Video blog: Tesla Model S Road Trip

Auto Express editor-in-chief Steve Fowler takes a Tesla Model S over 300 miles on a road trip from LA to Phoenix!

The Tesla Model S is one of the hottest cars of the moment, not least in California. They’re all over the place there - but how usable is the car in real-world situations, especially long-distance trips?

Auto Express’ editor-in-chief Steve Fowler wanted to find out, by taking a Model S from Los Angeles to Phoenix, Arizona to see how well the car copes away from the city (the usual habitat of the electric car).

The trip made use of the Tesla Supercharger network, as well as a US equivalent of the Tesla owners’ power-sharing network we reported on in October.

Watch the full video blog to see how the Tesla Model S fares on the 300-mile road trip.

[Millionsofmyles]

Just a bit of feedback. That static/snow sound between screens in incredibly jarring especially through headphones. Dont put grating noises in videos.

[monk]

Please never use that static transition again! It's terrible!!!

[JustinDiazJokes]

is there anything more obnoxious than static televesion signal transitions? probably not

[mariasalinas]

Everyone complaining on the noise or the color. First of all white is a very common color on the west coast because of how the sun fades the paint job so easily and second he did a good video pointed out alot of detail but all you guys point at was the nicks on this video. It was a GREAT BLOG 👍 Thumbs up

[andylie]

Yohooo, finally a Model S video!! Looking forward to this!

[Esl]

That wind farm is right outside Palm Springs. There is a nice gradual elevation drop around there great for regenning.  LA to Indio (150 miles) is usually as far as I like to drive, pretty much all dessert after that.

[zachsmith]

This is just the most complete car in the world and I absolutely love it. No other car does it better than the tesla.

[TheMuteemChannel]

that static is waaayyy too loud, otherwise good video

[funhappydays]

Unwatchable with that stupid static, shame nice car but get sone professional video help dude

[jonnyedge]

This was really interesting Steve, I especially love the plug share scheme. Shows a lovely community spirit between EV owners.

[tmat]

Great "selfie" video!

The Tesla Model S to me is the best sedan in the world.

[Axelsypkenssmit]

How to make a tesla ugly? Just order one in white

[oisiaa]

OMG! Carl's Jr. is the best! It's the only fast food place I can go into and literally EVERYTHING on the menu looks mouth wateringly amazing. Plus they change it up all the time with new items. 

[WanderingSword]

to get anywhere close to the advertised range, you need to drive the car without passengers, go extremely easy on the "gas pedal", and turn off all AC and radio.  If you carry a full load of passengers, with the AC and stereo on, and you give it a few good accerlations of joy, you'd be lucky to get 100-120 mile range.  Tesla is a neat car for the rich green tree huggers from Norcal and Socal

[BM_PAZ]

It's well known in the UK that the average mileage of vehicles is around 12-15k per year. As that averages about 1k per month it just goes to show that most people wouldn't have a problem with an electric vehicle as they just don't drive far enough to use a full charge and a simple plug in at home in the evening is surely more convenient than going to fill up at a station. I personally do around 40k miles per year and even doing all that, I would never use a full charge in one day so the ability to plug it in every night would actually save me time. By that logic the inconvenience argument only applies to the minority of drivers who actually do long distance drives in one go.

[Macintsoh]

You were right, the Tesla Model S P85D does do 0-60mph in 3.2sec

[paulanderson]

I agree about the static transitions but enough has been said.

This is actually a very good and informative video.

I've driven a P85+ (UK) a year ago and it's seriously impressive. Hard to fathom that this company hasn't been making luxury cars for 60 years or more.

I don't actually like the interior hugely (dashboard air vents are my big issue) but the large screen, which looks ungainly in this and every other video/picture is nowhere near as unpleasant in real life.

The performance is every bit as quick as Steve points out.

Am I interested in buying one? Yes. The problem is that I don't have anything like the £70, 000 to do so. Otherwise I would be ordering now.

[Frost]

Didnt happen to get those glasses from Lincoln did you? I did. :) Would have a Tesla though!

[kamillusdelellis]

Ey - Maui Jim sunglasses! Great taste! ;)

[MrJobwelldone]

I think this is the perfect car. Great price, great specs, lol only thing is... theres no door pockets in the front! ( who cares tho ) BUT the frunk makes up for that!