Epic Road Trip: Can Electric Cars Really Compete with Diesel?

A group of Spanish journalists recently drove two Teslas from Berlin to Madrid, covering 2,500 kilometers to see how electric cars really stack up for long-distance travel. Their experience was eye-opening and challenges some of the hype around electric vehicles, at least for now.

 

Here’s what stood out from their journey:

 

They used a Tesla Model Y Long Range and a Model 3 Highland, both known for good battery range.

 

The team planned their route carefully, stopping every 200 to 300 kilometers to recharge. Most of the time, they used Tesla’s Supercharger network, but they also tried other public chargers along the way.

 

Charging stops took much longer than filling up a diesel tank. Even with fast chargers, they often had to wait around, which added up over the trip.

 

When they crunched the numbers, charging the Teslas cost about €54 more than it would have to fuel a similar diesel car for the same distance. Compared to a gasoline car, the difference was even bigger, at about €137.

 

Fast chargers were convenient but expensive. Cheaper charging options were available, but those took a lot more time.

 

Their main takeaway: Electric cars are getting better, but for long road trips in Europe, diesel is still the practical and economical choice, especially when you factor in time and cost.

 

It’s clear that while electric cars are making progress, there are still some real hurdles for anyone planning a big road trip.

 

Source: Daily Galaxy