Is an EV for me / how important is "the network" Europe trip
Discussion
We finally have access to our scheme with Octopus. The numbers aren't quite as good as I hoped, but still tempting.
The problem I'm having is deciding just how important is "the network". I do 8000 - 10000 miles a year. About 1000 long distance in the UK and 4 - 6000 around town. 3000 in Europe, 2000 of this is motorway (1000 a day) and 1000 a /b roads but with no access to a home charger when abroad. I need an estate /SUV I'm not a fan of the Model Y mainly due to being unimpressed with my mates model 3. The mach e or I pace are tempting, but the thought of spending that much and then worrying about charging it when travelling put me off.
Even with something the size of an ipace mach e or model Y I would probably need a roof box when traveling abroad. I'm seen people quoting anything from 15 to 40% reduction in range with a box. Adding a sleep over on the journey there or back isn't something I want to consider.
In escence I'm trying to convince myself I can make an EV work with massively changing my lifestyle. If the answer is I can but only with a Tesla then so be it.
Hopefully the above ramblings make some sense. Thoughts welcome even if they are I need to reset my expectations and accept I will need to change my current approach to things to make it work, or any out of the box suggestions people might have.
The problem I'm having is deciding just how important is "the network". I do 8000 - 10000 miles a year. About 1000 long distance in the UK and 4 - 6000 around town. 3000 in Europe, 2000 of this is motorway (1000 a day) and 1000 a /b roads but with no access to a home charger when abroad. I need an estate /SUV I'm not a fan of the Model Y mainly due to being unimpressed with my mates model 3. The mach e or I pace are tempting, but the thought of spending that much and then worrying about charging it when travelling put me off.
Even with something the size of an ipace mach e or model Y I would probably need a roof box when traveling abroad. I'm seen people quoting anything from 15 to 40% reduction in range with a box. Adding a sleep over on the journey there or back isn't something I want to consider.
In escence I'm trying to convince myself I can make an EV work with massively changing my lifestyle. If the answer is I can but only with a Tesla then so be it.
Hopefully the above ramblings make some sense. Thoughts welcome even if they are I need to reset my expectations and accept I will need to change my current approach to things to make it work, or any out of the box suggestions people might have.
This chap is taking an Ioniq 5 to Italy atm https://twitter.com/tillathenun If it was me, Tesla.
lost in espace said:
This chap is taking an Ioniq 5 to Italy atm https://twitter.com/tillathenun If it was me, Tesla.
Cheers ill followEdited by ZiggyNiva on Thursday 14th April 21:47
The Road Crew said:
Charging at home? Buy whatever you like.
Lot of charging away from home? Tesla.
I failed to follow my own advice. Total disaster, charging away from home is a nightmare if you do it regularly and at busy times/places.
Mmm sounds like I need to test drive a y and see how I get on. Lot of charging away from home? Tesla.
I failed to follow my own advice. Total disaster, charging away from home is a nightmare if you do it regularly and at busy times/places.
If Europe means France, it’s not great for EVs. Maybe works with Teslas. I would recommend playing with A Better Route Planner for longer trips and different vehicles to see what’s what. That’s the best way to simulate trips. Note that ABRP will select Tesla chargers in France and other countries even without a Tesla as they are open for all but they’re only open if you live in a handful of European countries not the UK so you need to manually put Tesla on the do not use list.
I suspect that no matter the EV, these trips will be painful and constrained around where and when you can charge and may actually cost more than using ICE.
I suspect that no matter the EV, these trips will be painful and constrained around where and when you can charge and may actually cost more than using ICE.
DMZ said:
If Europe means France, it’s not great for EVs. Maybe works with Teslas. I would recommend playing with A Better Route Planner for longer trips and different vehicles to see what’s what. That’s the best way to simulate trips. Note that ABRP will select Tesla chargers in France and other countries even without a Tesla as they are open for all but they’re only open if you live in a handful of European countries not the UK so you need to manually put Tesla on the do not use list.
I suspect that no matter the EV, these trips will be painful and constrained around where and when you can charge and may actually cost more than using ICE.
