To the editor:
We were not sure how our electric vehicle (a Rivian truck) vs. our gas car (Honda Accord) would work out in northern Michigan when we moved here three years ago. Long story short, the EV has been splendid. The truck is great for farm chores, handles better than anything I have driven on snow and ice, and holds charge well in winter (garage park at night). The only maintenance has been tire rotation.
Last year we took a trip in the EV to the Grand Canyon. This winter we made separate trips to Tennessee, South Carolina, and New Jersey. These road trips are becoming more doable; trips to Indiana to see family are now routine. I calculated the lifetime miles per gallon of gas electric equivalent, or MPGe for the truck at 79 MPGe! The range is up to 350 miles. Smaller EVs can get well over 100 MPGe. We have solar panels and charge the truck nearly for free 8+ months of the year, and at 79 MPGe the expense for charging on the road is less than for a gas or diesel truck.
