One morning a year ago, I closed the chapter on diesel and threw myself headfirst into the electric unknown with a Tesla Model 3. Fast forward 20,000 kilometers—daily commutes, long trips, all seasons, and a whole lot of well-meaning skepticism later—and I’m officially a driver who’s survived an entire year without a single drop of fuel. Spoiler alert: The engine is dead, long live the battery!
When Doubt Is the Only Thing Running on Fumes
From the moment I shared the news of buying an electric car, the comment section of my life switched to “maximum doubt mode.” Friends assured me I’d be stranded the moment winter hit. Others were convinced I’d turn into a full-time charging station hunter. My sister—still scarred by her not-so-sparkling Renault Zoe experience—insisted range anxiety is just a polite term for everyday panic.
Let’s face it: jumping to electric feels like joining a cult, but one where people ask about your socket preferences.
Real-World Range and Life with a Plug
According to the Ministry of the Environment, the average driver racks up around 36 kilometers each day. With my Tesla’s real-world 400–500 km range, my daily drives are a walk in the park. On longer journeys, Tesla Superchargers and Ionity stations have made range anxiety yesterday’s problem. Within minutes at a charging point, I’m back on the road with hundreds of kilometers restored—hardly enough time to finish a bad coffee.
At first, public charging stations—often at shopping centers, sometimes miraculously free—were my lifeline. After a few months, I installed a wallbox at home. Between €1,200 and €1,600 invested, but the convenience? Priceless. With the 7 kW Tesla Wall Connector, I simply plug in each evening and wake up to a fully charged car. That’s one less thing to think about in the morning, and honestly, who needs more to think about before coffee?
- My nighttime electricity rate: €0.147 per kWh.
- Full battery charge (60 kWh): under €9, for 350–400 km of autonomy.
- Yearly electricity cost for 20,000 km: about €400
- By comparison: €2,500 in diesel for my old DS3.
- Net savings: over €2,000, plus less maintenance, as is typical for electric cars.
Not Always a Smooth Ride (and That’s OK)
I’ve put the Tesla through its paces: snow, torrential rain, gale-force winds. In winter, range drops 15–20%, but pre-heating the battery softens the blow. Have there been hiccups? Oh yes. On a trip to southern France, I encountered not one, not two, but three out-of-service 50 kW stations. I had to fall back on a painfully slow plug. These episodes are rare, but not exactly lovable (especially if waiting isn’t your preferred hobby).
The Verdict After a Year: Gasoline Is History
After twelve months, my conclusion is crystal clear: combustion engines belong to the past. The joy of home charging, smooth driving, and dramatically lowered costs have completely changed my relationship with my car. Sure, the charging network still needs to grow and catch up to our ambitions. But the way forward is obvious.
For me, electric is no longer an experiment. It’s already the present—unexpected hiccups included. And despite those early skeptics and my sister’s dire warnings, my only real regret is not switching sooner. So if you’re still on the fence, consider this a gentle (and fully-charged) nudge: the future is already parked in your driveway; it might just be time to plug it in.
John is a curious mind who loves to write about diverse topics. Passionate about sharing his thoughts and perspectives, he enjoys sparking conversations and encouraging discovery. For him, every subject is an invitation to discuss and learn.
