Getting a buzz from this Tesla
IT wasn’t so long ago that the most powerful electric vehicle was the milk float.
But times are changing at a rapid rate with battery technology improving so quickly there’s no question this is the future of motoring.
One company leading the charge is Tesla.
Its futuristic cars are causing plenty of buzz with them even able to beat the fastest of supercars in a straight drag race.
But can a battery-powered car really replace your gas-guzzling family hatchback, especially if you want to head away on a long weekend adventure?
StarTech took delivery of a Tesla Model S 100D and, with our bags packed, went on a 400-mile road trip to see if it could keep us on the move. With the battery filled full of power, it has a mightily impressive range of more than 330 miles.
Tesla has been smart about making sure you’ll never run out of juice with plenty of technology to keep you going.
Inside this car, there’s a giant iPad-like display which replaces the array of buttons and controls you’ll usually find scattered across the dashboard. This screen gives real-time information about charging points and if you’ll make it there with the power that’s left in your battery. There’s also a digital screen behind the wheel which shows how much power you are going through. Once on the road there’s a few ways to add oomph with Tesla offering its Superchargers at a number of locations in the UK.
These mini power stations can boost the battery in minutes with the car going from fully flat to totally full in about an hour.
There’s also something Tesla calls destination chargers.
These are places such as restaurants or hotels where you have a little more time to relax and refill.
There’s also a power lead in the boot which plugs straight into a standard power socket. This is the slowest way of adding juice with 10 hours of charge giving you 70 miles of road time.
The Model S is internet connected, meaning you can always check how fast things are charging from an app on your phone.
Battery cars are still in their infancy and there’s obviously not the same network of filling stations.
We’ve been left surprised by how far you can get on electric power. But there is a sting in the tail... it will set you back £79,000!
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