Taycan to Tromsø Road Trip – Winter 2023 (Arctic Norway)

[tigerbalm]

Day 20: Bristol (United Kingdom) -> Dublin (Ireland)

A relatively straight forward final day today. We walk out to our car – and a busier car park then when we parked last night.

And head for Pembroke Docks in South Wales. We're going home on a different ship, from a different ferry company departing from a different port – due to the ferry we travelled out on going on fire in the meantime.

In fairness to Stena Line – they handled all the re-booking seamlessly and we had nothing to do but show up at a different (but nearby) port at a slightly later time.

Crossing over the Prince of Wales Bridge.

Skirting around Newport and Cardiff.

Where the day remained mostly bright and dry.

Near which our new Turbo S ticked over to 10,000 km – we started this road trip twenty days ago with 2,875 km on the car.

We stop at services west of Swansea – for a final charge-up to take us all the way home – and a sandwich for lunch.

And continued towards the port in very light traffic.

Arriving in Pembroke Dock a little earlier then necessary.

We got stopped at police security check and asked to exit the car while the checked it out – though police seemed way more interested in the car then any of its contents! They declared the lit up cup holders as their favourite feature!

And entered the queue for the boat – the Blue Star 1 – a Greek ship hired by Irish Ferries a few years ago.

We were soon on-board.

Walking to our cabin – which already had life-jackets available!

After a smooth crossing – we disembark alongside foot passengers on arriving into Rosslare Europort in Ireland.

An easy two hours drive on the M11 motorway to Dublin and we were back in our underground car-park at home – safe and sound.

Where we plug in for its final "destination charge".

The days charging stats

Location	Start SOC %	End SOC %	kWh added	Cost	Duration	Ambient Temp	Battery Temp	Charger Type	Network
Gridserve West Swansea	17%	90%	43.5	€24.65	28 mins	6C	39C	DC 350 kW	GRIDSERVE

Today we did 395 km over 6:38 hours, with an average speed of 62 km/h, consuming 25.1 kWh/100km.

 

[tigerbalm]

That's all folks!

Thank you for following along with us on this road trip from Dublin to Tromsø and back again.

We really enjoyed sharing our travels and experiences with each of you.

Over the next week, we'll share a combined charging log, a hotel log and some thoughts and observations on the trip – including comparing doing it last year with our 4S and this year with a Turbo S.

Total trip stats

In 20 days we did 7392 km over 145:44 hours, with an average speed of 52 km/h, consuming 23.9 kWh/100km.

We think that is very interesting final result – when compared how our significantly less powerful 4S performed last year.

 

[tigerbalm]

Charging Log

We charged 39 times for a total of 1,790 kWh (nearly 1.8 MWh) energy at a cost of €554.93. Where we were charged in a non-euro currency we convert the amount into euro at the posted bank rate on the day of the transaction.

We started each charging session with an average state-of-charge of 31% and ended at 82%.

We think this shows our relatively conservative approach to road-map planning – we are arriving at each charging station with enough charge to give us options should something go wrong.

And we aim to finish at 80% so as to optimise our charging curve and time at the stations. With overnight destination charging being the main exception to this.

In total our battery was charged for just over 68 hours on the trip. If we remove destination charging (because we're not waiting around for those to complete) we spent an average 29 minutes and 8 seconds charging at each stop.

Over the trip we got ten destination charges over the twenty day trip, providing us with 565.76 kWh of the trips energy. Most of the destination charges were free – though we can understandably see that more and more hotels are starting to charge for the service.

During this trip we were gifted 495.96 kWh of free energy – mostly from hotels but also from Porsche Centre Tromsø – almost 28% of the total energy consumed.

Compared with last year's trip:

Along the way we charged our battery 44 times adding a total of 1,895 kWh at a total cost of €617.26.

 

[Manyana]

So about 60 minutes a day charging on DC.
Probably double what you may have spent filling with petrol over the same distance, not really a lot and so much better on so many levels.

 

[tigerbalm]

So about 60 minutes a day charging on DC.
Probably double what you may have spent filling with petrol over the same distance, not really a lot and so much better on so many levels.

Most of our charging incorporated either rest or food stops. We never feel like we're waiting around much for the car to charge. In fact, usually the car is ready before we are.

 

[_Brian_]

That's all folks!

Thank you for following along with us on this road trip from Dublin to Tromsø and back again.

We really enjoyed sharing our travels and experiences with each of you.

Over the next week, we'll share a combined charging log, a hotel log and some thoughts and observations on the trip – including comparing doing it last year with our 4S and this year with a Turbo S.

Total trip stats

In 20 days we did 7392 km over 145:44 hours, with an average speed of 52 km/h, consuming 23.9 kWh/100km.

We think that is very interesting final result – when compared how our significantly less powerful 4S performed last year.

Thank you Tigerbalm for sharing your trip with such great photos and details. We follow your adventures vicariously and always look forward to your next trip.

