As a researcher at the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) in Cocoa, Florida, I’ve lived with hurricanes my entire professional career. Each year is like a bad lottery since Florida is a hurricane magnet. Given the paths of past hurricanes, there’s plenty of reason for concern. Living in the state in September suggests a shooting gallery experience — with these hits by major storms, but a lot of near misses.
Hurricane Dorian was all over the news last week. For good reason. Needless to say, having a Tesla in a hurricane is different than having a gasoline-powered car. There are (at least) six good reasons why having a Tesla is better in a hurricane. That said, there are some things you should be aware of, as a Tesla owner, before a hurricane arrives.
I’ve lived in Tampa for almost 30 years and have owned EVs for 7½ hurricane seasons, so I thought with Dorian coming to visit Florida that I should write an article on how having an EV changes your hurricane planning. Last year was different from previous years, because I had a Tesla, and this year is different again, because I don’t have a gas car (but my daughter lives 10 miles away and has a Ford C-Max, so I could use that).
