EV for 180 mile commute
Discussion
Just putting this out there. My daughter does a 180 mile return trip to work a couple of times a week, on the odd occasion 3-4 times. All motorway.
She's cabin crew, mainly long haul so would prefer something that can comfortably do there and back without charging. Budget is around £15k (has a part ex worth about £8-10k).
She's open to Tesla. My son's had an MG zs for a few years, racked up decent miles and its been solid as a rock but I'm not sure on longer term reliability (£15k will get her into 3 year old low mileage example).
Any thoughts? Bizarrely she's discounted Kia and a Cupra Born because of the shape yet can be pursuaded with an MG (because of her brother). Also Tesla as a friend has one. She also has a dog that tends to be transported on the back seat.
I'm thinking range and reliability for a motorway mile cruncher so hopefully can pursuade her to look in the right direction.
She's cabin crew, mainly long haul so would prefer something that can comfortably do there and back without charging. Budget is around £15k (has a part ex worth about £8-10k).
She's open to Tesla. My son's had an MG zs for a few years, racked up decent miles and its been solid as a rock but I'm not sure on longer term reliability (£15k will get her into 3 year old low mileage example).
Any thoughts? Bizarrely she's discounted Kia and a Cupra Born because of the shape yet can be pursuaded with an MG (because of her brother). Also Tesla as a friend has one. She also has a dog that tends to be transported on the back seat.
I'm thinking range and reliability for a motorway mile cruncher so hopefully can pursuade her to look in the right direction.
Tesla
It's just easier if you're not a car person
Also, bear in mind range mentality.
You need a car for a 180 mile commute. That needs to be 200 miles, in case of diversion or similar.
Which needs to be 250 mile range minimum because she won't run it down to zero.
Which means a WLTP of at least 300 miles.....
That discounts a surprising amount of cars in the winter months if you don't want to charge on route (Which she won't, doing presumably unsocial hours as cabin crew)
It's just easier if you're not a car person
Also, bear in mind range mentality.
You need a car for a 180 mile commute. That needs to be 200 miles, in case of diversion or similar.
Which needs to be 250 mile range minimum because she won't run it down to zero.
Which means a WLTP of at least 300 miles.....
That discounts a surprising amount of cars in the winter months if you don't want to charge on route (Which she won't, doing presumably unsocial hours as cabin crew)
Muzzer79 said:
You need a car for a 180 mile commute. That needs to be 200 miles, in case of diversion or similar.
Which needs to be 250 mile range minimum because she won't run it down to zero.
Which means a WLTP of at least 300 miles.....
ThisWhich needs to be 250 mile range minimum because she won't run it down to zero.
Which means a WLTP of at least 300 miles.....
Assume you don't want to go below 10% and charging to 100% every day is slow and it is not recommended to go above 80% for some battery technologies
you've got 70% useable space
we've got a Tesla model 3 LR RWD on the fleet, 2023 model. 331 miles when charged to 100% (real world, not WLTP).
So thats 264 miles when charged to 80%
the last 10% = 26 or 27 miles which you won't want to use
therefore about 237 miles actually useable which is comfortably enough for this use case
the problem is, you'll be looking at a earlier model for £15k which will be pushing the useable mileage.
a 2020 standard range plus is £15k but is WLTP of 254 miles, so probably 200 at 100% charge and 170 ish at real world useable capacity? its tight
Edited by therams on Thursday 18th December 10:56
I would just get a Tesla Model 3 LR. Charge it to 100% for the big commutes and 80% for other days. It will be hassle free and reliable.
A Polestar 2 could be an alternative, but not sure on real world range of older models in that price range. But I think they are well short of a LR Tesla, so might not be favourable for a 180 mile round trip. I know the Tesla can do that easily in any weather, with plenty in reserve.
A Polestar 2 could be an alternative, but not sure on real world range of older models in that price range. But I think they are well short of a LR Tesla, so might not be favourable for a 180 mile round trip. I know the Tesla can do that easily in any weather, with plenty in reserve.
kambites said:
Personally I think I'd just plan for a quick charge stop in one direction. Adding a ten minute charging stop would give you another ~50 miles of range (assuming 100kW), which opens up a huge number of extra vehicles.
If I was doing this trip 3-4 times per week I would much prefer the range to avoid that necessity. Obviously an option though. kambites said:
Personally I think I'd just plan for a quick charge stop in one direction. Adding a ten minute charging stop would give you another ~50 miles of range (assuming 100kW), which opens up a huge number of extra vehicles.
