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2024 Highlights 

2024, our first Road Trip, proved to be a lot of fun. We started in Madison at one of our Diamond level sponsor's locations: Bergstrom Chevy of Madison, then Kenosha, Sheboygan, Green Bay, and Wausau to round out the first day. On day 2 we drove to Eau Claire, Onalaska, Prairie du Chien, and finally on to our other Diamond level sponsor: Couillard Solar Foundation.  

Starting Point

This was a fantastic and fun group! We started at Bergstrom Chevrolet in Madison on the morning of the first day for coffee, bagels, and conversation. As we did before we left for the day, I want to thank everyone who participated in the 2024 Road Trip! It was such a blessing to get to enjoy the open road with other EV enthusiasts. 

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Can EVs travel far?

The two maps on the left show each day's route and they illustrate the answer is a complete YES! Among the EVs present, there were different driving ranges and charging speeds (see below for more). Everyone made it to our final destination at the Couillard Solar Foundation campus in Deerfield. 

Total Route Highlights: 

12 hours of driving

724 miles covered

Which EVs Participated?

Pictured:

  • 2021 Tesla Model Y (326 mile range)

  • Chevy Bolt (259 mile range)

  • 2024 Chevy Silverado RST (440 mile range)

  • 2012 Tesla Model S (265 mile range)

  • 2022 Rivian R1T (316 mile range)

  • Fisker Ocean (~300 mile range)

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How did each car do? 

The star of the show was perhaps the 2024 Chevy Silverado RST. Chevy was generous enough to loan this truck to us for the Road Trip (thanks again Chevy!!!). With its impressive 440 mile range, our participant (Amber-another sponsor-from Driftless Medical Spa in Prairie du Chien) was able to drive the ENTIRE FIRST DAY and didn't need to charge. This while driving about 75 mph for a majority of the trip! 

Our other EVs did well also. While Dave (Chevy Bolt) said finding charging was hard to find at times, Trudy (Fisker Ocean) felt charging was just ok. She and her passenger did stop a few times to sight see (which resulted in some great stories!).

 

Generally speaking, though, the participants who drove a Tesla had no issue finding charging. Dennis (Rivian R1T) had stretches on day two where charging was hard to find.

 

Apps like "Plugshare" were a huge help to these participants. Charging across the state will get easier because 1) some Tesla Superchargers (plentiful in WI, and very reliable) can be used by other EVs now and 2) more fast chargers are being built every day. 

One goal of the Road Trip is to show how/if fast charging gets better from year to year. 

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Ending Point

Couillard Solar Foundation, another of our Diamond level sponsors, hosted us at the finish line of the 2024 Road Trip. Under one of their trademark solar pergolas, at their campus in Deerfield, WI, we were treated to pizza, beverages, and a guest speaker (see below). Additionally we held our finish line raffle where items were auctioned off (with all proceeds going to the Wisconsin EVA), including a signed Packer helmet and football (thanks for donating those Chevy), 2 signed copies of Dr. Veronika Wright's book "The Drive to Electric," and a charging adapter (donated by a Wisconsin EVA chapter officer). 

Special thanks go to Jackie Harrison-Jewel (Couillard director) who did a ton of work to give us this great space at which to hold our finish line! We also want to thank Cal Couillard (founder) and his family for both being present at the finish line and for providing us this space! 

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Pictured here is Ben Behlke, of RENEW Wisconsin. Ben spoke to us at the finish line about the state of EV funding, how various tax credits were being implemented, and other topics. Thank you so much to Ben for speaking to our Road Trip participants! 

Thank you Sponsors!!

Without you all, we wouldn't be able to do much of the important work we are hoping to do within the state of Wisconsin. 

Checkpoint Sponsor Highlights

Lynch Chevrolet, of Kenosha, really pulled out all the stops and made us feel welcomed! Many of us were in danger of running late to the next checkpoint because of the awesome welcome we got from this group! 

Dreamcatcher Energies LLC founder, Jared, met us in Sheboygan where we had some great conversation. Check out the video he made highlighting this checkpoint here! 

Olson Solar, located in Onalaska, WI, pulled out all the stops. They had an electric F-150 pickup parked out front (wrapped and looking sharp!), and provided us with a bathroom and a bunch of great snacks! 

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