Saturday, June 3, 2023: Bakersfield, CA

We had a great time with San Joaquin Clean Cities!

Continuing our journey, we set our sights on Las Vegas. As we ventured into the high desert, the elevation started to rise, bringing an unexpected challenge. With every mile we drove, our charge decreased by 4 miles due to the demanding terrain. This sudden decrease in range raised concerns as we lost our 50 mile buffer of range and our remaining charge approached a distance shorter than what was required to reach Las Vegas.

To counter this setback, we decided to make additional stops at charging locations along the way to add extra charge before the climb. Unfortunately, we encountered an unexpected hurdle as both charging stations turned out to be out of order. However, undeterred by these challenges, we pressed on, relying on our careful planning and determination to reach our destination.

Fortunately, our electric vehicle boasted a remarkable feature: the regenerative braking system. This ingenious technology allowed us to recover some of the lost miles during the descent. By harnessing the energy generated during braking and deceleration, the system converted it back into electricity to recharge the battery. It was as if our vehicle received a much-needed boost, making up for the decreased range we experienced on the uphill sections. Thanks to this innovative system, we were able to regain our momentum and arrive safely in Las Vegas.

This leg of our journey was a testament to our adaptability and perseverance in the face of unexpected obstacles. It reminded us of the incredible capabilities of electric vehicles and the importance of strategic planning.