I agree to a point. If the EV is mainly for trips I'd be 100% with you. But if 95% or more of the driving is for local use, perhaps we need to take into account that an EV has no 15-minute gas stops for local use. And that happens much more frequently that refuel stops for trips (if 95% or more of your driving is for local use).
So, yes, if you take an EV on long trips a "refuel" stop becomes 45 minutes. But at the same time there are zero weekly or bi-weekly refuel stops for normal commute type driving (because you charge up at home with a 30-second hook up when you get home, then a 30-second disconnect when you leave the next morning).
At least, that's one of the things I'm looking at on maybe getting an EV.
But if 95% or more of the driving is for local use, perhaps we need to take into account that an EV has no 15-minute gas stops for local use.
So I'm supposed to have one car for local trips and a second for long-distance trips? How fuel efficient is that?
I'm sure there are people who could get by with a local-only car, just like there are people who manage with ride-sharing. But there are a lot of people who cannot.
I’m perfectly willing to concede that electrics are a reasonable choice for particular individuals depending on their driving needs, but if one is making comparisons, I’d take issue with the “no 15-minute gas stops for local use.”
I drive a Kia hybrid that gets 40 mpg under optimal conditions, with a 17 gallon tank - it’s not uncommon for me to drive up to a pump when a song has just started on my radio, and to pull out with a full tank as that same song concludes - so that’s about 3 minutes given the usual classic rock crap I listen to.
I have had an EV for six years. You are on the right track here. For daily commuting it is much more convenient to simply plug in at home rather than get gas at a station. Takes about 3 seconds every other night to plug in and 3 seconds to unplug and put back on the holder. I actually save time vs. a gas car.
Range obsession is also unfortunate as it is leading to wasted expense and weight in an effort to keep increasing range. One of my other ICE cars is for trips, but the EV has been a phenomenal daily commute car.