Tesla Christmas Road Trip - Battery needed frequent re-charging - Range Estimates were 50% to 69% off

[y_p_w]

Of course comparing an EV to and ICE vehicle like this gives a big advantage to the gas powered vehicle. There are gas stations everywhere while charging stations are yet to be fully integrated into society as normal.

It's not that bad with Tesla's Supercharging network. There are still some areas where it might be 50-100 miles between Superchargers. I remember a few places like that such as going up US-101 in California from Ukiah to Eureka and Eureka to Crescent City. However, there were non-Tesla chargers along the way and that would have been fine with the adapter. I mentioned driving an EV to a park ranger at Redwood National Park, and she suggested that if we really needed to, there was a free public charger at park headquarters. I don't think it was really park HQ but an operations center. However, I don't think 12 kW would have been very fun if we were running really low. But I suppose an hour or two might have been enough to limp back to Eureka or another charging station. Would have been a monumental planning error though.

 

[97prizm]

As an owner, I can tell you those numbers don't make sense. The guy does not even know how to use the car, as shown by the key card fiasco. He seems to be charging when the battery is pretty full, which is slow. The time to charge is when the battery is low coupled with a bio break, food, etc. The only reason to charge after 50 some miles is if there was not a charger withing 200 miles or whatever, and Tesla would avoid routing you that way.

Puff piece at best.

Tesla just reduced the mileage on ALL of their 2024 models. From the sounds of it thousands have complained about not getting accurate milage. Tesla just like usual blamed the customer, and paperwork is coming out that it's so bad that Tesla employees were told to not accept responsibility and cancel repair work if customers complained about their milage.

 

[UncleDave]

Tesla just reduced the mileage on ALL of their 2024 models. From the sounds of it thousands have complained about not getting accurate milage. Tesla just like usual blamed the customer, and paperwork is coming out that it's so bad that Tesla employees were told to not accept responsibility and cancel repair work if customers complained about their milage.

The new EPA rules for 24 will affect all EV's.

 

[UncleDave]

The new combined cycle test effected tesla about 6% on average.

• Model S:
  • Long Range:
    • 19″ wheels stayed at 405 miles
    • 21″ wheels went from 375 to 382 miles
  • Plaid:
    • 19″ wheels went from 396 to 359 miles
    • 21″ wheels went from 348 to 320 miles
• Model X:
  • Long Range:
    • 20″ wheels went from 348 to 335 miles
    • 22″ wheels went from 330 to 322 miles
  • Plaid:
    • 20″ wheels went from 333 to 326 miles
    • 22″ wheels went from 311 to 300 miles
• Model Y:
  • Rear-Wheel Drive:
    • 19″ wheels stayed at 260 miles
    • 20″ wheels stayed at 242 miles
  • Long Range
    • 19″ wheels went from 330 to 310 miles
    • 20″ wheels went from 318 to 292 miles
  • Performance
    • went from 303 to 285 miles

 

[JeffKeryk]

Every car's utility depends on your use case. But thinking this video is even remotely an accurate comparison between EV and ICE is simply inaccurate.
I own both; I know the differences.

 

[y_p_w]

Range aside, Sue and I made two trips last summer to Zion, the best national park in the country in our opinion.

We make the drive in one fairly easy 8 hour day, about 575 miles. One fuel stop of maybe 10 minutes. This would be impossible with an EV.

And secondly - and I wish I'd taken pictures - during both trips in the blazing hot mid day sun in the Mojave desert we saw Teslas cruising at 50mph in the right lane with all their windows open.

Scott

View attachment 197467

Dems fightin' words.

Been there. Done that. Nowhere near the best national park in the country.

I think it's possible to make that trip in a Tesla Model 3 RWD in a reasonable 10-11 hours. I'm trying to use the (online) Tesla trip planner, but it's not really allowing it now for whatever reason. It gives me something like Paso Robles to Las Vegas and then Las Vegas to Zion Canyon Visitor Center. But a straight shot and it says there's a problem. I thought maybe because it was winter with road closures, but not when I can just split it up with Vegas.

