Since we’ve already more or less gone over the numbers for the answer in regards to powering said EV for an apocalypse, I wanted to have fun by discussing some of the other merits or lack thereof for EV in an apocalypse. Because when I was reading the thread, I kept wondering which apocalypse to plan for. In my mind, there are really only two, with an important sub-category for a third.
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Low population apocalypse, best example, the Stand.
Result? - ICE wins. Here, there’s almost no one left (99.7% fatality). But almost everyTHING is left. So, yeah, no grid or power generation available, but all the fuel and part you can scrounge. Sure, the fuel will degrade over time, but you can do all the prep you want ahead of time in terms of stabilization or going to military facilities with long term storage options. They’re all open. Plus, you don’t really need to worry about a nomadic life. Pick a place and fort up - unless you’re doing the go out and look for survivors, at which point, well, if one vehicle breaks down, you’re spoiled for choice on the next. -
High population apocalypse, which is most for varying values of ‘high’. Here, IMHO, EV is very competitive, and has one big advantage over ICE as well. Here, your concern is do other survivors value what you have enough to take it from you? Any functional vehicle is going to be a possible target, so fuel type is a wash. Assuming you get your hands on your parts early enough, you at least won’t be forced to fight or compete with other people for fuel supplies, which will likely be a primary target in such circumstances. While everyone is fighting over the gas stations, you can keep your distance and concentrate on staying safe. An additional perk, if you disable the artificial engine noises (if any depending on your vehicle) you’ll also be at least somewhat less likely to draw attention than the noise of an ICE.
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Zombie apocalypse - A big subcategory which has some of both of the above categories. In a ZA, I’d go with EV, almost certainly some variant of a E-bike. Here, you have the low population of survivors (so if you need supplies, you can get them almost anywhere), but the concerns about being attacked are much higher. Any sort of vehicle noise is likely to bring down the hordes, so being able to ride your bike quietly is going to be a big advantage, but with the electric motor option being a big help for escape if you do draw notice. Sure you can’t transport nearly as much, but safety first when you’ve got a full post-life world to scavenge!
Plus, a E-bike has a huge advantage in any scenario (1 & 3) where there there is likely congestion on the roads and other transportation networks - you can thread between vehicles or on the shoulder more easily, or even cross rivers / mountains on a railroad crossing/bridge/shoulder that would otherwise be impassible in a larger vehicle.
Honestly though, this is all for the first few years tops of any sort of Apocalypse. Unless you have serious mechanical skills and get very lucky, equipment is going to fail from age, wear and weather, no matter what sort. In terms of medium to long term, it’s going to be shoe leather or horse. Fuel breaks down, and it’s very unlikely that anyone is going to be growing enough spare for biofuel options (for diesel or military grade multifuel). Given a few years of weather, transportation, accidents and the like the photovoltaic options are going to seriously degrade, if the batteries themselves don’t fail first.