A Tesla Model Y has made a lap around Australia, towing a kayak and bicycle on a trailer. What was previously considered impossible for an electric car is becoming a reality, and critics will have to admit that electric cars can easily replace cars with internal combustion engines.
Two decades ago, the idea that an electric car could replace or even displace internal combustion engine cars seemed ridiculous. It was unimaginable that electric vehicles could not only perform daily tasks but also be used for towing trailers. 20 years later, Tesla refuted most of the misconceptions by mass-producing powerful electric vehicles that can outperform cars with internal combustion engines.
Australia’s former prime minister once said EVs could not tow a boat, but retiree Jeff Giddins proved this is not the case. As the Driven report shows, Giddins traveled across Australia in an RWD Tesla Model Y towing a boat and bike. He traveled 20,000 kilometers (about 12,427 miles), spending three months on the road and circumnavigating Australia.
“I met a lot of characters, and most were interested in my EV travels. But some were negative too…comments like ‘you are not going to get far with that thing up here mate’,” Giddins tells the Driven.
Giddins, who is 67 years old, took his time during the journey. Due to his age, after covering about 200 kilometers (124 miles), he felt tired. This required a rest stop, during which he could recharge his car and hit the road the next day. His Model Y was fully loaded with camping gear and food, and the trailer housed an electric bike and kayak. The total weight of the trailer with equipment was approximately 700 kg (about 1,543 lb). However, every time he covered about 200 km a day, he stopped with a 10-30 percent battery reserve. During the trip, Giddins drove at a speed of 90 km/h (about 56 mph), as this was the most comfortable speed for him, taking into account the towing of a trailer with equipment.
“It was just a road trip to see how far I could get the boat trailer with the kayak and bike,” he told The Driven. “Ideally getting somewhere warm enough to paddle on the estuaries.” (He likes to paddle every day if he can).
Giddins did not plan to make a full lap around Australia because he was unsure whether he could travel between two towns within the vehicle’s capabilities. However, a man he met along the way showed him the way on an old road map, which turned out to be short enough to cover with a loaded electric car.
In addition, during the trip, Giddins was shocked by the very low EV charging bill, which was no more than A$24.
“This proves to me how cheap they are,” he says. The biggest bill for charging was $24. “I’m sold on them. They are the best car to drive I’ve ever had. I’m loving it.”