The closest Supercharger is in St. George. I would have thought Springdale would have been ideal, but they do have public charging there.

https://chargehub.com/en/countries/united-states/utah/springdale.html​

The National Park Service had charging there at their visitor centers, but obviously there's a chance that the single one available at each visitor center is already taken. They say it costs $5 for up to 3 days. I guess the thing to do would be to leave it there and then take the shuttle. But without idle fees I'm not sure what incentive there would be for turnover.​

​

https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/directions.htm​

Electric Vehicle Charging​

Kolob Canyons Visitor Center:​

• One dual-port Level 2 J1772 charging station
• Available 24 hours/day with purchase of code (no overnight camping at the Visitor Center)

Zion Canyon Visitor Center:​

• One dual-port Level 2 J1772 charging station
• Available 24 hours/day with purchase of code (no overnight camping at the Visitor Center)

Purchase a $5 charging code at the Zion National Park Forever Project bookstore inside the Visitor Center during operating hours.​

• Code will be active for three days and provides charging at Kolob Canyon Visitor Center and Zion Canyon Visitor Center.

I looked around for Tesla's Designation Chargers around Zion Canyon, and there's on UT-9 at a clamping business called AutoCamp Zion on the outskirts Virgin. They apparently make free for the public to use, although I'm not sure who would want to use it unless staying there. It's like a couple of miles away from the main part of Virgin, but closer to some hotels. Now I'm been to that part of Utah in 100ºF summer heat, so I'm not sure about walking even a mile.

https://autocamp.com/location/zion/

Tesla indicates that the two Destination Chargers at Cable Mountain Lodge are available to the public.

https://www.tesla.com/findus/location/charger/dc15084

 

[slo town]

Dems fightin' words.

Been there. Done that. Nowhere near the best national park in the country.

Haha. I'll be 71 in March and am giving serious consideration to hiking Angel's Landing. Surprisingly my wife of 48 years, Sue, is not pushing back on the idea. She's used to my thrill seeking mentality. Zip lining is my new thing, and it's not really that big of a rush. I honestly don't think my heart rate changed at all.

What's your favorite NP?

Scott

 

[oil pan 4]

I find it unbelievable how EV proponents even in BITOG will deny facts and make excuses. Im like HELLO? *LOL*
Reading posts like, this "guy didnt even know how to start the car" and he must be doing something wrong, charging to frequently. Come on man, what do they think the public will do?

The Tesla vehicle told him the remaining range he could drive right there on the TESLA information screen, so these posts discounting this reporters experience are admitting that Tesla is not ready for prime time if they were correct, which they are not.
I find it scary how some will make excuses based on nothing, even from some in here that I enjoy conversation with. To deny facts are the people who actually have an agenda, not the person presenting the facts.

Now I read more comments on turn down the heat *LOL* hey man, did you every drive in ice cold conditions with water freezing on your windshield during storms and have to keep the defroster on full blast, even then, get out of the car to knock the ice off the blades because they will no longer make contact with the windshield. Not only that, but you have to open the car window to let out the heat you are blowing on the windshield to stop the windshield from freezing up, which still doesnt always work.

Good gosh, just admit the short comings and not try to pretend there arent limitations to battery operated vehicles. EVs have a place for some people but they are not universally convenient for much of the public as the ICE. And honestly we need to increase EVs on the road by 1000% percent to get even with ICE Vehicles. By then I suspect another technology comes along because we will never get that 1000% increase without a new technology.

If the guy didn't know how to start the car then he probably blasted the heat like it was waste byproduct.

 

[y_p_w]

Haha. I'll be 71 in March and am giving serious consideration to hiking Angel's Landing. Surprisingly my wife of 48 years, Sue, is not pushing back on the idea. She's used to my thrill seeking mentality.

What's your favorite NP?

Scott

My favorite? Yosemite. However, Yellowstone was pretty close in terms of awesomeness.

I did Angels Landing over 15 years ago. I was obviously younger and a lot fitter. One issue is the altitude gets to people, and I'd already been at high altitudes (Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Moab) for over a week where I'd adjusted. Best not to look down. I don't think I would consider doing it again even if my body could take it. It's just too crowded most of the time and that impacts safety. It wasn't terribly crowded the day I went up. But apparently this is a typical day now:

Addendum:

I don't like posting photos of myself anywhere, and prefer not to post any photos I've taken where someone can be identified (other than maybe celebrities), so take this for what it's worth. I'm looking in my photos for something showing both how light traffic was that day as well as the exposure risks. There's someone literally sitting right against the edge here. I wouldn't have done that.

