Following last week's aborted attempt to drive the 152km distance from my house to the FCP in Ardcavan, Wexford, I discussed my failed journey with a number of my new EV friends, a couple of whom had completed the journey successfully. They assured me that the car was capable of reaching the distance, but I would certainly have to limit my speed. I decided that I would give it another try. So I charged up my car and headed off to Wexford at 6:30 in the morning.
The first thing I did was put the car into ECO mode. This gave me 10% more range and ensured that I did not over-accelerate. Next, after safely joining the motorway near my house I turned on Cruise Control and limited my speed to 70kph. Now, if I had to over take (which I did not have to do at anytime during the journey!) I would immediately put the car back into standard Drive mode, to allow me to manoeuvre more quickly. But for the most part I knew I would be driving this slowly and in ECO mode. Luxuries such as air conditioning were not allowed, but I did have the stereo playing for the entire journey down.
Driving on a motorway at a constant speed of 70kph is a unique experience. Firstly, you notice that most people don't care. They simply overtake you and ignore you after that. Secondly, you find that on average most people are driving closer to 80 - 85 kph anyway and a few times I managed to catch up with some people due to spots of heavier traffic. But certainly, when the motorway speeds change to 120kph, you realise you are travelling very slowly - perhaps too slowly!
Anyway, as I watched the range-o-meter like the proverbial unboiled pot my heart-rate raised and sank with the ever-changing distance-to-empty number. Constantly comparing it with the distance left in the journey (via the on-board sat-nav system) I was reminded of Homer's shouts of joy and frustration as he weighed himself on the ever changing weighing scale! "I'm going to make it! I'm not going to make it. I'M GOING TO MAKE IT!" I kept shouting in my head.
75.2km and I'm at the Beehive on the N11. This is the half-way point. After this the closest charging point will be Wexford and the option to turn around will be gone! I pass the Beehive and keep on driving.
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