Fox Business' Jeff Flock joins Morning with Maria to break down the highlights and takeaways from his EV road trip.
When it comes to electric cars, technology and design are great. And you can't beat that acceleration. However, if you plan on taking this on a cross-country trip, as I did, there are a few things to consider. If you are an experienced EV enthusiast, you may know all this. But here's what the newbie EV user learned when he traveled from Chicago to New York City in a Tesla Model Y.
Technology is great, but…
After picking up my Tesla in Chicago, I spent 15 minutes figuring out how to turn it on (I told you I'm a Tesla newbie). The key looks like a credit card and must be placed in the center console location. Thanks, Google. The screen with its myriad options is great, too, but it takes a while to figure out how to adjust the mirrors, turn on the heat and air conditioning, windshield wipers, and stereo system. No knobs found.
People look at Tesla's Model Y SUV at the 6th China International Import Expo (CIIE) held at the National Convention and Exhibition Center in Shanghai on November 6, 2023. (VCG/VCG via / Getty Images)
it takes more time
That might be obvious considering we all know that charging takes longer than filling up with gas. According to Google Maps, the journey time is 13 hours and 20 minutes. Tesla's map says it will take 16 hours, including charging. It ended up being almost 17. Tesla's software does a great job directing you to Superchargers. Superchargers are the fastest way to charge, but they may not be the fastest way to get to your destination.
A Tesla car is connected to a power source and charged in the Silicon Valley town of Mountain View, California, on August 24, 2016. (Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)
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Don't trust range numbers
It never came close to the predicted range after charging. When we left Chicago, the car said it had 349 miles on a charge. There was still enough charge to get to the first charging station in Elkhart, Indiana, but it turned out to be only 112. To be fair, Tesla is very open about the factors that affect range. The range can be reduced by cold (it was in the 30s), heat, headwinds, climbing hills, sudden acceleration, and using the heater or air conditioner. However, the car keeps updating its range while driving, so you know where you are.
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| ticker | safety | last | change | change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TSLA | Tesla Inc. | 237.49 | -0.44 | -0.18% |
Charge may be lost while parked
When I parked at a hotel in Illyria, Ohio, after the first day, my car told me I had 38 miles of range left. When he left the next morning, he had only covered 15 miles. The software directed us to the nearest Supercharger in Sheffield, Ohio, and when we arrived there, the battery only had 3% left. Phew.
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Charger with Tesla logo, Mountain View, California, August 24, 2016. (Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)
electricity may not be cheap
Each of the six charging stations costs about $20. At 25 mpg and about $3 per gallon, it costs about the same as traveling in a gas-powered car. Some might say, “You're not saving money, you're saving the planet.” Others may see it differently.
It was a good trip, except for the difficult journey until the next charger. And to be fair to Tesla, we departed on their route to eat dinner on the first night, so the rate was lower than they recommended.
My biggest lesson is, if you follow their route, you'll be fine. If you want a more spontaneous trip that involves exploring off-the-beaten track, you're good at planning.
