Turning another year older recently, I didn’t expect a blog-worthy event to stem from my birthday. Birthdays, after all, are personal. However, this year was different. My milestone coincided with an incredible opportunity: a week-long test drive in a Tesla Model S. As someone deeply involved in clean energy initiatives and a long-time admirer of Tesla, this wasn’t just a gift; it was an immersion into the electric vehicle future I advocate for daily.
My previous, brief encounter with a Tesla years ago at a Napa ride-and-drive event barely scratched the surface. This week, however, was a deep dive. Here are my key takeaways after living with the Tesla Model S:
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Mind-Blowing Acceleration: For drivers accustomed to assertive driving, the Model S is a revelation. The acceleration is simply breathtaking. It’s the kind of power that throws you back into your seat if you dare to unleash it fully. Even a quick demonstration for my CEO, Bill Mueller, garnered an enthusiastic thumbs-up!
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Autopilot: A Glimpse into the Future: Tesla’s Autopilot is genuinely remarkable, showcasing the potential of autonomous driving. It handled diverse driving scenarios with impressive competence. From surface streets in Davis and Sacramento to busy freeways, merging onto the Causeway during rush hour, driving in the rain, through variable traffic, and even navigating Highway 49’s transition to winding two-lane roads near Grass Valley – Autopilot performed exceptionally.
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Surprise Lane Changes on Autopilot: The Autopilot’s lane-changing capability was initially startling but quickly became impressive. Activating my turn signal before manually changing lanes, as I thought was necessary, resulted in the car autonomously initiating the lane change. After the initial surprise, it was a seamless and almost magical experience.
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Overnight Home Charging: Slow but Steady: Plugging the Model S into a standard household outlet provided overnight charging, albeit at a slower rate. We gained approximately 30-40 miles of range in about ten hours. For Tesla ownership, a dedicated home charger for rapid overnight replenishment would be essential.
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Tesla Superchargers: Convenient and Efficient: The Tesla Supercharger network is a significant advantage. The Natomas Supercharger became a regular stop, and the Rocklin location was convenient for my Grass Valley trip. Supercharging was straightforward and fast, mitigating charging concerns on longer journeys.
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Range Anxiety: Still a Factor: Despite the Supercharger access, range anxiety is real, especially for Prius drivers like myself accustomed to 500+ miles per tank. The Model S, charged to around 200 miles, saw its range diminish with spirited driving. While likely manageable with ownership experience, the limited Supercharger network and slower home charging initially prompted a conservative driving style and slight range awareness whenever the battery dipped below 75 miles.
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Turo: Your Tesla Test Drive Opportunity: Want to experience this yourself? The Turo app offers a car-sharing platform, much like Airbnb but for vehicles. It’s where we sourced our Tesla, returning it to its owner in Sacramento’s Pocket area after our week of electric bliss.
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Tesla Sightings: They’re Everywhere: Teslas are far more prevalent than I had realized. One afternoon in downtown Sacramento, while waiting at a traffic light after exiting a parking garage, I found myself in a mini-Tesla convoy – one Model S behind me and another to my right. We were a silent, electric flock.
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The Tesla Gaze: It’s Real: I’m not alone in admiring Teslas. The stares and occasional pointing as a Tesla passes are definitely noticeable.
Tesla Model S First Drive: Celebrating a Birthday with an Electric Vehicle Experience
Driving the Tesla Model S across Sacramento, Davis, Grass Valley, and beyond, covering significant distances, aligned perfectly with my professional commitment at Valley Vision. It reinforced my dedication to initiatives like the Cleaner Air Partnership and the Capital Region Climate Readiness Collaborative, both focused on reducing emissions and promoting a sustainable future. The Model S isn’t just a car; it’s a statement and a tangible step towards cleaner transportation.
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