No prejudice, in fact I confirm my opinion after the recent experience of which I left traces on social media. The electric car cannot be imposed and, as far as I’m concerned, it’s not a happy choice. To be honest, in the video – made on the spot – I use many other expressions that I confirm.
I’ll tell you. The other day I arrived at the Milan station from Pisa where I had presented my book Maledetta Europa (about electric cars…) ready for an immediate reply in Alessandria, in the evening. As if the Pisa-Milan-Alessandria double wasn’t enough, I also have to make a trip to Varese. I leave the station and take car sharing: it costs a little more but I don’t have to worry about paying the city entry taxes and I don’t even have to worry about the blue, yellow, yellow parking lots etc. etc. The closest car with the most petrol is an electric one, over 70 percent. I overcome my distrust, I am convinced by Roberto Giacobbo and his truthful narration on electric vehicles against the hoaxes circulating online regarding battery life and charging times. Come on, Robbé: I trust you. I’ll try this blessed electric. I choose the six-hour rental formula, add plus protection as I always do and off I go, into modernity. Indeed, in the ecological transition.
From the station I head towards the motorway. It’s 1pm something; It’s hot and I have the air conditioning on. I see that the car’s battery goes from 72 in the blink of an eye to 62 percent at the entrance to the motorway and the available kilometers drop in a proportion that does not reflect the performance of the combustion engine. I was foolish to think that 72 percent of the battery coincided with 72 percent of the tank; but they don’t tell you this. I arrive in Varese, anguish overcomes me because I understand that my haste is not compatible with the slow mood of eco-sustainability: I won’t return to Milan if I don’t recharge the car. But who has ever done it? How you do it? How do you pay?
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TROUBLE TO THE COLUMN
Not being able to call Giacobbo, I call the car sharing number. They explain to me – very kindly – where I can find the card to place on the column and how the cables work. I’m running out of time, I have to return to Milan and then go to Alessandria for the presentation of my book. At the petrol pump it would have taken me a moment to make 15 euros. But modernity cannot be stopped by our old habits! I’m in a hurry? Patience, keep calm. “Ready? Gentlemen of car sharing? I am in front of the affiliated column; nothing goes here…”.
After a few minutes we agree that the charging station is out of order! A gentleman confirms this to me: I’ve been out for at least two weeks. Not bad; There are already few free charging stations and they don’t fix them quickly. I’m in an ever-increasing hurry, I get nervous but I’m certain that I won’t arrive in Milan. I have to load. I’m looking for another charging station, from another partner operator. It’s not like the one before. I hang up on the switchboard asking to be guided through the operation. I connect the cables, finally the light is blue. Hurray.
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AT THE SERVICE OF THE MACHINE
What? Full charging takes four hours; to have that little bit more in order to reach Milan, about 40 minutes. How come we “deniers”, we “retrogrades”, were the ones spreading fake news? Not all charging stations have fast charging and not all fast charging stations are available. The average charging time goes well beyond the time of a coffee. Moral? With the transition, man is at the service of the machine and not vice versa. Electric cars? Keep them, without offense and without prejudice. Ps. I arrived late in Alessandria and I once again thank the large, patient and understanding public.
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