I drove a Tesla for the first time and was shocked by how much I liked it. Here's everything that surprised me.
I got to drive a Tesla Model 3 for the first time this week — and loved it.
Jordan Erb/Insider
Using the car-sharing service Turo, I rented a Tesla for the first time for a road trip in Montana.
It was my first time driving an electric vehicle after a decade of driving big, gas-powered SUVs.
It felt like driving a spaceship at first, but once I got used to the high-tech features, I loved it.
This week, I rented a Tesla for a trip through my home state of Montana. After a decade of driving bulky, gas-guzzling cars, it was my first time driving an electric vehicle.
For my first time driving an EV, I rented a Tesla in Montana
Jordan Erb/Insider
I rented the car — a brand-new Model 3 — through Turo, a car-sharing app that lets people rent cars directly from other people, instead of going through traditional companies like Hertz or Enterprise.
I picked up the Tesla at the Bozeman airport.
Jordan Erb/Insider
After a flight from New York to Bozeman, Montana, I headed to a parking garage to pick up the car.
I picked up the car in the parking garage at the Bozeman airport.
Jordan Erb/Insider
I had never driven an EV before, so I was nervous to drive a Tesla. I watched videos beforehand to learn how to use the car (including how to even open the doors).
I had to watch a few videos on how to open a Tesla's doors.
Jordan Erb/Insider
But the person renting me the car offered to show me how to use it, and spent a good 20 minutes giving me a tour, which was met with lots of "oohs" and "aahs."
The Turo host showing me how to set up a user profile.
Jordan Erb/Insider
I was glad he showed me how to put the car into drive. It doesn't have a gear shift like I'm used to (instead, it's behind the wheel), and I don't think I would have been able to find it otherwise.
Tesla doesn’t have a traditional gear shift — instead, it’s behind the steering wheel.
Jordan Erb/Insider
He gave me the key card that comes with the Tesla, but also gave me access to the car through the Tesla app, so I could lock and unlock it from my phone.
I had access to the Tesla through the app, so I never had to use the key.
Jordan Erb/Insider
After our brief introduction, the owner wished me a safe trip, and I was off. I was amazed at how someone could so nonchalantly send off their luxury vehicle with a stranger — but that's the magic of Turo.
I started my Tesla journey by driving from Bozeman to Helena, about 90 miles.
Jordan Erb/Insider
I left the Bozeman airport and started the 90-mile journey to my hometown, Helena.
The drive took about an hour and a half.
Jordan Erb/Insider
The Tesla had the option for autopilot, but I was way too nervous to try it.
Tesla's autopilot function scares me a bit, so I didn't try it.
Jordan Erb/Insider
I was struck by the car's speed — but had a hard time regulating it. Because the car is so quiet and doesn't have to shift through gears, I could speed up without really noticing. Even with Montana's generous 80-mile-per-hour speed limit, I found myself way above the legal limit a few times.
The speed limit is displayed on a Tesla's screen while you drive.
Jordan Erb/Insider
The screen was gorgeous, but it also felt deeply unsafe. Spotify was right at my fingertips, but because I'm used to regular knobs and buttons on a car's dashboard, I kept fumbling around looking for the volume and other commands.
I kept getting distracted by the Tesla's gigantic screen.
Jordan Erb/Insider
And while the Model 3 boasts a range of 358 miles, a sense of range anxiety crept in. This was exacerbated by Montana's lack of electric-vehicle infrastructure: most gas stations don't offer EV charging, and there's only one Supercharger in Helena.
Most of Montana’s gas stations don’t offer EV charging, especially in rural parts of the state.
Jordan Erb/Insider
There are two "destination chargers" in Helena, but they typically take longer to charge, and one, at a local restaurant, is only available to patrons.
The day after arriving in Helena, I took the Tesla for a spin to see how the car fared in the mountains. I drove it to a campsite near the Continental Divide, and was impressed with how it handled the bumpy dirt roads.
I got to drive a Tesla Model 3 for the first time this week — and loved it.
Jordan Erb/Insider
I also found the car had some really thoughtful details, like a spot to wirelessly charge your phone…
The Tesla had two spots to wirelessly charge your cell phones.
Jordan Erb/Insider
High beams that automatically turn off if you pass a car…
Tesla's high beams automatically turn off if you pass another car.
Jordan Erb/Insider
And that the touch screen automatically shifts to dark mode when the sun goes down.
Teslas' screens turn to dark mode after the sun sets.
Jordan Erb/Insider
I was stunned that you don't actually have to turn the car off — you just park it and walk away.
You don't actually have to turn Teslas off — a fact I found shocking.
Jordan Erb/Insider
After about 48 hours with the car, I had to return it to Bozeman's airport, and was sad to see it go.
I was sad to return the Tesla, and surprised by how much I enjoyed driving it.
Jordan Erb/Insider
Turo's return process is easy: I simply charged the car and dropped it off right where I picked it up. Because I could lock the car with the app, I just left the key in the glove box and messaged the owner to tell him where it was located.
Before returning the car, I charged it, then dropped it off at the airport.
Jordan Erb/Insider
Overall, I loved driving the Tesla. And while I'd love to rent one again someday, I wouldn't buy one if I lived in Montana. Given the lack of chargers in the state, I think it'd be too inconvenient to drive until the infrastructure improves.
I loved driving the Tesla, but don't know if it makes sense to own one in Montana.
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