 

[tigerbalm]

Hotel Log

Please download to get full resolution.

 

[tigerbalm]

Transport Log – Ferries/Eurotunnel, etc

Please download to get full resolution.

 

[tigerbalm]

Trip route and charging plan

Attached is a PDF copy of our apple note route and charging plan ahead of setting out on the trip. We stuck fairly closely to this plan and in most cases used the charging stations we had identified.

As our plan hopes for – but doesn't assume – we'll get destination charging. On the day's that we did get it – we dropped off the first charging station of the next day.

Additionally, we had all the days plans saved in our A Better Route Planner account – so we could confirm and tweak the plan each morning before setting off – when we knew what actual charge we had.

The plan also had a more pessimistic energy consumption estimate (28 kWh/100km) then we were actually achieving (23.5 kWh/100km) – so that also removed a charging stop here and there.

 

[tigerbalm]

Summary thoughts

Porsche Roads

Didn't end up using it on this trip. We were hoping to use it on the Atlantic Road – but got distracted by its beauty and trying to capture it on our cameras.

Cameras

Our Leica Q2 continues to deliver and we really enjoyed using it on this trip. It feels like a "forever" camera to us.

But we think the highlight was our use of our drone – a DJI Mini 3 Pro. We only got the drone a few days before setting off on the trip – so the entire thing was a learning experience for us. But it helped us capture some amazing perspectives on where we were and what we saw. We had always seen drones as a video tool – without appreciating that it is as much a flying static camera.

The EU/EEA rules around drones – are really clear at this stage – and we were fully in compliance with the laws during this trip – having the correct drone license (and training – though rushed), insurance, drone registration, etc.

But it was a learning curve and we hope to bring more of this in future trips.

Northern Lights

Damn them – they didn't co-operate for us this time! Thought we got some glimpses – it was nowhere near as good as last year. We learnt a lot – and if we do this again – and we will – we'll be even more prepared.

Arctic conditions

Initially – the weather conditions were milder then they were last year. Even right up to Mo i Rana – it felt reasonably warm and mild. But crossing over the arctic circle – and up to Narvik and Tromsø – the conditions actually became more wintery then previously.

We feel like we really got ideal weather – we experienced the fjords of south western Norway – with little snow and difficulty and then got snow higher then our car – in northern Norway. Couldn't have asked for more.

Weather – where the roads aren't closed – disrupting our plans – is good weather. But in addition – we got very little rain – meaning being out and about taking photos and soaking in the landscape was all possible.

4S vs Turbo S

As we did a very similar trip last year in our Taycan 4S – we are probably in a good position to compare the two models. We think the real story here is about how similar they are – rather then how different.

Though the Turbo S is the performance related model – and this worried us a little – it really proved it could deliver the same – and better – consumption figures on a long-range road-trip. While we always hopped this would be true – it was a relief that it turned out to be so. The Turbo S really does feel like two cars to us – a long range cruiser and a speed and power monster when you want it to be – exactly what we were looking for.

In the snow and ice – it performed virtually identically to our 4S last year. We're sure this is helped enormously by having the same wheel size and tyres – Pirelli PZero Winter NFO. These tyres are remarkable and again – we didn't come close to requiring to use our Taycan snow-chains. Someday – we will – but that day hasn't come yet!

We did have to feather the accelerator – even in Normal mode – a little more then in the 4S when on icy patches – otherwise it is so easy to kick in the Turbo S power. We did notice that traction control seemed to work a little bit harder than when on the 4S model – even in slightly milder conditions. But for the most part – this was abstracted away from us, the driver – and handled very well by the chassis control computer.

Earlier on the trip on the Road "44" after leaving the boat at Kristiansand – is where we really experienced the Turbo S difference. The road was narrow and twisty – with short steep climbs and drops – little traffic – and a dry, grippy surface. This is where you can push your right foot a little and feel that surge of power as you pull out of a corner at 30 km/h and hit 80 km/h in literally the blink of an eye. So enjoyable.

Rolling down a steep hill and into a corner – with a sharp push on the brake – conditions where re-gen and the carbon ceramic's work in tandem to slow you down so smoothly and effortlessly – is pure entertainment.

On the autobahn – the difference between the models is greater still. Just touching the accelerator propels you towards the horizon and has you hitting 180 km/h where there 4S would be at 140. Our 4S had the performance battery plus, rear-wheel steering, Porsche torque vectoring plus and PDCC – all the same performance options that our Turbo S has. We feel that if we had a more "base model" 4S the difference would be greater again.

The Turbo S is simply a car that loves being at 180km/h or higher – if traffic allows for it – it feels so planted and stable. And touching the accelerator at that speed – still pushes you back into your seat and accelerates you forward – with oodles of available power at your disposal.

It is the one place where our carbon ceramic brakes get a workout – despite maximum regen being available – the speeds involved – require use of the mechanical stoppers!

