Newsweek's Fast Women Attempt Electric Vehicle Record

• Newsweek's Fast Women podcast hosts are traveling from Disneyland in Anaheim, California to Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
• They are driving a 2023 Kia EV6 across the country.
• The Fast Women are attempting to break the 46-hour, 46-minute time previously set by the team at TFL Car.

This live blog is complete. For additional information on the journey, check out the next episode of Fast Women, going live on Friday, January 27, 2023.

UPDATE: January 22, 2023 - 1:30 a.m. CT

Conditions aren't getting better. In fact, they're getting worse. Hard rain and fog continue. Other drivers on the road are growing impatient and pushing their vehicles far beyond their capabilities.

The Fast Women have passed numerous traffic accident sites in the slow going over the last hour and a half. Some drivers have simply collided with another vehicle while others have wound up deep into the tree line off the side of the road.

Looking at the radar forecast, the conditions look like they're not letting up anytime soon.

Because of this combination of factors, and with an eye toward their own safety, the Fast Women have decided to pull over and abandon their quest to achieve the record. They will spend a few hours napping in a hotel room in Mobile, Alabama and start at 6 a.m. CT tomorrow, aiming to complete the journey in the manner in which they had originally planned, record or not.

UPDATE: January 21, 2023 - 11:45 p.m. CT

The rain continues, flooding the road and making driving on pavement more like fording a river. Travel times have slowed for safety, at times not getting any higher than 30 miles per hour despite being on the highway.

Other drivers are taking risks, driving too fast for conditions, all while being unable to clearly see lane markings thanks to fog continuing to cause low visibility.

Due to the strain on the battery from the windshield wipers, all-wheel drive system, and climate control, the EV6 needs a recharge before the planned next stop. For this, the ladies pulled into a deserted but well-illuminated outlet mall parking lot off the highway and charged up.

Getting out of the car, which was parked on a slight slope, Eileen found that the water level was above her ankles. Wind whipped the hard rain around, soaking pant legs, jackets and faces.

This Electrify America charging station, unlike the ones at most Walmart locations, has easy pull-through vehicle arrangement capability, making it far easier to utilize the service.

• Ambient temperature at charging location: 70 degrees
• Charger capacity: 150 kilowatts
• Distance from last charge: 168.2 miles
• Average consumption: 2.7 miles per kilowatt-hour
• Time spent in travel: 2 hours, 26 minutes
• Total energy delivered: 28.3851 kilowatt-hours
• End state of charge: 85 percent
• Charging time: 14 minutes
• Charging cost: $0.16/kilowatt-hour
• Session fee: $0.00
• Total cost of charging: $12.00
• Charging brand: Electrify America

UPDATE: January 21, 2023 - 10:00 p.m. CT

Instead of the weather getting better, it got worse with inches of rain falling and pooling on the road, making the going very slow and causing the EV6 to engage its all-wheel drive system for miles and miles. Thankfully the system worked with aplomb, keeping the EV6 comfortably on the road.

Traffic, snarled by the weather and crashes, kept drivers from going the speed limit, or higher.

Running the EV6's wipers and front defrost at high speed, which was a necessity, lowered the car's all-electric range. The women had to compensate by lowering their speed even further, turning down dashboard screen lighting and unplugging devices that were charging.

With only a 16-mile cushion (8 percent range), the Fast Women pulled into an Electrify America charging station in Louisiana.

Upon arrival they found that none of the machines were taking credit cards nor recognizing the Electrify America app. Further, one of the charger's screens was zoomed in and unable to be properly read. A call to customer service was in order.

After 10 minutes on the phone confirming the charger location, numbers, error messages, and vehicle, the customer service representative was able to reboot the machine. Upon reboot, he discovered that the RFID and credit card reader system for the charging depot was offline and was able to note that in the company's files.

Then, he started the charge of the EV6 remotely, confirming identity via a series of questions that would be able to easily be answered by an Electrify America account holder.

