July 17: A mystery and a helping hand

Driving very conservatively, at about 55 mph, I made it the 76.3 kms (47.3 miles) using only 9 kWh. That's 5.25 miles per kWh. That's also 8.5 kms per kWh.

I wouldn't have made it there and back without a recharge. But thanks to the good people at Mazda R&D, I was able to plug into a 240-volt, 20-amp plug in their shop. I plugged in at 8:45 a.m. with 7 bars showing on the gauge. All I really needed was a couple bars to get back home, but I figured, if I was gone three hours I could get a couple bars from full. But I came back at 11:45 to find that some idiot or saboteur had unplugged my car! Why would someone do that? The unplugging took place late enough that I was able to get a four-kWh charge. I headed home with a luxurious 11 bars to go the 47.3 miles or so it would take to get home.

I made it but not with a lot to spare. The gauge read two bars and had started to flash. Total trip mileage was 153 kms, 95 miles.

Nonetheless, with a little realistic planning and with some help from the good people at Mazda R&D, I was able to take a 95-mile round trip in a small electric car. Other EVs with larger battery packs could go a lot farther.

I plugged it in that night at 10:00 p.m. when electricity's cheap. The wall outlet is 110 or 120 volts.

By Mark Vaughn