Tesla's Supercharger Network: A Reliable Resource

As in previous travels, we relied on Tesla's charging network for this trip. It proved to be dependable and user-friendly, featuring numerous charging stations that cover most regions of the country. In Spain, there are now over 50 v2 and v3 Supercharger stations located in major cities and along key highways, which significantly enhances travel flexibility. This network continues to grow, with new stations opening every few weeks.

The convenience of having multiple charging options during our journeys is a recent development; just last year, the stations were too sparse to allow for such choices. Currently, while we have not faced occupancy issues, there are occasional warnings during peak holiday times for popular locations. So far, I’ve only encountered a wait at one Supercharger with 10 stalls, and that was just for 10 minutes.

However, planning meals and charging stops can still be challenging. On my journey from Madrid to the western coast of Malaga, covering around 400 miles, I made two stops along the way. I left home with a fully charged battery (98%) and arrived at my destination with 40% remaining.

Destination Charging: A Challenge

Upon reaching our rental apartment, the charging situation became complicated. The apartment was beautifully located near the beach, downtown, and the marina, but unfortunately, there were no public charging options available in the parking area, nor could I run a cable from the apartment to the car.

I had pre-identified two nearby Superchargers: one in Algeciras (a 40-minute drive) and another in Fuengirola (a 50-minute drive). While these distances aren't excessive, making the trip solely for charging seemed impractical. I also explored other fast charging stations and found two options within a 10-minute drive: a 90 kWh charger in Estepona and a 350 kWh charger in Sotogrande.

I opted for Estepona due to its lower cost. In Spain, Tesla Superchargers charge €0.36 per kWh (approximately $0.40), while Estepona’s Zunder costs €0.42 (around $0.47) and Sotogrande’s Ionity costs €0.65 (around $0.72). Upon arriving at Estepona, however, both stalls were occupied, and a Tesla Model 3 was waiting behind me. Although Estepona’s charger can deliver up to 90 kWh, it usually operates between 40 and 50 kWh. After chatting with the other vehicle owners, I decided to return to the apartment and try the faster Ionity charger later after lunch.

The charging experience at Ionity was satisfactory. I had anticipated a higher average charging speed, but my car’s battery was moving from 12% to 92%, compounded by a heatwave in Spain with temperatures soaring to 110°F outside. During the hour spent charging, I caught up on my favorite YouTube channels, enjoying the much more comfortable 70°F inside the car.

Staying for a Few Days: A Learning Experience

In the following days, I didn’t use the car extensively, only taking short trips totaling less than 80 miles over six days. Surprisingly, the battery had dropped to 20% again. The culprit was likely Sentry Mode, which I prefer to keep activated while parked outside my home. This choice drained the battery over just a few days.

Fortunately, we had planned an excursion to a beach near Tarifa, which allowed us to stop at Algeciras’s Supercharger for a quick recharge during our holiday. While my experience with an EV has been excellent, I recognize the convenience of being able to charge at our accommodation, especially for longer stays or when planning to be active throughout the trip.

The constant battery drain, even when the car isn’t in use, has been a concern shared by my family. For future trips, particularly those lasting more than a weekend, I will prioritize booking accommodations that offer charging options overnight, as I’m accustomed to in my daily routine. This adjustment will undoubtedly enhance our comfort and likely reduce reliance on costly fast chargers, except for necessary travel.

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