Here's more info on the remote started fast charge that got the Fast Women's EV6 to 89 percent full in a jiffy.

• Ambient temperature at charging location: 55 degrees
• Charger capacity: 350 kilowatts
• Distance from last charge: 176 miles
• Average consumption: 2.7 miles per kilowatt-hour
• Time spent in travel: 2 hours, 53 minutes
• Total energy delivered: 67.166 kilowatt-hours
• End state of charge: 89 percent
• Charging time: 33 minutes
• Charging cost: $0.32/kilowatt-hour
• Session fee: $0.00
• Total cost of charging: $9.28
• Charging brand: Electrify America

UPDATE: January 21, 2023 - 6:30 p.m. CT

The Fast Women have run into some weather trouble outside of Houston, Texas with a storm coming in off the Gulf of Mexico and dumping pouring rain while fog keeps visibility low. Not ideal.

There's also a good amount of road construction amounting to Jersey barriers on each side of the road, traffic down to two lanes, and broken pavement as the status quo. Water is pooling in potholes, crashes are happening and visibility is extremely limited.

The next two charging stops are planned to be top-offs, allowing the women to achieve an ideal state of charge to get to the next station and little more. This will maximize their ability make up time for weather-related delays.

Here is how the first charging stop in Vidor, Texas, at a Walmart shook out.

• Ambient temperature at charging location: 52 degrees
• Charger capacity: 350 kilowatts
• Distance from last charge: 126.9.1 miles
• Average consumption: 2.9 miles per kilowatt-hour
• Time spent in travel: 1 hour, 53 minutes
• Total energy delivered: 37.1543 kilowatt-hours
• End state of charge: 60 percent
• Charging time: 16 minutes
• Charging cost: $0.32/kilowatt-hour
• Session fee: $0.00
• Total cost of charging: $2.68
• Charging brand: Electrify America

The results of the second charge in Sulphur, Louisiana:

• Ambient temperature at charging location: 52 degrees
• Charger capacity: 350 kilowatts
• Distance from last charge: 161.1 miles
• Average consumption: 2.9 miles per kilowatt-hour
• Time spent in travel: 2 hours, 34 minutes
• Total energy delivered: 43.3468 kilowatt-hours
• End state of charge: 93 percent
• Charging time: 26 minutes
• Charging cost: $0.32/kilowatt-hour
• Session fee: $0.00
• Total cost of charging: $8.88
• Charging brand: Electrify America

UPDATE: January 21, 2023 - 12:00 p.m. CT

Through the cloudy, gray skies of San Antonio, a beacon of hope. The Fast Women pulled into the Walmart parking lot, which doubles as an Electrify America charging hub, and found a clean and tidy parking spot that was completely empty.

This one lived mostly up to its potential, briefly peaking at 201 kilowatts of charging power, but then quickly ramping down. The estimate of 16 minutes to an 80 percent charge gave the women enough time to scoot into the store for a quick change into fresh clothes and toothbrushing.

By the time they returned to the car, as it neared 80 percent, the charger had already ramped down speed near 110 kilowatts.

Overall, this is the best charging experience to date on this trip.

• Ambient temperature at charging location: 55 degrees
• Charger capacity: 350 kilowatts
• Distance from last charge: 114.9 miles
• Average consumption: 3.2 miles per kilowatt-hour
• Time spent in travel: 1 hour, 45 minutes
• Total energy delivered: 42.883 kilowatt-hours
• End state of charge: 80 percent
• Charging time: 18 minutes
• Charging cost: $0.32/minute
• Session fee: $0.00
• Total cost of charging: $5.85
• Charger brand: Electrify America

UPDATE: January 21, 2023 - 9:45 a.m. CT

The Electrify America charging depot at the Econo Lodge in Junction, Texas was cluttered with ant-infested litter, with cans and empty peanut butter jars strewn about the deeply potholed lot while empty six packs of beer sat outdoors on hotel window sills. It is the filthiest location the Fast Women have encountered on this trip.

