In our London to Madrid EV duel, the Tesla Model 3 Performance beats the smart electric drive by 5172 minutes, completing the 1757km route in 18h 23min. The key advantage? 26 fewer charging stops. Route calculated on September 7, 2026 using real-time charging station data.
The Tesla Model 3 Performance needs only 6 charging stops compared to 32 for the slowest vehicle, saving valuable time.
Winner
Tesla Model 3 Performance
- Total time: 18h 23min (5172 min faster)
- Charging stops: 6
- Charging time: 1h 21min
- Energy: ~311 kWh
- Distance: 1757km
Quick Comparison
| Metric |
smart electric drive |
Tesla Model 3 Performance |
| Travel time |
104h 35min |
18h 23min |
| Charging time: |
84h 10min |
1h 21min |
| Charging stops: |
32 |
6 |
| Energy used |
~316 kWh |
~304 kWh |
Charging Strategy Breakdown
smart electric drive Route
- Start: London (100% charge)
-
Stop 1:
Maidstone services (90 min, 25% → 60%)
-
Stop 2:
ENGIE Eurotunnel (202 min, 10% → 88%)
-
Stop 3:
IONITY Holiday Inn Calais (140 min, 10% → 64%)
-
Stop 4:
Aire des Falaises de Widehem Ouest (150 min, 10% → 68%)
-
Stop 5:
IONITY Aire de la Baie de Somme (226 min, 10% → 94%)
-
Stop 6:
Mesnières-en-Bray (166 min, 10% → 74%)
-
Stop 7:
Lidl (142 min, 10% → 65%)
-
Stop 8:
Lidl (103 min, 10% → 50%)
-
Stop 9:
Lidl (145 min, 10% → 66%)
-
Stop 10:
Le grand Monarque (134 min, 10% → 62%)
-
Stop 11:
Lidl (160 min, 10% → 72%)
-
Stop 12:
Warsemann Automobiles (204 min, 10% → 89%)
-
Stop 13:
Ibis Styles Tours Sud (64 min, 10% → 35%)
-
Stop 14:
Aire de Ste Maure de Touraine (179 min, 10% → 79%)
-
Stop 15:
IONITY Poitiers Jaunay-Clan (101 min, 10% → 49%)
-
Stop 16:
IONITY Super U (163 min, 10% → 73%)
-
Stop 17:
Fastned Aire des Groies (134 min, 10% → 62%)
-
Stop 18:
Auchan (194 min, 10% → 85%)
-
Stop 19:
IONITY Aire de Bédenac Ouest (137 min, 10% → 63%)
-
Stop 20:
Schnellladesäule (199 min, 10% → 87%)
-
Stop 21:
Aire de la Porte des Landes Ouest (158 min, 10% → 71%)
-
Stop 22:
Aire de l'Océan Ouest (155 min, 10% → 70%)
-
Stop 23:
IONITY Aire de Labenne Ouest (197 min, 10% → 86%)
-
Stop 24:
Hotel Silken Amara Plaza (173 min, 10% → 77%)
-
Stop 25:
Eroski (153 min, 10% → 69%)
-
Stop 26:
Bar Restaurante Lermanda (226 min, 10% → 94%)
-
Stop 27:
Hotel Echaurren Relais & Chateaux (197 min, 10% → 84%)
-
Stop 28:
Repsol Tankstelle (140 min, 10% → 64%)
-
Stop 29:
Parador de Lerma (171 min, 10% → 76%)
-
Stop 30:
Hotel Milagros Rio Riaza (145 min, 10% → 66%)
-
Stop 31:
Gasolinera Mirasierra (116 min, 10% → 55%)
-
Stop 32:
El Cancho Del Aguila (186 min, 10% → 82%)
- Arrival: Madrid
Tesla Model 3 Performance Route
- Start: London (100% charge)
-
Stop 1:
Aire de Bosgouet Nord (22 min, 10% → 75%)
-
Stop 2:
Relais de la Ronde (12 min, 10% → 58%)
-
Stop 3:
Aire de Saint-Léger Ouest (13 min, 10% → 59%)
-
Stop 4:
Aire de l'Océan Ouest (10 min, 10% → 50%)
-
Stop 5:
Supercharger Telleria Industrialdea (10 min, 17% → 55%)
-
Stop 6:
Supercharger Calle Herreros (14 min, 13% → 63%)
- Arrival: Madrid
Why the Tesla Model 3 Performance Won
The Tesla Model 3 Performance achieved a 5172-minute advantage over smart electric drive on this 1757km route. Key factors:
- Fewer charging stops: 6 stops vs 32 for the slowest vehicle means less time spent finding and connecting to chargers.
- Faster charging: Total charging time of 1h 21min vs 84h 10min thanks to higher peak charging speeds or better charging curve.
- Better efficiency: Lower energy consumption (~311 kWh vs ~323 kWh) means less time spent charging.
Related Comparisons