Cupra Tavascan long-term test | A family adventure

A trip to York to spend some time with Vikings and stationary trains gave my family and me our first proper chance to assess an electric vehicle, specifically our long-term test Cupra Tavascan.  

We arrived at our hotel car park just after lunch on Sunday, and, as luck would have it, the only available space was a charging spot powered by BP Pulse. It seemed like the perfect opportunity to top up the battery for our journey home the next day – or so I thought. 

Following the instructions on the sign, I downloaded the BP Pulse app, only to be greeted with a message stating that BP Pulse was unable to register new customers that day. The reason for this I have no idea. 

Thankfully, the Tavascan’s 77kWh battery still held plenty of power after the 130-mile journey north. During winter it was regularly returning 250 miles per charge. 

Keen to explore the city, we decided to try again the next day when parking in a public car park. Unfortunately, the app issue persisted. However, the sign suggested that we could log on via the BP Pulse website, which we successfully did.  

We left the car to charge while we spent a few hours visiting York’s popular tourist spots. My partner, Marie, who set up the account, grew a bit anxious on the way home, worrying that we might still be incurring charges even after unplugging.   

To alleviate her concerns, she contacted BP Pulse’s customer service. A representative promptly called back and reassured us that the charging had indeed stopped. However, they couldn’t provide an immediate cost estimate, which, I suspect, is fairly common among charging operators.

The charger was relatively slow, just 7kW. The Tavascan can charge at up to 135kW (DC), which isn’t class leading but should manage 10% - 80% in less than 30 minutes.

At this ‘slow’ charger we gained 90 miles in four hours, at a cost of £11. That's about the same price as a 50mpg petrol car. I calculated that I should have around 30 miles of range left once home – enough to make it back to the office, where I could charge the car again.

However, upon arriving home, the car displayed a range of just 20 miles, still enough so not to worry. After a couple of days without driving, I got into the car for my commute, only to find the range had dropped to six miles. To be fair, the weather had been bitterly cold. A quick dash to a local supermarket allowed me to top up at a GeniePoint charger.  

Fortunately, this time I could simply tap my bank card on the unit, avoiding the need to download an app. A much more straightforward experience.

Overall, our family’s first experience of a longer trip in an EV was mostly positive. Echoing the sentiment we hear from lots of EV drivers and fleet operators, the car was great it was just the charging infrastructure that was less than ideal. Nonethless, we made it to York and back and I’m eager to explore more electric vehicle adventures in the future. 

Cupra Tavascan V2 joins our fleet

Cupra’s new sporty Tavascan is a welcome addition to our long-term test fleet, marking my first proper foray into battery-powered travel. 

Pricing starts at £47,340 and peaks at £60,835, positioning the Tavascan as a competitor to models like the Audi Q4 e-tron, BMW i4, Polestar 2, and Genesis GV60. It may also appeal to drivers looking for something more distinctive than offerings from other brands. 

Our test model is priced at £53,835 and comes equipped with an impressive range of standard tech, which I’m looking forward to exploring in full. 

The Tavascan also boasts some stunning styling cues and build quality and materials are first-class, ensuring a comfortable and spacious cabin. 

The infotainment system features a next-generation software interface that places key functions within easy reach. Climate controls and heated seat buttons are neatly integrated into a row at the bottom of the display. Additionally, a simple downward swipe from the top of the screen grants quick access to driver assistance system settings. 

One minor downside is the rear-view camera, which isn’t as sharp as others I’ve experienced. It can make objects like buildings and cars appear slightly stretched, though not to the point of being off-putting. 

A curvy, T-shaped dashboard enhances the sleek exterior and reinforces the car’s sporty appeal. 

Having spent three years at Fleet News, this is the first time I’ll be testing a fully electric vehicle for an extended period. 

Why has it taken me so long to go electric? Well, I can’t charge at home, and that’s always made me hesitant. 

However, after speaking with people in the fleet sector, I’ve come to realise that home charging isn’t necessarily a dealbreaker. The public charging network continues to expand, and I can conveniently top up at the office once or twice a week. 

In colder weather, I’m averaging around 240-250 miles on a full charge. We anticipate this increasing to approximately 300 miles in warmer months, which seems more than sufficient for my needs. 

I’ll keep you updated on my experience…