When a group of Spanish journalists embarked on a 2,500-kilometer journey across Europe, their mission seemed clear: test the viability of electric cars on long-distance trips. But after their trek from Berlin to Madrid, the team returned with an unexpected conclusion.
One major factor they couldn’t ignore: the time spent waiting for the vehicles to recharge was often far longer than the time it would take to fill up a diesel car at a fuel station.
When the journey came to an end, the team sat down to crunch the numbers. According to data from the European Union’s official fuel price reports, the costs associated with recharging the Teslas were significantly higher than refueling a diesel vehicle. Over the course of 2,500 kilometers, recharging the electric vehicles cost them €53.62 more than if they had fueled a comparable diesel car. This cost discrepancy grew even more when comparing the electric vehicles to a gasoline car, with the electric vehicles’ total fuel cost exceeding the gasoline vehicle’s by €136.61.
The study underscored a stark reality for electric car enthusiasts: while electric vehicles are often advertised as more affordable to fuel, long-distance trips could incur unexpected costs—particularly if fast-charging options like Tesla’s Superchargers are used.
After Driving 2,500 Kilometers in Electric Car, they Reached an Irrefutable Conclusion: “Diesel” Is Still King on the Road