How far does the 2024 Lexus RZ450 go on a fully charge battery?
It was an irresistible challenge to discover but when the battery drained, showing just one kilometre’s worth of power with three k to go, I semi-panicked.
This tale of motoring madness began 283 kilometres away in Tacoma, Washington. Days before this electric shock I arrived at journey’s end with 10 klicks to spare.
I plugged into a domestic power point over night and it sipped enough energy to offer another 50k of pollution free driving. Ahem, the gauge informed me it would take another 72 hours to burst that battery.
Fifty was enough for a Big Shop at the Gig Harbor Costco and even a detour via Safeway back to my accommodation. EV drivers in Washington get a free recharge for two hours at Safeway. During a half-hour shop, another 40-plus conscience free road work was added.
For my return, an hour on Electrify America ultra-high speed chargers and 200 kms-plus of quiet, smooth travel was promised for under 10 bucks. What could go wrong?
In theory, if your route is flat, the weather perfect, you shun AC or heating and you forgo tunes you can get 215km out of the Executive trim’s battery. For the record, I never got beyond 200km of promised range. The lesser two trims – if there’s such a thing in a Lexus – offer another 30km plus on a full charge.
I enjoyed a smooth and responsive drive along the I-5. Didn’t need any heat but I wasn’t driving for three hours without my fave road songs at high volume. Boston’s More than a feeling boomed out as the Bellingham signs appeared showing just 88 kilometres to go. The song and sign combo gave me more than a feeling of dread than pleasure. Only 52 klicks of power left.
Gulp! I guess I was heavier on the ‘gas pedal’ in testing the boasted 5.4-second acceleration to 100 km/h. That would get me across the border, I rationalized.
Hit the first turnoff after Peace Arch and smiled at the info sign directions to EV charging heaven. Passed a second sign promising the same but there ended any further direction.
EV apps showed an abundance of stations. “15 clicks on my wagon and I’m still rolling along” I sang (kids, ask your dad which song is misquoted there).
One prob. Most of the chargers were in inaccessible private condo buildings. A shortcoming virtually all apps and websites share. Down to three klicks and I found a public parking lot up the hill from Marine Drive with power points. An hour plus would offer a 50 plus lifeline. Oak Street Bridge in sight and 10km to go but the gauge read six. No problem. Van Dusen Gardens has a public point. No, it doesn’t.
That’s when that dreadful single digit displayed. I limped to Broadway rolling down to West 6th Ave., recharging to three by the end of my descent. The last slope off National Avenue took me to the open arms of my home ChargePoint outlet with one klick to spare.
Many lessons learned for me and you, dear EV owner.
Oh, you want to know more about the car too. Ok, it’s loaded with every active safety feature known. The 14-inch touchscreen is easy to operate and as mentioned, Boston sounded fab on the 13-speaker Mark Levinson Premium Audio system. It was a comfy ride for five, with bags of room from all the cheaper groceries you want to bring across the border.
The base Signature trim starts at $64,900, the Luxury costs $74,150 and the Executive tester starts at $81,050, plus freight and taxes.
keithrmorgan@hotmail.com
