[Kevin Sharpe]

At the end of the week I'll be embarking on another ~1500 mile trip in the Tesla Roadster from Bath to Nairn in the Scottish Highlands. As usual I'll be avoiding all the government funded and unreliable charging locations, and use ZeroNet exclusively.

While it would be very easy to drive the ~550 mile trip north with just three charging stops, I'm going to make the most of my vacation and visit a number of ZeroNet locations en route, including a significant diversion into The Lake District

Edit: just realised that when I leave on Thursday it will be three year to the day that @dpeilow and I drove End to End in the Tesla Roadster (22nd May 2011)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land's_End_to_John_o'Groats#Motoring

 

[Gonville]

Kevin

Is it possible to have a sticky at the top of this forum to show where to access the locations?, Website, Android, iphone app etc? What is your preferred method of locating a charger for your trip and of detecting its current status?

That would be helpful I think.

 

[Kevin Sharpe]

The trip north is now ~630 miles and includes a couple of meetings and a ZeroNet photo-shoot

The exact timings and overnight stop will be decided by circumstances on the day. The maps represent the three main legs of the trip at 304 miles, 175 miles, and 142 miles.

 

[h8ten]

If you see a white Ampera floating about the Dunfermline to Perth area, it will probably be so so give a wave! If I see a wee blue Tesla I would bet it will be you.

 

[Kevin Sharpe]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/469371389875453952

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/469389362707574784

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/469416754746511360

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/469466094550659072

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/469469728676020224

 

[Graham]

I have to say she looks absolutley gorgeous, the little dog that is, the cars not bad either though,have a good trip.

 

[Kevin Sharpe]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/469481694916272128

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/469484948630802432

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/469569800705146880

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/469570891656204289

 

[Kevin Sharpe]

Day two

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/469748390029713409

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/469749072505876480

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/469753809343115264

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/469801889853620224

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/469886014312689665

 

[Kevin Sharpe]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/469906510701924352

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/469905605587902464

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/469904474711277569

 

[Kevin Sharpe]

Day three

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/470102218537189376

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/470110360939528192

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/470139514166726656

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/470155864977195008

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/470218098151526400

 

[Kevin Sharpe]

arriving at our destination after 708 easy miles and no RFID cards or other silliness

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/470282657843384321

 

[Kevin Sharpe]

our holiday accommodation

http://www.hiddenglen.co.uk/home.html

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/472419266487410689

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/472461681961209856

 

[Kevin Sharpe]

a few holiday snaps

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/471577763695308801

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/471585099545587712

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/471720799494496256

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/472137593883086849

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/472328620758016000

 

[Kevin Sharpe]

The return (part one) - 520 mile drive from Nairn to Eskdale (via West Scotland and Edinburgh)

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/472710580550524928

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/472719297341849600

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/472806576961912832

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/472855381128253440

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/473007972759904256

 

[Paul]

When I read posts like this it makes me realise that as soon as we get a 200m range budget EV that will be it, game over for the ice car.

Certainly should be.

 

[Kevin Sharpe]

The return (part two) - 281 mile drive from Eskdale to Bradford on Avon (via Hardknott Pass and The Moat House Stafford)

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/473373907530301440

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/473452303832600576

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/473492584615387137

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/473550852842872832

 

[Kevin Sharpe]

In total we drove 1509 miles using ZeroNet charging locations only. We consumed 395kWh and the total cost we paid for electricity was £0 (would have cost host locations £59 at 15p per unit).

I have no doubt that cars like the Model S, with longer range and 22kW three phase charging, will make these trips possible for everyone without any dependence on rapid charging

 

[harrisop]

So long as we all have 70000+ pounds to spare

 

[Kevin Sharpe]

So long as we all have 70000+ pounds to spare

yawn... such a boring and predictable argument... FYI the Tesla 60 kWh Model S can do the same trip for £50,280 OTR today... in a year you'll start seeing 2nd user cars for ~£40K which will increase the number of people making EV road trips

 

[Kevin Sharpe]

Not sure if I agree. If you've got no home charging, and can't sit around in a car park for ages waiting for a big refill, surely rapid charging is the only choice your have?

My comments relate to the trip which I've just undertaken where no rapid charging was used... "I have no doubt that cars like the Model S, with longer range and 22kW three phase charging, will make these trips possible for everyone without any dependence on rapid charging"... obviously, if you have a Model S with rapid charging and access to a suitable rapid charger then that would increase the number of options for the driver on a long distance trip in Europe.

For me personally, a little more range and 22kW charging would transform my Roadster ownership experience and make any trip in Europe possible.... once out of warranty those are the two mods I will pursue.