Four electric SUVs, five states, 16 beagles

Dogs and cars are an iconic combo. From ears flapping out the window of an old F-150 to muddy paws in the back of a Subaru, pups like to ride. When the drive is made with four of the latest all-electric, three-row SUVs on a mission to take 16 beagles from a shelter in Nebraska to new forever homes in the Pacific Northwest as part of Operation Frodo, both dogs and humans can learn a lot about EVs and EV infrastructure in the U.S.

The SUVs in question were the Cadillac Escalade IQ, the Lucid Gravity, the Kia EV9, and the Hyundai Ioniq 9. The route wound from Omaha to Portland via Salt Lake City. The lesson learned? Anyone who complains about the charging infrastructure in the U.S. is welcome to sit in a dog crate and nap while we drive a few thousand miles. Public fast charging isn't perfect, obviously, but I've got 16 happy dogs in states far from where they started who can attest to its functionality.