A group of travelers recently embarked on a 2,500 km road trip across Europe to test the feasibility of long-distance travel in an electric vehicle (EV). Their journey, however, ended in frustration, leading them to declare that diesel remains the superior choice for long-distance travel.
Challenges of the Electric Journey
The team set out with high hopes, eager to experience the benefits of driving an EV over an extended distance. However, they quickly encountered several obstacles:
- Charging Infrastructure Issues: Despite improvements in Europe’s EV charging network, they faced multiple challenges, including malfunctioning chargers, long wait times at high-demand stations, and limited fast-charging options in rural areas.
- Range Anxiety: The EV’s advertised range did not always match real-world performance, especially on highways and in colder conditions, forcing them to stop more frequently than expected.
- Charging Time: Unlike refueling a diesel car, which takes minutes, each charging stop added significant delays to their journey, sometimes requiring up to an hour for a full charge.
The Verdict: Diesel Still Reigns for Long Trips
By the end of the journey, the travelers concluded that while EVs are excellent for city driving and shorter commutes, diesel remains the better choice for long-distance travel. The superior range, faster refueling, and widespread availability of diesel stations made it clear that EVs still have a long way to go before they can fully replace traditional combustion engines for extended road trips.
As EV technology continues to evolve, improvements in battery capacity and charging infrastructure could change this verdict in the future. However, for now, diesel still holds the crown when it comes to hassle-free long-distance travel.
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