 

[slo town]

My favorite? Yosemite. However, Yellowstone was pretty close in terms of awesomeness.

I did Angels Landing over 15 years ago. I was obviously younger and a lot fitter. One issue is the altitude gets to people, and I'd already been at high altitudes (Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Moab) for over a week where I'd adjusted. Best not to look down. I don't think I would consider doing it again even if my body could take it. It's just too crowded most of the time and that impacts safety. It wasn't terribly crowded the day I went up. But apparently this is a typical day now:

I hear you on both. Problem with Yosemite is that it's so crowded now. I've been to Yellowstone three times, once while riding my bicycle across country. For whatever reason it has never wow'd me. I suppose one of the things I like about Zion is the town of Springdale. It has everything I want and need when visiting a NP.

Agree about Angles Landing and the crowds. My biggest concern is having enough water. I estimate I'd need a minimum of 5 or 6 liters of water to make that hike round trip. I don't do well when dehydrated.

Congrats on hiking Angel's Landing. That scores points with me.

Scott

 

[y_p_w]

I hear you on both. Problem with Yosemite is that it's so crowded now. I've been to Yellowstone three times, once while riding my bicycle across country. For whatever reason it has never wow'd me. I suppose one of the things I like about Zion is the town of Springdale. It has everything I want and need when visiting a NP.

Agree about Angles Landing and the crowds. My biggest concern is having enough water. I estimate I'd need a minimum of 5 or 6 liters of water to make that hike round trip. I don't do well when dehydrated.

Congrats on hiking Angel's Landing. That scores points with me.

Scott

I wasn't overthinking it. But I was in my 30s, single, and not quite as cautious about risks as I am now with a family. It doesn't require extreme fitness or technical skills. I saw a guy there in his late 50s who had a dad bod. There are some parts that are downright insane. It's not for anyone with extreme vertigo. I personally don't like looking down at anything. I think I could probably do it again with a bit of time to get in shape, but the idea of being rushed doesn't appeal to me. I don't mind crowds per se, but at a place like that where the danger is obvious, it could lead to bad outcomes.

Even though sandstone crumbles, for the most part it grips like sandpaper when it's dry. I was never worried about my footing per se. It wasn't like Half Dome, which is granite and frankly rather slippery between the cables due to decades of people repeatedly using the same path.

 

[Brons2]

It's an agenda to ignore facts. The reporter reported his experience and so did someone from this forum.

It's also an agenda to only post articles that support your viewpoint.

 

[Brons2]

Now derate for needing heat and not driving 60mph.
Then add in time to get off highway find the charger plug in and actually start charging, disconnect, then the time to get back on highway.
its more than 1.5hours. All for more than the cost of gas at 2.24 in Ohio

Your 1.5hours is more unrealistic than anything in that video you must have an agenda stronger than fox news (/sarcasm)

"My bias tells me it is not possible to get from Chicago to NY with 1.5 hours of in-route charging in a Tesla"

 

[Brons2]

Just goes to show, it takes thought and effort with an EV including where to stay and the cost of that stay, heck, now the vehicle has to determine where you stay and even then you assume there is a charger available? *LOL* Good lord are we going backwards in time using new technology?
Even then again Tesla underestimates driving range by a gross amount in cold weather which we seem to be leaving out of these comments over and over, why? deflection of the fact?
Call me crazy, but the ICE takes none of this hassle. Which the video is about, a "comparison" so who won? Hands down, ICE of course. You can actually enjoy your trip, stay where you want and arrive hours ahead of time.

Ok, you're crazy. It seems like you're basically talking to yourself with these replies. You set up the EV to fail and then when it does, you say, Ah-ha, you people deny facts.

It takes thought to take an EV on a road trip if you want to have the best experience. It does not take effort, unless simply exercising thought causes physical exertion for you.

