Going on a trip with an electric car in Spain is a different… experience. I won’t say “bad” because I love my electric car. But I can’t say it’s wonderful either. It’s more like a mix between science fiction and a low-budget horror movie. And I’ll tell you why.
The Beginning: A Journey with Purpose
This week I went to Salamanca to visit my parents. Two real cracks: my father, 92 years old, jovial, active, impressive, and my mother, 89, with her acid humor and a vitality that many would like. They raised seven children, which is an understatement. Let’s see what modern woman today would dare to give birth and raise seven children without an army of nannies, psychologists and WhatsApp groups. But well, that’s another story….
I confidently left with my KIA EV3, a car that is a marvel. Comfortable, silent, efficient. The trip was perfect. I used the Tesla chargers and everything went smoothly: fast, easy and without unpleasant surprises. The battery charged without any problems and my trip progressed without stress.
But of course, I wanted to test the public charging infrastructure in Spain for the return. WRONG.
La Vuelta: Welcome to Chaos
I start the return trip confident, with the battery planned and the chargers marked on the route. But soon fate decides to teach me a lesson about the charging infrastructure in Spain.
First attempt: The phantom loader
I reach the first charger. It does not work.
-Excuse me, is this charger operational? -I ask at the gas station.
-Eh… No.
-And since when?
-Well… I wouldn’t know. Since always, I think.
-And why do you advertise it on your website?
-Because we have it.
-But it doesn’t work.
-Yes, but it’s here.
—…
I continue on my way with the battery going down and my patience evaporating.
Second attempt: The labyrinth of applications
I go to the next charger. This one does work. Or so it seems. I walk over, plug in the car and… nothing. I try again. Nothing.
I look at the sign: Download app X, register, add balance and wait for validation within 24 hours.
HOW?
The sun beats down on my cell phone screen, I can’t see anything. I step into the shade, try to register. It asks for card number, address, verification code, name of my first pet, shoe size and DNA test. When I finally get it, it tells me the minimum charge is 20 euros. And I only need 5.
I take a deep breath and look for another charging point.
Third attempt: The charger without coverage
Finally, another charger. This one looks good. I plug it in and… error of connection with the network. A charger without internet! Like if I get an ATM with no bills or a gas pump with no hose.
I approach the service station attendant.
-Hello, do you know if the charger works?
-Yes, yes, there are customers who charge.
-Well, I can’t.
-Oh, sometimes if you don’t have the app updated, it doesn’t work.
-But I took it down ten minutes ago.
-Well, try again tomorrow.
Tomorrow he says… I’M ON A TRIP!
Anecdote in Salamanca: A Respite in the Chaos
In Salamanca, I decided to charge at the Tesla Superchargers in a shopping center. When I arrived, I saw that they were expanding the charging area. It was empty, I parked and… nothing, they were not working.
An operator approaches me and says:
-They are undergoing maintenance and expansion, we have disconnected them.
Resigned, I was about to look for another place when the operator told me:
-Wait a minute… We activate them for 15 minutes while we make the sandwich and then you can charge. Do you think so?
Amazing. Look, Elon Musk is crazy and is not my favorite, but his charging stations, at least the ones I’ve tried, have always worked for me. Arrive and charge. I don’t know… they should take an example.
A Country without Plugs
After more than an hour, I manage to load on an Ionity in the middle of nowhere. And when I say nothing, I mean nothing. No houses, no gas stations, no offices. Just a couple of chargers in a wasteland with just enough lighting so it doesn’t look like a scene from The Walking Dead.
There I am, in the wee hours of the morning, alone, with the battery at 10%, wondering: “What if a bad guy comes? What if the lights go out? What if…?”. As the car charges, I imagine all the ways the story could end: stolen, kidnapped, or just sitting there until a fox adopts me.
Solutions, where are they?
Let’s see, it’s not that difficult. In Portugal, a country four times smaller than Spain, the chargers are more numerous and ALL work with a card. Yes, a simple card, like when you pay for bread. Here, on the other hand, it is an odyssey of applications, registrations and absurd bureaucracy.
If we really want electric cars to be the future, something has to be done:
- Force all gas stations on highways and freeways to have operational chargers.
- Eliminate the app jungle and allow direct card payments at all points.
- Install chargers in safe, well-lit and well-traveled locations.
- Impose penalties on hotels and businesses that advertise chargers that do not work.
- Ensure the maintenance of charging points so that they do not become electronic scrap.
- Update traffic signs on highways and roads indicating not only whether chargers are present, but also whether they are in operation.
Me, I am delighted with my electric car. I have done more than 3500 km in 15 days and I am still convinced that it is the future. But, if you want to make a long trip in complicated dates… rent a gasoline or get ready for stress.
At the moment, Spain, we are NOT ready. And that is the truth.
From MasTorrencito we wish you a good day and may your dogs be with you!!!!
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