Winter – and cold weather – is just a few months away and that means more than just cold and probably snow.

It also means power outages.

Sometimes, these last for several days. Last year, for example, an ice storm in my area took down many trees and with them several power lines. The juice was off for almost a week.

How does one recharge an electric car in this scenario?

The answer, of course, is that one doesn't. Not unless one has a whole-house back-up generator that produces the 200 amp service necessary to power the "fast" charger. Most people don't have that kind of back-up power, because it's expensive. The typical install is about $5,000 for the generator and supply/hook-up to natural gas, propane or diesel (which will produce "emissions" while charging up the "zero emissions" EV).

Fold this cost into the cost of your EV.

A smaller, more affordable portable generator – the kind most people who have to deal with power outages usually do have – costs less (about $600 for a 5,000 watt unit that will run a few 120v circuits and so keep the lights on and the fridge working) but doesn't produce enough power to run an EV "fast" charger. If you need a charge, it'll be slow.

Hours.

This could be inconvenient if you need to get someplace now. Or even soon.

Maybe tomorrow?

Just another example of the pending problems people will be experiencing once EVs are shucked-and-jived (and subsidized) into their garages.

Contrast this scenario of hassle and expense with the minor inconvenience of a power outage when your car is liquid-powered. Unless the tank is empty, you can go right now – no waiting, no hooking up to a gennie. And if it's empty, all you need is a jug. Most gas stations have their own back-up power and the pumps will be on. Go get a gallon and you're good to go.