Two local travelers will test their endurance and an electric vehicle on a five-day, 2,200 mile trip to Utah.

Mike Smith, vice president of business and technology strategy at the state Association of Electric Cooperatives in Cayce and his son, Colin, are driving an all-electric Chevy Bolt.

They nicknamed the car Southern Joule after a unit of energy. They are testing the practicality of cross-country electric car travel.

They will follow a carefully planned route to make the best use of their battery power and ensure they reach charging stations for a boost along the way.

Electric vehicles are growing in popularity. As more cooperative members buy them, co-ops commit to the technology’s full spectrum.

Large numbers of EVs would have an impact on electricity demand, and some chargers require special electrical connections at homes and businesses.

They joined five other teams in the “Drive to Connect Event” en route to a national conference of electric cooperative marketing and communications employees. They will gain hands-on experience in EVs beyond their cooperatives’ service territories as their customers might.

The Smiths will collect data for research that will help electric co-ops here with EV information.

On arrival, Mike and Colin will take part in Touchstone Energy’s EV pre-conference workshop, where they will share their stories from the road, as well as provide thoughts on electric transportation and infrastructure with attendees.

“We will not be the first to make long distance trips in electric vehicles,” Mike Smith said. “Oliver Fritchle drove his EV from Nebraska to New York in 1908.

“What is so interesting is that 110 years later, EV drivers will still face challenges, but the information we gather will help us plan for those who follow.”