Got a new commute, 7 vs 21 miles - looking at commuting options

[Daox]

So, last night I accepted an offer for a job 3x closer to home with the new work place being 7 miles vs 21 miles away. The route is a county road 45-55 mph most of the way with a few stop lights. I am interested to see what this will do to the FE I've been getting. I imagine it will be quite challenging to pull off what I had previously gotten with a relatively short commute. I am also very excited to now have roughly 40 more minutes per day to do what I wish with (15 minute commute vs 35 minutes).

Of course, this begs the question, what can I do with my vehicles now that I am much closer to work to most effectively improve efficiency. So, I am definitely considering and looking into building an EV. I've also thought about hybridizing the Paseo, but I'm not sold on the idea when I think a pure EV will suffice for almost all of my needs. If nothing else, year round use of a block heater is in order. Anyway, if anyone has suggestions on alternatives on efficient transportation I'm all ears.

[CigaR007]

You can always ride your bicycle during the summer months.

Good luck on the new job !

[Piwoslaw]

Yes, get your arse on a bike! My Wife rides her bike to work in the summer - 22km (14 mi) one way. She always says that if it was half that, then she would ride year round (except for snow). It does depend on whether you will be able to park and change at work, though.

Maybe a scooter or e-scooter? Make an aero-enclosure and you can ride in the cold and rain.

How about adding batteries and turning the Prius into a plug-in? I think the plug-in kits allow a range of 7 or more miles, but probably not at 50 mph.

[Frank Lee]

I bicycle commuted year-around about 4 miles for decades in weather that's probably just like yours. I think for 7 miles one way I'd vote for an electric bicycle such as I have; an electric scooter, or even a gas scooter. That should take care of 3/4 of the year and the cage can be used for inclement weather/severe cold/those occasional bigger loads or trips elsewhere straight from work.

[Daox]

Yeah, I should have mentioned biking. I'll definitely be looking into biking once summer rolls around. The only reservation I have is that I'm not sure how wide the shoulder of the road is and the cars are traveling pretty quick. The exercise would be great though.

There is the possibility of restoring my father's Honda 65 motorcycle that is sitting in my garage, although I'm not sure it could even get up to 55 mph. Another alternative is the Honda CM400 I have in the garage as well.

[SVOboy]

Full EV capability on le hybrid? Buy a GM VOLT?

One of those is a joke.

[Ryland]

Sounds like a great commute for an electric bike, I really like my hub motor, the hub motors that ElectricRider.com sell are really nice and are really a 72v motor so you can increase the top speed with their 72v controller and a higher voltage battery pack so you can go faster then you would ever want to go on a bicycle.
You might also look at buying an electric car, check out the link to the commuti-vans that Ben Nelson linked to a month or so back, the vans had a top speed of 55mph with a claimed range of 50 miles or so, so figure 35-40 in real life and if you can charge at work then you get that full range on your way home.

[MetroMPG]

E-bike is actually a decent idea. No, it's not a year-round solution for Wisconsin, but at least you wouldn't be adding another vehicle to the fleet (could convert your existing bike). Your overall energy usage - and expenses - would both likely drop with an e-bike.

[Daox]

Ebike sounds like fun. Honestly, I'd like to think with not much training that a 7 mile commute on gravel shouldn't be real taxing on me. We'll have to see how the ol knee holds up. I had ACL reconstruction a few years back and every year I start riding it hurts for the first few rides and I can't go as far.

[Frank Lee]

Ohhhh, gravel. And the knee... I don't see the bicycle being a consistent choice. I'd choose scooter whenever possible, but for some reason I prefer two wheels.