Source: Tesla-mag Forum
An electric journey rich in discoveries and encounters
Few Teslas dare to venture into Spain, but in 2016 Tesla initiated the installation of Superchargers along the Costa Brava, now making it easy to reach Spanish resorts. Electromobility, which was once synonymous with constraints, is becoming a real invitation to explore. Our member of the Tesla Mag forum, BBdriver 31, chose to dare, by taking his family on a road trip of 2000 kilometers round trip from Toulouse to Benidorm, aboard his Tesla Model S P85D.
Loading stages: Appropriate stops
- Narbonne: The first charging stage in Narbonne, an impeccably maintained station. BBdriver 31 could have reached Girona without stopping here, but preferring safety, a 20 minute stop was made.
- Girona: Located in the north car park of the Ibis hotel are 4 Superchargers. Unfortunately, two others in the south car park were blocked off by a barrier. The service offer is basic, with only a bar at the Ibis hotel.
- Tarragona: The Supercharger parking lot offers a great view of an olive grove. The local restaurant and upscale hotel are an added bonus for travelers. It is a particularly pleasant stop, allowing you to taste and buy top quality olive oil.
- The Aldea: Six Superchargers are installed in the parking lot of the coach station. Unfortunately, the place is less inviting, with scattered rubbish and a bar that leaves something to be desired.
- València: Hotel La Boetia offers a pleasant setting with 4 Superchargers. Although the breakfast buffet is reserved for hotel guests and Tesla owners, it’s a welcoming place for a recharge break.
Notable observations and conclusions of the trip
BBdriver 31 and his family arrived in Benidorm at 9:00 p.m. after a 12-hour drive, about 4 hours more than with a thermal car. Despite the lack of Superchargers south of Valencia, which would have been handy for the week-long stay in Benidorm, they managed to keep 50% battery, enough to reach the Valencia Supercharger for the return trip to France.
This story from BBdriver 31 clearly shows that electric vehicles, especially the Tesla Model S, are perfectly capable of long road trips. The increasing density of the network of Superchargers along major axes in Europe makes long-distance travel by electric vehicle increasingly accessible and convenient. However, there is still a long way to go for the coverage of the Supercharger network to reach that of traditional gas stations.
It should be noted a revealing anecdote which emanates from the journey of BBdriver 31. Another motorist, originally from Belgium and also in a Tesla, traveled essentially the same route. The latter adopted a moderate pace at 120 km/h, which enabled him to abandon a recharging stage at L’Aldea. As for BBdriver 31, despite a more sustained cruising speed of 170 km/h, it arrived at the Girona Supercharger at the same time as the Belgian driver, an additional charging stop having balanced their progress. This situation illustrates a fundamental aspect of electric mobility: during long journeys, a higher speed is not necessarily a guarantee of time efficiency.
BBdriver 31’s journey certainly encountered some pitfalls, but it still demonstrated the Tesla’s remarkable aptitude for far-reaching journeys. This testimonial is invaluable and we hope will inspire more Tesla drivers to venture into Spain and beyond. However, his story also highlights the critical importance of increasing the density of Superchargers, especially in areas with high tourist traffic such as Alicante. The deployment of a more abundant and accessible charging infrastructure is an essential lever for the widespread adoption of electric vehicles.
The journey certainly lasted longer than expected, but the experience of exploring Spain aboard a Tesla Model S remains unforgettable. In addition, it offers a new perspective on the change in driving habits in the era of electromobility. With a stronger charging network and careful planning, EV owners can look forward to more serene road trips in the future, while relishing the environmental benefits of zero-emissions driving.
In sum, BBdriver 31’s experience offers valuable insight into the possibilities and challenges inherent in long-distance travel by electric car. As Tesla’s Supercharger network continues to expand, we can expect more Tesla drivers to push the boundaries of EV exploration. This road trip reminds us that, despite the challenges, the future of the automobile is resolutely electric.