Tesla for long journeys
Discussion
PetrolHeadInRecovery said:
theboss said:
I drive regularly to Southern Serbia but haven’t attempted in an EV yet. I figured after the last Ionity at Zagreb you’re into uncharted waters, I could get to Belgrade on a charge (iX M60) although not at typical speeds for thar road.
its doable or not!
For Zagreb to Belgrade, the INA Stari Grabovac - jug station has a 178kW charger now (not yet on Google maps, in-car navigation and https://www.plugshare.com/location/529899 have it).its doable or not!
The typical speeds of that road seem to be a fair bit faster than on unrestricted German Autobahn, indeed.
This network seems quite widespread in Serbia https://chargego.rs/en/the-chargego-users/
There are a few rapid DC chargers on the Zagreb-Belgrade drag on both sides of the border. The range of the iX is very good so I wouldn't feel too vulnerable.
AKjr said:
Michael_B said:
Indeed, not really a fair comparison.
One is a developing country on the fringe of Europe with a fragile economy, little investment in infrastructure, riven with social and economic divisions, suffering from years of corrupt and ineffective government… and the other is a former constituent republic of Yugoslavia
One is a developing country on the fringe of Europe with a fragile economy, little investment in infrastructure, riven with social and economic divisions, suffering from years of corrupt and ineffective government… and the other is a former constituent republic of Yugoslavia
delta0 said:
I’ve done a few 1,000 mile trips and it’s absolutely fine. Just follow what the satnav says and it will tell you where to charge and how much. You don’t have to think about it. The car does it all for you.
That's key. I have tried to be better than Elon spaceman's route planning and push on or squeak the thing to Warwick and not stop at Hilton Park services. It had picked me the ones with faster charge and more spaces and with no need to slow down and hypermile. My planning nearly failed.I now just do what it says and everyone is happier. It works out charger spaces by looking at all the inbound Tesla's and will divert you to somewhere else based on volumes. I clearly didn't know that info.
theboss said:
This network seems quite widespread in Serbia https://chargego.rs/en/the-chargego-users/
Thank you for the tip! Per-minute prices do not seem half-bad, at least for registered customers on the DC stations I checked. 120kW was the fastest I could find, though.PetrolHeadInRecovery said:
theboss said:
This network seems quite widespread in Serbia https://chargego.rs/en/the-chargego-users/
Thank you for the tip! Per-minute prices do not seem half-bad, at least for registered customers on the DC stations I checked. 120kW was the fastest I could find, though.Winter tyres are still mandatory in French ‘mountain’ communes[1] until March 31st. Oddly enough there is no legal obligation here in Switzerland, although if you have a prang in winter conditions with summer rubber, insurance companies can (drastically) reduce payouts.
[1] Including the one just over the Rhône about 2km from Château M_B and then half the way to our Burgundian hideaway. It was down to 2C at the Col des Seignes on the A40 driving back early yesterday evening, so we’ve probably not seen the last of the snow yet.
[1] Including the one just over the Rhône about 2km from Château M_B and then half the way to our Burgundian hideaway. It was down to 2C at the Col des Seignes on the A40 driving back early yesterday evening, so we’ve probably not seen the last of the snow yet.
Michael_B said:
Winter tyres are still mandatory in French ‘mountain’ communes[1] until March 31st. Oddly enough there is no legal obligation here in Switzerland, although if you have a prang in winter conditions with summer rubber, insurance companies can (drastically) reduce payouts.
[1] Including the one just over the Rhône about 2km from Château M_B and then half the way to our Burgundian hideaway. It was down to 2C at the Col des Seignes on the A40 driving back early yesterday evening, so we’ve probably not seen the last of the snow yet.
My understanding when driving down to SE Europe is that just about all of the countries I would drive through, as well as my destination, mandate winter tyre fitment when driving in wintry conditions.[1] Including the one just over the Rhône about 2km from Château M_B and then half the way to our Burgundian hideaway. It was down to 2C at the Col des Seignes on the A40 driving back early yesterday evening, so we’ve probably not seen the last of the snow yet.
Therefore at either end of the season (November/March) it might make more sense to travel on summers if the weather is mild and looks to stay that way.
Obviously I'd have to take route into consideration and deviate if needed to avoid snow. What I wouldn't want to do is travel down there on summers knowing its 20C at my destination but get caught in a snowstorm in Austria en route.
I’ll be changing to summer tyres back in Geneva on April 2nd, after spending Easter at our place in Burgundy (via Jura mountains), and just before setting off on a 10 day road trip to visit friends in Valencia. Don’t want to be cruising at >20C down the Autopista de la Mediterranea on winter tyres!
Michael_B said:
I’ll be changing to summer tyres back in Geneva on April 2nd, after spending Easter at our place in Burgundy (via Jura mountains), and just before setting off on a 10 day road trip to visit friends in Valencia. Don’t want to be cruising at >20C down the Autopista de la Mediterranea on winter tyres!
Thinking about scheduling, too (Southern Italy would be best tackled with summer tyres). Looked into this a bit, and to be legally compliant in the relevant parts of France (until end of March) or Italy (until 15th April) it is enough to have a pair of chains or snow socks somewhere in the car.
