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“That’s correct arse-hole parking,” says the Tesla Mannequin 3 proprietor as he stares – bewildered – at our Porsche Taycan blocking three Tesla superchargers.
He’s not mistaken. It’s arse-hole parking. However we didn’t have a selection.
A Taycan’s DC cost port is behind the entrance left wheel, and Tesla chargers are designed for Teslas to again into place and recharge at their rear-mount ports.
Since some Tesla superchargers now permit different EVs – like our Porsche – to cost, that is one thing of an issue. We’ve needed to arse-hole park to make it work, blocking entry to Tesla homeowners. Like our pissed off new mate.
However that is all advantageous. It’s one other EV charging studying expertise for my street journey associate, who has simply purchased his first electrical automobile and – in solely half a day – has already been uncovered to vary anxiousness, damaged chargers, charger queueing, signing as much as each conceivable charging app, and the perils of no telephone reception to provoke charging.
You recognize, all of the crap that Aussie EV homeowners (and we journalist street testers) nonetheless endure years after the electrical revolution started.
The pre-loved Porsche discount
It’s my accountant who has purchased the used Porsche Taycan, not me. There’s a lesson there, children. Research finance, not motoring journalism, if you wish to have good issues.
I’ve come alongside to assist with the shopping for/promoting bit (I’m a automobile particular person) because it’s relocating from NSW to QLD, and my accountant – let’s name him Alan – doesn’t understand how all this public charging stuff works. It’s a street journey of 1066km, and that is what we each discovered…
For starters, the Porsche Taycan is a bloody marvel of a car. I’ve beforehand written it’s one of the best EV obtainable, if not one of the best worth. The fashion, journey high quality, efficiency, dealing with, dashboard structure and cabin supplies all really feel correctly Porsche.
It’s splendidly driver focussed, and also you get a fizz of pleasure and expectation each time you see the badge. It simply feels particular.
It’s about $195,000 to drive-away the most cost effective Taycan RWD with zero choices picked. As if any self-respecting Porsche purchaser does that. Most drop nicely into an additional five-figures on the Porsche configurator, and you’ll dip into six figures additional if you happen to get set off glad.
Alan’s purchased his 5600km year-old Taycan RWD for $165,000, and should pay one other $6500 stamp responsibility. Hardly discount basement, however actually, that is mainly a model new automobile. The primary proprietor, for no matter motive, merely hasn’t used it.
However stand by. Stated first proprietor was the form of chap who didn’t wish to wait two years for his bespoke ordered Taycan, so he purchased this highly-specc’d one off the showroom flooring to swerve the ready listing.
Choices? Seems to be to be round $50,000’s value.
First up is the all-important longer-range Efficiency Battery Plus ($12,020). Over a smaller battery Taycan RWD (79.2kWh vs 93.4kWh) this lifts most energy from 240kW to 280kW (300kW/350kW with launch management overboost) and torque from 345Nm to 357Nm. Acceleration’s a fast sufficient 5.4-seconds to 100km/h.
And simply take a look at it. What a color scheme. There’s Crayon paint ($5000), body-coloured 21-inch Mission E Design wheels ($11,400), Porsche Floor Coasted Brakes with white callipers ($6250), SportDesign facet skirts ($1970) and black door launch levers ($500).
Chuck in a panoramic roof ($3370), Sports activities Chrono pack ($2360), adaptive sports activities seat improve ($800), 4+1 seats ($1000), seat heating ($910), ambient lighting ($890) and Porsche’s electrical sport sound ($1050) and it’s a vibrant invoice.
However for Alan, it actually qualifies as a status EV used discount for one thing on this worth bracket, adhering to our article itemizing the latest mighty depreciation seen for increased finish EV consumers.
Highway journey and charging challenges
We depart Sydney at 2pm having executed the deal. Monies paid, we’re heading north away from the Huge Smoke.
Within the subsequent 13 hours of driving we’ll journey over 1000km – a few fifth of what this semi-virginal Taycan’s lined within the first 12 months of its life.
Economic system? We common 20.8kWh/100km over 1066km at a median velocity of 85km/h. Porsche’s official financial system determine is 26.2kWh/100km, which has at all times appeared pessimistic. Sydney-driving apart, we’re not often city working, the place EVs are at their finest. For us to see below 21kWh/100km when the majority of the driving was 110km/h on the freeway is bloody spectacular.
We cease first in Karuah after two hours, 168km and consumption of 19.4kwh/100km. It’s a 350kW NRMA charger, however the Porsche solely takes a most of 150kW right here, little doubt because of the two 50kW chargers beside additionally getting used. Glad days we snared the quick one.
