Energy Performance

The challenge is to cover distance efficiently, while observing the speed limit, and charge quickly. But the participants themselves will decide when, where, and for how long to charge. We follow the Taycan Sport Turismo with optional Performance Battery Plus (97 kWh net/105 kWh gross; Taycan Sport Turismo with Performance Battery Plus (2024): Electric power consumption* combined (WLTP) 20.9 – 17.9 kWh/100 km, CO₂ emissions* combined (WLTP) 0 g/km, CO₂ class A ), rear-wheel drive, a top track speed of 230 kmh, output of 320 kW (435 PS), and, according to WLTP, a range of up to 650 kilometers.

Although the IONITY high-power charging station at the Golling rest stop is located on the opposite side of the highway, the detour through the underpass takes no more than two minutes. And it’s well worthwhile, as the Taycan battery charges with more than 300 kW and is over 90 percent filled in just 25 minutes. That, plus one more charging stop, is enough to get us to Belgrade, which is around 770 kilometers from Golling. And the teams have the opportunity to recharge their own batteries with coffee and buttered pretzels during the short break. 

The landscape grows more spectacular with every mile, as the Radstädter Tauern Pass, the Karawanks mountains, and the Julian Alps come into view. Despite the extraordinary scenery, it’s important to pay close attention to the consumption and charge indicator – and, of course, the occasionally heavy traffic, which eases up again in Slovenia. The speed limit of 130 kmh on the highway is the ideal driving speed for the Taycan, with the journey progressing at a fast and efficient pace. After another four hours of driving, we stop again in Sop, which is located just a few kilometers past the Croatian capital of Zagreb. The village with a population of 350 is currently home to the southernmost IONITY high-power charging station in Europe. With the Taycan plugged in, the teams head over to the bar next door for a great cup of coffee and some delicious snacks.

The teams get an early start on day two of the road trip and head for Istanbul. The Porsche Charging Planner recommends the first charging stop in Bulgaria’s capital, Sofia, at one of the country’s currently 22 fast-charging stations that offer a charging capacity of 300 kW. The Fines app provides access to these and another 319 charging stations at 246 locations.

The network of arterial roads through southern Sofia is confusing. It’s only on the second attempt that the teams locate the interchange that leads to the car dealership charging station suggested by the Fines app. The Taycan is in top form and charging with more than 300 kW of electrical energy – the app promptly announces a record: No other electric vehicle has charged with such a high capacity in Bulgaria. We depart again 16 minutes later, as the Porsche Charging Planner recommends the next stop in less than 300 kilometers, just before the Turkish border. There they find a charging station at a hotel in Svilengrad, Bulgaria, and the Taycan charges with 180 kW.

The journey continues with a charge of 81 percent. The teams decide to stop in Lapovo some 100 kilometers ahead of Belgrade, mainly because they’re ready for a break. But this also gives the Taycan a chance to recharge at a Charge & Go fast-charging station. After twelve hours on the road, the teams reach their destination for the day, Belgrade, allowing them to relax and the four Taycan to power up at wall boxes overnight.

The final leg is pretty much routine for the long-distance EVs: a charging stop at the IONITY station in Sop, Croatia, and another at an IONITY charging location in Eisentratten, Austria. And a third, quick stop in Jettingen-Scheppach, some 150 kilometers before the final destination. And then they’re back in Stuttgart. At the Porsche Museum in Zuffenhausen, the onboard computer reports a distance of around 4,400 kilometers, with average consumption below 23 kWh per 100 kilometers. And, in fact, it cost less than 250 euros per vehicle to drive from Stuttgart to Istanbul and back powered by electricity. The facts speak for themselves – electric mobility and long routes make for a good combination! 

From Stuttgart to Istanbul