First Roadtrip (Continued from Part I)
The Supercharging experience literally changed the way I viewed the EV experience in less than an hour. I plugged in with 37 rated miles remaining and immediately started charging at 120 kW. Watching the rated miles tick up at that rate finally gave me the realization that electric vehicles could very well be the preferred transportation choice of the future - and it was here now. I realized in an instant that when Tesla finished the build out of this supercharging network that long distance travel in an EV was not only possible but, for me, would be a pleasure. I'm not in my 20s anymore. I no longer wish to get in my car in Chicago and see if I can beat my best previous time traveling to New Orleans. "I made it in 13.5 hours last time, can I cut another 1/2 hour off the 950 mile trip?" If I only stop for gas and get a bite at a drive through window and eat in the car... This doesn't work for me anymore. I look forward to getting out of the car every 2 or 3 hours and stretching my legs, checking my emails, otherwise taking a break from sitting in the car. Stopping to charge for 40 or 50 minutes every 150 - 180 miles works perfectly for me.
I departed Columbus and headed to Austin where I had made reservations at a hotel with Level 2 charging. The next morning I departed Austin with a full charge and headed for the Hill Country west of Austin. Navigating the twisty roads through the rolling hills of Texas was a pleasure in the P85+. I went through Marble Falls then headed south toward Canyon Lake.
The Model S at Canyon Lake, TX
After recharging at the San Marcos supercharger I headed east again. Realizing that Columbus supercharger was a mere 90 miles away meant I didn't have to monitor energy usage at all. This was my second supercharger realization - when superchargers are spaced at reasonable distances apart I was free to drive the speed limit (75 MPH in this case) or even 80 or more MPH without concern. Without that charger spacing, owning an EV makes one quickly aware of how much more energy is required to propel 4,500 lbs. of automobile down the road at 75 MPH versus 60 MPH. After experiencing the superchargers on the Texas Supercharger Island (it would be many more months before the Texas Superchargers were within range of any other Superchargers) I have to say I was spoiled. My tolerance for spending hours at a slow Level 2 charger had been affected negatively by watching rated miles increase at a rate of over 300 miles per hour of charge.
The P85D
"Upcoming Tesla Event: The D and Something Else" - that was the gist of the tweet that tweaked my interest. I loved my P85+ and took a chance buying VIN 13,226 with no service center closer than 365 miles to me. Through 17 months and 14,000 miles of ownership I had only seen a Tesla Service Ranger 3 times. The first was a visit initiated and scheduled by Tesla to perform a few minor service bulletins. The second was to replace the rear tail lamp assemblies. The third was my annual/12,000 mile scheduled service/inspection. Prior to owning the Model S I was going through new cars at a brisk clip of every 6 to 12 months. I was always lusting after the newest technology on cars. I had been through nearly every model in BMW's lineup and was beginning to work my way through Audi's. With the Model S I felt like I had technology that was years ahead of everything else out there. Tesla was regularly sending Over the Air firmware updates with added features and functionality to my Model S.
Then on October 10, 2014 Tesla introduced the dual motor Model S with Autopilot technology. My "early" Model S was ordered with every available option at the time but came before Park Assist, Power folding outside mirrors and other features I had on other cars were available. The combination of performance and the opportunity to get the latest technology and features was enough to push me over the edge and on October 11, 2014 I placed my order for the new P85D. After a few unexpected delays I took delivery on December 26, 2014 at the Houston Service Center. The Lake Charles, LA supercharger opened earlier that same week and that meant I could drive the car back home in one day rather than having to overnight in Lake Charles to recharge.
The P85D
Insane
The new P85D was familiar and different at the same time. It felt like my P85+ on steroids. Tesla has aptly labeled the quickest acceleration mode on the P85D Insane Mode. 0-60 in 3.2 seconds (pulling in excess of 1G during initial acceleration from a stop in a 4 door sedan is, well, insane). Flooring the accelerator from a stop never gets old and feels like an amusement park ride.
Final Musings
I have since put almost 5,000 miles on the P85D. I used to make up excuses and errands in order to take the Model S out for a drive. I have quit making up errands and now just take it out with no particular destination. I live in an area where there aren't that many Teslas around. It's not unusual for me to pull into a parking lot only to discover someone has been following me and wants to know what the heck I'm driving. I look forward to just a few more superchargers opening near me (Baton Rouge has opened since getting the D) and taking a couple of weeks to just head out across the country.
