300 mile drive home in I3S, advice?
300 mile drive home in I3S, advice?
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gareth h

Original Poster:

4,275 posts

258 months

I’m picking up my first EV an I3S from East London tomorrow and driving it 300 miles home to Pembs, any advice on how low I should run the battery before charging, if I push it I might get away with one charge, is this sensible?
TIA

66HFM

871 posts

53 months

I think the one main thing I'd ask is that it is fully charged before you leave!

Maracus

4,552 posts

196 months

Personally I would stop twice, maybe Reading Services and Celtic Manor as both have Open to all Tesla Superchargers.


padrc66

46 posts

163 months

I have done a lot of long journeys in an i3S over the last 4 years. I'm based near Cardiff and have travelled to Glasgow, Edinburgh and Stuttgart amongst others - this is my advice (for what it's worth!):

I would assume 120-130 miles as a safe range without having to worry - once you're on a long trip it doesn't really matter if you stop 1, 2 or 3 times as long as you don't have to deviate too far off route, you're putting the same amount of total charge in and each stop will just be shorter. Also, charging slows down above 90-95% on an i3 so no point in waiting for that unless you have to.

I would always try to use Tesla rapid chargers - they're a bit cheaper and just tend to work first time. Install the Tesla app and set up a payment card and it should be seamless.

If using Tesla chargers, be careful if they are busy as they now charge you an overstay fee if you charge above 80% - annoying on an i3 as it will hold full speed until about 92% unlike other EVs but not a problem if you just stop more often for less time.

For your route, i would stop at the Tesla chargers at Moto services - Reading westbound, Celtic Manor resort, and, if you need it, Bridgend Designer outlet.

Happy to answer any questions and enjoy - best car I've ever owned!


padrc66

46 posts

163 months

cross post - great minds and all that!!

gareth h

Original Poster:

4,275 posts

258 months

Great advice, thanks chaps