Thank you, that's extremely pertinent info.I suspect that no matter the EV, these trips will be painful and constrained around where and when you can charge and may actually cost more than using ICE.
By Europe its I mean a quick dash from the Netherlands to Italy then 4 weeks driving round there.
I was playing on the route planner last night and interestingly it recons the route will be slower and more expensive in the Tesla then the ipace or similar. The Tesla will actually cost me more then my current petrol wrangler does if the costs are accurate. Think next steps are I go look at a model Y to see if I like it any more then the 3, and start doing some proper calculations around costs and if I'm prepared to accept disruption to my journey.
Thank you for all comments and links. Its good to get some balanced / real world experiences.
I was playing on the route planner last night and interestingly it recons the route will be slower and more expensive in the Tesla then the ipace or similar. The Tesla will actually cost me more then my current petrol wrangler does if the costs are accurate. Think next steps are I go look at a model Y to see if I like it any more then the 3, and start doing some proper calculations around costs and if I'm prepared to accept disruption to my journey.
Thank you for all comments and links. Its good to get some balanced / real world experiences.
ZiggyNiva said:
The Road Crew said:
Charging at home? Buy whatever you like.
Lot of charging away from home? Tesla.
I failed to follow my own advice. Total disaster, charging away from home is a nightmare if you do it regularly and at busy times/places.
Mmm sounds like I need to test drive a y and see how I get on. Lot of charging away from home? Tesla.
I failed to follow my own advice. Total disaster, charging away from home is a nightmare if you do it regularly and at busy times/places.
If you're cross country to a variation of different places, with little/no charging at your destinations (like me) then it really is hell. I've gone back to a diesel until I can afford a model Y.
ZiggyNiva said:
We finally have access to our scheme with Octopus. The numbers aren't quite as good as I hoped, but still tempting.
The problem I'm having is deciding just how important is "the network". I do 8000 - 10000 miles a year. About 1000 long distance in the UK and 4 - 6000 around town. 3000 in Europe, 2000 of this is motorway (1000 a day) and 1000 a /b roads but with no access to a home charger when abroad. I need an estate /SUV I'm not a fan of the Model Y mainly due to being unimpressed with my mates model 3. The mach e or I pace are tempting, but the thought of spending that much and then worrying about charging it when travelling put me off.
Even with something the size of an ipace mach e or model Y I would probably need a roof box when traveling abroad. I'm seen people quoting anything from 15 to 40% reduction in range with a box. Adding a sleep over on the journey there or back isn't something I want to consider.
In escence I'm trying to convince myself I can make an EV work with massively changing my lifestyle. If the answer is I can but only with a Tesla then so be it.
Hopefully the above ramblings make some sense. Thoughts welcome even if they are I need to reset my expectations and accept I will need to change my current approach to things to make it work, or any out of the box suggestions people might have.
I can give some real-world feedback having just completed a 1400 mile European trip in a Model 3 PThe problem I'm having is deciding just how important is "the network". I do 8000 - 10000 miles a year. About 1000 long distance in the UK and 4 - 6000 around town. 3000 in Europe, 2000 of this is motorway (1000 a day) and 1000 a /b roads but with no access to a home charger when abroad. I need an estate /SUV I'm not a fan of the Model Y mainly due to being unimpressed with my mates model 3. The mach e or I pace are tempting, but the thought of spending that much and then worrying about charging it when travelling put me off.
Even with something the size of an ipace mach e or model Y I would probably need a roof box when traveling abroad. I'm seen people quoting anything from 15 to 40% reduction in range with a box. Adding a sleep over on the journey there or back isn't something I want to consider.
In escence I'm trying to convince myself I can make an EV work with massively changing my lifestyle. If the answer is I can but only with a Tesla then so be it.
Hopefully the above ramblings make some sense. Thoughts welcome even if they are I need to reset my expectations and accept I will need to change my current approach to things to make it work, or any out of the box suggestions people might have.
The Tesla charging network was incredible. Until Tesla opens up their network I personally wouldn't consider any other brand given your requirements.
