Wayne Temple drives a Tesla Model 3 Performance 75kWh 2022.

This is Wayne’s third electric car, he’s owned the Tesla Model 3 from new and drives 15,000-20,000 miles annually. The current mileage of the car is between 40,000-50,000 miles and he achieves 300 miles from a full charge.

Why did you choose the Tesla Model 3?

At the time it offered the best performance & range and I have been a fan of Tesla since their beginning. I actually put a deposit down on a Model 3 on release day!!

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Positives – List 3 or more reasons why you love this electric car

• Love the looks
• love the technology
• love the fact I don’t have to stop at petrol stations with all their temptations to buy snacks and chocolate!
• love the ‘lazy’ driving style that one pedal driving gives
• love the silence of an electric car
• with this car the acceleration NEVER GETS OLD!!
• you don’t have to break any speed limits, just launch it!!

Negatives – List 3 or more things that you really don’t like about this electric car

• Cost of tyres 😉
• no all-round camera mode like my Nissan LEAF used to have
• auto wipers aren’t very good.

Have you experienced any faults with the car? If so, what have they been?

On delivery there was a small paint issue that was sorted very quickly. Over the years I’ve had to have the mobile ranger out a couple of times. Once to replace the rear wing that was starting to detach. The other time was for the rear lights to be replaced as they had some water in them. Other than that she has been perfect! Sailed through the MOT too at the end of year 3. No advisories and the brakes didn’t even need any new pads.

What are the standout technological features of the car?

• The drive train
• 4-wheel drive with bags of power and grip. It never struggles in ANY conditions really. Sure footed and confidence inspiring. It’s a pleasure to drive either ‘relaxed’ or ‘spirited’.
• immediate response to the throttle makes it so intuitive to drive. You almost just think it and you are doing that speed!
• auto drive is also better than the media suggests
• I have had maybe 2 phantom braking incidents in 3 years. Using it on the motorway (I only have the basic version) actually allows you to be more observant. Can’t switch off totally obvs but it makes long trips less mundane.

Surprise us! Tell us something people wouldn’t readily know about this electric car 

Great as a spare TV if the wife wants to watch some houses crap for the umpteenth time!! Netflix on the screen with surround sound is pretty epic. Also, not strictly limited to this car but it is funny when you are driving electric and pull up at the lights and listen to those waiting to cross talking about the car!!

What electric car(s) are you interested in next and why?

• Tesla Model Y performance because it’s a bit more practical than the Model 3 but still fast and fun!
• Polestar 2 – like its looks & I think it will be a bit more solid than the Tesla
• Fisker Ocean – like its looks and tech, hopefully the price doesn’t go wild!

Home charging unit – outline both positive & negative elements 

I have a 7kW Rolec wallpod that was originally fitted in 2015 when I got my first Nissan LEAF.

The positive:

• I love the fact that you just plug it in when you get home and it’s ready to go in the morning. No stopping at rip-off petrol stations!!
• yes the price of electricity has gone up but still MUCH cheaper to run on the leccy!
• get yourself on a ‘time of use’ tariff and you’ll save even more
• charger is simple and still going after 7 years.

The negative:

• Be careful where you position it. Standard chargers only have about 2m lead so if you have other cars you have to be sensible about the parking order on your drive!
• being out in the elements for 7 years is starting to show. The case is now brittle and cracked from the elements. Probably will have to replace it soon for a newer ‘intelligent’ charger.

Electricity supplier & tariff – outline both positive & negative elements

Have been with Octopus for years now. I started off on their ‘Go’ tariff which gives you cheap electricity between 12am and 4am. I’m now on their Intelligent tariff that gives you 12am till 5 am overnight charging. However, if your car is compatible like mine and you sign into Octopus with it, they will automatically charge your car at various other times when they have excess on the grid. This will also be charged at the cheaper rate! I can’t fault them or their customer service either. Not that I have had any problems but they have always responded quickly to questions.

What public charging networks would you recommend to others and why?

Pod Point – they have chargers in loads of places and they are not really taking the mickey on prices like some other networks

Tesla Superchargers are good too. Although they are now opening them up to all cars (that don’t have the sockets in the right places so take up more room at the charging stations!) so there is more waiting.

Please outline both positive & negative elements of your insurer?

Direct Line – cheapest price and decent cover.

Please itemise where you’re saving money (or not) owning & running a Tesla Model 3

I typically travel 60 miles a day to and from work. Back in 2015, I was spending £50 a week in diesel and that was when it was 110p per litre or so. Recently I’ve had to use a courtesy car, a 1 litre SEAT Ibiza. I spent £90 in 10 days in petrol covering the same distances. With the cheap overnight leccy I normally charge with, the same distance would be around £35 and that’s in a rocket ship rather than a 1 litre hairdryer! I’ve not paid for any servicing in 3 years. The car tells you if it needs anything…and it hasn’t!!

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