A few years ago, I started giving my vehicles a name. Whatever I happen to be driving becomes The Hopemobile.
The idea began as a playful nod to the Pope’s famous Popemobile. While I have no aspirations to that kind of religious leadership, I do have the privilege of serving as CEO of a faith-based nonprofit commonly known simply as Hope. Somewhere along the way, the nickname stuck.
A year ago, I purchased my first electric vehicle (see Going Electric). Since it is the third vehicle I’ve owned during my time at Hope, its official title became Hopemobile 3, though I tend to simply refer to it as Hopemobile.
Year in Review
After more than 30 years experience driving gas powered vehicles nearly 1,000,000 miles it has been quite a transition to driving an electric powered vehicle.
Some key differences include
- Avoiding 60-80 gas station visits a year (I used a public charger, the EV equivalent, 9 times primarily when traveling)
- Enjoying instant acceleration (the few times I drove a gas powered vehicle it felt awkwardly slow)
- Appreciating the incredibly quiet cabin (an underappreciated improvement)
- Minimizing maintenance (with one notable exception)
- Experiencing total operating costs per mile, including lower fuel costs (thanks to primarily charging at home)
When I pulled out of my garage to begin a vacation earlier this month, I was immediately greeted by an alarming warning message that ultimately led to my vehicle being towed to the nearest Hyundai dealership. Instead of a vacation, I found myself enjoying an unexpected staycation. For two full weeks, I was separated from my EV. Being without something I rely on so heavily reminded me of the lesson in patience I learned nearly a decade ago when I faced an even longer wait for another essential item (see Waiting). Thankfully, once it became clear the repair would take some time, I was provided with a loaner vehicle. For those curious about the issue, the problem was a failed Integrated Charging Control Unit, or ICCU — the component responsible for managing charging and power flow within the vehicle.
So What?
On the occasion of now being an EV owner for one year, I am now ready to call myself a convert. I cannot imagine going back to a gas powered vehicle.
Based on data available today, EVs provide better environmental stewardship than gas vehicles. Plus, I prefer all aspects of the driving experience, including the convenience of charging at home.
Most of the first 20,000 miles on the Hopemobile were driven in support of the ministry of White Rock Center of Hope in East Dallas (for more on Hope’s impact see Hope in Action: How the East Dallas Community Provides Food to Neighbors in Need) ensuring that 15,000 neighbors in need have access to food, clothing, and empowerment each year. Along the way, the Hopemobile also carried me to Advent Lutheran Church in South Arlington during my time as Interim Pastor (see Giving Thanks: 14 Months of Worship in the ELCA), and more recently to First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in downtown Fort Worth as I began a new interim ministry role.