To put this in context, I have owned my Model S for 2 years, and we have recently acquired a M3P for Mrs Mead. Had to go to Scotland last weekend, and as my S had a puncture, I had to take the M3P.
Now I completely accept that what ultimately unfolded was of my own making, but the contrast in range loss on the M3P compared to the Model S was disconcerting to say the least.
I set out from Scotland to travel back to Cheshire. Saturday evening, perfect weather conditions sunny and warm. Not sure about wind and direction and maybe it was strong against, considering what was to unfold.
I wanted to make the 260 mile trip with only 1 stop. I had just collected my elderly mother from hospital and wanted to get her back home with minimum charge stops. At Forth Valley Hospital near Falkirk the M3P said 202 miles range. 144 miles to Tebay charger was my plan. 56 miles to spare, no brainer I thought. What could possibly go wrong.
On approach to Gretna Services (last charge possible before Tebay) the car was giving the red warning not enough charge to reach destination without stopping at Gretna. At this point its 48 miles real world to Tebay and the car showing 63 miles. This was where I made my grave error. Extensive experience with my Model S told me there was no way I would ever not make it based on 48 miles and the car showing 63 miles. 15 'spare' miles for a 48 miler. It was unthinkable this could or would ever be a problem in the Model S. I concluded the M3P was being unduly cautious and it wouldn't be a problem. Bad mistake.
With 24 miles to go, the car showed 31 miles left. Still 7 to spare, ease off the speed, it will be ok.
By 12 miles to go the car showed 12 miles left. Really getting worried.
By 9 miles to go the car was showing 7 miles left. This isn't going to end well.
By 5 miles to go the car was showing 0 miles left.
All I can say is that for those of you familiar with the final miles to Tebay travelling South is that it is steep downhill for those last 2 miles. Great relief that was the case, and greater relief to successfully get to Tebay chargers. Around 4-5 miles travelled on 0 miles left. I have no desire to repeat this experience.
Nothing I did seemed to halt the alarming haemmorraging of miles. The last 20 miles were spent at around 50mph but even that didn't seem to help. I think for every 3 miles real world travelled I was losing 4 miles off the GOM. This just would not happen with the S. I've puzzled about what went wrong here (other than my own error of not heeding the charge up warning). Maybe the wind was heavy against, also steep uphill in parts? Finally, the M3P had been acquired during lockdown and all drives so far had been very slow and low Wh consumptions. The real world miles travelled was also very low, so maybe the car hadn't got such a well tuned "history" to draw on, thus contributing to the problem encountered.
Do you have your own "I nearly ran out of charge" story to share?
Now I completely accept that what ultimately unfolded was of my own making, but the contrast in range loss on the M3P compared to the Model S was disconcerting to say the least.
I set out from Scotland to travel back to Cheshire. Saturday evening, perfect weather conditions sunny and warm. Not sure about wind and direction and maybe it was strong against, considering what was to unfold.
I wanted to make the 260 mile trip with only 1 stop. I had just collected my elderly mother from hospital and wanted to get her back home with minimum charge stops. At Forth Valley Hospital near Falkirk the M3P said 202 miles range. 144 miles to Tebay charger was my plan. 56 miles to spare, no brainer I thought. What could possibly go wrong.
On approach to Gretna Services (last charge possible before Tebay) the car was giving the red warning not enough charge to reach destination without stopping at Gretna. At this point its 48 miles real world to Tebay and the car showing 63 miles. This was where I made my grave error. Extensive experience with my Model S told me there was no way I would ever not make it based on 48 miles and the car showing 63 miles. 15 'spare' miles for a 48 miler. It was unthinkable this could or would ever be a problem in the Model S. I concluded the M3P was being unduly cautious and it wouldn't be a problem. Bad mistake.
With 24 miles to go, the car showed 31 miles left. Still 7 to spare, ease off the speed, it will be ok.
By 12 miles to go the car showed 12 miles left. Really getting worried.
By 9 miles to go the car was showing 7 miles left. This isn't going to end well.
By 5 miles to go the car was showing 0 miles left.
All I can say is that for those of you familiar with the final miles to Tebay travelling South is that it is steep downhill for those last 2 miles. Great relief that was the case, and greater relief to successfully get to Tebay chargers. Around 4-5 miles travelled on 0 miles left. I have no desire to repeat this experience.
Nothing I did seemed to halt the alarming haemmorraging of miles. The last 20 miles were spent at around 50mph but even that didn't seem to help. I think for every 3 miles real world travelled I was losing 4 miles off the GOM. This just would not happen with the S. I've puzzled about what went wrong here (other than my own error of not heeding the charge up warning). Maybe the wind was heavy against, also steep uphill in parts? Finally, the M3P had been acquired during lockdown and all drives so far had been very slow and low Wh consumptions. The real world miles travelled was also very low, so maybe the car hadn't got such a well tuned "history" to draw on, thus contributing to the problem encountered.
Do you have your own "I nearly ran out of charge" story to share?