Travelling to Austria on holiday in an electric vehicle
The electric vehicle is not the preferred choice of transportation for many Danes when travelling south for their holidays. But is it actually possible to drive an electric car all the way to the Alps? The answer is clear: Yes, it is.
Can you drive south in an electric vehicle?
The popularity of electric vehicles is growing in Denmark, yet some people remain sceptical about the idea of driving south in one. In reality, however, it is not nearly as challenging as many imagine, and the Birk family's trip to Austria is a testament to that.
The journey covered approximately 1,200 km, with an expected travel time of around 14 hours. Can such a trip be done in an electric vehicle, and what can you learn from their experience?
The battery range is longer than many people think
Many people are convinced that an electric vehicle's battery range is limited to no more than 150–200 km on the motorway and that you need to stop every couple of hours to recharge. They also assume that a trip all the way to the Alps would take far too long. However, depending on your driving needs and driving style, the actual range is often greater than you might expect.
In the Birk family's case, the vehicle's official range was stated to be 600 km on a full charge. In practice, during a cold January, the actual range was between 350 and 380 km, with the cruise control set at 120 km/h on the motorway. Temperature and speed will always affect the range of an electric vehicle, but despite the cold weather and relatively high motorway speed, the Birk family still achieved more than 350 km on a single charge before recharging was necessary.
The breaks are used productively
You can't avoid taking breaks when driving south in an electric vehicle, as the battery will need to be recharged along the way. However, it's all about making productive and enjoyable use of those breaks.
“Our total charging time was around three hours. We spent those three hours together as a family, and it already felt like we were on holiday. We arrived feeling refreshed and well rested, so it was a win-win for everyone. No one in the family even noticed the few extra hours the journey took,” says Martin Birk enthusiastically.
During the daytime, the family used charging breaks to play football with the children and take walks to nearby cafés. At night, they used the charging stops to get some rest and take a short nap, which was a key reason why everyone arrived at their destination feeling fresh and well rested.
“It’s all about adjusting your mindset when it comes to driving an electric vehicle. You need to allow for a little extra travel time, but if you use that time productively and make the most of it, everyone will be happier.”
It's all about your mindset
"It’s all about adjusting your mindset when it comes to driving an electric vehicle. You have to allow for a little extra travel time, but if you use that time productively and make the most of it, everyone benefits," says Martin Birk.
The future is electric, and with the right mindset, driving an electric vehicle becomes a completely different experience. Electric vehicles offer many advantages, and it is important to keep those in mind when planning longer journeys.
The Birk family's trip to Austria is a great example of how travelling south in an electric vehicle is entirely feasible. Their experience shows that the real challenge is often not time or range, but rather adapting your expectations and approach to the journey.
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