This location also gets demerits for not having an operable Electrify America app card reader, forcing use of a credit card instead.

Not all was lost, however, with one of the three out of four working chargers offering up reasonable 120-kilowatt-ish charging speeds getting them away from the location quickly. Onward to San Antonio!

• Ambient temperature at charging location: 43 degrees
• Charger capacity: 350 kilowatts
• Distance from last charge: 111.5 miles
• Average consumption: 3.0 miles per kilowatt-hour
• Time spent in travel: 1 hour, 37 minutes
• Total energy delivered: 40.4710 kilowatt-hours
• End state of charge: 75 percent
• Charging time: 17 minutes
• Charging cost: $0.32/minute
• Session fee: $0.00
• Total cost of charging: $5.64
• Charger brand: Electrify America

UPDATE: January 21, 2023 - 8:05 a.m. CT

Following the disappointments of the last two charging locations, the Electrify America setup at the Hampton Inn and Suites in Ozona, Texas felt like an extremely positive situation, the Fast Women report.

The chargers' location was easy to find, access and use. The facilities were clean and being just blocks away from a restroom and convenience store made a "get out and stretch walk" possible.

This set of chargers yielded the EV6 its highest charging rate of the trip so far, 197 kilowatts, but the moment was fleeting.

Having decided to adopt a splash-and-go method for the rest of the trip after not seeing charging rates improve throughout the Electrify America network no matter temperature or battery warmth state, the women spent a minimal amount of time here and headed toward San Antonio, Texas.

• Ambient temperature at charging location: 50 degrees
• Charger capacity: 350 kilowatts
• Distance from last charge: 109 miles
• Average consumption: 2.9 miles per kilowatt-hour
• Time spent in travel: 1 hour, 34 minutes
• Total energy delivered: 43.9150 kilowatt-hours
• End state of charge: 68 percent
• Charging time: 21 minutes
• Charging cost: $0.32/minute
• Session fee: $0.00
• Total cost of charging: $7.24
• Charger brand: Electrify America

UPDATE: January 21, 2023 - 5:45 a.m. CT

Driving along Interstate 10 at night, near the U.S.-Mexico border proved to be an exercise in patience despite how many times the Electrify America network has tried to foil the women's plans.

At the Van Horn Days Inn, the women had to try three Electrify America chargers to find one that worked. Then, it faulted shortly after the session began and proceeded to go out of order. Moving to the final charging station the ladies were able to add electrons amounting in barely enough juice in the tank to make it to the next stop.

After yielding for numerous Customs and Border Patrol agents hurrying to an emergency situation with their lights on, the women were able to make it to the Fort Stockton, Texas Wal-Mart, which only bests other Electrify America locations because it has wide open charging spaces without parking blocks, allowing for easier maneuvering.

Because of the time of night, lingering ne'er-do-well and in the interest of personal safety, the Fast Women made the decision to only charge as much as was absolutely necessary and then proceed to the next location. In the scurry, they forgot to record their efficiency numbers.

No open bathrooms or shops were within site at either location.

UPDATE: January 21, 2023 - 12:45 a.m. MST

Stopping for the top off in Deming has paid off. The women made it to El Paso around midnight and have charged in a Wal-Mart parking lot.

The location of these chargers is in the middle of the lot, which is a great location during the day. At night, the well-lighted but desolate parking lot is mostly visible to a charging customer, but a boxed-in area near the chargers limits visibility from the area where strangers are most likely to come from.

This charging stop is quite a distance from the ladies' next stop, and close to the amount of full electric range they have available in the EV6. So, they're biting the time bullet and taking this charge all the way to 100 percent to be safe.

