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Electric vehicles (EVs) are revolutionising on-road travel with cutting-edge technology, eco-friendly benefits, and exceptional performance, offering a transformative experience whether for business or leisure.

Although, if you're accustomed to traditional vehicles, it can be nerve-wracking to try something new, some initial apprehension we have from customers around hiring an EV's are; how will I charge it? Will it have enough power? I don't know how to operate an EV!

So, we thought we'd address these common concerns by sending Orbit World Travel's Head of Client Experience, Simon Andrews, out to test drive a Tesla EV through Avis for the weekend. His review provides a (slightly humorous) firsthand account of the EV experience, highlighting the practicality, excitement, and slight learning curve associated with driving an electric vehicle. Enjoy!

 

Simon Andrews' EV Experience: A weekend with the Tesla Model Y

As part of an exciting partnership between Orbit World Travel and Avis, I had the pleasure of spending a weekend with a Tesla EV. My mission was to trial the Tesla and share my thoughts on the experience. We completed approximately 172 km traversing Sydney from the Sutherland Shire to Auburn, Homebush, Sydney city, and the inner suburbs of Waterloo, Forest Lodge, and Erskineville.

We used our time to shop and try some of Sydney’s famous food, from breakfast gozlemes to traditional Italian focaccia sandwiches, stir-fried ramen noodles with spicy beef mince, stunning pastries, and a pub meal. We also purchased furniture, bedding, and explored many shops, managing to fit a lot into our two-day experience. We started with 99% battery at 7 am on Saturday morning and ended up with 49% battery when we dropped it off at 4 pm Sunday afternoon. This was quite impressive, considering all the driving and activities we packed into the weekend.

 

The Check-In and Pick-Up Experience

Our journey began at the Avis counter at T2 Sydney Airport. The check-in process was smooth, and the Avis employees were incredibly helpful. Once we completed the paperwork, we hopped on the Avis shuttle bus, which took us to the Tesla pick-up point.

The handover was efficient, taking less than a minute to collect the key card. However, this is where we fumbled around trying to figure out what we needed to do. We didn’t notice the instructions that had been placed in the car, which would have been invaluable for first-time Tesla drivers. Despite being reasonably tech-savvy Gen X-ers, we found ourselves spending about 15 minutes figuring things out with a few laughs.

 

Driving the Tesla

Driving the Tesla for the first time was a unique experience. The lack of engine noise and the incredibly smooth acceleration were initially unsettling but soon became a testament to the difference between standard cars and EV’s. As we grew more comfortable, the Tesla’s responsiveness, power, and seamless driving experience made it clear that this is indeed a car of the future.

Figuring out how to turn off the Tesla and locking the doors was another adventure. We felt like cavemen dealing with technology we didn’t quite understand yet. After some trial and error, Googling, YouTube and even asking ChatGPT for assistance, we finally got it sorted. If only we had seen the user guide in the car, it would have saved us a lot of time.

 

Lasting Impressions

The Tesla EV has impressed with its futuristic feel and performance. The driving experience is unlike any conventional vehicle—quiet, powerful, and smooth. The initial trepidation quickly gave way to confidence as we adapted to the car’s unique characteristics.

One challenge we faced was finding a charging station that was free to use within the time frame we had. This was possibly the only problem we encountered. Lucky for us the battery charge lasted longer than anticipated, with us finishing our two days with 49% battery left.

Would I hire an EV again? Absolutely. It just requires a little extra research regarding charging station locations and patience for a first timer, but it’s also a novelty that can add to the driving holiday/Business experience. I also feel that once the novelty wears off, the Tesla is so comfortable and such a nice way to drive that it may become my preference.

 

Ready to experience the future of travel?

Transform your next journey with the unmatched performance and eco-friendly benefits of an electric vehicle. Book your EV rental with Orbit World Travel and Avis today and discover why more travellers are making the switch to electric.

Contact us to reserve your EV and start your adventure now!