EV Journey

Several years ago when first looking into EVs I had my heart set on Teslas, especially the Model Y as the SUV style within their range. I was particularly attracted to Tesla’s minimalist aesthetic compared to your traditional vehicle with the 101 buttons.

I wasn’t ready to transition back in 2024, but again looked into them in 2026 as their tech is well regarded and even standard range variants get great range.

The Elon factor was certainly off putting I will admit, his views disgust me and I know many others agree, hence if I were to consider one I really wanted to be sure.

Ultimately, it came down to a few considerations in the end:

• Lacking sensors — unlike most cars, Teslas rely upon cameras which can be tricky to use. I had read of one person who on day one of ownership having dented their bumper reversing. Here’s where those sensors with the annoying beeps become less annoying I think.
• Higher cost — compared to the Hyundai I’ve gone for, the Tesla Model Y was far more per fortnight to lease and insure
• No local dealer — my rural city, though large, lacks a Tesla dealership, the closest is 3 hours away making servicing and any repairs, if needed, a big consideration
• Glass roof — they’re not alone in this as many EVs sport this feature, though not the Hyundai I’ve gone for, but in our hot Australian summers this feature is one you’d seek to cover as you’d only use energy to cool the cabin

That’s not to say the Teslas weren’t looked upon favourably, their range ranked them highly in vehicles I’d have chosen in the end.

I think one additional factor I’ve left out was a concern that everything was on the digital screen, like gear changes, your speed etc, and how might that impact drivability versus looking forward at a display with relevant data.