Tesla is still the answerAnd with that- and a quick look at the regular commute - I would look to see if there is a Tesla supercharger on the route.
The zero faff of the tesla network, no need for any transaction, (we have never ever needed to queue) - reinforces the ease of the Telsa ownership in this instance. if she is ever worried, under charged, needs to add a detour, a 10 minute pitstop to rivla the speed of a ICE fuelstop, would push another 50+miles in to the car.
"it just works"
gmaz said:
Tesla is a good shout, but there's also Kia Niro and Hyundai Kona that could also do the job, and are a bit more practical if you want a hatchback.
I would get a Model Y if I really needed a hatch. Having owned both, the Model 3 is still very practical. With the back seats folded flat I could still carry bikes easily enough. The Model Y just adds a whole next level of practicality. But ride quality and range suffers a little. PushedDover said:
Tesla is still the answer
And with that- and a quick look at the regular commute - I would look to see if there is a Tesla supercharger on the route.
The zero faff of the tesla network, no need for any transaction, (we have never ever needed to queue) - reinforces the ease of the Telsa ownership in this instance. if she is ever worried, under charged, needs to add a detour, a 10 minute pitstop to rivla the speed of a ICE fuelstop, would push another 50+miles in to the car.
"it just works"
Still way more expensive than charging at home though (which I assumed would be the intention?), and not nice when the weather is poor. But best car for charging if you can't at home.And with that- and a quick look at the regular commute - I would look to see if there is a Tesla supercharger on the route.
The zero faff of the tesla network, no need for any transaction, (we have never ever needed to queue) - reinforces the ease of the Telsa ownership in this instance. if she is ever worried, under charged, needs to add a detour, a 10 minute pitstop to rivla the speed of a ICE fuelstop, would push another 50+miles in to the car.
"it just works"
As everyone else has said a Tesla really is the best option
I’ve had one a couple of months as a company car, wasn’t really looking forward to it but now I have it I don’t know why I was worried, it’s just effortless, quite possibly the best car I’ve ever had, not a drivers car but that’s not what I use it for.
Haven’t charged it at a supercharger and it’s just the standard range, I do varying miles, some days it’s 50 others it’s 250, the Tesla handles it all so effortlessly while having good seats and stereo
I’ve had one a couple of months as a company car, wasn’t really looking forward to it but now I have it I don’t know why I was worried, it’s just effortless, quite possibly the best car I’ve ever had, not a drivers car but that’s not what I use it for.
Haven’t charged it at a supercharger and it’s just the standard range, I do varying miles, some days it’s 50 others it’s 250, the Tesla handles it all so effortlessly while having good seats and stereo
sixor8 said:
PushedDover said:
Tesla is still the answer
And with that- and a quick look at the regular commute - I would look to see if there is a Tesla supercharger on the route.
The zero faff of the tesla network, no need for any transaction, (we have never ever needed to queue) - reinforces the ease of the Telsa ownership in this instance. if she is ever worried, under charged, needs to add a detour, a 10 minute pitstop to rivla the speed of a ICE fuelstop, would push another 50+miles in to the car.
"it just works"
Still way more expensive than charging at home though (which I assumed would be the intention?), and not nice when the weather is poor. But best car for charging if you can't at home.And with that- and a quick look at the regular commute - I would look to see if there is a Tesla supercharger on the route.
The zero faff of the tesla network, no need for any transaction, (we have never ever needed to queue) - reinforces the ease of the Telsa ownership in this instance. if she is ever worried, under charged, needs to add a detour, a 10 minute pitstop to rivla the speed of a ICE fuelstop, would push another 50+miles in to the car.
"it just works"
And a tesla will do the ask.
But the network, handy for the motorway network, means that the anxiety, change in plan, and efficiency in the process and zero hassle with respect to the the car sorting the charging route, and once at the Supercharger itself.
If I was in the OP daughters Air Hostess shoes and just wanted to get home, I would only look at a Tesla.
Having the peace of mind of not a splash and dash, but a park and spark to see a journey through, is worth it. From what I see / use of the Superchargers, they are a lot less than various retail / hotel / destination chargers and reasonable to top up and see a journey through. No one uses them for a full charge.
uktrailmonster said:
kambites said:
Personally I think I'd just plan for a quick charge stop in one direction. Adding a ten minute charging stop would give you another ~50 miles of range (assuming 100kW), which opens up a huge number of extra vehicles.
If I was doing this trip 3-4 times per week I would much prefer the range to avoid that necessity. Obviously an option though. Now if there is reliable charging at work, that opens up more options.
Or move closer so you spend less time in a car!
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