduce global warming, adopting a new technology, and saving money on energy and repairs.