From Berlin’s Tesla Gigafactory to Spain: The Challenge Is On
It all kicked off at Tesla’s massive Gigafactory outside Berlin. The contenders: not one but two electric cars—a Model Y Long Range RWD and a Model 3 Highland Long Range—embarking on a marathon road trip to Madrid. Every 125 to 185 miles (that’s roughly 200–300 km), the teams had to stop for a recharge. These charging breaks weren’t just technical necessities—they turned into coffee runs or classic motorway rest-stop moments. In fact, more than once, the Teslas were charged and ready to go before the journalists had a chance to finish their breakfast. Take that, breakfast burrito!
How the Experiment Worked
Tesla’s onboard navigation was running the show, steering the drivers toward fast-charging Supercharger stations, but also including other public chargers along the way. To make things fair (well, as fair as possible), they simulated the exact same journey using a gas car (averaging 33.6 mpg or 7 liters/100 km) and a diesel (averaging about 42.8 mpg or 5.5 liters/100 km). For the price comparison, the team stuck to the official European Union average prices at the time—no special deals or Black Friday discounts here.
The Real Winners and Surprises
When they rolled into Madrid, calculators were whipped out. The verdict? Diesel came out on top for the penny-pinchers: it cost about €53 (about $57) less than fast-charging a Tesla, and a whopping €136 (about $147) less than filling up a gas car over the same route. If you’re chasing the cheapest way to cruise from Northern Europe to the Spanish capital—and to do it quickly—diesel is still unbeatable when it comes to the combination of time and money.
One journalist from the group summed up the experience with a wink: “While with the Tesla we were watching the kilowatt-hours climbing on the display, with diesel we’d have had time for just one fuel stop and then straight on to Madrid.”
What’s the Takeaway?
So, long distance is still diesel country when it comes to pure speed and cost-efficiency. But it’s not all doom and gloom for electric fans: with careful route planning and by using cheaper nighttime charging rates, the gap between diesel and electric shrinks quite a bit.
In the end, what do drivers care about most? For some, it’s all about speed and non-stop mileage. For others, saving money (and maybe savoring an extra coffee break at the charger) takes priority. And let’s not forget those who see sustainability as their number one concern.
In a market bursting with options, having a choice is the real win.
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.
