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MorganFreemansVoice

Regional Sales Manager

Fire Starter
Contributor

Fellow road warriors, would a Tesla be a good purchase for a large territory?

I cover some states in the Midwest and mid south US. I stay in hotels about 120-150 nights a year. Most of my territory is rural with the exception of cities like KC, STL, Memphis, Louisville etc. Obviously, I would rely heavily on superchargers but infrastructure doesn't seem to be where it needs to be throughout my territory. It seems like charging would slow me down considerably but would maximize my reimbursements. Does anyone travel for work like me? Does anyone drive a Tesla? Your thoughts and advice is appreciated. 
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Kosta_Konfucius
Politicker
5
Sales Rep
Given that you mentioned it will mostly be rural, I don't know how many super chargers will be around. Plus I believe they take 40 mins.
Not in a similar situation at all, just my 2 cents.
poweredbycaffeine
WR Lieutenant
4
☕️
I considered a Tesla for my family and occasional client car up here in the North East. Ended up not going with one because outside of the major city and suburb area there weren’t enough chargers to reliably get to one in a pinch. Sounds like you’d be in the same boat, so maybe grab one of the BMW X3 or X5 hybrids. The Volvo electric options are also amazing. I went with another Subaru because I’m a brand loyalist.
Fenderbaum
Politicker
4
Retired Choirboy🪕
You couldn't pay me enough to get a Tesla. I have a plug-in hybrid BMW X5, but will go full hybrid on my next vehicle.
Maximas
Tycoon
0
Senior Sales Executive
BMW's my favorite too if I'll ever buy a vehicle!
Sunbunny31
Politicker
3
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
I live in the SF Bay Area and would have zero problems finding chargers, but you mentioned rural, so I’d say any 100% electric car will be a challenge. I’m wishing I had the opportunity to get a hybrid when I bought my Honda - hybrid came out the next year for the model I have. I’d recommend a hybrid for you in your situation, and consider fully electric once there’s infrastructure in your region to support it.
FoodForSales
Politicker
2
AE
really depends on how large the territory is, how rushed you are going from meeting to meeting, the frequency of chargers and the weather in the winter.
DungeonsNDemos
Big Shot
2
Rolling 20's all day
Tesla quality control seems to be slipping. If you are staying in a city and just driving daily it seems fine, but if you're going to rural areas there may not be chargers widely available.
Filth
Politicker
2
Live Filthy or Die Clean
I've seen a bunch of BS that happens when Ice is involved, from system crash to car just not letting you in - I would not trust a Tesla in midwest snow conditions.
CuriousFox
WR Officer
3
🦊
Where the hell have you been?
Filth
Politicker
2
Live Filthy or Die Clean
Man @CuriousFoxI have been through the fucking ringer lol. Work somehow got busier than it already was - I keep finding OPS in my accounts which just creates more work for a team that needs to have double the personnel (great problem to have I know, but a problem none the less). Pregnant wife is real pregnant now (yay and tip toe around the tulips depending on the hour) and the ex husband is starting some fun shit. I think I went like a month without even touching the War Room. Shit was wack but I've been able to bash some of the culprits into place that have been making my life hellish.
Appreciate the ask comrade, good to be noticed, even if just my absence is noticed.
CuriousFox
WR Officer
0
🦊
❤🦊
GeneralFriend
Fire Starter
1
Account Manager
Funny thing happens when cars are only designed/built/tested in Sunny California
HVACexpert
Politicker
1
sales engineer
Do you get reimbursed for miles? Are you wanting to buy to help pocket/save more money? Or just for comfort ? I drive a decent amount myself and in the end I bought something, plainly because I liked it. I got a Jeep Compass, I find it comfortable and easy to street park in cities. In the end buy it because you want to, you’ll be in that car a lot and it will be more important that is functional and comfortable, more than it being an electric vehicle.
GDO
Politicker
1
BDM
Try it out by simulating it. Check where you now drive. How many supercharges are there? Is the distance to far. Does it get cold over there?
TennisandSales
Politicker
1
Head Of Sales
It really comes down to the ability to charge for me. If you think it’s going to slow you down….that’s your answer.
sketchysales
Politicker
1
Sales Manager
As someone who travels extensively for work and lives semi rurally, I would avoid a Tesla in your position.

Bigger picture, spending more time charging, is that really worth the bit extra you will get from your reimbursements?

If economy is a factor, get a decent hybrid, look at Volvo XC-60 T8 or the XC90 if you like something bigger, similar price bracket to Tesla.
braintank
Politicker
1
Enterprise Account Executive
Go for hybrid, not full electric. Don't want to be stranded in the tundra looking for a chargers.
CuriousFox
WR Officer
1
🦊
Your username. I am deceased.
detectivegibbles
Politicker
0
Sales Director
Bad move IMO. Maybe in 3-5 years as more rural areas get access.
RandyLahey
Politicker
0
Account Executive
First suggestion would be to confirm that the charging network is up to snuff for the area that you listed.
Next, cost-benefit analysis of the reimbursements vs. potential charging issues.
Justatitle
Big Shot
0
Account Executive
If work is willing to reimburse for Gas and mileage, then I might just go with a low to mid end comfortable ride with good mileage. Also who are you selling to, pulling up in a flashy car or a statement vehicle may not be the best idea. I also tend to overthink things so the flashiness might not be an issue. Also do you prefer riding lower to the ground or higher? If you are taking longer trips definitely something to consider.
punishedlad
Tycoon
0
Business Development Team Lead
If you're trying to go EV, I'd go with anything but a Tesla at this point. Their QC is absolutely abysmal. The amount of anecdotes I've heard from Tesla owners in person and on the internet is enough to poison that well forever in my mind.
What I'm gathering from your situation though is that EV probably isn't the right move for you. I'm on the road a lot for work too. Literally every week for 2-3 days in the midwest. I pass 30-40 gas stations on a given day and hardly ever see an EV stations except in the sketchy parking lots behind Meijer.
UserNotFound
Politicker
0
Account Executive
I live in this area you describe- there are Teslas everywhere! If you buy the long range, I can’t imagine you’d have an issue? A friend of mine has a Tesla and hes only had issues in the rural south. Midwest seems to be well equipped.
GingerBarbarian
Opinionated
0
Lead Sales
I would look for something that can use either. IF you are in really rural territory, you may be able to get a gallon or two of gas from any farmer, you may not have a place to charge.
countingmyinterest
Politicker
0
Account Executive
get a prius
Maximas
Tycoon
-2
Senior Sales Executive
Don't have a car sorry!

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