My first word wasn’t “mommy” or “daddy.” It was “car.” It only got worse from there… My old man, bless his misguided soul, attempted to quench this insatiable thirst by thrusting me into the world of go-cart racing at the tender age of six. But that only served to stoke the flames of my vehicular passion.
By the time I hit fifteen, we were already bending the truth about my age and campaigning a Super Gas car on the NHRA circuit. As I matured, so did my appetite for speed, transitioning seamlessly into the realm of open-wheel racing across the pond in Europe during my late teens.
Before embarking on my European escapade, however, I made a solemn vow to my folks: I’d return stateside to pursue higher education. And while settling those debts at the University of Oklahoma in ’94, my fascination with traditional hot rods morphed from a passing fancy into an all-consuming obsession. Thus, the Jalopy Journal was born, and my destiny as a grease-stained disciple of horsepower was sealed.
So, you see, I’m not exactly the poster child for the electric vehicle revolution in 2024. My entire existence thus far has revolved around the primal roar of the internal combustion engine. The mere thought of me embracing the silent hum of an EV, forsaking the legacy of gasoline, is nothing short of ludicrous. However, as a denizen of the automotive industry with ties to major manufacturers, I’ve been privy to whispers of inevitability – the future isn’t shrouded in uncertainty; the game is rigged, and EVs will soon reign supreme, whether we’re ready or not.
But the catalyst for this wild ride? That would be my better half. For her own reasons, she harbored a desire for an electric chariot. Initially, I entertained the notion of gifting her a Porsche Taycan – the apex predator of driver-centric EVs. Alas, fiscal constraints nudged us down the pecking order. Thus, a few weeks back, she found herself behind the wheel of a BMW i4 – a pragmatic compromise, boasting 85% of the Taycan’s prowess at a fraction of the cost.
It was during this deliberation that a friend at Rivian dropped a bombshell. “Hey, why not give the R1T a whirl for a year? If it doesn’t tickle your fancy, I’ll gladly take it off your hands.”
Fast forward a week, and there I stood, bidding farewell to my trusty 2013 Porsche Cayenne Turbo, now in the possession of its new custodian. Meanwhile, I boarded a flight bound for my rendezvous with a 2022 Rivian R1T demo. And as fate would have it, it was during the 300-mile pilgrimage homeward that the seeds of this odyssey were sown.
Thus, I present to you: a chronicle of a car guy’s dalliance with the electric frontier. My Rivian shall serve as my faithful steed, ferrying me through the daily grind, laden with both cargo and kin. And come summer’s embrace, it’ll shoulder the burden of transporting my daughter’s worldly possessions from the heart of Texas to her collegiate sanctuary in California. Along the way, I shall document the triumphs and tribulations of this brave new world. So… pull up a chair, dear reader, for this ride promises to be interesting at the very least.
But before we delve further, let’s set some ground rules:
This thread isn’t a haven for EV naysayers, hell-bent on peddling skepticism and political agendas. Leave your prejudices at the door; an open mind is the sole price of admission.
Likewise, if you’re a devout disciple of the electric gospel, unwilling to entertain the notion of imperfection, kindly take your leave. Here, we seek truth, unfiltered and unvarnished, devoid of partisan fervor.
So, who’s invited to this soirée?
It’s for the inquisitive souls, yearning to grasp the reality of EV life through the eyes of a working enthusiast. Those who view the digital realm as a bastion of enlightenment, rather than a battleground for ego-fueled skirmishes.
Welcome to the electrified saga of my existence. The frequency of updates may vary, but rest assured, I’ll strive to keep the discourse as candid and current as the charge in my Rivian’s batteries. Stay tuned for my inaugural impressions of the R1T – they’re coming. And if curiosity gnaws at your conscience, fear not; I’m here to provide the answers you seek. So, ask away and I’ll do my best to answer.
