About a year ago, Marilyn and I made the leap and purchased a Hyundai Ioniq5. Our motivations were rooted in reducing fossil fuel reliance, harnessing solar energy for transportation, cutting fuel costs, and simplifying vehicle maintenance. After a full year of ownership, it feels like the right time to reflect on our experience. Check out “Solar Ioniq5 EV Charging: Self-Reliance and Reduced Carbon Emissions” for the original post on the Ioniq5.

Flawless Performance & Road Trip Ready

The Hyundai Ioniq5 has been nothing short of flawless—no maintenance issues to date, and the driving experience is smooth, powerful, and refreshingly quiet. We even took it on a summer road trip to Omaha, Nebraska. Finding high-speed chargers required some perseverance, but we managed thanks to the two-year free membership with Electrify America. While their stations are somewhat sparse, we supplemented with other commercial chargers, resulting in free charging over half the time and a total “fuel” cost of just $175 for 1,770 miles—less than 10 cents per mile.

Charging Etiquette and Hyundai Ioniq5 EV Community

Charging at Electrify America stations, often located in Walmart parking lots, was straightforward once we got the hang of it. Interestingly, an unspoken etiquette exists at these stations. On busy days, informal “charging marshals” would organize queues, fostering a sense of community among EV drivers—a delightful surprise.

We also appreciated chargers at conventional roadside spots, like the Flying J in Ardmore, Oklahoma, which had a layout reminiscent of traditional gas stations—efficient and user-friendly.

Solar Power Integration and Cost Savings

Solar vs. ICE

Before owning the Ioniq5, we had a 2013 Mazda CX-5 that averaged about 30 miles per gallon. Over the past year, unleaded gas prices in the Austin area fluctuated between $2.66 and $3.29, with an average of $2.84 per gallon, or approximately 9.4 cents per mile. From April 2024 to April 2025, we drove the Ioniq5 approximately 15,500 miles, resulting in an equivalent fuel cost of $1,467.33 when compared with the CX-5.

Two months after purchasing the Ioniq5, I installed an Emporia Level 2 charger. It offers both grid-tied and solar energy options for charging. The installation was relatively straightforward, and the charging speeds can be adjusted from 2.9 to 11.5 kW. 

The Emporia charger was connected to our existing solar energy system. It produces a peak output of about 5400 watts

Annual EV Fuel Cost

Based on sun conditions, we typically charge between 3.8 to 5.8 kW. Using this system, I can usually replace the power consumed from our typical trip to Austin, a 100-mile round trip, around 22 kWh, within a single day.

Based on data from the Emporia Charging system, we used a total of 2,782 kWh to charge the Ioniq5 in the last 10 months. At our current Pedarnales Electric Cooperative (PEC) power rate of 11.0549 cents per kWh, this represents a value of $307.59. However, we actually paid PEC only $110.82 to power the car, with the remaining $196.78 or 1,779 kWh, generated by our solar array.

Impressively, we generated 64% of the Ioniq5’s power onsite, which is almost two-thirds of our vehicle’s fuel consumption. With the upcoming installation of a second solar array, we anticipate that this percentage will increase to nearly 100%. In essence, we paid only $110.82 to “fuel” the Ioniq5 for our everyday travels over the past year. 

Reflecting on the EV Investment

While the Ioniq5 isn’t cheap, comparing it to similarly equipped internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles shows we didn’t sacrifice quality or comfort. In fact, with features like Apple CarPlay, a stellar Bose sound system, and a futuristic driving feel, it often feels like we’re living in the future.

Overall, we consumed 2,782 kWh charging the Ioniq5. Of that, 64% (1,779 kWh) was generated onsite via solar, saving us $1,356.51 in gasoline costs when compared with the Mazda CX-5. With our second solar array underway, we aim to approach 100% solar-powered driving soon.

The Unexpected Joys

Owning the Ioniq5 has sparked countless positive interactions with curious onlookers and fellow EV enthusiasts. It’s even led to new friendships, like the fellow Ioniq5 owner we met in Round Rock, Texas—turns out he had not one, but two Ioniq5s and an Ioniq N!

In the end, this car isn’t just about transportation. It’s a testament to self-reliance, sustainability, and the small but meaningful steps we can take toward reducing our carbon footprint. Think globally, act locally.

—Jim