We used a few 250 KW chargers and optimised our cruising speed to ensure we arrived with single digit % charge.
We once had to "share" a charger with another Tesla on a non-v3 charger which reduced the charge to ~50KW, but they left soon afterwards.
Both the hotels we stayed at had Tesla destination chargers (we were unaware of this when we booked the hotels, but they seem very common now) which allows you to top up the car ready for the next morning.
If I was going to do this more often, I would look to change the wheels to 18 inch (I think it's possible)
https://teslike.com/
and spend more time planning the journey to optimise charging stops.
https://insideevs.com/news/356025/optimal-cruising...
FWIW charging costs were around 45 cents IIRC.
RobbyJ said:
Very easy to change wheels yourself. I switch between my 19" winters and my 21" summers. You just need to go into the menu, service, and set the correct size and colour wheels once changed, then run it and reset the tyre pressures.
I don't think the 18-inch aeros fit over the big brakes - would have to be aftermarket (which isn't necessarily an issue)https://teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/threads/will-18-ae...
Derek Chevalier said:
ZiggyNiva said:
We finally have access to our scheme with Octopus. The numbers aren't quite as good as I hoped, but still tempting.
The problem I'm having is deciding just how important is "the network". I do 8000 - 10000 miles a year. About 1000 long distance in the UK and 4 - 6000 around town. 3000 in Europe, 2000 of this is motorway (1000 a day) and 1000 a /b roads but with no access to a home charger when abroad. I need an estate /SUV I'm not a fan of the Model Y mainly due to being unimpressed with my mates model 3. The mach e or I pace are tempting, but the thought of spending that much and then worrying about charging it when travelling put me off.
Even with something the size of an ipace mach e or model Y I would probably need a roof box when traveling abroad. I'm seen people quoting anything from 15 to 40% reduction in range with a box. Adding a sleep over on the journey there or back isn't something I want to consider.
In escence I'm trying to convince myself I can make an EV work with massively changing my lifestyle. If the answer is I can but only with a Tesla then so be it.
Hopefully the above ramblings make some sense. Thoughts welcome even if they are I need to reset my expectations and accept I will need to change my current approach to things to make it work, or any out of the box suggestions people might have.
I can give some real-world feedback having just completed a 1400 mile European trip in a Model 3 PThe problem I'm having is deciding just how important is "the network". I do 8000 - 10000 miles a year. About 1000 long distance in the UK and 4 - 6000 around town. 3000 in Europe, 2000 of this is motorway (1000 a day) and 1000 a /b roads but with no access to a home charger when abroad. I need an estate /SUV I'm not a fan of the Model Y mainly due to being unimpressed with my mates model 3. The mach e or I pace are tempting, but the thought of spending that much and then worrying about charging it when travelling put me off.
Even with something the size of an ipace mach e or model Y I would probably need a roof box when traveling abroad. I'm seen people quoting anything from 15 to 40% reduction in range with a box. Adding a sleep over on the journey there or back isn't something I want to consider.
In escence I'm trying to convince myself I can make an EV work with massively changing my lifestyle. If the answer is I can but only with a Tesla then so be it.
Hopefully the above ramblings make some sense. Thoughts welcome even if they are I need to reset my expectations and accept I will need to change my current approach to things to make it work, or any out of the box suggestions people might have.
The Tesla charging network was incredible. Until Tesla opens up their network I personally wouldn't consider any other brand given your requirements.
We used a few 250 KW chargers and optimised our cruising speed to ensure we arrived with single digit % charge.
We once had to "share" a charger with another Tesla on a non-v3 charger which reduced the charge to ~50KW, but they left soon afterwards.
Both the hotels we stayed at had Tesla destination chargers (we were unaware of this when we booked the hotels, but they seem very common now) which allows you to top up the car ready for the next morning.
If I was going to do this more often, I would look to change the wheels to 18 inch (I think it's possible)
https://teslike.com/
and spend more time planning the journey to optimise charging stops.
https://insideevs.com/news/356025/optimal-cruising...
FWIW charging costs were around 45 cents IIRC.