Rules for Italy: https://www.autostrade.it/en/la-nostra-rete/operaz...
Rules for France: https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/actuali...
To me, the rule is more to prevent multi-day traffic jams caused by cars getting stuck in the snow than high(er) speed safety. However, in both cases, the formal requirement to carry chains or to have snow tyres applies during the period, even if it is 25 degrees and sunny.
PS. The statement on the French website: they say they will not fine you this winter, but "This tolerance must not overshadow the spirit of this regulation".
PetrolHeadInRecovery said:
Thinking about scheduling, too (Southern Italy would be best tackled with summer tyres).
Looked into this a bit, and to be legally compliant in the relevant parts of France (until end of March) or Italy (until 15th April) it is enough to have a pair of chains or snow socks somewhere in the car.
Rules for Italy: https://www.autostrade.it/en/la-nostra-rete/operaz...
Rules for France: https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/actuali...
To me, the rule is more to prevent multi-day traffic jams caused by cars getting stuck in the snow than high(er) speed safety. However, in both cases, the formal requirement to carry chains or to have snow tyres applies during the period, even if it is 25 degrees and sunny.
PS. The statement on the French website: they say they will not fine you this winter, but "This tolerance must not overshadow the spirit of this regulation".
Thanks for the info.Looked into this a bit, and to be legally compliant in the relevant parts of France (until end of March) or Italy (until 15th April) it is enough to have a pair of chains or snow socks somewhere in the car.
Rules for Italy: https://www.autostrade.it/en/la-nostra-rete/operaz...
Rules for France: https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/actuali...
To me, the rule is more to prevent multi-day traffic jams caused by cars getting stuck in the snow than high(er) speed safety. However, in both cases, the formal requirement to carry chains or to have snow tyres applies during the period, even if it is 25 degrees and sunny.
PS. The statement on the French website: they say they will not fine you this winter, but "This tolerance must not overshadow the spirit of this regulation".
If memory serves, France used to allow winters on the driven wheels with nothing specified for the other axle. As it happens, I am now compliant but good to know the regs.
PetrolHeadInRecovery said:
Thinking about scheduling, too (Southern Italy would be best tackled with summer tyres).
My son is driving from Geneva with his Florentine wife back to see family the week after Easter and is keeping the winters on, just in case.His mother-in-law has an old stone ‘casale’ in the hills north of the Mugello valley[1], where they will spend most of the time, then a few days at her apartment in downtown Florence.
We now have firm dates for Barcelona/Valencia over the same period, with some stopovers in Nîmes and Avignon.
EV roadtrips R Us
[1] I spoke to her earlier today to book us in there for a week in June
Michael_B said:
PetrolHeadInRecovery said:
Thinking about scheduling, too (Southern Italy would be best tackled with summer tyres).
My son is driving from Geneva with his Florentine wife back to see family the week after Easter and is keeping the winters on, just in case.His mother-in-law has an old stone ‘casale’ in the hills north of the Mugello valley[1], where they will spend most of the time, then a few days at her apartment in downtown Florence.
We now have firm dates for Barcelona/Valencia over the same period, with some stopovers in Nîmes and Avignon.
EV roadtrips R Us
[1] I spoke to her earlier today to book us in there for a week in June
In hindsight, your son made a wiser choice.
At least that was the thought that crossed my mind on the Simplon pass on summer tyres a day after a major snow storm (-3 degrees, gale-force winds whipping snow across icy road surface). The rest of the trip (a week in Puglia, another in Sicily) was less exciting, and summer tyres clearly improved the range. The second-hand snow socks I got before the trip were needed for compliance reasons when driving up the Etna in summer conditions. Incidentally, coming down from 1800m back to the sea level got us from 43% up to 52%
Barcelona and Valencia sound great - Spain is on our EV roadtrips R Us to-do list, too!
PetrolHeadInRecovery said:
(back after a break - had some technical issues with the forum and/or my account)
In hindsight, your son made a wiser choice. At least that was the thought that crossed my mind on the Simplon pass on summer tyres a day after a major snow storm (-3 degrees, gale-force winds whipping snow across icy road surface).
In hindsight, your son made a wiser choice.
At least that was the thought that crossed my mind on the Simplon pass on summer tyres a day after a major snow storm (-3 degrees, gale-force winds whipping snow across icy road surface). 
Apparently Master_B didn't really need them in the end, as it was quite warm in the Mugello and on his way there.
I was glad to have dragged my backside out of bed at 6h30 that Tuesday to change from winters to summer tyres, as we soon found >20°C temperatures south of Avignon, where we had stayed the first night. Then onto Châteauneuf-du-Pape (where I may have bought a quantity of wine), Tavel and Fitou for the night (idem for both those places.)
An afternoon, night and morning in Barcelona with old (Spanish/Italian) neighbours from our UK days, then down to the coast to Altea (actually closer to Alicante than Valencia), where we stayed a few days with friends.
