For several months we'd been test-driving various cars – mostly combustion ones from the VAG group, because that's what we're used to. We knew the Octavia's lease would end in 2025, so we started looking for a second car to stand next to our Superb (and that was no ordinary model – 4x4, 2.0 TSI, L&K trim, 280 HP and 0–100 km/h in about 5 seconds). The plan was for the Superb to stay as our long-term main car, and we were looking for something "just in case" – between June and September the Octavia covered a mere 250 kilometres.
During the tests we drove a Cupra Formentor, a fourth-generation Skoda Superb and a second-generation Kodiaq. We were even seriously interested in the Kodiaq, while the new Superb turned out to be not very comfortable, and anyway... why would we need a second Superb? Just for fun we booked a Tesla test drive – we started with the Model Y and later tried the Model 3.
After the very first drive in the Model Y we knew the Formentor, the Kodiaq and the Superb didn't stand a chance. Unfortunately, in its current spec the Y had too little range for us. And this is where the Model 3 Highland came in, which during the test drives offered a satisfying range – around 500 km in the city and around 350 km on a calm motorway drive.
We liked the Model 3 so much that... we gave back the Superb and ordered a Tesla Model 3. It was supposed to replace the Octavia, and in the end it replaced our beloved Superb. After placing the order and sorting out the lease, we got a Model 3 for the weekend for more thorough testing. We drove the base rear-wheel-drive version. What J achieved in that car exceeded my expectations – her typical commute to work in Warsaw, with motorway stretches, and consumption was only 13 kWh/100 km. In the Octavia we did that route at around 6.5–7 l/100 km.
We also checked out the local chargers – how they work, where they're available and where they're not. Interestingly, one of the most expensive chargers in Poland happens to be in our town!
The maths speaks for itself: 6.5 litres x 6 PLN = 39 PLN, while 13 kWh x 2.40 PLN = about 32 PLN. We wanted driving an EV not to be much more expensive than a combustion car – and it isn't. With the Octavia it comes out about the same, but the Superb was already burning around 9 litres/100 km, which is a completely different league.
Our Model 3, however, is the LR AWD, which means higher energy consumption and a different battery. Charging to 80% is recommended so as not to degrade the battery. J charges on an AC charger at work, and otherwise mostly on DC, unless we find an AC charger while shopping – but we value our time.
We'll see how the Tesla does on longer trips. Recently we drove the Octavia to Sopot – with normal driving, fuel consumption was around 8 l/100 km, i.e. a cost of about 48 PLN per 100 km. In November we're going to Sopot again, this time in the Tesla. I wonder if it'll fit within 50 PLN per 100 km? It would need consumption of around 20 kWh/100 km.
Still, we do long trips once every 2–3 months, and most of our driving is short distances of up to 40–50 km, mainly around town. Will the EV turn out more expensive than the ICE? Time will tell.
I'll write more about the looks, extras and other details after we pick up the car – maybe with some photos.