On our way to South of France

[spdpsba]

It is that time of the year and we are off to South of France this week.

Planning to use my Model Y for the first time - hope it is more efficient than the Model 3. I am using mostly SCs but hopefully we are sorted in terms of local travel. I assumed I moved all the cables from my Model 3 to Model Y before returning the car but just looked for the Schuko/French travel adapter for granny charger but that is missing and also the pucks. Ordered both and fingers crossed they all will come before we leave. And also hope there are not going to be any glitches like what we had last year in Italy.

On our way to Italy

We are on our way to Italy. No problems in terms of charging except at Folkestone (understandable). Most were non teslas occupying two spaces and then you have model s chargers free. So bit of wait but we were bit early so no harm done. France was smooth and we are in Troyes and charging. It is...

teslamotorsclub.com

Any suggestions - places to visit with SCs etc., and good restaurants or anything else interesting to do in south of France is welcome.

 

[yessuz]

you can check my last post from my trip to Spain

Sunny Sun Sun vol. 2 - UK - to Spain (and Back) second time

So, it is a holiday season. And many people probably contemplating the long trip with their Teslas, wondering how is it going to be... So let me tell you a bit about our 2nd trip to Spain, which happened in the 2nd half of July... It was a joy. and a blast. Except that Stomach bug which I had...

teslamotorsclub.com

I travelled via A71 via Clermont-Ferrand.
there are lots of non tesla chargers in more or less every motoway petrol staiton in france at least from my experience, but to be fair - SC network in france is superb
a lot of SCs in France covered... still more or less same route?

If you will see Holly's Diner anywhere (i.e. Vierzon Super Charger about 1 hr north from Clermont-Ferrand - stop there for a dinner!! or lunch. superb burgers.

After arrival, Coquelles will be packed (v2 site) so if it guides your the same way via Paris, stop at Bolougne su Mer SC. reasonable pizza at shopping centre (Italian restaurant) and large V3 site, very underutilised.
I would avoid Velizy 2 - always full...
Artenay, Vierzon, Riom - all v3 or v4 sites. Vierzon will be under utilized and has very good food (check opening ours!!!), Riom might be packed. Artenay just Mcdonalds... meh.
Avoid Bourges (v2) due to always being busy and lack of food options there (2 restaurants, one is meh and another one is also meh due to staff attitude).

 

[spdpsba]

you can check my last post from my trip to Spain

Sunny Sun Sun vol. 2 - UK - to Spain (and Back) second time

So, it is a holiday season. And many people probably contemplating the long trip with their Teslas, wondering how is it going to be... So let me tell you a bit about our 2nd trip to Spain, which happened in the 2nd half of July... It was a joy. and a blast. Except that Stomach bug which I had...

teslamotorsclub.com

I travelled via A71 via Clermont-Ferrand.
there are lots of non tesla chargers in more or less every motoway petrol staiton in france at least from my experience, but to be fair - SC network in france is superb
a lot of SCs in France covered... still more or less same route?

If you will see Holly's Diner anywhere (i.e. Vierzon Super Charger about 1 hr north from Clermont-Ferrand - stop there for a dinner!! or lunch. superb burgers.

After arrival, Coquelles will be packed (v2 site) so if it guides your the same way via Paris, stop at Bolougne su Mer SC. reasonable pizza at shopping centre (Italian restaurant) and large V3 site, very underutilised.
I would avoid Velizy 2 - always full...
Artenay, Vierzon, Riom - all v3 or v4 sites. Vierzon will be under utilized and has very good food (check opening ours!!!), Riom might be packed. Artenay just Mcdonalds... meh.
Avoid Bourges (v2) due to always being busy and lack of food options there (2 restaurants, one is meh and another one is also meh due to staff attitude).

Will do. Thanks for the tips. Any reason why you got on to A71 via Clermont other than going to Spain? I still find difficult to spot the SCs at Calais - anyone has any tips how to reach the SC at Calais as twice I missed them during the last visit?

 

[yessuz]

Will do. Thanks for the tips. Any reason why you got on to A71 via Clermont other than going to Spain? I still find difficult to spot the SCs at Calais - anyone has any tips how to reach the SC at Calais as twice I missed them during the last visit?

regarding calais - as mentioned - I'd rather skip it. it is v2 site and it will be busy as every train has EVs in and all will be looking to charge cheaper

I went via A71 (Clermont Ferrand) as this is default route by sat nav, to go to Spain (east/south east side, aka Barca/Valencia).

If you go via LImoges and Toulouse, then it is a bit longer... and still have to go via same Paris and it makes sense more or less if want to go to north/west aprt of Spain. It leads you via andorra

if you go more to east, via Lyon, then it is is 200 km or so longer. but you can avoid Paris this way...

besides, A71 crosses the Millau viaduct and overall, all that part from Clermont Ferrand to Montpellier is very nice and picturesque..

 

[spdpsba]

A71 crosses the Millau viaduct and overall, all that part from Clermont Ferrand to Montpellier is very nice and picturesque..

Agree. We are doing a separate trip to Millau, so will skip Paris route and that will help my nerves too

 

[spon88]

I'm heading out soon so unfortunately don't have time to write much. However we recently travelled to Provence in a MYP and it was plain sailing. Lots of superchargers on the route down and others too. Last year we made the mistake of going via Paris - avoid! Also research your destination as there are areas where chargers are quite scarce and you end up with local, slow units - fortunately we were local to a few chargers which were part of the Octopus Electroverse network. Previously we've subscribed to a couple of the local French networks as back-up. We also have a heavy duty extension lead and French plug adaptors to facilitate granny charging - can save quite a bit if the local residence doesn't catch you! Enjoy it.

