As the world gradually shifts towards electric vehicles (EVs), a team of Spanish journalists embarked on a journey to test the feasibility of long-distance travel using Tesla vehicles. Their 2,500-kilometer trip from Berlin to Madrid aimed to compare the cost-effectiveness of electric travel with traditional diesel and gasoline options, revealing surprising insights.
Documented in June 2025, the journey highlighted a stark reality: traveling by electric car cost significantly more than using a diesel vehicle. The journalists reported that charging their electric cars cost €53.62 more than refueling a diesel equivalent. When compared to a gasoline car, the electric option was €136.61 more expensive over the same distance.
Analyzing the Cross-Border EV Journey
The evaluation began at Tesla’s Gigafactory in Berlin, where the journalists selected two Long Range models: the Model Y Long Range RWD and the Model 3 Highland. These models were chosen to minimize the frequency of charging stops during the extensive trip, which crossed multiple European countries, each with its own electricity pricing and charging infrastructure.
Throughout the journey, the team stopped approximately every 200 to 300 kilometers to charge, simulating realistic travel patterns rather than optimized efficiency conditions.
While they predominantly utilized Tesla’s Supercharger network, the team also tested public charging stations operated by other providers to emulate a typical EV owner’s experience on an unfamiliar route.
Understanding the Cost Implications
The financial analysis was based on data from the European Commission’s Weekly Oil Bulletin, which offers consumer price comparisons for petroleum products, including taxes, across EU countries. While Tesla’s Superchargers provided fast charging, this convenience came at a higher cost. Slower public chargers could reduce expenses but would prolong travel time, a trade-off diesel drivers typically avoid.
The cost analysis focused solely on expenses incurred during the journey, excluding potential savings from home charging prior to departure or charging at the destination.
Time and Convenience: The Diesel Advantage
Despite the economic differences, time remained a critical factor. Even with Tesla’s advanced Supercharger network, the time required to recharge batteries was significantly longer than refueling a diesel vehicle. Diesel fuel stations are widespread along European highways, enabling quick stops and rapid resumption of travel.
The charging infrastructure is expanding, yet it necessitates careful planning around charger availability and speed, posing a challenge in regions with sparse charging stations. For those prioritizing quick travel and flexibility, diesel cars continue to offer distinct advantages on long-distance routes.
Insights from European Pricing Data
The European Commission’s Weekly Oil Bulletin offers essential pricing data but does not cover electricity costs for vehicle charging. The bulletin primarily focuses on petroleum product pricing to enhance market transparency across the EU.
National authorities provide updated fuel prices weekly, allowing subscribers access to reliable market data. The journalists used this official diesel pricing as a baseline, comparing it against real electricity costs recorded at each charging stop.
While EVs have clear benefits for daily commutes and local trips with home charging, the long-distance travel scenario remains challenging due to high fast-charging rates and prolonged charging times, reinforcing the cost-effectiveness of diesel vehicles for extensive journeys across Europe.
Original Story at indiandefencereview.com