What I learned taking the Porsche Taycan 4S Cross Turismo EV on a 1,000-mile road trip

Key Concepts

• Range Anxiety: The fear of an EV running out of battery charge before reaching a charging station.
• DC Fast Charging: A method of rapidly charging an EV battery, significantly faster than Level 2 charging.
• Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo: A high-performance all-electric wagon known for its speed, handling, and advanced features.
• Tesla Supercharger Network: A proprietary network of fast-charging stations developed by Tesla, often accessible to other EV brands.
• EVgo: A public fast-charging network for electric vehicles.
• Active Ride Control: A suspension system in the Porsche Taycan that actively adjusts the vehicle's height and stability.

Road Trip Experience with a Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo: A Detailed Account

This discussion details a 1,000-mile round trip from New York to North Carolina undertaken in a Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo, highlighting the realities of EV road tripping, particularly concerning charging infrastructure and range estimation. The reporter, Frazz, aimed to assess the practicality of long-distance EV travel.

Initial Leg and Charging Challenges (New York to North Carolina)

The first part of the journey to Bethesda, Maryland, presented initial charging difficulties. Despite anticipating sufficient DC fast chargers, Frazz found fewer available options than expected within the city. While a functional charger was eventually located, this underscored a potential issue with charger density in urban areas.

A significant incident occurred closer to the final destination in North Carolina. The vehicle’s navigation system initially indicated sufficient range with a 30-mile buffer. However, due to warmer temperatures impacting battery performance, the estimated range rapidly decreased, eventually reaching zero. This triggered substantial “range anxiety,” forcing an unplanned stop to recharge. Frazz attempted to utilize the in-car navigation to locate charging options during this critical moment.

Charging Station Availability and Speed

The experience highlighted the ongoing challenge of finding available and functional DC fast chargers, even along the East Coast. The importance of fast charging speed was emphasized; a 20-30 minute charge can significantly alleviate range concerns. The Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo is capable of charging from 15% to 80% in approximately 20 minutes when accessing the appropriate charging speed.

Utilizing the Tesla Supercharger Network

Upon reaching the destination in North Carolina, Frazz successfully utilized a Tesla Supercharger. The Porsche Taycan is compatible with the Tesla Supercharger network through a straightforward process involving a user account and the Tesla app. This demonstrated a potential workaround for limited access to other fast-charging options.

Return Journey and EVgo Issues

The return trip was generally less problematic, but still revealed infrastructure shortcomings. At an EVgo station, Frazz discovered that only one of the two available plugs was operational, with the second serving as a “rock” – a non-functional placeholder. This highlighted the potential for misleading charger availability information. Despite these issues, the trip was ultimately completed without major incident.

Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo: Vehicle Overview

The vehicle used for the trip was a Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo, an updated model from the original 2019 version. Key improvements include new motors and a larger, more capable battery. The vehicle’s performance is described as exceptionally fast and capable, with a design described as visually striking.

A notable feature is the “active ride” suspension system. This system dynamically adjusts the vehicle’s height and stability, minimizing body roll during cornering and providing a consistently level ride. Specifically, the car raises when entering and lowers during driving, maintaining a flat and stable platform.

The base price of the Taycan Cross Turismo is $116,000, with the tested model optioned to $170,000. This price point was acknowledged as a significant barrier to entry, particularly in the EV market. However, the reporter noted that existing owners are highly satisfied with the vehicle’s performance and overall quality. As stated, “People pay for [it], I know a couple owners who love their Taycan.”

Logical Connections & Synthesis

The narrative demonstrates a clear progression from initial optimism to encountering real-world challenges of EV road tripping. The initial smooth sailing gave way to range anxiety and charging infrastructure issues, ultimately resolved through a combination of planning, adaptability, and access to the Tesla Supercharger network. The discussion of the Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo serves as a contextual element, highlighting both the capabilities and the cost associated with a high-end EV experience.

Main Takeaway: While EVs are becoming increasingly viable for long-distance travel, significant improvements in charging infrastructure – particularly density, reliability, and speed – are still needed to alleviate range anxiety and ensure a seamless road trip experience. The Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo represents a high-performance option, but its price point limits its accessibility.