 

[GeorgeSymonds]

If you like champagne, Epernay is a good place to stop. There is/was a hotel on the outskirts with Tesla superchargers too although personally I'd look to stay somewhere in the town if you like a drink.

Greoble is ok, going up the cable car is worth doing, and then you can then do the Nepoleon road/route down to Nice. It wasn't as good as I thought it would be but still pleasant enough.

If you're looking more at the west of france, Fontevraud-l'Abbaye is quaint and the abbey usually has an amazing light show in the evening.

And in general, get a crit'air sticker if you haven't already. It only costs a few Euros and will prevent any issues driving into their low emission zones which are everywhere

 

[spdpsba]

get a crit'air sticker if you haven't already

Thanks, yes got one.

 

[M1tch]

also off to France shortly but only as far as Disneyland.

Planning a final top up in Maidstone or Medway then into Dunkirk for the night to camp and give the little one a WW2 lesson. A day in Paris and then a day in Disneyland before heading back.

Superchargers work like here right? Plug in, it works, bills you automatically and you leave?

Crit’air - only needed if going to the centre of Paris? I’m not, we will use the RER from the outskirts.

Got UK stickers, high vis vest, breathalysers etc.

The lights etc flick across to the other side but does the speed change to Kmph or is that a manual job? Anything I’ve missed? (First time taking my own car to Europe for a long time)

 

[GeorgeSymonds]

Superchargers work like here right? Plug in, it works, bills you automatically and you leave?

Yes, no different

Crit’air - only needed if going to the centre of Paris? I’m not, we will use the RER from the outskirts.

I’d check the map, you’re probably ok but I think they’re only about 5 euro

Got UK stickers, high vis vest, breathalysers etc.

High viz need to be in the cabin of the car, a tip is to leave one on the rear parcel shelf and visible, almost like a sign to the police you know what you’re doing.

The lights etc flick across to the other side but does the speed change to Kmph or is that a manual job? Anything I’ve missed? (First time taking my own car to Europe for a long time)

I think you have to change the speed units but headlights etc do it themselves. I’d have a good idea where you’re driving for the first mile or so, I’ve had the issue once where the satnav didn’t sort itself out, just googling the nearby place names and looking at a map for a rough idea is probably enough before you go.

 

[Doudeau]

I think you have to change the speed units but headlights etc do it themselves.

Yes you do - I believe in “display settings” you change to Km from Miles.

We have found quite a few SC’s in the car parks of Novotel hotels and their lunch menu is more than passable IMHO.

There was a cute SC we stopped in recently at Roye (coming back from Paris) which had a well maintained little exec lounge area with smarter than usual vending machines as well as toilets.

 

[thewishy]

Suggest an electroverse card for use of public chargers, particularly the older street / carpark public 22kw chargers.

 

[yessuz]

also off to France shortly but only as far as Disneyland.

Planning a final top up in Maidstone or Medway then into Dunkirk for the night to camp and give the little one a WW2 lesson. A day in Paris and then a day in Disneyland before heading back.

Superchargers work like here right? Plug in, it works, bills you automatically and you leave?

Crit’air - only needed if going to the centre of Paris? I’m not, we will use the RER from the outskirts.

Got UK stickers, high vis vest, breathalysers etc.

The lights etc flick across to the other side but does the speed change to Kmph or is that a manual job? Anything I’ve missed? (First time taking my own car to Europe for a long time)

If you can (SOC % allows) then do not stop in Maidstone... sSC in France. Significantly cheaper

 

[mick4545]

You will be charged in UKP for supercharging, worthwhile changing the payment method to Revolut or something and paying in euros saves ripoff bank charges.

An extra card can be added via the website.

 

[FastLaneJB]

Separate from tips but don’t think your Model Y can be more efficient than a Model 3 unless you went from a Performance to a LR or something like that? Generally not much in it but as the Model Y rides a bit higher and is a bit bigger / heavier against the same Model 3 edition it will use a bit more energy per mile.

 

[yessuz]

You will be charged in UKP for supercharging, worthwhile changing the payment method to Revolut or something and paying in euros saves ripoff bank charges.

An extra card can be added via the website.

Yes! that is the thing which would need to be taken into account.

 

[mick4545]

Also worth getting a TAG if you haven’t already. Save a lot of hassle at toll booths.

 

[yessuz]

Also worth getting a TAG if you haven’t already. Save a lot of hassle at toll booths.

yup. used bip & go and I like it

 

[GeorgeSymonds]

Separate from tips but don’t think your Model Y can be more efficient than a Model 3 unless you went from a Performance to a LR or something like that? Generally not much in it but as the Model Y rides a bit higher and is a bit bigger / heavier against the same Model 3 edition it will use a bit more energy per mile.

It is a little off topic but my pre heatpump M3 was not as efficient MY, so maybe that? I'd agree you'd expect a new M3 to be more efficient than a new MY though based on aero if nothing else, the MY being just bigger

 

[spdpsba]

Separate from tips but don’t think your Model Y can be more efficient than a Model 3

I always found the new Y more efficient than my 2021 model 3.

For example very similar weather last year I reached Folkstone with 43% from Cambridge, today I had 54% left and I am going straight without charging. I always set up at 70mph for long drives and rarely drive rashly. The inclination etc., is the same as I am doing the same route. In fact there is some 9mph wind speed consuming a bit more of battery. So, I am not sure about Y being less efficient atleast in 2024 compared to 2021 model 3 SR.

Will update how my charging experience goes and also thans for the Revolut one as I didn’t think of it.