Great questions Harv!
1- Price and Maintenance
I think the consensus is that in 5-10 years, EVs will be cheaper on sticker price than ICE (internal combustion engine). I just put an order in on a Rivian R1s SUV with 300 mi range, and it was cheaper than a Land Rover Defender. But beside Tesla, these are largely luxury cars/truck/SUV. That is the business plan. Tesla's first vehicle was above 100k I think, but now model 3s are 37,990 plus tax and delivery fee at the lowest point (and better performance than most ICEs).
If you look at Tesla, which will drive down prices the soonest, there is a model 3 with a sticker price of 38,000 that has better performance than a BMW M3, but only 240 mi of range. 47,000 gets you over 300 mi.
Also, over time, the maintenance is cheaper. An EV has something like 12 moving parts, versus thousands for an ICE (think transmission). It is true over time the battery will degrade, but we are at the point where that degrade will occur past the life of ICE (150-200,000 miles). In 3 years of owning a Tesla, you would change your wipers, and wheels and that is it.
Environmentally, unless you live in West Virginia, which has dirty electric, charging an EV is much cleaner than ICE. EVs have higher CO2 in sourcing that is made up in about 18 mos in driving. After that, using an EV every year gets a surplus of less CO2.
2- Range
The EV system allows you, Harv, coming from Jersey, to not worry about getting to Lake Placid or North River. While it seems you have the ability to drive 5 hours without stopping, these stations will allow you to do this. You could get to Whiteface (if the car had 400 mi, which some will within the next year or so), charge in Lake Placid for return, and potentially get home. From Gore, you should be able to just charge once based on your stated travel time.
Harv, for example for you, of the only two chargers in NY now built, one is mid hudson off the taconic - one of your routes, about halfway to Gore.
For me, going to the Cats, even if I would have gotten there with 40 percent battery, I would be nervous, but, for example, EVolve is putting a station in Kingston, about 2 mi off 87. The 350 kw chargers are a game changer- you are talking 200 miles for a large battery in 20 minutes.
Here is the link the vehicle I ordered:
https://rivian.com/r1s Going from 2011 Honda CRV and 2014 entry impreza hatch back to this should be a fun upgrade. 0-60 3 seconds; 9-14 inches clearance; 3 feet of water wading depth. 7 passengers, 300 mi range. By Jan 2022 they will be announcing 400 mi range 7 seater.
But note, depending on wind and winter, you get less range, which makes this network so exciting.