Glamisduner
Active Member
I already have a very efficient EV but range and overall quality of the vehicle is nothing compared to the Tesla. I also enjoy performance (was tempted to keep it
Range a huge desirability for me. I plan to do drives from Los Angeles to San Francisco and other potential road trips. With the extra range and efficiency, I hope to minimize the number of super charger trips, as well maximize overall efficiency. I just like having as big as a buffer as possible as the range loss will eventually occur over 6 to 10 years. For reference Spark EV has experienced 18% usable capacity degradation over 5 years.
So while the the Model 3 might make a 250 mile trip for the first 5 to 7 years, I would start to question its range capability at 8+ years. I don't want to shoot myself in the foot early on paying extra for a feature I don't really need but immediately has efficiency losses (and associated costs), and later on potential range concerns.
I think there are other benefits this report doesn't show. AWD is Faster, driving in the rain may be more comfortable (oil on the roads in socal when it rains), the ride will feel different, more regen (which also means less brake usage).