Driving long distances with an electric car: misery or magic?

There is a lot of discussion about how easy it is to travel long distances by electric car. Is an electric motor a reasonable alternative to driving a combustion engine when you go, say, on your mountain trek?

What does that actually mean? Is it an option for those of us who lie down and train up and down the mountains several times a season?

I accepted the assignment from Markus Berggren, editor-in-chief of Högsta Växeln, which read roughly like this: “You who drive up and down all the time, you are exactly the right target group for Audi, with limited technical competence to say the least, and who are known to be clumsy. Could you please Imagine switching to all-electric during a trip and driving back and forth in an Audi Q8?”

“Yes. If only we had a simpler fee school first!? And that we install all the apps. Last but not least, you have to be on standby. Because I don’t want to be standing by the way.”

He said and did.

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From a diesel taxi to an electric car

So I will refrain from driving my Mercedes GLE 350de – a decent fast German locomotive.

The GLE 350de is a plug-in hybrid where the diesel takes over after 8-9 miles and then one takes up to Åre on a single tank. Something, including a shorter pit stop, usually takes six hours from Stockholm.

This time I was going to drive a fat car Audi Q8 Sportback e-tron with all-wheel drive – that is, one electric motor per axle.

In other words, another high-quality fast German locomotive – so densely equipped that the final bill remains around 1.3 million crowns. Anyone who wants to read more about the car itself can click on the links below.

The flight took place in the most difficult conditions for an electric car. Except it wasn’t too cold outside.

We set off from Stockholm on a Maundy Thursday just after lunch, which is not something an experienced mountain traveler does, because you’re sure to end up in a hurry.

Then you know you will slowly travel between Gävle and Tönnebro with a number of waiting stops as you are now starting to drive in a single lane on a stretch; In order to prevent insane overtaking on this three-lane stretch with wires as spacers between directions.

An experienced mountain driver leaves too early or too late. In either case, you can drive quickly and at the same time safely.

Help from all sides

With the support of Markus Berggren and the chief mechanic editorial staff – Gustav Grebenloff Carlberg – I was prepared with information, if a little nervous as I determined where I was going as navigator.

From the start to a total of 64 miles, the navigator recommended 3 stops, even though the Audi site says the Q8 55 etron I tested should climb 60 miles.

But the promised battery range can be likened to the returns your financial advisor promises. very limited.

The question was how long the trip would take. Will the queues be long? Have I been driving around looking for charging stations late at night with noisy kids in the backseat? My fears came true.

Anyone who has driven an electric car for a while quickly learns that there are three conditions that greatly affect range, namely: how fast you accelerate, how fast you drive, and how cold it is outside.

It’s about driving in moderation to save battery – no reason to fuel up, especially after lunch on Maundy Thursday when the average is still under a hundred when everyone else is out.

It’s not easy when it’s hard

The first test of patience took place on the Uppsala to Gävle section, which was designed for a significantly higher average speed.

But the tagline “Quiet and Gentle” had us flinching. It’s time for the first charge according to the vehicle’s instructions. Because we will drive risk free. There I began to experiment with Kafka.

The first charge was supposed to take place at Max. But we got it, because it was full in there. Gustav pointed out that the application says that there will be a charger hundreds of meters away at an Audi dealership, as well as a charging station. We drove there.

None of the apps we downloaded worked. Sighing, I downloaded another app, which also required me to deposit money.

tAgree that 200px will suffice. Charging still cannot start. Now the mood in the backseat is starting to shift from bewilderment to teenage annoyance. 200 SEK poorer and no charge, I called Gustav.

Gustaf tip: go to Gävlebro where they have a bunch of Tesla chargers and they charge quickly. And he is close. it was right. But there was a queue for chargers. The guys out there are now starting to question large parts of my person.

Gustav delivers

Next Gustaf tip: It’s close to McDonalds where chargers are available. And it was only fitting that they had bad cream – 50 kW versus the required 150 kW.

Yes, you understand what happens at load time. To save time, there was a free option on the menu with a side of sugar. So in short perspective, the mood has been lifted to a tolerable degree.

After about 30 minutes of charging, we continued towards Tönnebro. We’d take the inner route – a good choice when you don’t have to drive the short distance anyway. And back about 45 minutes compared to the outer route over Sundsvall and Östersund.

The hybrid route is to drive to Hudiksvall and from there to the inner road via Ljusdal. There are also Chargers at Max and Burger King. The trick to flexible solutions is to stop charging time with junk food.

in slow motion

The Gävle – Tonnebro stretch was as bad as feared. Two main queues at lane closures.

A wise choice from a safety point of view, and also to reduce the risk of really long queues that can occur in the event of accidents on this road, which is most affected when the road is heavily pressurized.

The mood turned upside down and froze to the bottom. With comments like: “What are you doing. You know you’re either leaving too early or too late. Damn bachelorette!”

“Yes, but we do consumer journalism now.”

“Can’t you do that when you go by yourself?!”

Then we push through beautiful Hälsingland, and as we approach Lill Babs Järvsö, the Audi tells us it’s time to recharge.

This time in the charming Järvsöbaden guesthouse, six chargers are set up, which deliver up to 150kW, something you really want if you’re not going to stay for long.

It’s a shame we managed to beat the burgers, because otherwise the environment and the food provided by the guesthouse dining room is well worth the stop.

Planning, planning, planning

Let’s already say that making an electric car ride as enjoyable as possible takes a lot more planning than thundering with a combustion engine. At least the first time you drive the distance. It cannot be stressed enough.

Then the journey towards Åre enters a more monotonous phase via a country road lined with pine trees. We’re talking about 84, through 296 to 83. As we passed the elegant Rätansbygden, Audi said it was time for the next charging station.

In cross-country skiing in Makkah Sarna. Now it’s dark. And here I’ve been wandering around for a while looking for Tesla chargers.

Slightly hidden from the road on an unlit plane is not easy to find, but the white Chargers are finally being seen.

After much back and forth

Then take over the last stop. and through Matar when we reach re after eleven hours of travel. Thus, the duration of the trip is about 70 percent longer than a well-planned trip using the combustion engine. For the sake of balance it must be added that there is a certain amount of learning in the journey.

The ride home was much smoother. Then we started a little earlier. Eight o’clock and on Friday when traffic is normal. Here we successfully pass two charging stations.

No waiting lists. But we pushed down at a top speed of around 110 km/h. The completion time was eight hours, 25 percent longer than normal.

Long trips by electric car are easier said than done

Conclusion: Driving an electric car for longer distances is possible. You must be prepared for it to take a little longer.

It requires more planning. Because you probably don’t expect the charging infrastructure to improve.

Because the rate of sale of electric cars is higher than the expansion of charging stations. It is likely that this will continue for a long time. Not least because of the challenges facing the Swedish power grid.

So for my part, the hydride will be charged longer. Although the osvur is the best of the times with the batteries getting noticeably better range.

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