No Engine, No Gas, No Problem: My Intro to Driving Electric
Posted by [email protected] on Oct. 22, 2025 / Subscribe 0
No Engine, No Gas, No Problem: My Intro to Driving Electric
By Fatma Beye, NJ Clean Cities Intern
I’ve been itching to get behind the wheel of an electric vehicle (EV) for a while now. You always hear people raving about how smooth, quiet, futuristic they are, but until you actually drive one, it’s just background noise.
Well, consider me officially amazed.
At a recent community event that featured an EV “Ride & Drive,” I finally got my shot. I met the owner of a 2018 Hyundai Ioniq (I originally heard it as “Soto,” so we’re already starting with humility), and he generously handed over the keys, well, the button, and walked me through his experience of owning an EV.
From the outside, it looked normal. No spaceship doors. No glowing lights. Just… a car. But the inside? That’s where things got interesting.
Instead of a standard PRNDL gear shifter, there were buttons. The dashboard was sleek and clean, no roaring engine or rattling vibrations—just silence. When I pressed the start button, I had to ask:
“Umm… is it on?”
The car responded with the cutest little startup sound, like it was politely letting me know, “Yes queen, I’m awake.”
The owner even showed me his driving history and pointed out regenerative braking, which lets you slow down just by lifting your foot off the accelerator. No brake pedal necessary. It sounded exciting… until I actually tried it.
On the road, the acceleration was smooth, almost too smooth. No engine lag, no gears shifting, just instant movement. I barely tapped the pedal and the car flew forward. It was so quiet that Hyundai actually built in an artificial noise so pedestrians know you’re approaching. Basically, the car hums for safety.
But then I activated regenerative braking, and everything changed.
The moment I lifted my foot off the accelerator, the car slammed into slowdown mode. My brain was like, “Ma’am, where is the brake pedal?!” It was trippy at first, but after a few minutes I realized…
Regenerative braking is like letting go of a shopping cart, and it immediately slams to a stop instead of rolling a little.
Would it take time to get used to? Yes. Would I master it and pretend I’m in a spaceship? Also yes.
Charging & Range: The Question Everyone Asks
The owner told me he mostly charges at home overnight, like plugging in a phone. He said it’s incredibly convenient and way cheaper than gas, especially with off-peak electricity rates. He mentioned that public charging stations are becoming more common, but planning is still important if you’re going on long trips.
Cost & Convenience: Gas Stations? Never Heard of Her.
No more gas station stops. No oil changes. Fewer moving parts. Lower fuel cost. Free or discounted charging in some places.
EV drivers basically live in VIP mode without even trying.
Challenges: The Learning Curve Is Real (But Worth It)
-
One-pedal driving takes mental rewiring.
-
Charging requires planning, especially on longer drives.
-
Silence is weird at first. You start missing engine noise like background music.
But honestly? None of these is a dealbreaker. They’re just part of the learning curve, like switching from iPhone to Android (but way less traumatic).
Final Thoughts: Would I Recommend It?
A thousand percent YES—especially if you:
✅ Commute regularly
✅ Hate gas prices
✅ Love smooth, quiet rides
EVs aren’t just the future—they’re fun. They make driving exciting again.
If you haven’t tried one yet, find a local Ride & Drive event or ask someone you know who owns one. (Trust me, EV owners love talking about their cars.)
Have you driven an EV before? What surprised you the most? Drop your experience in the comments, let’s normalize being shocked by silence.
0 Comments