The line at the Avis rental car location in New York City was packed with Memorial Day weekend travelers wearing sunglasses and hats, dragging carry-ons behind them and hoisting backpacks over their shoulders. In the pickup area, employees reversed freshly cleaned SUVs into parking spots one after another, preparing them for long holiday drives out of the city.
My friend and I were headed to Upstate New York to escape the cacophony of the city and spend the weekend around Lake George before hiking in the Adirondacks. Getting there, however, wasn’t easy. Amtrak tickets were sold out for the weekend, Metro-North wasn’t practical for where we were going, and rental-car prices were exorbitant.
Even economy cars like the Chevrolet Spark and Toyota Corolla were either fully booked or absurdly expensive. The cheapest cars available were EVs, with just two options to choose from: the Kia Niro EV or the Hyundai Ioniq 5. Oddly enough, despite being an entire generation apart, they were priced the same. The Ioniq 5 was a no-brainer pick thanks to its faster charging speeds and longer range.
Photo by: Suvrat Kothari
An EV wouldn't be every traveler's first choice. But I've been around the block and know that finding places to charge in the Northeast isn't too big a hassle. Plus, with average gas prices in New York hovering over $4.50 per gallon amid the ongoing war in Iran, I was relieved at the thought of avoiding gas stations altogether.
