Driving to the Alps in an EV. Any tips??

[Lambeth Cali]

We’ve driven to the Alps twice in our 2008 California. The first time it broke down on the way home. The second time I had a feeling of dread as we arrived at the bottom of the mountain. For the last hour the Cali engine had just not felt right to me. You know when you just have an instinct that something is wrong? I wasn’t sure if it was the twisty roads meaning the automatic was never quite in the correct gear or possibly (!?) the high altitude was having an effect on the air in the engine. It was all fine. Got up the mountain to 2000m, down and home. No issues. But I remember the feeling of dread.

Anyway we now have a 5 year old BMW iX3 which I like a lot and I’ve decided that it’s possibly a better bet than our 18 year old Cali. I could be wrong.

I’ve got Chargemap card and have worked out probable charging stops. We will stop overnight in Dijon.

I think our miles per kWh will drop from 4 to under 3 with the roof box on and maybe even more if it’s very cold. That puts range down to about 200 miles from 270ish. I’m hoping for two stops in the 360 miles from Calais to Dijon and maybe just one Dijon to Alps.

I’ve bought CrossClimates on the rear wheels. Will probably get the same for the front. Because of the wheel size BMW say you absolutely cannot fit chains. Anyway it’s more the charging I was curious about.

Anyone done it in an EV??

 

[Agnes_Cali]

I went in EV to South Germany and to be honest it wasn't cheaper than driving diesel, because of the public charging fees. I bought Ionity subscription to lower the cost, but their chargers were sometimes in some obscure places or not available in reasonable distance. Charging at Kruibeke near Antwerp was around 1 euro per 1kWh!

To compare it to California, when I went to East Germany, I topped diesel in Belgium and got all the way to Berlin without stopping. Got more than 600 miles out of full tank.

 

[andyinluton]

Can’t help with the charging side of things as we’ve only just got our first ev but you really ought to have the same type of tyre at both ends of the car.

In normal weather there may not be much difference in grip, but once temperatures drop there will be a big difference front to back.

 

[Rololux]

Can’t help with the charging side of things as we’ve only just got our first ev but you really ought to have the same type of tyre at both ends of the car.

In normal weather there may not be much difference in grip, but once temperatures drop there will be a big difference front to back.

It’s also illegal in many countries - not sure about the UK, but it certainly is here and also most likely in France.

 

[andyinluton]

It’s also illegal in many countries - not sure about the UK, but it certainly is here and also most likely in France.

Legal in uk but not recommended.

 

[Black Forest]

Definitely illegal here in Germany, Austria and France. Switzerland is a little different but ramps up liability if there is a accident. As a few might know, there are some places where 4wd with winters or chains have to be fitted and the road has a layby to do this...so with CC tyres, you'll need 4 and the two at the front will help with steering which is a good thing...

Generally most people here fit winter tyres "O to O" October to Ostern (easter).

EDIT: just read your 2004 breakdown thread. Check the turbo pipe and take the Cali....

 

[Wannabecamperman]

The 1) tip is pay £9 per month to access the Tesla Supercharger network and prices. Average of peak pricing of 45 cents per kWh = 3-4 miles of range, typically. As little as just 20 cents after 10pm.

 

[Lambeth Cali]

Can’t help with the charging side of things as we’ve only just got our first ev but you really ought to have the same type of tyre at both ends of the car.

In normal weather there may not be much difference in grip, but once temperatures drop there will be a big difference front to back.

When I got it it had 2 different cheap tyres on the rear driven axle. I knew that was bad and possibly an MOT fail. That’s why within a week I got the CrossClimates on the rear first. The front two are the Bridgestones it came with but I will get them done before December.

The fact the 20” wheels cannot have chains on is a small worry. I could buy socks but as the CrossClimates are winter rated I suspect they are better than socks anyway.

I should say I’ve driven up the mountain twice before and it’s been clear. We usually arrive about 2 hours before all the coaches from the airport who also need to get up there so I think the resort are quite adept at keeping it clear on Saturdays when everyone needs to go up and down.

 

[sidepod]

When I got it it had 2 different cheap tyres on the rear driven axle. I knew that was bad and possibly an MOT fail. That’s why within a week I got the CrossClimates on the rear first. The front two are the Bridgestones it came with but I will get them done before December.

The fact the 20” wheels cannot have chains on is a small worry. I could buy socks but as the CrossClimates are winter rated I suspect they are better than socks anyway.

I should say I’ve driven up the mountain twice before and it’s been clear. We usually arrive about 2 hours before all the coaches from the airport who also need to get up there so I think the resort are quite adept at keeping it clear on Saturdays when everyone needs to go up and down.

Have you ever actually been caught in a real blizzard when everyone is crammed into the snow chain lay-by frantically wrestling with chains in sub zero temperatures?
Trust me, you don’t want to be if you’re not properly prepared.
I hope your faith in the roads being clear works out!!