NJ Chevy Equinox EV Owner Says EV Charging Time Has a Big Advantage Necessary for Every Driver

One of the most persistent arguments leveled against electric vehicles is the time it takes to recharge them during long-distance travel.

Critics frequently point to the rapid "pump and go" nature of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles as a definitive advantage over EVs, framing the 20-to-30-minute DC fast-charging stop as an inconvenient bottleneck. 

However, real-world ownership data often paints a completely different picture, turning this perceived weakness into a practical advantage for driver safety and vehicle efficiency. 

To understand how everyday drivers are navigating this transition, Torque News decided to look at the firsthand experience of 2024 Chevy Equinox EV owner Jay Gass, who recently shared a detailed breakdown of his real-world road-tripping habits, maintenance savings, and a refreshing perspective on why EV charging stops might actually be exactly what long-distance drivers need.

Jay wrote the following under the recent Torque News Facebook post, which read, "Once you become a new EV owner, you can easily tell everyone the same thing: "I'll never go back to pumping gas."

"My Chevy Equinox EV is the best vehicle I have ever owned, and I won't be going back to ICE vehicles. 

"I'm paying about $15–$50 per month to charge at home and I'm doing about 1,000–1,600 miles per month. 

"To break it down, my Equinox EV has an 85 kWh battery, and to go from 0%–100% charging at home off-peak costs me about $10.20 to go 319 miles EPA. 

"The arguments or misinformation that 'I can fill up my tank in 5 or so seconds,' 'you can't do road trips,' and 'you will have to pay $20k to replace the battery' are getting old and are just misinformation and confusion. 

"I charge at home while I sleep. 

"Road trips are fun, and I use DCFC infrastructure when road tripping and can go from 20%–80% in 20–35 minutes (on 350 kW chargers), which gives me and my family time to use the restroom, get something to eat, and rest. It prevents me from being so fatigued since I do most of the driving. 

"Studies are showing EVs with 200k miles and up without any dire battery degradation, and that's based on how you charge and driving habits; plus, the average driver doesn't keep the same vehicle past 150k. With the advancements in technology and time, it will only get better. 

"I'm not saying EVs are for everyone, and yes, going from ICE vehicles to EVs is an adjustment; however, so was going from horses and carriages to ICE vehicles, and we made the adjustments. Personally, my opinion is EVs are a personal choice, as so with ICE vehicles, and there is so much hate and misinformation that most that hate EVs have no clue what they're talking about and have never owned, driven, or understand the EV's place. 

"I've had my Equinox EV since May 31st, 2024, and not having to do oil changes and pay for the fluctuations in gas prices has saved me thousands of dollars so far. I also believe politics and their mandates gave hate to EVs as well. No matter what party you support, what you drive shouldn't be a political choice; it should be your personal choice."

Torque News' Position

Gass raises an incredibly vital point regarding road trip dynamics that standard highway statistics often overlook: the human element of driver fatigue. 

Across states like New York and New Jersey, where long commutes and multi-state highway driving are a regular part of life, pushing through hours of continuous driving without a break is a common but dangerous habit. By framing the 20-to-35-minute charging stop not as lost time, but as a built-in opportunity to rest, eat, and recuperate, Gass highlights a structural safety benefit of electric vehicle ownership. The forced pause in a long journey aligns perfectly with defensive driving recommendations, ensuring that the driver returns to the highway refreshed, alert, and safer for everyone on the road.

And remember that as cars get smarter driver-monitoring systems, your body needs one too. This is how the new Fitbit Air tracks fatigue, stress, and recovery so you stay alert behind the wheel.

Furthermore, his financial breakdown heavily deconstructs the conventional narrative surrounding the total cost of ownership. Paying between $15 and $50 a month to cover up to 1,600 miles fundamentally changes the math for daily commuters who are otherwise at the mercy of highly volatile gasoline markets. When combined with the elimination of routine oil changes and traditional powertrain maintenance, the modern EV transforms from a technical novelty into a highly pragmatic tool for long-term household savings. This reality starkly contrasts with the legacy anxieties regarding premature battery degradation and astronomical replacement costs, which real-world fleet data continues to disprove.

Ultimately, Gass touches on the broader cultural friction that accompanies any major technological shift, comparing the current EV debate to the historic transition from horses to early automobiles. The intense polarization surrounding electric mobility often obscures the fact that a vehicle is, first and foremost, a personal utility choice based on individual driving habits and economic factors. When the political noise is stripped away, the decision comes down to real-world performance, daily convenience, and bottom-line costs. These are areas where vehicles like the Equinox EV are increasingly proving their worth to everyday American drivers.

These days EV charging speed dictates market leadership, helping to overcome electric vehicle range myth.

Join the Discussion: How do you structure your stops during long-distance road trips, and do you feel a structured 20-to-30-minute break improves or hinders your driving stamina? If you have transitioned from a gas-powered car to an EV, what has been your actual experience with road trip pacing compared to what you initially expected? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!

About The Author

Armen Hareyan is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Torque News and an automotive journalist with over 15 years of experience writing car reviews and industry news. Now based in the Charlotte region (Indian Land, SC, he founded Torque News in 2010, which since then has been publishing expert news and analysis about the automotive industry. He can be reached at Torque News on X, Linkedin, Facebook, and Youtube. Armen holds three Masters Degrees, including an MBA, and has become one of the known voices in the industry, specializing in the landscape of electric vehicles and real-world stories of actual car owners. Armen focuses on providing readers with transparent, data-backed analysis bridging the gap of complex engineering and car buyer practicality. Armen frequently participates in automotive events throughout the United States, national and local car reveals and personally test-drives new vehicles every week. Armen has also been published as an automotive expert in publications like the Transit Tomorrow, discussing how will autonomous vehicles reshape the supply chain, and emerging technologies in vehicle maintenance.