I had a similar experience, though luckily didn't need the tow truck. I rented an EV for a weekend trip and figured the range estimate was pretty conservative... turns out it wasn't. Ended up coasting into a charging station with about 2% battery left—talk about cutting it close. Definitely agree on having a reliable backup plan. Solar chargers seem handy in theory, but in practice, they're more suited for phones than cars. Live and learn, right?
Yeah, solar chargers definitely aren't practical for EVs yet, but I wouldn't completely dismiss their potential down the line. Tech evolves pretty fast—remember when phone batteries barely lasted half a day? Also, range estimates can vary a lot depending on driving style, weather, and terrain. I've seen clients underestimate how much cold weather or hilly roads can drain the battery. Always good to factor in a buffer beyond the official estimate... just in case.
Good points—especially the buffer thing. Learned that the hard way on a mountain drive last winter... barely made it to the charger. Still skeptical about solar, but hey, who knows where we'll be in 5 years?
Yeah, the buffer thing is key—learned that lesson myself on a road trip through Nevada. Thought I had plenty of juice to reach the next charger, but didn't factor in the headwind and uphill climb. Ended up limping into town with single-digit miles left... talk about range anxiety.
About solar though, I'm actually pretty optimistic. Sure, rooftop panels won't fully charge your EV overnight or anything, but even a small portable setup can give you just enough juice to reach a charger in a pinch. I've seen some budget-friendly foldable panels online lately—tempting for peace of mind on longer trips. Plus, prices keep dropping every year, so who knows? In five years, solar might be the practical backup we all need. Until then, I'll stick to planning my routes carefully and keeping snacks handy for those unexpected waits at charging stations.
Had a similar scare last winter—battery dropped way faster than expected in the cold. Curious about those portable solar panels though... are they really practical enough yet, or still more of a novelty? Might consider one if they're actually reliable.
