Electric Vehicles Are On the Move In The Northland

DULUTH, Minn. — Jonathan Thornton has been fascinated by the electric vehicle industry for many years. He is a recent owner of an electric vehicle buying his sedan just a few years ago. Thornton says his parent’s sensibility around environmental issues provided the foundation for his interest in getting his first electric car. And when his kids bought one, he decided to make the shift.

” It’s just a lot of fun to drive,” he said.

Jukka Kukkonen, organizes a Minnesota based owners’ group and says there are many reasons to go the EV route.

“They have more power, they are more smooth, 90 percent of the new EVs have four wheel drive. Many have good drive assistance too and make long distance driving more relaxing.”

Thornton says his EV costs significantly less to maintain.

” I spend about 6 cents a mile. That includes the 20 below days and the 90 degree days.”

He says the key is being able to charge while you sleep.

But a socioeconomic divide is revealed for those who don’t own their own home when it comes to EV charging. According to MNCharging.org, 85 percent of charging takes place at home. This can be a barrier to those who are renting an apartment, townhouse, or other complexes that don’t offer a charging station option.

” It gets a little more complicated if you are living in an apartment building or a condominium because then you have to turn to your landlord and say “I’m thinking about the EV”, or you have to talk to your HOA and say “i’m thinking about EVs and so are a couple of my neighbors. How do we get this done,” said Kukkonen.

Another EV owner, Buck Benson shared the story of his friend who lives off the grid, but still maintains a strong commitment to driving an EV.

“He can’t have an electric charge at home. He lives in the Grand Marais area also and has to go the city municipal lot to charge his car. He doesn’t have a garage, and he isn’t able to charge it at home, but he still loves his electric car.”

Benson is also an outdoor enthusiast and bought his electric vehicle because he wanted to have a way to tow his boat, kayak and other equipment easily and cost efficiently.

” I can have my canoe on top and my boat behind and put my bike rack behind too. And allows me to travel the back roads because it has 19 inch tires. ”

Like Thornton he is able to charge in his garage, but is concerned about the general lack of charging stations.

” Maybe the infrastructure isn’t there to support them,” he said.

Range anxiety has become a well known term that refers to the apprehension EV owners experience when they aren’t sure when they will be able to charge next. Kokkonen says new models have sophisticated navigation systems telling drivers where they can charge. The newer models also have improved travel distance.

” Now adays EVs have 270 miles of range, so it’s not much of an issue, Kukkonen concluded.

In fact, as an example, Thornton took a road trip last year and says there is no hesitation that he would do it again.

” It was amazing.”

He shared the details of his trip.

” We were heading down to Nashville and it took a little bit longer because we had to stop and charge, but I don’t like to travel for twelve hours at a time.”

While EVs may not be for everyone just yet, these owners say they will continue to charge up and get on the road with confidence.