One night/morning in Collioure (taking on more wine, and resisting lots of over-priced art) on the return trip, and we were back the next evening at our place in SE Burgundy to unload, chill out and spend a day in the garden, before returning to GE the next day.
2'500km all in, in 200-250km chunks, interspersed with 15-20 minute charging stops (15%-70% SoC) while eating/drinking, sorting out our next day's accommodation, consulting tourist guides, etc. Definitely still low-season, but warm enough to be in shirtsleeves/shorts. Not sure the Superchargers and/or motorways would be that deserted in July/August...
PetrolHeadInRecovery said:
The rest of the trip (a week in Puglia, another in Sicily) was less exciting, and summer tyres clearly improved the range. The second-hand snow socks I got before the trip were needed for compliance reasons when driving up the Etna in summer conditions. Incidentally, coming down from 1800m back to the sea level got us from 43% up to 52%
And I thought that Mt Blanc tunnel down the Aosta valley was quite impressive in an EV in terms of regen!PetrolHeadInRecovery said:
Barcelona and Valencia sound great - Spain is on our EV roadtrips R Us to-do list, too!
I can give you the Avignon, Fitou and Collioure details if you wish. We seemed to be lucky in finding some really quite charming auberges and restaurants on our trip.Michael_B said:
PetrolHeadInRecovery said:
(back after a break - had some technical issues with the forum and/or my account)
In hindsight, your son made a wiser choice. At least that was the thought that crossed my mind on the Simplon pass on summer tyres a day after a major snow storm (-3 degrees, gale-force winds whipping snow across icy road surface).
In hindsight, your son made a wiser choice.
At least that was the thought that crossed my mind on the Simplon pass on summer tyres a day after a major snow storm (-3 degrees, gale-force winds whipping snow across icy road surface). Michael_B said:
I was glad to have dragged my backside out of bed at 6h30 that Tuesday to change from winters to summer tyres, as we soon found >20°C temperatures south of Avignon
2'500km all in, in 200-250km chunks, interspersed with 15-20 minute charging stops (15%-70% SoC) while eating/drinking, sorting out our next day's accommodation, consulting tourist guides, etc. Definitely still low-season, but warm enough to be in shirtsleeves/shorts. Not sure the Superchargers and/or motorways would be that deserted in July/August...
Overall, the summer tyres were a good choice on our trip, too. We drove quite a bit in temperatures over 25 degrees - with winter tyres we would probably have finally seen noticeable wear (Primacy 4 seems to be very hard-wearing, in contrast).2'500km all in, in 200-250km chunks, interspersed with 15-20 minute charging stops (15%-70% SoC) while eating/drinking, sorting out our next day's accommodation, consulting tourist guides, etc. Definitely still low-season, but warm enough to be in shirtsleeves/shorts. Not sure the Superchargers and/or motorways would be that deserted in July/August...
For what it is worth, we did Geneva-Hamburg-Savonlinna-Geneva last July/August. Motorways were definitely a bigger issue than chargers. We needed to wait 10 minutes on two occasions in Sweden, but the fluid motorway traffic made it quite relaxing. The average speed on most of the stints was pretty close to Germany, despite sticking to the speed limits in Sweden (and making token gestures to lack thereof in Germany).
Michael_B said:
I can give you the Avignon, Fitou and Collioure details if you wish. We seemed to be lucky in finding some really quite charming auberges and restaurants on our trip.
Thanks! I will try to send you an email! 
RayDonovan said:
James6112 said:
Hired a Model 3 for the weekend, as a real life test before buying one.
(£175 for the weekend, incl free Supercharging)
Will be leaving South Coast this evening, head for the Lake District, nothing booked or planned.
Will see how it goes!
Be good to know how you get on! (£175 for the weekend, incl free Supercharging)
Will be leaving South Coast this evening, head for the Lake District, nothing booked or planned.
Will see how it goes!
Will update after..
James6112 said:
Hired a Model 3 for the weekend, as a real life test before buying one.
(£175 for the weekend, incl free Supercharging)
Will be leaving South Coast this evening, head for the Lake District, nothing booked or planned.
Will see how it goes!
You’ll be fine. I drove about 500miles in my model 3 highland RWD recently during a trip to Wales from London using superchargers 3 times. First time charging away from home but was no issues at all, Tesla couldn’t make it any easier. Just turn up, plug it in and that’s it. Motorway efficiency was surprising too. A 65mph cruise over 150 miles used only 50% battery.(£175 for the weekend, incl free Supercharging)
Will be leaving South Coast this evening, head for the Lake District, nothing booked or planned.
Will see how it goes!
Whistle said:
Nothing to go wrong at all, I have traveled up and down the UK in my M3LR for the last 2 years in all weather and never had a problem.
Note: the superchargers at Rugby are quicker than most.
The nav sent to Rugby!Note: the superchargers at Rugby are quicker than most.
Not had EV before, impressed how it tells you availability etc & facilities.
Will be here for an hour ish to fill up.
Impressed by the car, it’s a 22 model LR.
Quiet enough, the wipers are a bit annoying on auto or so haven’t figured them out yet.
All good apart from that.
Better look for a hotel for later !
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