Chris O’ Connor has owned plenty of cars including a number of Fords in his time, but after recently taking delivery of a brand-new electric Explorer 1 he decided to put it to the ultimate test — a 2,500-mile (4,000 km) family holiday around Europe.
From The Road spoke to Chris about his trip and his experiences with his new Explorer.
Q: To start off, what was the motivation for this road trip? Is this something you’ve done before?
A: We’ve done similar trips on motorbikes previously, touring Europe that way, but the main driver this time was my partner, Heather. Due to a medical condition she can’t fly and we didn't want to spend our holiday in the UK. So, we got the new car and decided to do a road trip. We wanted to see how many countries we could hit that were on our bucket lists.
I also saw it as an opportunity to put the Ford through its paces. There was a little bit of apprehension at the start regarding range anxiety, but as we found out, Europe is well geared-up for electric vehicles in terms of charging station frequency and ease of use.
Q: I have your itinerary here in front of me. How was the actual travel, starting with the crossing?
A: The Eurotunnel was a little bit hairy! The Explorer was brand new, so I was worried about scratching the rims on the train. But once we were across, it was a very relaxed journey. Our first stop was Nancy for one night, then we headed into Switzerland.
Q: The itinerary shows you headed for the Alps next?
A: Yes, we both wanted to see the Alps. We stayed at an amazing hotel on a lake in Switzerland for two nights, then went over the Swiss Alps and dropped down into Italy to Lake Maggiore, which was stunning. We spent a couple of nights there, then two nights in Nice in the south of France, before heading to Annecy.
I really needn't have worried about the charging. In France, if you're on the motorway, there are charging stations every 10 or 15 kilometres. We never had to queue; there was always a vacant station. It actually prompted us to take breaks and have a coffee while the car charged, which was nice. I found the car so comfortable I probably could have driven all day without stopping if I had to.
Q: It sounds like the car handled the distance well. How did it fair with all your luggage and gear?
A: We packed heavy — two very large suitcases and a number of holdalls. Plus, you always buy things when you're away, like duty-free, but we never struggled for space. I’ve previously owned comfortable cars, but I think the Ford outperformed any of them on this journey. I have the Select trim with the Driver’s Package, and as a typical bloke, I just loved the gadgets and toys.
Q: You mentioned costing the trip out in advance. Did the final total match your expectations?
A: It was probably slightly more than the initial plan, but only because of my own OCD. I wanted to start every single day with 100 per cent charge, so I made a few extra charging stops that weren't strictly necessary just to make sure I was topped up for the next morning's drive.
Q: What made you choose an Explorer?
A: I loved my previous SUV, but the depreciation was worrying. I realised I had to either keep it forever or get out then. I already have a Ford Focus — which I call the "baby Ford" — that I use for transporting my Great Dane.
When my work launched a salary sacrifice scheme through Octopus, I looked at other options but they were either too expensive or they felt a bit basic for the price point. Then the Explorer popped up. I took a test drive with Heather and was blown away by the acceleration, the quietness, and the responsiveness. It felt like a real step up. The salary sacrifice also included a free home charger, which was another saving.
Q: Is it your everyday car now as well?
A: Yes, it’s my daily driver. I look after a contract in the North East so I do a fair bit of traveling. I was putting £60 at a time into my previous car quite regularly. With the Explorer, the running costs don't even compare. It’s a very relaxing car for those long commutes; it makes the drive enjoyable.
Q: Do you think people realise how much engine noise contributes to fatigue once they’ve switched to an electric vehicle?
A: Absolutely. And the driving position is great — you’re a bit higher up, which gives you great vision and makes you feel secure, but it’s not ridiculously big like some SUVs. It’s the happy medium.
Q: What would you say to people who are considering an electric vehicle but are worried about long-distance trips?
A: Don't judge it until you've tried it. People worry about not being able to just "fill up" at a petrol station, but with the current technology and apps, planning is easy. In the heat abroad, I was getting 340 miles (547 km) out of a single charge.
The infrastructure is only going to get better as demand increases. Abroad, you're practically tripping over charging stations. It’s cheaper, it’s comfortable, and you’re more insulated from things like fluctuating fuel prices. I would hugely recommend it.
Q: And how has the home charging experience been?
A: Perfect. It’s so much easier plugging it in at home than hunting for a petrol station late at night. I just set it up on the app, and it tells me exactly what it will cost. Seeing a full charge cost £3.50 (€4) instead of £65 (€75) is a great feeling. I wouldn't need to be persuaded to do it all again.
Q: This trip was clearly a success. Are you planning another one?
A: Definitely. We’re going to Rome this year, though we’re taking the train just to maximise our time there. But for any future tours, like visiting the vineyards in France, it will definitely be the Ford.
Matt Joy is a writer for From The Road
1 Up to 602 km based on full charge of Explorer RWD extended range. Estimated range using Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP).
