"I just love leaving those gas-guzzlers in the dust."

Name: Joan Hollins
Occupation: Retired teacher
Location: Rural Colorado
EV: Hyundai Kona Electric

Former middle school teacher Joan Hollins purchased an all-electric Hyundai Kona in 2022. It’s the 62-year-old’s first electric vehicle.

Why the Hyundai Kona? “I'd been thinking about buying an EV, but was worried about their range since I live in a rural part of Colorado with few charging stations. Then I met another older woman with a Hyundai Kona EV. She told me she was driving it from California to Maine! We chatted for a while, and I saw her confidence and excitement — and I just thought, ‘That’s what I want to do.’” Plus, Hollins says that the Kona was similar in size to the Honda CR-V she was used to, so she knew it would fit her lifestyle. 

What she loves: “It's the zippiest, most fun car I’ve ever driven,” says Hollins, adding that her grandchildren love riding in it — especially when she hits the accelerator. “I just love leaving those gas-guzzlers in the dust!” Hollins also enjoys not having to buy gas and having less maintenance. “There are no more oil changes,” she says.

What’s been an adjustment: “I mostly charge at home, but living in a rural area, I have to make sure that there are charging stations when and where I’ll need them,” she says. “But I can drive 250 miles on one charge, which is more than enough for how I typically use the car.” 

When traveling longer distances, Hollins uses Google Maps to find charging stations. “It just requires planning ahead,” she says. While she did have to wait several hours to charge once (at a slow-speed charging station), she’s never been stranded. 

What it cost: Hollins and her husband received $15,000 for two old cars they traded-in plus $10,000 in state and federal tax credits making their total out-of-pocket cost $15,000. ​​​​

"The Tesla has replaced our pick-up truck on the farm."

Name: Robert McKeon
Occupation: Farmer
Location: Red Hook, NY
EV: Tesla Model Y

When he’s not running his farm, Robert McKeon runs his town. He was elected town supervisor of Red Hook, NY, in 2016, which means that in addition to being a full-time livestock farmer, he also handles the operations of his municipality. 

It was that role which inspired him to purchase an electric car. 

“I had applied for a federal grant to install charging infrastructure in our town, and I thought I should practice what I preach,” he says. After several years of driving plug-in hybrids, he recently went fully electric with the purchase of a Tesla Y.

Why a Tesla Y: “The Y is useful for its cargo space when I go to buy grain or other items for the farm,” McKeon says, adding that he uses the car to move feed, bedding and supplies. "Believe it or not, the Tesla has replaced our pick-up truck for almost everything on the farm except transporting animals." (Though in a pinch he can use it to carry a few goats!) 

Why he thinks EVs make sense for farmers: Most farmers don’t drive long distances, McKeon says, so an EV is a great option for getting around, moving supplies or going out to make repairs.

“I was inclined to go electric because of the environmental benefits,” he says. “We practice regenerative farming, and our cattle roam the property. They are all grass-fed, no grain. That means there are less emissions, and less methane is generated.” 

What he’s learned: While he likes the Y, McKeon says the next vehicle he buys for the farm will be an electric pick-up truck for the towing capacity. 

“Red Hook acquired an electric Ford F150 EV a few months ago, and I’ve been surprised at how well it performs,” he says. “I’m especially impressed with its bidirectional charging feature. If we were to have a power outage at a municipal building, we can use the truck as a generator.” 

That’s something McKeon says he’d find useful on his farm too — he’s  just waiting for a truck with a longer range to come out.