Edited by ZiggyNiva on Tuesday 19th April 20:44
Edited by ZiggyNiva on Tuesday 19th April 20:46
ZiggyNiva said:
Derek Chevalier said:
ZiggyNiva said:
We finally have access to our scheme with Octopus. The numbers aren't quite as good as I hoped, but still tempting.
The problem I'm having is deciding just how important is "the network". I do 8000 - 10000 miles a year. About 1000 long distance in the UK and 4 - 6000 around town. 3000 in Europe, 2000 of this is motorway (1000 a day) and 1000 a /b roads but with no access to a home charger when abroad. I need an estate /SUV I'm not a fan of the Model Y mainly due to being unimpressed with my mates model 3. The mach e or I pace are tempting, but the thought of spending that much and then worrying about charging it when travelling put me off.
Even with something the size of an ipace mach e or model Y I would probably need a roof box when traveling abroad. I'm seen people quoting anything from 15 to 40% reduction in range with a box. Adding a sleep over on the journey there or back isn't something I want to consider.
In escence I'm trying to convince myself I can make an EV work with massively changing my lifestyle. If the answer is I can but only with a Tesla then so be it.
Hopefully the above ramblings make some sense. Thoughts welcome even if they are I need to reset my expectations and accept I will need to change my current approach to things to make it work, or any out of the box suggestions people might have.
I can give some real-world feedback having just completed a 1400 mile European trip in a Model 3 PThe problem I'm having is deciding just how important is "the network". I do 8000 - 10000 miles a year. About 1000 long distance in the UK and 4 - 6000 around town. 3000 in Europe, 2000 of this is motorway (1000 a day) and 1000 a /b roads but with no access to a home charger when abroad. I need an estate /SUV I'm not a fan of the Model Y mainly due to being unimpressed with my mates model 3. The mach e or I pace are tempting, but the thought of spending that much and then worrying about charging it when travelling put me off.
Even with something the size of an ipace mach e or model Y I would probably need a roof box when traveling abroad. I'm seen people quoting anything from 15 to 40% reduction in range with a box. Adding a sleep over on the journey there or back isn't something I want to consider.
In escence I'm trying to convince myself I can make an EV work with massively changing my lifestyle. If the answer is I can but only with a Tesla then so be it.
Hopefully the above ramblings make some sense. Thoughts welcome even if they are I need to reset my expectations and accept I will need to change my current approach to things to make it work, or any out of the box suggestions people might have.
The Tesla charging network was incredible. Until Tesla opens up their network I personally wouldn't consider any other brand given your requirements.
We used a few 250 KW chargers and optimised our cruising speed to ensure we arrived with single digit % charge.
We once had to "share" a charger with another Tesla on a non-v3 charger which reduced the charge to ~50KW, but they left soon afterwards.
Both the hotels we stayed at had Tesla destination chargers (we were unaware of this when we booked the hotels, but they seem very common now) which allows you to top up the car ready for the next morning.
If I was going to do this more often, I would look to change the wheels to 18 inch (I think it's possible)
https://teslike.com/
and spend more time planning the journey to optimise charging stops.
https://insideevs.com/news/356025/optimal-cruising...
FWIW charging costs were around 45 cents IIRC.
Edited by ZiggyNiva on Tuesday 19th April 20:44
Edited by ZiggyNiva on Tuesday 19th April 20:46
Say £35 a "tank" which should take you 220 ish miles at "normal" motorway speeds, so maybe £140 ish for 900 miles on a Model 3 P on 20s. I'd imagine a Y on 19s would be similar. And that ignores the cheaper charge you would get at home before setting off.
Just looking at the account now and it ranged from 0,45 €/kWh to 0,47 €/kWh
UK was £0.40/kWh
Derek Chevalier said:
I don't think the 18-inch aeros fit over the big brakes - would have to be aftermarket (which isn't necessarily an issue)
https://teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/threads/will-18-ae...
Sorry, yes, my car is a Model S, I was more just talking about how easy a wheel swap is.https://teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/threads/will-18-ae...
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