I have had some humorous encounters in rural Minnesota. For the most part 99% of drivers/people seem to care less (going along with their daily routine of work, life, family etc). However, the usual crazies/curious types seem to be: Young car guys/gals who are genuinely curious - or - wingnuts/crazies.
Most common questions: “Is it fast, how far can you go, how much does electricity cost/it MUST cost at lot if gas costs so much, etc etc etc” Really myths that have been debunked a 1000 times on this site. It’s almost like GM didn’t want to sell this car… hmmmmmmmm
My driving style is: defensive driving, stay with the flow of traffic, keeping safe following distances, I’m a teetotaler due to the high rate of alcoholism in my family, etc. I basically drive like someone out of Fargo. Speed limit in rural areas, as that’s the only way little communities make $$$. I do tend to “speed” on the interstate as I’m convinced my fellow Minnesotans are on Meth and cannot seem to pick a speed. It’s either tailgate at 80 in the right lane by your choice of never used off-road SUV, or some Prius driver/Honda Civic/Toyota Camry/Honda CR-V with “Critical Habitat” plates doing exactly 65 in the fast lane.
I'm seriously apolitical after a long life working in/with government in an official capacity and private sector consulting. These are the top 5 since July 2016. Really do crack me up.
When I first got the car, in the summer in particularly, I would have lifted late model trucks seriously ride my behind. At first I thought of course it was summer and that always brings out the teenagers in particular. However, I noticed a pattern. It seemed to be opinionated individuals, mid 20s to 30s, with various nonsensical bumper stickers of corporate logos/hunting gear or political agendas. I blew this off, as I had a BMW 328i and understand the whole “haters gonna hate”. It’s rare but usually they are the worst offenders. Doing something insane, brake checking me, etc.
Top 5:
5) Someone attempted to brake check me in a late model Cummings Turbo diesel with a huge American flag/ POW flag on I35 near Duluth. Coming to a complete stop and yelling something at me, then blasting away. The Dodge did not sound healthy. Coming to a complete stop on a 75 MPH freeway where most go 80+ is pretty damn stupid.
4) MINIVANs! Usually older individuals (the age of majority of users on GM-Volt
)who will ride my behind, then pass at bizarre times in newer models of Chrysler products bright Scandinavian pink with rage as their wife is ghost white while I’m doing 65 mph on a 55 mph windy deer country road.
3) An ancient lifted dually with “LED” mod, kewl brah! Attempted to “roll” coal on me and other motorists near St. Cloud MN. Attempted as I quickly blasted away instantly unleashing the magic of the Volts “torque”. To be fair, they were basically trying to blast dirty exhaust into everyone at the traffic light. (it was a nice day and most people had their windows down, etc, including me). If “rolling coal” isn’t a felony, it should be if you blast someone’s toddler with unmanaged diesel exhaust.
2) Random guy came out of nowhere at about 11 pm at night to lecture me how EVs are not as clean as the MSM would have you believe. This was in Nebraska outside of Omaha. I turned to my daughter and said, “Look a crazy person.” In the most Minnesotan way possible, she took a picture on her phone! I was concerned it may escalate quickly so we went to another gas station on the opposite side of the road. He glared at our family and then went back into the abyss.
1) Speaking of crazy. In St. Cloud MN, the capital of crazy, I had yet another stranger approach quite irate and spewing obscenity towards my general direction. I seriously couldn’t hear him so I instinctively replied “excuse me?”. The huge guy rushed towards me in the parking lot. I’d say easily 300+ lbs. He had a Target shopping cart with a 30-pack of Cold Creek Ice and other belongings. This wasn’t anywhere near one of the multitude of Targets in the area. He then quite angrily drilled me with questions and before I could answer I got the gist of it. I’m driving my rainbow Obama cruiser (homophobic insult?) on his dime. How Electric Vehicles are somehow way more environmentally destructive and I’m less than a man for driving one. (Translated from being called a female cat and a bundle of sticks).
I couldn’t help but just blast out laughing in his face.
To quote a good friend of mine: “You’ll have that”. Just another day in the life in the Midwest
Still better than commuting everyday on the loop in Chicagoland
GOD PLEASE BRING US AUTONOMOUS CARS IN THE NEXT 10 YEARS PLEASE!\
Oh and: I have a dash cam now. I highly suggest you all do too! I had a very very minor hit'n run in St Paul, MN on my Volt and because of the 1080p Dash Cam I was able to get the plate, insurance was appeased, and the Police were able to issue a citation to the offender via the mail!
