In our London to Madrid EV duel, the Tesla Model 3 beats the smart forfour EQ 2017 by 3597 minutes, completing the 1723km route in 18h 22min. The key advantage? 20 fewer charging stops. Route calculated on September 4, 2026 using real-time charging station data.
The Tesla Model 3 needs only 7 charging stops compared to 27 for the slowest vehicle, saving valuable time.
Winner
Tesla Model 3
- Total time: 18h 22min (3597 min faster)
- Charging stops: 7
- Charging time: 1h 18min
- Energy: ~255 kWh
- Distance: 1723km
Quick Comparison
| Metric |
smart forfour EQ 2017 |
Tesla Model 3 |
| Travel time |
78h 19min |
18h 22min |
| Charging time: |
58h 58min |
1h 18min |
| Charging stops: |
27 |
7 |
| Energy used |
~310 kWh |
~304 kWh |
Charging Strategy Breakdown
smart forfour EQ 2017 Route
- Start: London (100% charge)
-
Stop 1:
Maidstone services (42 min, 34% → 54%)
-
Stop 2:
ENGIE Eurotunnel (145 min, 10% → 78%)
-
Stop 3:
IONITY Holiday Inn Calais (100 min, 10% → 57%)
-
Stop 4:
Aire des Falaises de Widehem Ouest (136 min, 10% → 74%)
-
Stop 5:
Lidl (168 min, 10% → 89%)
-
Stop 6:
Aire de Hardivillers (155 min, 10% → 83%)
-
Stop 7:
Lidl Route de Paris à Dieppe (142 min, 10% → 77%)
-
Stop 8:
Lidl Rue G. Lenotre (166 min, 10% → 88%)
-
Stop 9:
Aire d'Orléans-Saran (115 min, 10% → 64%)
-
Stop 10:
IONITY Aire de Blois-Villerbon (153 min, 10% → 82%)
-
Stop 11:
Ibis Styles Tours Sud (46 min, 10% → 32%)
-
Stop 12:
Aire de Ste Maure de Touraine (155 min, 10% → 83%)
-
Stop 13:
Route de Parthenay (160 min, 10% → 85%)
-
Stop 14:
Fastned Aire des Groies (155 min, 10% → 83%)
-
Stop 15:
Lidl (164 min, 10% → 87%)
-
Stop 16:
Aire Fontbelleau Paris Bayonne (164 min, 10% → 87%)
-
Stop 17:
Aire de la Porte des Landes Ouest (113 min, 10% → 63%)
-
Stop 18:
Aire de l'Océan Ouest (113 min, 10% → 63%)
-
Stop 19:
IONITY Aire de Labenne Ouest (142 min, 10% → 77%)
-
Stop 20:
Hotel Silken Amara Plaza (125 min, 10% → 69%)
-
Stop 21:
Eroski (157 min, 10% → 84%)
-
Stop 22:
Eroski (185 min, 10% → 93%)
-
Stop 23:
Hospital Universitario de Burgos (91 min, 10% → 53%)
-
Stop 24:
Parador de Lerma (123 min, 10% → 68%)
-
Stop 25:
Hotel Milagros Rio Riaza (104 min, 10% → 59%)
-
Stop 26:
Gasolinera Mirasierra (85 min, 10% → 50%)
-
Stop 27:
El Cancho Del Aguila (134 min, 10% → 73%)
- Arrival: Madrid
Tesla Model 3 Route
- Start: London (100% charge)
-
Stop 1:
Les Viviers Canger (10 min, 22% → 59%)
-
Stop 2:
Aire de la Dentelle d'Alençon (10 min, 12% → 54%)
-
Stop 3:
Relais de la Ronde (11 min, 16% → 60%)
-
Stop 4:
Aire de Saint-Léger Ouest (13 min, 10% → 61%)
-
Stop 5:
Aire de l'Océan Ouest (10 min, 10% → 53%)
-
Stop 6:
Supercharger Telleria Industrialdea (10 min, 18% → 57%)
-
Stop 7:
Supercharger Calle Herreros (14 min, 13% → 65%)
- Arrival: Madrid
Why the Tesla Model 3 Won
The Tesla Model 3 achieved a 3597-minute advantage over smart forfour EQ 2017 on this 1723km route. Key factors:
- Fewer charging stops: 7 stops vs 27 for the slowest vehicle means less time spent finding and connecting to chargers.
- Faster charging: Total charging time of 1h 18min vs 58h 58min thanks to higher peak charging speeds or better charging curve.
- Better efficiency: Lower energy consumption (~255 kWh vs ~270 kWh) means less time spent charging.
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