If there's one gripe that critics of electric vehicles (EVs) harp on about, it's the perceived inability of battery-powered models to handle long-haul trips. 'Charging takes an age', they grumble, often adding that a diesel-fuelled Volkswagen Passat from two decades ago could outlast them without needing a pit stop, notes motoring writer Jack Evans.
Don't get me wrong, I'm partial to a lengthy road trip in a hefty diesel vehicle myself. However, times are changing, and as EVs become increasingly prevalent, we're having to accommodate them into our daily routines.
That's why I thought it would be illuminating to see how an electric vehicle fares on a comprehensive European road trip - a real litmus test of progress. The plan is straightforward. Embark from the UK, traverse through France and Germany, and arrive at a destination in Austria known as Zell am See.
Why this particular spot? It's the venue for this year's FAT Ice Race, a jubilant homage to all things four-wheeled and icy.
It's also where Polestar will be unveiling its latest brainchild – the 5 – ahead of its UK launch later this year. It seemed apt, then, that I'd undertake this journey in one of Polestar's newly released vehicles, the 4.
I've got my hands on the dual-motor model, kitted out with robust-looking tyres. They're essential for the wintry conditions we're heading into, while the winter-ready tyres are legally mandated in many regions.
But let's delve into the specifics. The dual-motor variant of the 4 boasts a projected range of 367 miles, aided by an efficiency-enhancing heat pump.
It also offers a maximum charging rate of 200kW, which should enable you to power up the 4 from 10 to 80 per cent in just half an hour when connected to a rapid charger. These are what I'd be banking on for swift top-ups whilst out and about.
However, there's a catch. When I initially fully charged the 4 prior to setting off, the car displayed only 238 miles at 100 per cent – quite a bit short of the advertised figure. Nevertheless, the spirit of adventure was undeterred, and it was time to hit the road.
As we set off on a brisk morning from a hotel near Maidstone en route to the Channel Tunnel, I'm accompanied by several others, all driving Polestars. Thankfully, the presence of chargers at our hotel ensured that every vehicle started the day with a full 'tank'.
A swift drive down to the 'chunnel' soon sees us aboard a train, laden with pastries and coffees from the FlexiPlus lounge. The tunnel crossing always affords a good opportunity to strategise, although the overarching aim of this trip is to rely as little as possible on apps for locating chargers - something that isn't typically associated with electric car travel.
Further along, we settle into a comfortable rhythm as we sweep through northern France. The expansive, sprawling and relatively deserted roads feel worlds apart from Britain's crowded and jam-packed motorways, allowing us to make swift headway towards our initial photo opportunity – Reims.
The Reims-Guex circuit was fashioned from public roads and regularly played host to the French Grand Prix before shutting its gates in 1972. These days, the remnants of the former track remain visible, with grandstands and pit garages still available to explore.
It proves an appropriate stopping point for the Polestars as well, which assemble as a contemporary take on the road vehicle in a location steeped in history. Luckily for me, there's a charging station close by – I'm down to 10 per cent battery and desperate to get recharged.
This marks our inaugural charging session and it proves remarkably straightforward. We pull into a neighbouring supermarket where there's an impressive array of ultra-rapid IONITY terminals.
Once connected, they're quickly delivering 135kW of power and by the time I've nipped to the loo and grabbed a coffee and some grub, the 4 has climbed back to 80 per cent charge. French charging costs are significantly lower than those back home, too – we're forking out roughly 54c/kWh, whilst in Britain a comparable charger would set you back around 80p/kWh – potentially even more.
Recharged - both caffeine-wise and electrically - it's time to get back on the move. We're making our way towards Freiburg with a planned overnight stay at the ArtBau DesignHotel to split up the journey. Technically, you could manage it in a single stretch - but our fatigue becomes increasingly evident as the drive progresses.
Fortunately, we only require one additional charge to reach our destination, and it's at a lightning-quick Fastned station. The facility is spotless, modern and straightforward to navigate, with merely a 20-minute top-up needed to provide sufficient power to get us to our accommodation for the evening.
The added bonus is that our hotel also features overnight charging points, eliminating any concerns about powering up for tomorrow's travels. Rising early the following morning, we're embarking on the final stretch of our journey to Zel am See. In my mind, I'd pictured it as a brief jaunt, but a swift glance at the satnav showed six-and-a-half hours still to go.
That said, Germany is a nation that makes light work of substantial distances. We begin ascending mountain passes and encountering considerably more snow than I'd anticipated, but thankfully, the winter tyres do their job and everything stays firmly under control.
Our initial recharge takes place at a rapid IONITY station, handily located beside a McDonald's for a swift coffee following our 200-mile stint. We're discovering that two-and-a-half hours feels about ideal for driving intervals between charges.
The vehicles could manage longer, but when you're travelling solo, it's rather pleasant to hop out and have a natter. We also enjoy a decent stretch of unrestricted autobahn to discover the Polestar 4's maximum velocity.
It clocks 124mph, should you be curious, and in a motor with this level of grunt, reaching it proves straightforward. Naturally, sustained high-speed cruising hammers the range, but the entertainment value makes it worthwhile. Occasionally, the more thrilling choice proves the superior one.
Our final top-up takes place at Holzkirchen, on Munich's outskirts, marking our inaugural experience of a motorway service station charge. Up until now, we'd been utilising those positioned slightly away from the main routes, at retail parks or supermarket car parks.
The demand at the service station proves markedly different; motorists form queues for available spots, and at one stage, a driver shuts one of our vehicles' charging ports and connects their own car to the charger instead.
It also became the location of our first charging mishap. Following a light, wholesome lunch of currywurst, we head back to the vehicles only to discover one hasn't charged whatsoever. It's frustrating, and it's notable that this occurred at our maiden service station visit.
Fortunately, they're rapid charging units, so we switch the cars around and get the outstanding one fully sorted. From that point, a quick two-and-a-half-hour drive brought us to our ultimate destination, a hotel just beyond Zell am See.
There, poised to face off against our grimy, mile-eating Polestars sits a fresh 5, kitted out in Gran Turismo livery. So how did the journey pan out overall? Rather straightforward, truth be told.
Naturally, you could fill a diesel vehicle and attempt the entire route in one go, but honestly, every charging stop we made for the Polestars coincided with moments when I fancied a breather myself. Apart from one packed service station, the charging infrastructure worked without a hitch.
The bottom line? A shade over £160, which strikes me as perfectly reasonable for upwards of 800 miles behind the wheel. Britain ought to pay attention, however, to Europe's charging tariffs – they're genuinely game-changing and help make electric motoring considerably more attractive.