It’s Alan’s first stab at DC charging and he’s skilled the primary hiccup. The NRMA charger’s display is clean, so it’s solely the automobile that provides us charging data as we replenish. Curiously, on the Chargefox app, it states: ‘Station proprietor conscious display is broken – Upkeep booked 19/01’. We’re right here 5 days after stated upkeep was booked in, so I clarify to Alan that is typical EV charging life in Australia.
We begin with 146km vary (35% battery) at 4.21pm, and end 26 minutes later with 368km (88% battery) having drawn 48.13kWh. It’s price us $29.12. Alan additionally now is aware of we don’t cost to 100% at a public charger whereas others are ready. Cost velocity plummets and we’re being good EV residents.
Three hours and 281km later we’re charging once more, this time an Evie 350kW charger at Dawkins Park. Now we’re getting someplace. The Taycan’s cost velocity signifies 256kW right here. We begin with 57km vary (16%) at 7.39pm, and after a Battered Canine – meals, apparently – from the servo (the restaurant was closed), half-hour later we’re at 349km vary (87%).
Subsequent morning, Alan’s fairly happy with life. Loves his new Taycan and the charging’s been comparatively pain-free. He’s even made the legitimate level that stopping for half an hour to cost ought to imply extra household time the place you sit, chat and admire the view. I inform him attempt that on the roof of a closed buying centre, or in an unlit automobile park in a nasty a part of city. Charging stations should not created equal.
True to type, our charging woes start on day two. We’d focused a 350kW charger at Ballina, however the app’s telling us it’s out of service. Bugger.
We divert to a 75kW charger at West Ballina BP, and arrive to seek out we’re not the one ones who’ve executed so. When one charger goes down, others within the neighborhood turn into scorching property.
Comically, one of many two isn’t working. And it’s charging at 25kW. A Polestar 2 proprietor is in heated dialog with an aged woman in a BYD Atto 3, and he or she appears decided to be charging right here some time. He protests, saying he should cost and get to work, however she insists it’s first come first served.
Alan and I resolve to bail. I notice the PlugShare app suggestions exhibits this BP website has been problematic via a lot of January. Gradual charging, sometimes at 25kW, then just one charger functioning. Very poor.
We’re now getting a spread warning within the Taycan. Luckily, I’ve sussed out a Tesla supercharger which is open to different automobiles. Nevertheless it’s a final resort. As soon as we’re there, we’ve no technique of getting to a different public charger because of lack of battery. Alan sweats. I say that is all a part of the sport.
Fortunately we handle to cost at Tesla’s playground, and it’s the place we’re pressured into the arse-hole parking transfer. Alan tries signing up for Tesla’s charging app, however for no matter motive his telephone can’t get reception. If it weren’t for my pre-existing account and my telephone having a slither of reception, we’d have been in all types of bother.
We begin with 9% battery and simply 35km vary. An hour later we’ve taken on 70kWh however at a painful $0.85/kWh – a $60 fill-up. Now I see why Alan’s app/fee wasn’t working. He’s a finance man, and this was a super time to lose telephone reception. I resolve to maintain such a money-savvy chap as my accountant.
After 1000km we’re 60km south of our vacation spot however want one remaining fill-up. It’s an Evie 350kW charger, and as soon as once more we’re pressured to take up two parking areas for the cost cable to achieve. It takes simply 35 minutes to attract 57.4kWh, and the Taycan’s now fortunately at 96% cost.
We’ve not suffered absolute charging nightmares, so Alan’s introduction to EV possession has been primarily constructive. He’s additionally managed to snare a one-year complimentary Chargefox subscription for public charging, as the unique proprietor by no means took up the provide from new. Very unusual.
The Taycan RWD proved a chic long-distance cruiser. It could be the entry-level Taycan, however good grief for on a regular basis use there’s greater than sufficient efficiency.
Journey high quality’s excellent on the freeway, as is street noise suppression within the beautifully-appointed inside. It’s a particular automobile, and appears standout in its new tropical Noosa residence.
That 20.8kWh/100km common over 1066km (primarily at excessive velocity) is spectacular certainly. Alan experiences it’s averaging within the 19s now its duties are primarily decrease velocity city based mostly.
He’s chopped in his Merc-AMG GLC 43, declaring it: “Previous, sluggish and never very responsive.” Another EV convert it appears, and what a automobile to do it in.
Proper. How do I signal as much as turn into an accountant?
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