Choose BMW i3 vs Tesla Model 3

Neither of my EVs are for sale. <GRINS>

First month and the 57k mi BMW is already letting the 115k mi Tesla 'rest'. So Friday, I drove to Tuscumbia to see their new ChargePoint CCS-1 fast DC charger:

• $7.07 at the ChargePoint CCS-1 charger
  • $10.55/100 mi
• $2.36 at home
  • $3.52/100 mi

I wanted to evaluate whether spending $500-1,500 adding CCS-1 to my Model 3 made sense. Adding a CCS-1 charge at Tuscumbia would extend my Model 3 trip range to 282 mi with a 30 minute charge and biology break. This avoids a 25 mi detour to Tupelo SuperCharger and even bypass the Memphis Superchargers.

Like many, I once worried about EV range. But for cross country trips, it is both the EV range and fast DC charger density that matters. My rule of thumb is a comfortable cross country has 1.5-3.0 hours of driving between biology and charging breaks. The key is overlap the two:

• Fast DC chargers in or adjacent to 24 hr fast food parking lot - PERFECT
• 24 hr fast food close and on the way to Fast DC chargers - Good enough

Bob Wilson