And it does this without draining the battery at a ridiculous rate. This is a car that is built to do this speed for hours and hours without issue. We did for over 500 km and never once saw any thermal limitations or warnings – even when doing high-speed charging every two hours (as much for rests as energy capture).

It really does feel though – that the Turbo S (or regular Turbo) is just a refinement of the 4S. We really weren't missing out that much with the 4S – especially on the autobahn. The 4S is still very much a Taycan. In fact – its on the twisty stuff that we feel the Turbo S difference is more noticeable and enjoyable.

The power is intoxicating and driving a Turbo S on public roads is really a lesson in restraint. It is very, very easy to hit illegal speeds.

We still can't believe we have one!

Charging

We started this trip with the intention of using the "Battery Saving" mode – to limit charing to 200 kW. However, we quickly found that it limited it to way more then that – we were in a 150 kW car for all intents and purposes – and that was a little bit slower then we were hoping for.

So we soon switched off that mode and went to maximum charing rate – even though that sometimes was faster then we required. We'll continue to test out this mode to see if we can discover a sweat spot.

Passing through the Netherlands, Norway and Germany on this trip – really is a treat for EV road-trips. They have some of the worlds best charging infrastructure – and its close to you not having to do any planning at all in those countries – there will be a fast charger nearby. This is now also true for rural Northern Norway – with the opening up of the Tesla network there.

The Tesla network was great – it's not open in Ireland yet – so our first ever time using it was well north of the arctic circle – and it worked flawlessly! We even had to sign up to a Tesla account using our office in Paris's address/details – so as to create an account that had access to the network – but that wasn't too onerous a chore. Btw, we picked Paris rather then London – so we'd get billed in Euro and not take an additional currency conversion hit.

While we didn't need it – Circle K – in Norway was not accessible for us on this trip. Recently, they've changed their payment mechanism to be mobile app only – and their iOS charging app is only available to users with a Norwegian AppleID. This is a big oversight by Circle K – there no longer seem to be a payment mechanism for visitors to Norway.

Previously, you could register payment details on a Circle K website and associate your account with a RFID token and use that – which we did in the past. But this has now all been disabled.

We were aware of this ahead of the trip – and had emailed them – but got no reply. We hope they will revise this as Circle K have some 300 kW chargers in interesting locations that could be useful in future trips. For now, its off our planning list as they are just inaccessible to visitors.

(To be continued...)

 

[rb33gl]

Thanks for a great write up. I was wondering what cameras you were using. The pictures from the Leica are superb, but I agree the drone footage is remarkable. Those taken tracking the car from behind are hypnotic, and so stable. It's as though it's tethered to the back of the car. Does it track automatically or do you need to control it from within the car?

I was interested in your thoughts on the contrast between the 4S and the Turbo S. I haven't driven a Turbo or Turbo S, but having that power immediately on tap must be an absolute thrill.

 

[tigerbalm]

Does it track automatically or do you need to control it from within the car?

It tracks the car automatically. The main challenge is that it has a maximum speed of 10 meters per second – around 36 km/h. And that is in no wind – if the drone is heading into a 10 km/h wind – which is a light breeze really – its slower by that much.

If you watch that video you'll notice our brake lights going on a good bit – that was us slowing to allow the drone catchup to us. Still given its size (it fits into your hand) and cost – it is very impressive.

In the arctic – the cars and trucks behind you are all going at least 80 km/h – so it's a bit tricky!

 

[rb33gl]

It did look like you were driving carefully (read slow!)

 

[Scandinavian]

Thanks @tigerbalm for such a great trip report. And also sharing the background work you have done for this trip. I wish I had the patience to do all the planning and also the statistics. I can do the plan in ABRP and save that etc but all the other documents are amazing.

One question about the free destination Charging you have reported. I can see the kWh down to decimals, but where have you been able to find such detailed information? Understand it from DC chargers with displays and Tesla SuC via app perhaps, but destination chargers???

Secondly I am surprised you could not down load the Circle K app. I could get that with my Apple ID being in the U.K.?? Not sure if it works, but I also used to have a small tag that was active. Need to try later in the year how it works.

 

[cityhpper]

Seems pretty safe to nominate @tigerbalm and his co-driver in the category "Europeean Taycan Road Warrior of The Year"... Thanks for taking us along!

In the snow and ice – it performed virtually identically to our 4S last year. We're sure this is helped enormously by having the same wheel size and tyres – Pirelli PZero Winter NFO. These tyres are remarkable and again – we didn't come close to requiring to use our Taycan snow-chains. Someday – we will – but that day hasn't come yet!

Any measurable reduction in tire tread depth after your trip? I mean, since you obviously pushed it a bit both on the Autobahn and such?
Also, was it necessary to adjust tire pressure as you moved from high-speed Autobahn driving, to the arctic chill...?

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