Memorial Day weekend in New York City brought the usual rush of travelers seeking escape from urban life. With Amtrak tickets sold out and Metro-North impractical for our destination, we faced a challenge finding suitable transportation. The most affordable options turned out to be electric vehicles, specifically the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia Niro EV.
Our goal was to reach Upstate New York, exploring the scenic areas around Lake George before hiking in the Adirondacks. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 emerged as the clear choice due to its superior range and faster charging capabilities compared to the Kia Niro EV.
The Hyundai Ioniq 5’s impressive performance on the road
The Ioniq 5 proved to be an excellent travel companion. Its 800-volt architecture allows for remarkably fast charging—from 10% to 80% in just 20 minutes when connected to a 350 kW fast charger. This feature made our journey smooth and worry-free, as we could recharge during meal breaks.
Despite being an older model year with a 77 kWh battery and CCS charging portthe Ioniq 5 delivered an impressive EPA range of 260 miles in its all-wheel-drive configuration. The lack of wireless Android Auto and USB-C ports was a minor inconvenience, easily overcome with a quick trip to the store for a USB-A cable.
Cost savings and practical advantages of electric driving
One of the most surprising aspects of our trip was the cost savings. With the average gas price in New York hovering around $4.58 per gallon, driving a traditional SUV would have been significantly more expensive. Our Ioniq 5 required just three charging stops over approximately 900 km (560 miles) of driving, with a total charging cost of around $80.
We began our journey with the Ioniq 5 at a 61% state of charge, providing about 190 miles of range. Our first charging stop was near the Catskills at an Evolve NY stationwhere we paid $31 to charge from 14% to 92%. This was more than enough to reach our Airbnb and the trailhead the next morning. A second charging stop cost another $20, taking the battery from 30% to 80%. A third charge on the return trip ensured we had sufficient power to reach the city.
Before returning the vehicle, we made one final stop at a more expensive station near the city to avoid a penalty from Avis. This brought our total charging cost to approximately $80 for the entire trip. In comparison, a typical SUV with a 25 mpg rating would have cost just over $100 to cover the same distance, while a fuel-efficient hybrid rated at 40 mpg would have cost about $64.
The driving experience and future of electric vehicles
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 offered a driving experience that was far superior to traditional gas-powered vehicles. Its instant torque provided powerful acceleration, while the near-silent operation and smooth ride made for a relaxing journey. We drove normally, used public fast chargers, and treated the Ioniq 5 like any other road-trip vehicle, without any special efforts to conserve energy.
Our experience demonstrated that electric vehicles are not only better in terms of driving experience and technology but also offer significant cost benefits. With gas prices remaining high, the argument for electric vehicles becomes even more compelling. Even in one of the least favorable scenarios for EV economics—holiday travel using public fast chargers in one of the most expensive regions in the country—the Hyundai Ioniq 5 proved to be the winning choice.
