How a Tesla Model 3 became safe haven in Australian bushfires

The Driven

Cooler conditions have dampened the devastating bushfires that have ravaged Australia this summer, even though some areas are still under threat. But an uplifting story has emerged of how one family’s experience was made easier thanks to owning an electric vehicle.

Rather than being an impediment in a fire emergency and at risk of running out of driving range, electric vehicle owner Garry Thorpe says his Tesla Model 3 was “brilliant”.

Evacuating residents and holidaymakers told tales of fuel, food and water shortages during the bushfire crisis – but this wasn’t the case for Thorpe and his family of 18, including 10 grandchildren.

“Tesla was brilliant. In a disaster, both power and petrol are rapidly unavailable. When power is restored, fuel is hard to come by,” Thorpe said, recounting the experience in Facebook group “Electric Vehicles for Australia“.

“My experience was that I could get a “full tank” before the crisis arrived, and as soon as the power was back on, could get a “full tank” easier than petrol. The car AC (air conditioning) was brilliant, you can run it for hours with hardly any power drain.”

Holidaying on the South Coast of NSW with his family, Thorpe described how he charged his Standard Range Plus (SR+) Model 3 to 90% off the holiday home’s standard power points when local fire alerts were received.