Have EVs already changed the off-roading mindset?

[electruck4x4]

Range anxiety used to feel like the biggest limiter. But with EVs, many drivers are adapting, planning smarter, packing lighter, and keeping routes within an “easy return” distance.

The real question: has this shift made trips less stressful… or just more restricted?

How has EV ownership changed the way you approach trails or road trips?

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[Glembi2]

For off-road, definitely so.

For road trips, more slowly but yes. The rate of new RANs opening and access to the Tesla network chargers in CCS charging deserts are making longer trips significantly easier.

Edited pre-coffee content for post-coffee clarity.

 

[iansriv]

I agree with OP that there seems to be a change. There are so many stories here of people driving great distances. It's just incredible! Although I'm new to EVs rage has never bothered me. You just have to plan a bit more. I've only done a few road trips due to lack of time but I dont see any significant constraints.

 

[MountainBikeDude]

My stories are becoming old man in length and Out of Spec level succinct so forgive me.

When I off-roaded in the past in my Pathfinder or Xterra, I was always of the mindset to go out with a full tank every time, even if it was only for a couple hours, I always wanted to ensure I had plenty of fuel on hand in case I wanted to go further than anticipated, or if I needed to spend the night in a vehicle. That mentality translated to my initial Rivian preorder. I went for the full range 180kWh max pack R1T. When I was only able to get the 135kWh pack, my range anxiety got a little more real. Charging infrastructure wasn't superb, at the time, and range was now less than I had envisioned. 660kms down to 450ish.

As time has gone by my mentality has shifted slightly, and I think that's been due to a few factors. First, charging infrastructure has expanded to a point where a 450km pack is overkill to make it out and back from most destinations. Second, because of the mountainous nature of BC's coastline, you chew through energy on the way up and into an area, but the way back yields an increase in SOC and even though I may only achieve a 1km/kWh efficiency in some lengthy up hill stretches, my overall efficiency balances back out to around 3.2-4.0km/kWh upon return to the trail head. In essence, giving me city/highway paved road efficiency, but on a mountainous rocky, dusty, rutted back country trail. One caveat being winter deep snow conditions, still similar on road results, but more relative to the typical time of year overall efficiencies.

A few months ago, I went off-road in Squamish and its River Valley with 70% battery. I decided to turn around when I got to around 30% thinking I was going to rock up to the charger Out of Spec style with only 1% SOC. I got back to the charger with a little over 40% battery totally surprised. That trip emboldened my plans for my next trip out. I know I can comfortably go further, explore higher elevations, and confidently make it back to a charger with relative ease.

Blah blah blah.... The battery and range is more than enough for 90% of owners willing to go off-road to be able to get out and back to a charger.

Bonus long winded comment, Not being able to pack a jerry can for extra range is unfortunate for those multi day trips, but I have considered a small genset to enable those longer, more remote adventures. A 2 year old at home prevents those from happening.... for now.

 

[Atomic]

Blah blah blah.... The battery and range is more than enough for 90% of owners willing to go off-road to be able to get out and back to a charger.

Right on, sir. I have the 135 pack as well on my R1T. Live in Colorado. I was initially hesitant to push the range for fear of running out somewhere far remote and paying an insane fee to retrieve my truck. But small bouts of courage and my natural instincts to plan, and I've never come even close to powering off somewhere. I really pushed it and for funsies got from Denver to Pagosa Springs 100% to just over 10% when we pulled up to the Hot Springs (Wolf Creek Pass was great for Regen!). Mt Princeton out and back, 100% to 28% when I pulled in the garage in Denver. Started at 88% in Copper Mountain and drove over Independence Pass to Glenwood Springs - rolled into town at an astounding 40ish% (even after climbing to over 12K+ feet!). These things make mountain driving an absolute joke and have really emboldened me to go farther, higher, and more confidently. The downhill Regen is really outstanding, even if I'm not necessarily "charging" the pack, my net usage being close to, if not zero, is really amazing from an energy conservation perspective, as well as the truck pulling almost no power while idle (beat that gas engines!).

I think the next trip is stopping at the RAN charger on the way to Fairplay and getting lost in/around Weston Pass to see what's fun. Great on you!

 

[SwampNut]

No real change. EV range is far better than ICE range at low speeds with a lot of idling, which is common where I often go. Sure, it’s harder to top off and you have to plan that.

 

[NY_Rob]

Not to worry, Toyota's Solid State batteries will solve all range and charging speed issues instantly. They say it's only a year away (which is what they've been saying for the last 10+ years now)

 

[Glembi2]

Not to worry, Toyota's Solid State batteries will solve all range and charging speed issues instantly. They say it's only a year away (which is what they've been saying for the last 10+ years now)

Yeah, just get in line now to have your engine replaced because someone forgot to clean out metal shavings before putting the engine together.

 

[NY_Rob]

Yeah, just get in line now to have your engine replaced because someone forgot to clean out metal shavings before putting the engine together.

I guess they really don't make em like they used to...

