AN electric car expert has revealed why it was a nightmare when he drove one on a long-distance road trip.
James Morris made the journey from North London to a wedding in Devon in a Tesla Model Y – but came back none too impressed.
GettyJames Morris found a couple of big issues on his 270-mile road trip from London to Devon in a Tesla Model Y[/caption]
Writing for Forbes, James explained the key problems that made his driving experience so awful and warned readers about the “reality” of owning an electric vehicle (EV).
The first issue he found was a large drop-off in the maximum range stated in his owner’s manual.
James said: “Just as no internal combustion vehicle ever really manages its stated fuel consumption figures, especially in urban areas, the range rating of an EV is mostly fictional.
“You must get to know what your own EV can really do in different conditions through experience.
“Although EV ranges are getting better all the time, it is also true that few EVs can match internal combustion engine cars for how far they can go between refuelling stops.”
He recommended using two-thirds of the stated range as a rule of thumb and making sure you charge up again before the battery drops below 20%.
However, that is not without its own problems, as charging stations can be few and far between as infrastructure struggles to keep up with EV demand.
This means drivers looking to take longer trips need to plan much more carefully and make sure they keep their battery topped up with regular stops.
James advised using a route planner to plot a course that affords you plenty of opportunities to charge up.
However, he did admit that Tesla’s charging network is “one of the best” and “extremely reliable” while still offering reasonable prices.
He also found that, with proper planning, he was able to make it to the wedding and back without running out of charge, avoiding a costly tow bill.
Overall, James said he didn’t find the journey longer or more difficult than in a traditional car, but it did require more advanced planning than some drivers might like.
It comes after another motors expert took an EV on a 300-mile road trip in Finland and revealed the two things he absolutely hated.
Meanwhile, petrol station bosses have been urged to back a voluntary PumpWatch regulator to keep fuel prices down amid the cost of living crisis.