The P85+ at the newly opened Supercharger in Lake Charles, LA - on its way to Houston to be traded in on the P85D
Supercharger - San Marcos, TX
Supercharger - Baton Rouge, LA
The Supercharging experience literally changed the way I viewed the EV experience in less than an hour. I plugged in with 37 rated miles remaining and immediately started charging at 120 kW. Watching the rated miles tick up at that rate finally gave me the realization that electric vehicles could very well be the preferred transportation choice of the future - and it was here now. I realized in an instant that when Tesla finished the build out of this supercharging network that long distance travel in an EV was not only possible but, for me, would be a pleasure. I'm not in my 20s anymore. I no longer wish to get in my car in Chicago and see if I can beat my best previous time traveling to New Orleans. "I made it in 13.5 hours last time, can I cut another 1/2 hour off the 950 mile trip?" If I only stop for gas and get a bite at a drive through window and eat in the car... This doesn't work for me anymore. I look forward to getting out of the car every 2 or 3 hours and stretching my legs, checking my emails, otherwise taking a break from sitting in the car. Stopping to charge for 40 or 50 minutes every 150 - 180 miles works perfectly for me.
I departed Columbus and headed to Austin where I had made reservations at a hotel with Level 2 charging. The next morning I departed Austin with a full charge and headed for the Hill Country west of Austin. Navigating the twisty roads through the rolling hills of Texas was a pleasure in the P85+. I went through Marble Falls then headed south toward Canyon Lake.
The Model S at Canyon Lake, TX
After recharging at the San Marcos supercharger I headed east again. Realizing that Columbus supercharger was a mere 90 miles away meant I didn't have to monitor energy usage at all. This was my second supercharger realization - when superchargers are spaced at reasonable distances apart I was free to drive the speed limit (75 MPH in this case) or even 80 or more MPH without concern. Without that charger spacing, owning an EV makes one quickly aware of how much more energy is required to propel 4,500 lbs. of automobile down the road at 75 MPH versus 60 MPH. After experiencing the superchargers on the Texas Supercharger Island (it would be many more months before the Texas Superchargers were within range of any other Superchargers) I have to say I was spoiled. My tolerance for spending hours at a slow Level 2 charger had been affected negatively by watching rated miles increase at a rate of over 300 miles per hour of charge.
The P85D
"Upcoming Tesla Event: The D and Something Else" - that was the gist of the tweet that tweaked my interest. I loved my P85+ and took a chance buying VIN 13,226 with no service center closer than 365 miles to me. Through 17 months and 14,000 miles of ownership I had only seen a Tesla Service Ranger 3 times. The first was a visit initiated and scheduled by Tesla to perform a few minor service bulletins. The second was to replace the rear tail lamp assemblies. The third was my annual/12,000 mile scheduled service/inspection. Prior to owning the Model S I was going through new cars at a brisk clip of every 6 to 12 months. I was always lusting after the newest technology on cars. I had been through nearly every model in BMW's lineup and was beginning to work my way through Audi's. With the Model S I felt like I had technology that was years ahead of everything else out there. Tesla was regularly sending Over the Air firmware updates with added features and functionality to my Model S.
Then on October 10, 2014 Tesla introduced the dual motor Model S with Autopilot technology. My "early" Model S was ordered with every available option at the time but came before Park Assist, Power folding outside mirrors and other features I had on other cars were available. The combination of performance and the opportunity to get the latest technology and features was enough to push me over the edge and on October 11, 2014 I placed my order for the new P85D. After a few unexpected delays I took delivery on December 26, 2014 at the Houston Service Center. The Lake Charles, LA supercharger opened earlier that same week and that meant I could drive the car back home in one day rather than having to overnight in Lake Charles to recharge.
The P85D
Insane
The new P85D was familiar and different at the same time. It felt like my P85+ on steroids. Tesla has aptly labeled the quickest acceleration mode on the P85D Insane Mode. 0-60 in 3.2 seconds (pulling in excess of 1G during initial acceleration from a stop in a 4 door sedan is, well, insane). Flooring the accelerator from a stop never gets old and feels like an amusement park ride.
Final Musings
I have since put almost 5,000 miles on the P85D. I used to make up excuses and errands in order to take the Model S out for a drive. I have quit making up errands and now just take it out with no particular destination. I live in an area where there aren't that many Teslas around. It's not unusual for me to pull into a parking lot only to discover someone has been following me and wants to know what the heck I'm driving. I look forward to just a few more superchargers opening near me (Baton Rouge has opened since getting the D) and taking a couple of weeks to just head out across the country.
The P85+ at the newly opened Supercharger in Lake Charles, LA - on its way to Houston to be traded in on the P85D
Supercharger - San Marcos, TX
Supercharger - Baton Rouge, LA
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I seem stuck at 281.