Ever wondered if owning an electric vehicle means sacrificing convenience? Well, one Tesla Model Y owner decided to put that question to the test, and the results might surprise you. He wanted to see just how much charge his car could gain during a typical coffee run. It's a simple experiment, but the implications are huge for anyone considering making the switch to an EV.
This Tesla owner, Daniel from the MyTeslasUK YouTube channel, heard the common complaint: electric vehicles are inconvenient unless you charge at home. But here's where it gets controversial... He decided to challenge this idea using the most relatable errand of all: a Starbucks run.
He pulled into a Supercharger with 85 miles of range remaining, noted the time – 11:07 am – and plugged in. Then, he did what anyone would do: he headed straight for Starbucks, queue and all. The key was to see how much charge the car gained while he waited for his coffee.
And this is the part most people miss... The results were truly eye-opening. When Daniel returned to his car at 11:20 am, a mere 13 minutes later, the screen displayed a surprising number. His Model Y had jumped from 85 miles to 168 miles, adding a whopping 83 miles of range.
He was pleasantly surprised, realizing that this quick top-up provided enough range for his 40-mile round-trip commute, plus extra for any evening errands. He even speculated that if he'd taken a bit longer, perhaps grabbing a snack or using the restroom, the car might have gained even more range, potentially reaching nearly 200 miles.
The beauty of this experiment? It wasn't optimized in any way. A regular work morning, a short queue at Starbucks, and a surprisingly significant charge. For Daniel, this quick charge debunked the myth that public EV charging is inconvenient. He proved that even a brief stop can provide a substantial boost, making everyday EV life far more practical than many realize.
What do you think? Does this change your perception of EV ownership? Do you agree or disagree with the idea that public charging is inconvenient? Share your thoughts in the comments!
