This week, I had the pleasure of getting hands-on with two of Porsche's most exciting electric vehicles—the Taycan and the all-electric Macan—as part of our Charged with Experience campaign. It was a real-world opportunity to see just how practical and thrilling Porsche EV ownership can be.
Taycan Time
We kicked things off with the Taycan. My round-trip commute is about 60 miles, so it was the perfect test bed for daily driving and public charging. We set the target charge to 100% and plugged in at Gridserve, part of the Porsche Charging Service network. After preconditioning the battery, the process was seamless—just scan and start. No fuss. On the road, the Taycan Gen 2 impressed straight away. I was getting around 28 kWh per 100 miles, which equates to well over 300 miles of range. That’s some serious real-world capability. Effortless acceleration, sublime comfort, and a truly futuristic feel behind the wheel.
Evening in the Macan
Later that day, I swapped into the new Macan EV. I’d already driven it earlier that morning and was excited to spend more time with it. It’s clear this vehicle is built for real-life practicality. I’ve even fitted the bike rack on top—proof that it can handle the daily load and then some. Charging finished smoothly, and I hit the road again, remembering (just in time) to unplug the cable!
Efficiency in Focus
The next day, I drove with range in mind—smooth acceleration, steady speeds. I managed 36 kWh per 100 miles in the Macan, despite the roof rack and bike mount affecting the aerodynamics. Even so, it was a solid result. Our next charging stop was at Abbey House Hotel and Gardens, which features 150 kW fast chargers. Pure EV convenience. I hadn’t used Be.EV chargers before, but they were easy to navigate and efficient. Brought along two “helpers” (my kids) to check on the charge. It was sitting at about 70%, not quite the 80% the app suggested, but more than enough for the next leg of the journey.
Real-World Costs and Long-Distance Planning
Charging outside the Porsche network does cost a little more—£38 for 75 kWh in this case—but the convenience was worth it. Planning ahead, I mapped a route to Perpignan, France (yes, I’m a rugby league fan, and I’ve visited before to see the Catalans Dragons play!). The nav prioritised Porsche charging stops—eight in total, 109 minutes of charging, and about 20 hours of driving. That’s long-haul EV travel made simple.
Final Thoughts
As my Charged with Experience journey wrapped up, I felt genuinely impressed by both vehicles.
-
Taycan: Hands-down my favourite to drive. Sharp, dynamic, and simply electrifying.
-
Macan: The one I’d live with. Practical, comfortable, and still every bit a Porsche.
-
Verdict? - Would I buy an EV after this experience? Without hesitation—yes. The driving feel is unmatched, charging infrastructure is more reliable than ever, and Porsche has nailed the balance between performance and practicality. When the time is right, I’ll be making the switch. And if you're EV-curious? I'd say—take the leap.