Round trip options

[Gasman23]

Say you were going on a 200mile+ round trip. A journey on which you wouldn’t normally make a stop.

Would you charge to near 100% and drive really economically to get home with less than 10% charge, or would you set off with around 80% and charge once en route and not have to worry about how you drive? (assuming no option to charge at destination)

 

[pgkevet]

A piece of string question that depends on bladder control of passenger/driver, whether the route actually goes near superchargers, time fo year, length of half-way stop and degree of spontaneity. I know I can make the run to penryn bay to see the seals in winter with full comfort controls, cold start each end and 20%+ left on the 160 mile round trip if I start at 100% and drive hard but if unsure of the weather I may just take the ICE and clean its cat instead.

 

[kirts]

Charge 100% (90% to the morning and then manually the rest of 10% once you wake up), drive economically and stop to charge on the return trip or when you arrive to your original destination.

I would never risk 10% charge, both because its bad for the battery but also because there can be road closures, accidents (which can delay you for over an hour) and other things like flat tyres.

 

[Roy W.]

It really depends on the trip. If I visit my sister, who lives on the east coast, the return trip is about 195 miles. Last time we went there I left home on 95% and for back home with 22% in my LR AWD, so no need for a charge. The roads there are perhaps 25% dual carriageway and 75% single carriageway, which helps with economy.

 

[stonecoldrmw]

I voted for the economy option however, i have done both. It really depends on the circumstance at the time for me.

Ultimately, I'm a bit of a cheapskate and like the thrill of charging at home for as cheap as poss and then seeing how i go. Did Leicester to Leeds and back a few times, for effectively about 2 quid

 

[Jeeves]

Drive it like it was stolen and stop for a charge when you need to. That’s my approach to range.

 

[nxsynjs]

Depends on the amount of time I had. If I had to rush off to see someone on their deathbed or about to give birth i'd risk it. Otherwise I'd plan a stop and make an event out of it. E.g plan a stop somewhere fun, interesting or with good reviews for eating..

If I thought I could charge when I got there (even via 3 pin) I would go there, charge while I was there and see how it went on the way back.

 

[Tonyf]

All depends on regularity of SC. Occasionally we visit family in the Midlands which is a 200 mile round trip from the north down the M6. We pass Keele and Hilton Park both on the way down and on the way back. I personally prefer to set off with about 80% charge then top up on the way back for 5-10mins at Keele. Arriving with a really low state of charge allows miles to be added really quickly.

One of the main pluses for me of driving the Tesla is that it really isn’t a big cost saving in driving efficiently. Already saving a packet over ICE cars, so just enjoy

 

[itzKris]

Safe bet is to stop, 15 mins is not the end of the world and some would say it’s even nice!

 

[DJP31]

Would you charge to near 100% and drive really economically to get home with less than 10% charge, or would you set off with around 80% and charge once en route and not have to worry about how you drive? (assuming no option to charge at destination)

I would charge to 100% and leave as I reach the 100%, i.e. not leaving the car sitting at 100% for hours. I would have looked at the route and planned a stop either on the way or on the way back for peace of mind.

I would never risk 10% charge, both because its bad for the battery but also because there can be road closures, accidents (which can delay you for over an hour) and other things like flat tyres.

I agree and disagree . There is no problem at all driving to below 10%, that doesn't harm the battery. Leaving it sitting around at that level especially when it's colder is not a good idea, and I would build a margin in for the unexpected - diversions being the biggest enemy. Sitting in a traffic jam uses surprisingly little energy.

 

[GRiLLA]

All depends on where chargers are located. I'm fortunate that Oxford SC is about 25 mins north, so if heading that direction I would risk it, and then know it's not far off the route if I'm a little short to get all the way home. If the charging options was 1 hour away I probably would charge rather than drive super economically.

 

[Mikedrives]

The roads there are perhaps 25% dual carriageway and 75% single carriageway, which helps with economy.

