How reliable is Tesla's Autopilot on a road trip?

Tesla's Autopilot (traffic-aware cruise control) is excellent for long stretches of motorway driving, significantly reducing driver fatigue. However, it requires constant steering wheel input and is not recommended for winding mountain roads or in adverse weather conditions due to safety concerns.

What is the real-world range of a Tesla Model 3 in cold and wet weather?

In adverse conditions like torrential rain and freezing temperatures in Scotland, the Tesla Model 3 Long Range's actual range dropped significantly, closer to 200 miles, compared to its advertised 329 miles. This unpredictability can lead to range anxiety during long trips.

Are Tesla charging stations readily available throughout Scotland?

While Tesla Superchargers are common in England and southern Scotland, they become scarce in the northern parts. This often necessitates relying on third-party charging networks, which can be slower, require advance registration with physical cards, and may not always be reliable.

How long does it typically take to charge a Tesla Model 3 on a long road trip?

A full charge at a Tesla Supercharger can take about an hour. However, relying on third-party slower chargers, especially if fast chargers aren't working, can extend charging times to several hours, significantly impacting sightseeing plans.

Is it cheaper to road trip in an electric car like the Tesla Model 3 compared to a petrol car?

For this 1400-mile trip, the total charging cost for the Tesla Model 3 was £126.39. This was only slightly cheaper than the estimated £135.40 cost for a 2011 Nissan Note running on diesel, suggesting the savings might not be substantial, especially with potentially higher third-party charging costs.

What are the downsides of the Tesla Model 3's interior for passengers?

While comfortable with one or two passengers in the back, three adults in the rear can find it quite uncomfortable, especially on longer journeys. The raised seating position due to the battery pack can lead to hip flexor and lower back pain for those on the sides.

Did the Tesla Model 3's sound system perform well on the road trip?

The sound system is generally good, but on motorways with rain and other cars, the road noise can be quite loud, making it difficult to hear music or podcasts at lower volumes. You often need to turn the volume up significantly (around 80) to overcome the noise.

Key Moments

1400 MILE Road Trip in the Tesla Model 3

Ali Abdaal

Education4 min read25 min video

Dec 6, 2020|249,855 views|6,824|566

Ali Abdaal Ali abdal tesla roadtrip tesla review tesla model 3 new tesla model 3 tesla model 3 performance tesla model 3 review tesla model x tesla model 3 interior tesla model 3 autopilot

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Key Moments

TL;DR

Tesla Model 3 road trip review: comfortable driver seat, amazing autopilot, but range anxiety and charging issues in Scotland.

Key Insights

The Tesla Model 3 offers a comfortable driver's seat with electronic adjustments and saved profiles, though rear passengers may experience discomfort, especially with three in the back.

Autopilot functions as a traffic-aware cruise control, significantly reducing driver fatigue on long, straight roads and in traffic, but requires occasional steering wheel input to remain active.

Range anxiety is a significant concern, particularly in adverse weather conditions like wind and rain, where the actual range can be considerably less than advertised, impacting trip planning and confidence.

Charging infrastructure in Scotland is less developed than in England, with a reliance on third-party chargers that often require pre-registration, physical cards, and can be slow, leading to significant delays.

While quiet at low speeds, road noise in the Tesla Model 3 on motorways is comparable to a traditional internal combustion engine car, requiring higher volume for audio entertainment.

Despite the challenges, the shared experience of overcoming charging difficulties and range anxiety created a bonding experience for the group, making the trip memorable, albeit not stress-free.

INITIAL CONCERNS AND OVERALL EXPERIENCE

Before embarking on a 1400-mile road trip to the Scottish Highlands, the author had reservations about the Tesla Model 3's suitability for long journeys, particularly regarding charging convenience, battery range, and overall comfort. The trip, undertaken in torrential rain and freezing weather with five people, proved to be a unique and eventful experience, highlighting both the strong points and drawbacks of the electric vehicle for extended travel.

COMFORT, ACCELERATION, AND AUTOPILOT FUNCTIONALITY

The Tesla Model 3 excels in driver comfort, with seats described as sofa-like, featuring electronic controls, lumbar support, and saved driver profiles. However, passengers, especially those in the rear and middle seats, can experience discomfort due to limited legroom and angled seating positions, leading to back pain on long journeys. The acceleration is notably powerful, with a 'chill' mode offering a smoother ride, while 'standard' mode provides exhilarating bursts of speed. Autopilot, functioning as traffic-aware cruise control, is a game-changer for long stretches of motorway driving, reducing fatigue significantly, though it necessitates periodic steering wheel interaction.

THE PERILS OF RANGE ANXIETY IN ADVERSE CONDITIONS

Range anxiety is a pervasive issue, amplified by challenging weather. The advertised 329-mile range of the long-range Model 3 was significantly reduced to around 200 miles in Scotland's windy, freezing, and rainy conditions. The car's navigation predictions for remaining battery life were sometimes unreliable, creating stress about reaching the next Supercharger. This forced the occupants to conserve battery by using heated seats instead of the main heating, a constant juggling act between comfort and range, which is a concern not present in traditional petrol or diesel cars.

CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE AND RELATED HASSLES

While the Tesla Supercharger network is robust in England, it becomes sparse in northern Scotland. This necessitated reliance on third-party charging networks, which presented significant challenges. Unlike the seamless Supercharger experience, these often required advance registration, physical cards, and could offer very slow charging speeds (e.g., 6 kWh), turning quick stops into multi-hour waits. Even Supercharger stations could experience queues, as seen at Edinburgh Airport, where waiting for a charging spot added further delays and uncertainty to the trip.

PASSENGER EXPERIENCE AND IN-CAR ENTERTAINMENT

The passenger experience, particularly for those in the rear, is less ideal than for the driver. While rear seats are heated and offer USB-C charging, the battery pack's placement results in higher knee positions, potentially causing hip flexor and lower back pain. Road noise on motorways, contrary to expectations of an EV's quietness, is substantial and comparable to ICE cars, requiring high volumes for audio content. However, the large central screen offers a valuable distraction during charging stops, providing access to YouTube and Netflix, enhancing the downtime if connectivity is available.

COMPARISON TO TRADITIONAL CARS AND BONDING EXPERIENCE

Ultimately, the road trip, while less convenient than it might have been in a petrol or diesel car due to charging and range concerns, was perceived as more fun and a significant bonding experience for the group. The shared adversity of dealing with the rain, range anxiety, and charging struggles created memorable moments and strengthened camaraderie. While the author enjoyed the experience of driving the Tesla, he suspects future trips with the group might lean towards more comfortable, conventional vehicles like SUVs, despite the unique appeal of the electric journey.

Mentioned in This Episode

●Products

●Software & Apps

Tesla Model 3 Road Trip Dos and Don'ts

Practical takeaways from this episode

Do This

Use 'Acceleration Chill' mode for smoother driving.

Utilize Autopilot on long, straight motorway stretches.

Conserve battery by using heated seats instead of full AC.

Plan charging stops in advance, especially in less populated areas.

Consider carrying an extension cable for potential overnight charging at Airbnbs.

Use the large infotainment screen (YouTube, Netflix) to make charging stops more enjoyable.

Embrace unexpected challenges as potential bonding experiences.

Avoid This

Don't rely solely on the car's advertised range in adverse weather conditions.

Don't expect Autopilot to be suitable for winding mountain roads with steep drops.

Don't assume third-party chargers will work seamlessly; research and register in advance.

Don't overestimate the availability of charging spots, especially at busy locations.

Don't expect a significantly quieter cabin than a traditional car on motorways.

Don't expect electric cars to be hassle-free for long road trips without thorough planning.

Charging Cost Comparison: Tesla Model 3 vs. Nissan Note

Data extracted from this episode

Trip Component	Tesla Model 3 Cost	Nissan Note Cost	Difference
Total Charging Cost (1400 miles)	£126.39	£135.40	£-9.01 (Tesla cheaper)

Common Questions

As a driver, the Tesla Model 3 is generally comfortable with supportive seats and electronic controls. However, some drivers may experience lower back pain after prolonged periods. Passengers in the back can be uncomfortable if there are three people, especially if they are tall, due to limited legroom caused by the battery pack.

Topics

Human Performance Technology & Innovation Electric Vehicles Charging Infrastructure Road Trip Planning EV Range Car Technology Long Distance Driving Travel Challenges

Mentioned in this video

Products

Tesla Model 3

The car used for the 1400-mile road trip to the Scottish Highlands, reviewed for its comfort, acceleration, autopilot, range, and charging experience, especially in adverse weather conditions.

Nissan Note

The speaker's previous car, used as a point of comparison for fuel costs and overall road trip hassle, which was found to be only slightly more expensive than the Tesla Model 3 for this trip.

Nissan Leaf

Mentioned as another electric vehicle whose owner suggested the need for a specific EV charging card to access fast chargers in Scotland.

Companies

Land Rover

Mentioned as a potential alternative vehicle for future road trips, suggesting a preference for a more comfortable 4x4 over an electric car given the previous experience.

YouTube

An entertainment platform available on the Tesla's large screen, used during charging stops to pass the time.

Locations

Scottish Highlands

The destination of the 1400-mile road trip, characterized by torrential rain, freezing weather, and challenging terrain which significantly impacted the car's range and charging experience.

Edinburgh Airport

An example location where the Tesla experienced a supercharger queue, highlighting issues with limited charging spots and waiting times.

Skye

The island in Scotland where the slow charging speeds prevented planned sightseeing.

Inverness

A city in Scotland where the lack of superchargers north and west of it forced the reliance on a less reliable third-party charging network.

Software & Apps

Google Maps

Used by the Tesla's navigation system to estimate remaining battery by destination, though its projections were found to be unreliable in adverse conditions.

Media

Netflix

A streaming service accessible on the Tesla's infotainment screen, providing entertainment during inconveniently long charging stops.