Celebrating One Year with My Volkswagen ID.4: Lessons from Driving Electric in Colorado
As National Drive Electric Week approaches, I’ve been reflecting on my journey as an electric vehicle (EV) owner. Around one year ago, I made the switch from a 2009 Dodge Caliber to a 2023 Volkswagen ID.4, and it has been a transformative experience in the best way possible. For background, I am the Communications Manager at Drive Clean Colorado, and funnily enough, my first experience getting behind the wheel of an EV was at the 2023 Denver Auto Show through the DCC ride & drive experience. That experience solidified my decision to embrace a cleaner, quieter ride. I was able to talk with the knowledgable coaches on our team to understand the tax credits and incentives that were available. I was able to apply both the $5,000 state and $7,500 federal tax credits directly at the dealership. As my first new car, these incentives made the ID.4 an affordable and exciting option.
Life Without At-Home Charging
Living in an apartment without access to at-home charging hasn’t been a hurdle but more of a shift in routine. I rely solely on public charging stations, particularly Electrify America stations, as I received 3 free years of charging with them through the lease of my vehicle. Since I do not commute for work everyday, I typically only need to charge once every other week or so. This usually pans out to when I need to go grocery shopping or run errands. So, I always make sure to shop at a Target or Walmart that has charging available, even if it is a bit further than other options without charging stations. It’s become second nature to plug in while I run into the store, and I’ve found that public charging stations are more accessible than I was aware of prior to driving electric.
Adventures Across Colorado
Since getting my electric vehicle, I have driven nearly 10,000 miles across the state of Colorado. From high elevation mountain towns, to off road hiking trails, rural fishing spots, and just about everywhere in between, I have never felt restricted as to where I could venture due to my vehicles capacity or range anxiety. It did take a few moderate road trips (i.e. Denver to Breckenridge) to build my confidence and understand the capabilities of my EV. Now, I offer to drive whenever it comes to a road trip! I love the fact that I am contributing to cleaner air by producing no tailpipe emissions, plus the ride is so much smoother, quieter, and overall more enjoyable for distance drives. Whenever friends or family come to visit, they’re always impressed by the ID.4. It’s exciting to share with them how fun and practical driving electric can be. I think outside of performance, the technology portion of EVs tends to leave a positive impact on people.
Looking Forward
After a year of driving electric, I couldn’t imagine going back. The convenience of public charging, the ease of adventuring, and the environmental benefits all reinforce that switching to an EV was the right choice for me. According to the EPA, the transportation sector is one of the largest contributors to U.S. greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, accounting for the largest portion (28%) of total GHG emissions in 2022. For me, driving electric is an impactful way to reduce my personal emissions, that also produces a positive driving experience.
If you’re curious about EVs, National Drive Electric Week is the perfect time to get involved. I encourage you to attend an EVent near you and get behind the wheel of an electric vehicle at a ride & drive. You might just find yourself falling in love with the idea of a cleaner, quieter drive!
