Long Road Test Reveals Diesel Still Dominates Over Electric Cars for Distance Travel

A team of journalists from Spain set out on a 2,500-kilometer expedition across Europe with the intent to examine the practicality of electric vehicles over long distances. Their route, stretching from Berlin to Madrid, yielded surprising insights. The prevailing view after the trip is that electric cars are not yet ready to fully replace traditional options when prioritizing cost-efficiency and day-to-day usability on long journeys.

Starting Point in Berlin

The expedition kicked off in Berlin with a visit to Tesla’s Gigafactory. The group traveled in two Tesla models: the Model Y Long Range RWD and the Model 3 Highland, both outfitted with extended-range batteries meant for longer travel distances. Their goal was to evaluate how well these electric cars performed in comparison to diesel vehicles, emphasizing real-world costs and functionality during extended drives. Their route crossed multiple European nations, ultimately reaching Madrid, providing plenty of terrain for cost and convenience comparisons.

Assessing True Efficiency on the Road

The challenge they set was clear: cover the set distance in electric cars, pausing every 200–300 kilometers to recharge. This approach enabled them to confront the actual difficulties tied to recharging electric cars within everyday conditions.

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While Tesla’s extensive Supercharger network facilitated much of their recharging, they also experimented with public charging stations outside of Tesla’s ecosystem. At each stop, the team carefully tracked the duration of charging and the electricity expenses.

Despite the impressively rapid charging speed of Tesla Superchargers, the team consistently highlighted a key obstacle: charging times were frequently much longer than the time it takes to refuel a diesel car. This drawback became particularly evident running through zones with fewer or slower charging facilities.

Recharging Costs Favor Diesel

Upon completing their trek, the journalists analyzed costs using data from the European Union’s official fuel price reports. It emerged that charging the Tesla vehicles was markedly more expensive over the entire 2,500 kilometers, amounting to €53.62 more than refueling equivalent diesel cars.

When comparing to gasoline vehicles, the price gap widened further, with electric charging costs exceeding gasoline fares by €136.61. This study clearly highlights a notable consideration for electric vehicle users: while electricity is often promoted as cheaper fuel, in practice, long-distance trips can incur surprising costs—especially when relying on rapid charging like Tesla’s Superchargers.

Charging Infrastructure Challenges

The price of charging was not the only factor affecting the experience; the infrastructure itself played a major role. Although fast-charging options like Superchargers provide speed, they come with higher costs. The journalists noted that using slower, more affordable chargers could save money but would extend overall travel time considerably.

The European charging network remains patchy and evolving. Fast chargers are expanding but at a premium cost, varying widely due to electricity price differences between countries. Their observations suggest that electric vehicle drivers must plan charging stops strategically, balancing charging speed, expense, and convenience for optimal results.

Diesel’s Advantages: Practicality and Time Savings

Despite fuel costs, diesel-powered cars showed clear advantages for long trips. The speed of diesel refueling far exceeded the time required to recharge electric vehicles, a crucial factor given the nature of the journey. Diesel fueling stations are plentiful across Europe, allowing flexible stops without extended delays.

While electric vehicles may offer benefits like lower maintenance costs and environmental advantages over time, the immediate edge provided by diesel's speed and ease of refueling was unmistakable. The team concluded that for long-haul travel, diesel cars are still the go-to choice pending significant improvements in electric vehicle charging infrastructure.