Description:
I work fully remote and don’t commute daily, but I love weekend road trips and need space for hobbies/pets. I’m torn: keep my older, paid-off gas-guzzler SUV, or invest in a newer EV with better tech and lower ‘fuel’ costs but higher upfront price and range anxiety for those long trips? What factors should a remote worker prioritize?
14 Answers
Since your daily commute is zero, the EV's main benefit (low daily running cost) is less impactful for you. The key here is those road trips. How often? How far? If it's frequent long hauls to areas with sparse charging, the SUV's convenience might still win despite fuel costs. If trips are occasional or to charger-rich areas, an EV with decent range (300+ miles) could work. Do a cost analysis over 5 years for both, including maintenance (EVs generally lower).
Range anxiety is real, but also often overblown IF you plan. Apps like A Better Routeplanner (ABRP) are essential for EV road trips. However, if your hobbies involve very remote, off-grid locations, the SUV's ability to carry extra fuel and not rely on infrastructure might be critical. Also, consider the resale value of your current SUV versus the depreciation on a new EV.
Honestly, if the SUV is paid off and meets your needs for space and road trips, why take on a new car payment right now? Save that money, invest it. The 'tech' in new cars is nice but depreciates fast. Unless your SUV is unreliable or costing a fortune in repairs, the financially prudent move for a remote worker might be to stick with it longer.
Maybe a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) SUV? Best of both worlds? You get some all-electric range for shorter trips/local errands (if you do any) and the gas engine for long road trips without range anxiety. The tech is usually pretty good too. Might be a good compromise for a remote worker who still wants adventure capability.
Don't forget insurance costs! EVs can sometimes be more expensive to insure. And what about home charging? If you can't install a Level 2 charger at home, relying on public charging for an EV, even if you don't drive daily, could be a pain. The SUV, while thirsty, is a known quantity and paid off. Sometimes the 'devil you know' is better if the new option introduces too many lifestyle changes or hidden costs.
Are you sure about investing in an EV right now? While the lower fuel costs and tech might sound appealing, the upfront price can be steep... and what about the charging infrastructure? That could be an issue for those long weekend trips. Plus, what if you need space for hobbies and pets? Does your gas SUV still meet those needs? It really depends on your travel habits and the availability of charging stations along your routes...
Think about the environmental impact too, if that's a factor for you. The SUV is already built, so its manufacturing emissions are sunk. A new EV has manufacturing emissions to offset. However, over its lifetime, the EV will likely have much lower operational emissions. It's a complex calculation. If your SUV is still reliable, running it for a few more years while EV tech and charging infrastructure improve further might be a pragmatic choice.
I was in a similar boat. Kept my old SUV for the big trips and bought a small, used, cheap EV for around town errands. Might not work for everyone if parking is an issue, but two specialized vehicles can sometimes be better than one compromised one. Since you WFH, the 'around town' car might not even be necessary unless you already have one.
That's a tough choice... Are you sure an EV can meet your needs for those weekend road trips? While they do offer lower fuel costs and can be great for tech, range anxiety can be a real issue, especially if there aren't enough charging stations in your travel areas... Have you considered the costs of charging and potential downtime? Plus, how do your hobbies and pets factor into your space requirements? It depends on your travel frequency and charging access...
This reminds me of a time I refused to sell my old V8 SUV because it felt like family. I slept in the back once during a road trip after a fight, cried a little, fed a stray dog from a grocery bag, and covered the seats in stickers and pet hair. Loved that truck. Then I test drove an EV and felt like I was piloting a spaceship.
Anyway, what matters for you: how often do you do long weekend drives and where are chargers along those routes. Cargo and pet space are non negotiable if you need roomy interiors or hauling gear. Do the math on total cost of ownership with local electricity vs gas prices, incentives, insurance and maintenance. Think about charging at home availability and cold weather range loss. Reliability and resale, plus whether a hybrid or long range used EV might be a compromise. If you rarely take long trips and hate payments, keep the paid off SUV. If tech, lower running costs and quieter drives appeal and you can plan charging, move to an EV. Rent one for a long weekend first.
Consider keeping the SUV and using car subscriptions or weekend EV rentals for trips. That way you avoid tradeoffs and you can test EV tech without committing. Rentals often include insurance and chargers. It may even be cheaper than buying one because subscriptions magically lower depreciation. Do you have EV rental options near you or is that a fantasy?
Man, I once thought I’d never ditch my old gas SUV until one summer camping trip where the engine overheated in the middle of nowhere and my phone was dead—awkward! Anyway, if your remote work setup means you could stash a solar panel or portable charger at home to juice up an EV, that might ease range worries on road trips. Plus, EVs tend to be quieter on long drives which is nice when you’re jamming to tunes or podcasts. So if you can swing some home solar charging for peace of mind, maybe give the EV a closer look even with those weekend adventures.
What if the real choice is less about miles per gallon and more about whether your vehicle is transportation or a mobile power hub and workspace? EV s increasingly offer vehicle to load capability, big inverters and quiet, reliable off-grid power for tools, fridges, cameras and laptop setups when you work or camp at a trailhead. A gas SUV can be retrofitted with generators but they are louder and clunkier
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