 

[Rand]

"My bias tells me it is not possible to get from Chicago to NY with 1.5 hours of in-route charging in a Tesla"

Even if it was 1.5hours charging it would balloon to well over 2 hours.
or do you only count the time the gas dispenser is running for a ICE fuel break.
I count the full detour, time lost.
I think 1.5 hours plugged in is theoretically possible if not a likely everyday scenario.

I dont get why everyone is giving the range meter a pass.
If I'm towing all day the car learns and tells me 225miles left.
but every charge up under same conditions and the tesla is still 40% optimistic all day... free pass..
I'm supposed to "know its electric and isnt accurate?"

 

[Brons2]

Even if it was 1.5hours charging it would balloon to well over 2 hours.
or do you only count the time the gas dispenser is running for a ICE fuel break.
I count the full detour, time lost.
I think 1.5 hours plugged in is theoretically possible if not a likely everyday scenario.

I dont get why everyone is giving the range meter a pass.
If I'm towing all day the car learns and tells me 225miles left.
but every charge up under same conditions and the tesla is still 40% optimistic all day... free pass..
I'm supposed to "know its electric and isnt accurate?"

Fair point. The ID.4 I am driving for the week tells you that you have 278 miles range if you charge it to 100%, but real world at 75-80 is more like 200. It should be able to learn your habits, as you say, without having to resort to a 3rd party app and ELM OBD2 adapter.

 

[y_p_w]

As an owner, I can tell you those numbers don't make sense. The guy does not even know how to use the car, as shown by the key card fiasco. He seems to be charging when the battery is pretty full, which is slow. The time to charge is when the battery is low coupled with a bio break, food, etc. The only reason to charge after 50 some miles is if there was not a charger withing 200 miles or whatever, and Tesla would avoid routing you that way.

Puff piece at best.

There's something to be said for charging when the electricity is complimentary. Granted, the only road trip over 150 miles I've ever taken in a Tesla, the charging was free. However, when it would normally cost money and there was a free Level 2 charger available, why not get a little bit of free juice when you can? I've seen that with Tesla Destination Chargers and the occasional free Level 2 charger where the equipment/electricity is provided by a government grant and/or privately subsidized. We were kind of new to it and when someone said it was free (Coppola Winery in Healdsburg) I was shocked but then whipped out the adapter.

We took some out of town guests to the Monterey Peninsula in a Model 3. They certainly understood when I wanted to charge, especially since it didn't have enough juice for round trip back to where we started. It was OK. We stopped over at the Gilroy outlets and we headed to Santa Cruz for a little bit more where we didn't really want to buy anything but could otherwise walk around (it was at a Whole Foods parking lot). It's one of the things the user just gets used to over time. The premise of taking a long road trip without having any previous experience is silly.

 

[nobb]

I was in Nevada last week and rented a Tesla to drive around the national parks. Was the first time driving one. Personally, I don't mind having to stop 30-40 mins at a supercharger every so often as it's a nice excuse for a break. However, what was surprising was the cost of supercharging ($0.3 to $0.5 per kWh). I did the math and driving a Tesla wasn't really a significant saving over the average compact car.

 

[fdcg27]

Nothing more than a hit piece intended to promote a narrative.
Move along, nothing here to see of any substance.

 

[y_p_w]

I was in Nevada last week and rented a Tesla to drive around the national parks. Was the first time driving one. Personally, I don't mind having to stop 30-40 mins at a supercharger every so often as it's a nice excuse for a break. However, what was surprising was the cost of supercharging ($0.3 to $0.5 per kWh). I did the math and driving a Tesla wasn't really a significant saving over the average compact car.

It depends on where and when you charge. If you really want to, it's possible to comparison shop based on the price of the charging, especially with many having different costs based on time of use. But the best bargain out there would be Tesla's "Destination Charging" or any other kind of complimentary charging provided by a business such as a restaurant or hotel, or through government grants. It's ideal at a hotel where one charging at lower speeds overnight should be fine.

We've discussed Tesla's agreement with Hilton Hotels to install charging systems. And it's supposed to be using Tesla's "Universal Wall Connector" that has a J1772 connector available. The biggest issue might be availability, but it shouldn't be more than just one or two with the numbers they're claiming they plan on installing.

https://stories.hilton.com/releases...esla-universal-wall-connectors-at-2000-hotels