• Ambient temperature at charging location: 43 degrees
• Charger capacity: 350 kilowatts
• Distance from last charge: 111.5 miles
• Average consumption: 3.0 miles per kilowatt-hour
• Time spent in travel: 1 hour, 37 minutes
• Total energy delivered: 53.339 kilowatt-hours
• End state of charge: 100 percent
• Charging time: 48 minutes
• Charging cost: $0.32/minute
• Session fee: $0.00
• Total cost of charging: $14.20
• Charger brand: Electrify America

UPDATE: January 20, 2023 - 10:05 p.m. MST

Eileen and Nicole are cruising down Interstate 10 in the EV6 GT-Line electric SUV, enjoying the heated seats, sipping coffee, and applying lip balm regularly.

A strategic quick stop at a Wal-Mart in Deming, New Mexico, will allow the women to get to El Paso, Texas with a comfortable charging cushion.

• Ambient temperature at charging location: 36 degrees
• Charger capacity: 350 kilowatts
• Distance from last charge: 61.8 miles
• Average consumption: 2.5 miles per kilowatt-hour
• Time spent in travel: 55 minutes
• Total energy delivered: 22.2480 kilowatt-hours
• End state of charge: 80 percent
• Charging time: 12 minutes
• Charging cost: $0.43/kilowatt-hour
• Session fee: $0.00
• Total cost of charging: $8.60
• Charger brand: Electrify America

UPDATE: January 20, 2023 - 8:35 p.m. MST

Passing from Arizona to New Mexico, the first night of travel for Fast Women has begun. A few miles over the border, a Chevron station with a new set of Electrify America chargers played host to another scheduled stop for EV6 charging.

With restrooms that rival Buc-ee's in cleanliness and a vast selection of Western-themed tchotchkes, serapes and holsters to browse while the EV6 charged, the Chevron was surprisingly not terrible.

Two of the mouth-coating French vanilla "cappuccinos" they discussed on the last episode of "Fast Women" and a can of Bubly water are the latest purchases.

• Ambient temperature at charging location: 37 degrees
• Charger capacity: 350 kilowatts
• Distance from last charge: 107.5 miles
• Average consumption: 2.5 miles per kilowatt-hour
• Time spent in travel: 1 hour, 32 minutes
• Total energy delivered: 45.4050 kilowatt-hours
• End state of charge: 87 percent
• Charging time: 26 minutes
• Charging cost: $0.43/kilowatt-hour
• Session fee: $0.00
• Total cost of charging: $18.91
• Charger brand: Electrify America

The distance between this point and the next charging point is scheduled to leave the Fast Women with just 10 percent charge remaining on the EV6 battery. So, they've decided to top off halfway to El Paso just to be safe, having found a 350-kilowatt charger. More on that stop coming shortly. In the meantime, the ladies have turned on some Elton John and are signing along.

UPDATE: January 20, 2023 - 6:02 p.m. MST

Hitting some late afternoon rush hour traffic in Phoenix kept the Fast Women from meeting their full potential traveling on Interstate 10 to Tucson. The roads narrowed and speed limit raised but slow-and-go traffic again hampered the journey on the way to the Old Pueblo.

After Tuscon, a southeastern dip in the highway revealed a cotton candy pink sky as the sun began to set beyond the mountains behind the EV6.

The next stop was pre-scheduled at a Wal-Mart in Benson, Arizona. The impending long points in time between chargers meant that the ladies needed to charge the EV6 beyond the 80 percent sweet spot.

While the car was charging, the women took advantage of a nearby Burger King location to have dinner. Nicole tried their BK Royal Crispy Chicken sandwich, a first for her. Her reaction: "It was neither crispy nor royal."

• Ambient temperature at charging location: 48 degrees
• Charger capacity: 150 kilowatts
• Distance from last charge: 186.8 miles
• Average consumption: 3.2 miles per kilowatt-hour
• Time spent in travel: 3 hours, 1 minute
• Total energy delivered: 60.6270 kilowatt-hours
• End state of charge: 89 percent
• Charging time: 58 minutes
• Charging cost: $0.43/kilowatt-hour
• Session fee: $0.00
• Total cost of charging: $25.80
• Charger brand: Electrify America

UPDATE: January 20, 2023 - 2:45 p.m. PT

Arizona has yielded better charging speeds and more options for the Fast Women. After crossing the California-Arizona border, the ladies high-tailed it into the Phoenix suburbs to charge up at an EVgo station in Goodyear.

