By Claire Sylvester
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25 Feb, 2024
Embarking on a long-distance journey in an electric vehicle (EV) is often met with skepticism, fueled by myths of impracticality, range anxiety, and insufficient charging infrastructure. However, our recent trip from Cornwall to Liverpool in our EV not only challenged these misconceptions but also turned out to be an incredibly positive experience. Here's how our journey unfolded and why it's time to stop listening to to people who have no personal experiences of EV travel and to rethink what you think you know about long distance travel with an EV. We set off from our home in Cornwall at 7:30 am with a fully charged battery, ready to tackle the journey ahead. Even after a detour into Wadebridge, by 9:30 am, we still had 45% battery left for our first stop at Exeter Services, where we took advantage of the Tesla Supercharger network. While enjoying breakfast, our EV quickly charged up to 97% and by 10:15 am we was back on the road. The speed and convenience of charging impressed us, and certainly dispelt the myth that EV charging is time-consuming and inconvenient. By 1:10 pm, we arrived at Hilton Park Services with 28% battery remaining. This stop was perfectly timed for lunch, allowing us to recharge both ourselves and the EV, leaving with 95% battery at 1:55 pm. The ease of integrating charging stops with regular breaks felt completely natural and really highlighted the growing accessibility of EV charging points. We reached Liverpool at 4:00 pm with a comfortable 66% battery remaining. Our experience stands in stark contrast to the common myths surrounding EV travel. Range anxiety? A non-issue, as our EV comfortably handled the journey with battery to spare. Charging infrastructure? Far from inadequate, with conveniently located chargers that were quick and easy to use. Time-consuming charges? Not at all, as our charging stops blended with our regular travel breaks. Our journey from Cornwall to Liverpool was not just our first long distance journey in an electric car but it was a genuinely enjoyable experience. The convenience, efficiency, and peace of mind we experienced completely debunked many of the negative stereotypes about EV travel. It's clear that the future of travel is electric, and our journey is just one example of how far EV technology has come. With the right planning and the growing network of charging stations, long-distance travel in an EV is not only possible but also preferable in many respects. One of the most compelling aspects of our journey was the stark difference in costs between travelling in our EV versus what it would have been in our old diesel car. Traditionally, a journey of this length would have consumed a full tank of diesel maybe even more, costing us around £100+. In contrast, the combined cost of home charging before our departure and the use of Superchargers along the way amounted to less than £50. This substantial saving is not just a win for our wallets but also a clear indicator of the economic efficiency of electric vehicles. The cost-effectiveness of EV travel is often overshadowed by upfront purchase prices and perceived inconvenience. However, our experience highlights the long-term savings that can be achieved, not to mention the positive environmental impact of reducing fossil fuel consumption. So, to those still on the fence about electric vehicles, let our adventure from Cornwall to Liverpool dispel some of the negativity that surrounds long distance journeys. long distance travel is possible and isn't as bad as some would let you believe . The world is changing, and so is the way we travel. Driving your electric car will be different, the experience is different, comparing the two journeys isn't like for like, but it is possible and it will save you money (providing you charge from home for most of the time) and with every mile driven in an electric vehicle, we're not just moving forward; we're driving towards a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future. The time to embrace this change is now, and we're excited to see where the road takes us next.