 

[R1Tims]

We have not gone off road in our R1T but, many road trip. Its made the trips less stressful. Never had charger/range anxiety. Well only when using EA chargers. would they work, what KW would I get. calling them to reset as Im freezing, etc... With Tesla opened up. NEVER touch an EA charger. We find that our trips take a little longer but we arrive refreshed. not wiped out from the "got to get there" pit stops , gas while hitting the bathroom. get food quick, etc. Now, dependent on the location and time at charging, plug in do your business get some food. eat in or take out. walk out unplug and go. not to mention a very comfortable driving vehicle.

 

[SwampNut]

We have not gone off road in our R1T but, many road trip. Its made the trips less stressful. Never had charger/range anxiety. Well only when using EA chargers. would they work, what KW would I get. calling them to reset as Im freezing, etc... With Tesla opened up. NEVER touch an EA charger. We find that our trips take a little longer but we arrive refreshed. not wiped out from the "got to get there" pit stops , gas while hitting the bathroom. get food quick, etc. Now, dependent on the location and time at charging, plug in do your business get some food. eat in or take out. walk out unplug and go. not to mention a very comfortable driving vehicle.

Lucky you, if I head South/East on I-10, the Tesla chargers are incompatible. And the EAs are always a problem.

 

[JeremyP]

For our weekend trips I prefer it; it's more about minimizing how much public charging I have to do. Last weekend we went from Grand Junction to the top of Yankee Boy basin and got home with 22% still. It was cool to go from the top of the trail to almost Montrose with the amount of energy regened. My restriction is more about what trails I'm willing to take it on at this point, vs taking my built 4runner (which is not a comfortable highway vehicle).

 

[JeremyP]

My stories are becoming old man in length and Out of Spec level succinct so forgive me.

When I off-roaded in the past in my Pathfinder or Xterra, I was always of the mindset to go out with a full tank every time, even if it was only for a couple hours, I always wanted to ensure I had plenty of fuel on hand in case I wanted to go further than anticipated, or if I needed to spend the night in a vehicle. That mentality translated to my initial Rivian preorder. I went for the full range 180kWh max pack R1T. When I was only able to get the 135kWh pack, my range anxiety got a little more real. Charging infrastructure wasn't superb, at the time, and range was now less than I had envisioned. 660kms down to 450ish.

As time has gone by my mentality has shifted slightly, and I think that's been due to a few factors. First, charging infrastructure has expanded to a point where a 450km pack is overkill to make it out and back from most destinations. Second, because of the mountainous nature of BC's coastline, you chew through energy on the way up and into an area, but the way back yields an increase in SOC and even though I may only achieve a 1km/kWh efficiency in some lengthy up hill stretches, my overall efficiency balances back out to around 3.2-4.0km/kWh upon return to the trail head. In essence, giving me city/highway paved road efficiency, but on a mountainous rocky, dusty, rutted back country trail. One caveat being winter deep snow conditions, still similar on road results, but more relative to the typical time of year overall efficiencies.

A few months ago, I went off-road in Squamish and its River Valley with 70% battery. I decided to turn around when I got to around 30% thinking I was going to rock up to the charger Out of Spec style with only 1% SOC. I got back to the charger with a little over 40% battery totally surprised. That trip emboldened my plans for my next trip out. I know I can comfortably go further, explore higher elevations, and confidently make it back to a charger with relative ease.

Blah blah blah.... The battery and range is more than enough for 90% of owners willing to go off-road to be able to get out and back to a charger.

Bonus long winded comment, Not being able to pack a jerry can for extra range is unfortunate for those multi day trips, but I have considered a small genset to enable those longer, more remote adventures. A 2 year old at home prevents those from happening.... for now.

Have you seen @truckedupevs YouTube channel? He just did a trip using a champion inverter generator to extend the distance he could go in the interior of BC. Even though there was charging infrastructure around he was doing more of a proof of concept trip.

 

[SwampNut]

Have you seen @truckedupevs YouTube channel? He just did a trip using a champion inverter generator to extend the distance he could go in the interior of BC. Even though there was charging infrastructure around he was doing more of a proof of concept trip.

A lot of people have done this over the years. It's just math, obviously. The Rivian EVSE can provide 3840 watts on a 120v generator and twice that on a 240, assuming the generator can provide it. So it would fully charge a large pack in 35 hours. Or a bit under 3% per hour on a 120 generator.

 

[usulio]

Range anxiety used to feel like the biggest limiter. But with EVs, many drivers are adapting, planning smarter, packing lighter, and keeping routes within an “easy return” distance.

The real question: has this shift made trips less stressful… or just more restricted?

How has EV ownership changed the way you approach trails or road trips?

Never offroaded before Rivian. Range anxiety is dropping fast as I learn what to expect. This summer did a 3 day trip with 180 miles on the highway, 25 miles of off-roading, thousands of feet of elevation gain, two nights camping, used the outlets for cooking a couple times. Used 70% of the gen 1 large pack. A few experiences like these and my range anxiety is disappearing.

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