The ladies are making good time and despite the high crosswinds across the desert, the EV6 is steady on the road.

This stretch of the trip marks the beginning of less hilly terrain, which means increased efficiency is on the horizon.

This charger is the first on the trip to bill a session fee for charging. But, its location, near Interstate 10 and next to a Schlotzky's restaurant, makes the added fee worth it.

The location also affords the opportunity for bathroom break and a snack. The pepperoni flatbread pizza is surprising good, the women report.

• Ambient temperature at charging location: 59 degrees
• Charger capacity: 350 kilowatts
• Distance from last charge: 131.8 miles
• Average consumption: 2.9 miles per kilowatt-hour
• Time spent in travel: 1 hours, 54 minutes
• Total energy delivered: 47.943 kilowatt-hours
• End state of charge: 92 percent
• Charging time: 26 minutes
• Charging cost: $0.47/kilowatt-hour
• Session fee: $1.00
• Total cost of charging: $25.50
• Charger brand: EVgo

UPDATE: January 20, 2023 - 11:10 a.m. PT

Beggars can't be choosers. With the Electrify America chargers at Quartzite, Arizon's Love's Travel Stop booked solid, the Fast Women had to make a quick decision to pivot plans.

Moving from the Electrify America app and to the ChargePoint app showed a number of ChargePoint charging locations in Blythe, California, about a half-hour before Quartzite.

The app showed three available chargers in the back lot of a Denny's restaurant, but only two were inoperable upon arrival. The 62.5-kilowatt DC fast chargers were able to deliver a consistent flow of electrons despite the ChargePoint app auto-texting to say that the charging was complete mere minutes after charging started.

Taking advantage of the location, the women stopped to enjoy Moon Over My Hammy while their server Janet delivered excellent service.

• Ambient temperature at charging location: 57 degrees
• Charger capacity: 62.5 kilowatts
• Distance from last charge: 132.5 miles
• Average consumption: 3.1 miles per kilowatt-hour
• Time spent in travel: 1 hour, 53 minutes
• Total energy delivered: 50.209 kilowatt-hours
• End state of charge: 92 percent
• Charging time: 56 minutes
• Charging cost: $0.45/kilowatt-hour
• Session fee: $0.00
• Total cost of charging: $22.34
• Charger brand: ChargePoint

UPDATE: January 20, 2023 - 8:30 a.m. PT

The first charging stop is complete. Newsweek's Fast Women tapped into a 350-kilowatt EVgo fast charger at the Desert Hills Premium Outlets.

The charging location is popular. Two of the five chargers will taken upon arrival with an Audi E-Tron coming to charge shortly after the EV6 parked.

A Mercedes-Benz EQS Sedan pulled up and decided to not plug into the remaining charger, a 50-kilowatt power source.

Here are the results of the first charge:

• Ambient temperature at charging location: 42 degrees
• Charger capacity: 350 kilowatts
• Distance from last charge: 70.1 miles
• Average consumption: 2.6 miles per kilowatt-hour
• Time spent in travel: 1 hour, 16 minutes
• Total energy delivered: 20.1876 kilowatt-hours
• End state of charge: 85 percent
• Charging time: 19 minutes
• Charging cost: $0.43/kilowatt-hour
• Session fee: $0.00
• Total cost of charging: $8.17
• Charger brand: EVgo

UPDATE: January 20, 2023 - 6:30 am PT

They're off! The Fast Women have started their trip with 97 percent of a full charge available, setting out from Plaza Square Park in Orange, California, the same spot where TFL Car started their journey.

The 2023 Kia EV6 GT-Line they are driving will take them to their first charging stop, a top-off point, near Cabazon, California.

Their journey will be around 2,500 miles total and their strategy is to mostly top off at high-powered public chargers along the way rather than run the car down to near zero percent battery charge remaining before recharging.