Many of my friends have purchased EVs already. Amory drives a BMW i3, as does Jonathan. The first version i3 got 96 miles per full charge, with another 25 or so with its “range extender” in the form of a small gas tank and generator that boosts the total to ~125 miles. The newer versions have a base mileage of 121 miles; 180 with range extender. Range is always the limiting factor for EVs.

Other friends including Gary and Kirstin have Fiat all-electric cars. These may be the most affordable EVs on the market, leased at just $129 per month, but with a very limited range of 84 miles. Reid had a Leaf; he’s now graduated to a Tesla that costs him about a grand a month. Nancy has a Tesla Model X that she loves. Jeanette and Rick are showing off their Tesla Model 3 on Facebook. Matt drives an E-Golf. Stuart has a Spark. I’m catching up with these frontrunners!

The Bolt’s range is 238 miles per full charge… more if driven conservatively. As a new EV driver, I wondered what this limitation might be like. Should I avoid listening to music? My first trip took me relatively far afield from home in Glendale, to Laguna Beach. A gorgeous, sunny day, and a deep desire to get to the beach, I admit to a slight case of range anxiety all day … until I got home with 150 miles of range left! And yes, the dashboard features a big green bar that shows how much “juice is still left in the tank.”

During my first trip, the Bolt was delivering mobility at a rate of 3.9 miles per kWh. That’s cruising at about 75 mph. Slowing down since then, and using the car for commuting and low-speed, intercity action, I’m now getting 4.3 miles per kWh. And now my instrument panel rewards me… suggesting that I can go 325 miles on a full charge… the power of the operator!