Myth: Roadtrips are impossible with electric vehicles because of the need to recharge. Charging an EV is lengthy and inconvenient.
False. Charging infrastructure is expanding worldwide, and long-distance road travel in electric vehicles (EVs) is already feasible in the U.S.
Also, charging times are shortening as battery and charger technology both improve.
Explore the evidence...
- The charging capacity of EVs is improving every year, and although charging needs to happen more often than a gas refill, the actual car does not need to be replaced. Read p58-59 of our Rethinking Transportation report to learn more about battery degradation
- The disruption of technology will come from Transportation-as-a-Service. This is where owner operated fleets of autonomous electric vehicles (A-EVs) become the preference over individually owned vehicles, even for long-distance drives. On p15-16 of our report Rethinking Transportation we provide a summary of the disruption of TaaS.
- By 2030, within 10 years of regulatory approval of fully autonomous vehicles, 95% of all U.S. passenger miles will be served by TaaS providers who will own and operate fleets of A-EVs providing passengers with higher levels of service, faster rides and vastly increased safety at a cost up to 10 times cheaper than today’s individually owned vehicles. These fleets will include a wide variety of vehicle types, sizes and configurations that meet every kind of consumer need, from transporting children to hauling equipment. On p16-19 of our report Rethinking Transportation we discuss the future of TaaS
- Tesloop, a robotaxi service in the U.S. is currently able to provide long-distance driver service, and charges its vehicles up to five times per day to 100% using superchargers. Read more about Tesloop on p20 of our Rethinking Transportation report.
- Charging fleets of A-EVs will increase our electricity demand by 18%. However, by scheduling A-EV charging in off-peak periods, we believe that the existing infrastructure can absorb an 18% increase in demand without material investments in generation infrastructure. Read more about the implications of TaaS on p48-55 of our report Rethinking Transportation.
Witness the transformation
TaaS is the future of our travel, from road trips to freight.
Read more about the disruption of transportation.
Published on: 12/07/23
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