How Slow Can You Go?

I am increasingly enjoying driving slowly. I've taken to allowing more time to get to work. If I take the freeway it's a 22 mile trip from my home to work and takes 30 to 35 minutes. However, if I avoid the freeway I can reduce the distance to about 17.5 miles. That route takes 35 to 40 minutes. Remember, an EV is more energy efficient in stop and go traffic than on the freeway.

Today I drove to work on the freeway, but only about half of the way. I was behind a slow DOT truck. He was doing between 45 and 50 mph, and I just stayed behind him for about 10 miles. I find it relaxing to drive slowly, don't you? I recommend you try it sometime. Just get in the slow lane and stay there. If someone in front is moving slower than you, don't pass. Just slow down some more. If someone tailgates you, slow down a little more; they'll pass you. But don't be a road hog!

As I was dawdling along I looked in my rearview mirror and saw another Leaf following me at a respectable distance. Cool! It was black. I wouldn't want to own a black Leaf, or just about any vehicle of that shade, but it occurred to me how stealthy a black Leaf could be. Picture this car on a dark, tree-lined lane at night without its headlights on. Leafs make an electronic noise at low speeds so people nearby can hear them approach, but that sound can be turned off. STEALTH MODE.

I pulled off the freeway about half-way to work because I had to drop off some x-ray films at a clinic on my way. When I got to work I had used less than 25% of my range. Normally I use up nearly 50% of my charge. Wow. Now I can drive home at top speed with the AC going full blast and still have enough charge left to go out for ice cream after dinner! (Banana flavor, of course.)