Caralogy

Simulation · April 2026

Electric or combustion road trip: real time, stops and cost

Paris – Lyon (465 km at 130 km/h): a hybrid arrives in 3h52 with no stop for ~€43. An electric arrives in 5h02 with 2 charging stops for ~€40. Our simulator calculates real time, number of stops and exact cost based on each vehicle's range.

Featured road trips

Paris – Lyon · 465 km

28 min gap, €26 savings

Porsche TaycanvsTesla Model S Plaid

The Model S Plaid arrives 28 min earlier with one stop. But the Taycan costs €26 less for the trip.

Taycan

4h57 · 2 arrêts · 95 €

Model S Plaid

4h29 · 1 arrêt · 69 €

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Paris – Marseille · 775 km

45 min gap despite 3 stops each

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775 km, 3 stops each — but 45 min apart at arrival. Aerodynamics make the difference.

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7h22 · 3 arrêts · 148 €

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6h37 · 3 arrêts · 135 €

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Paris – Bordeaux · 585 km

4 stops vs 3 — €22 difference

Renault Megane E-TechvsPeugeot e-308

585 km: both compacts cover the distance. 4 stops vs 3 — and €22 difference in total cost.

Megane E-Tech

6h14 · 4 arrêts · 87 €

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5h52 · 3 arrêts · 65 €

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Understanding road trip simulation

Electric vs combustion: the gap widens at 130 km/h

At 130 km/h on motorways, an electric vehicle's consumption increases by 15–25% compared to the WLTP combined cycle — versus 5–8% for combustion. In practice, a Tesla Model 3 rated at 15 kWh/100 km WLTP reaches 18–19 kWh/100 km at motorway speeds. Our simulator applies a +18% coefficient on declared range to calculate real range at 130 km/h, which directly determines the number and placement of charging stops.

Charging stops: real time vs advertised

The simulator models charging from 10% to 80% (standard threshold to preserve battery during travel). For a vehicle capable of 150 kW DC, charging takes approximately 22–28 minutes depending on the real charging curve. A 50 kW charger extends this to 45–55 minutes for the same window. The average DC fast-charging cost used is €0.45/kWh — adjustable in the simulator based on your charging card (Tesla Supercharger, Ionity, TotalEnergies).

How to read our results

Our results show total travel time (driving + stops), number of stops and energy cost. The fastest vehicle is highlighted — but the cheapest for energy is also shown, since the two don't always coincide. For combustion vehicles, fill-up time (5 min) and fuel cost are calculated proportionally to distance based on WLTP consumption. Data is indicative — real conditions (traffic, weather, altitude) may affect results.

Methodology and sources

Range: manufacturer WLTP combined, corrected +18% for motorway speed (130 km/h). Charging: 10% to 80% curve, max DC power from manufacturer. DC charging cost: €0,45/kWh (average IRVE rate). Fuel: SP95 €1,99/L. Fuel stop: 5 min included. Simulation by Caralogy calibrated physics engine. This comparison covers energy and travel time only — it does not include insurance, maintenance or depreciation.

Frequently asked questions

Is an electric car faster than a combustion car on a motorway trip?

No — on Paris – Lyon (465 km at 130 km/h), a typical electric makes 2 charging stops and arrives in 5h00 to 5h15, versus 3h52 for a hybrid with no significant stop. The electric costs less in energy (~€40 vs ~€43), but charging stops make the difference on total time. Caralogy simulation, April 2026.

How many charging stops for 500 km in an electric car?

Usually 1 to 2 DC stops for 500 km, depending on real range at 130 km/h (which is 15–25% below WLTP). Example: an e-208 (corrected consumption ~19 kWh/100 km) makes 2 stops of 22 min for Paris – Lyon. A Model 3 Long Range (corrected ~17 kWh/100 km) makes 1 stop. Caralogy data, corrected consumption at 130 km/h.

Paris to Lyon by electric car: how much does it cost on a fast charger?

Between €30 and €50 depending on the vehicle, at DC charging at ~€0.45/kWh (Ionity, TotalEnergies). For an e-208 (~19 kWh/100 km): about €40 for 465 km. The same trip in a hybrid costs about €43 in petrol at €1.99/L. With home charging the evening before (first leg ~€0.21/kWh), the blended cost drops to ~€32. Caralogy simulation.

What is the real range of an electric vehicle at 130 km/h?

Real range at 130 km/h is 15–25% below WLTP combined range. Aerodynamic drag grows with the square of speed: at 130 km/h, it is 4× higher than at 65 km/h. Concretely, a car rated at 400 km WLTP achieves 300–340 km on the motorway. Our simulator applies this correction coefficient to each vehicle — something manufacturers don't publish.

How long does a charging stop take on a long trip?

Each DC charging stop (from 10% to 80%) takes between 20 and 35 minutes depending on the vehicle's max power. For a 150 kW DC vehicle: about 22–28 min. For 50 kW: 45–55 min. The decisive factor is not the peak power but the average power over the real charging curve. The simulator uses manufacturer data (max DC power, 10–80% time) for each model.