Sorry, can you explain terms, please? I am assuming dual carriageway = 2 lanes each direction, therefore 75% single lanes = lower driving speeds = greater economy. Is that right? And "carriageway"? Are you competing for space with carriages? I guess we have that in Amish country here. (I was born in England but haven't been back since I was 3 months old, so I have to start learning the terms before I come back for a visit!)

 

[Drew57]

I prefer to charge en route & have driven Cheshire-Suffolk several times:

• Leave home with 80-90%
• 30 min top up to 100% at Keele Southbound & arrive with around 20%
  
  
• Charge overnight using the UMC for any local driving
  
  
• Return - drive 15 miles to Elveden & charge to ~100%
• Another 30 min top up back to 95% at Keele Northbound
• Arrive home with around 60%

The final stop at Keele is unnecessary but I like the break.

 

[Roy W.]

Sorry, can you explain terms, please? I am assuming dual carriageway = 2 lanes each direction, therefore 75% single lanes = lower driving speeds = greater economy. Is that right? And "carriageway"? Are you competing for space with carriages? I guess we have that in Amish country here. (I was born in England but haven't been back since I was 3 months old, so I have to start learning the terms before I come back for a visit!)

Yes, you’re spot on. The terms “dual carriageway” and “single carriageway” are widely used in the U.K., and I think you’re also right with the etymology - originating when the roads were used by a horse and carriage.

For the equivalent American terms I believe you’re looking at:

Dual Carriageway = Divided Highway
Single Carriageway = Undivided Highway

 

[fancealot]

Sorry, can you explain terms, please? I am assuming dual carriageway = 2 lanes each direction, therefore 75% single lanes = lower driving speeds = greater economy. Is that right? And "carriageway"? Are you competing for space with carriages? I guess we have that in Amish country here. (I was born in England but haven't been back since I was 3 months old, so I have to start learning the terms before I come back for a visit!)

Yes you are correct,
Single Carriageway - Regular roads around towns speed limits ranging from 20-60mph.
Dual carriageway - Usually has a speed of 40-70mph depending on location.

 

[LukeUK]

I've been in this situation over the last few months.

My current commute is 198 miles. I do this on a Monday morning and a Friday night. I can charge for free overnight whilst I'm away, but not at work.

In the summer, I could leave with 95% or 100%, drive to work, drive about 5-6 miles at lunch time, drive to the hotel and start charging from about 22%, ish.

When it was cold about two weeks ago, the trip energy graph did not look good. I started with 92%, did the same journey and arrived at the charger at 11%. Since then, I've charged at 11 kW for 20 mins or so at the services I regularly stop at on the way down, which is enough to make it to the hotel with > 20 %.

It will be interesting to see how it goes as it gets colder. I could divert to a supercharger, but this would mean changing my current stop-off point.

 

[M3-Newbie]

Any drives I do of any great length take me past a few super chargers so I just tailor my stops to be there pop it on charge as long as I feel and then cruise on - I’m never under time pressure on my drives and allow plenty of time - I’d much rather stop for 15/20 mins I didn’t need and get a great boost in battery percent than risk an issue! I always arrive with 20%+ range - the route planner often suggests arriving with 5% but I could never handle that!

a bit like if the baby sleeps you sleep - I do if I eat or need a restroom stop - the car charges!

I got to Carlisle with 18 % once on way to the hospital where carpark had no charger and it was cold so I got a tonne of messages to charge urgently - the car was really new and my first EV so I was super relieved to get home and get it on charge!

 

[Yachtsman]

I regulatly travel to see family in Berkshire a 135 mile trip of mainly motorways & have made the return journey (9% remaining) without charging en route. It was several degrees warmer then so now I top up to 85% at a nearby supercharger which gives me plenty of riggle room for pottering about. I usually start the journey with 90-95% and cruise at 70 -75mph where possible.
Prior to covid 19 we spent 10 or 12 weekends away at sporting events spread throughout the uk and far enough to warrent 1 or 2 nights stay. It will be interesting to see how I get on when the events return & I have to plan my routes based on availability of chargers.