"Tesla in China is for commuting only"... The story of spending 400,000 won on towing after a trip

Photo source: Local portal Baidu (百度)

[Asia Economy Beijing=Correspondent Kim Hyunjung] News about a man in China who went on a long-distance trip in a Tesla but encountered traffic congestion and ended up paying a towing fee of "400,000 won (about 2,000 yuan)" is gaining attention. Online opinions are divided, with some saying electric cars should only be used for city driving and commuting, while others point out the insufficient insurance coverage for electric vehicles.

According to local Chinese media such as Fenghuangwang on the 4th, on the 1st, a social media influencer in China attempted to drive his Tesla from Shenzhen to Yongzhou in Hunan Province but his vehicle ran out of battery. The distance from Shenzhen to Hunan Province is about 500 km, and the man stated that his vehicle's battery life per charge was 435 km.

The 1st was the first day of China’s National Day holiday, during which traffic congestion occurred nationwide. The man’s travel route was no exception. His vehicle stopped on the road, and he explained that he had to pay an additional emergency towing fee of 2,000 yuan before he could move and recharge.

He said, "When I returned home, my father, who drives a truck, laughed at me," and emphasized, "Before traveling, (electric car drivers) must carefully check their schedule and road conditions."

The man’s story quickly spread online and was featured as popular news on major portals like Baidu. One netizen pointed out, "Electric cars are suitable for city driving, but long-distance trips cause many problems," while another wrote, "Electric cars are for commuting." There were also opinions that proper insurance coverage for issues arising during long-distance driving is still lacking.

Fenghuangwang emphasized, "It is important to know the number of charging stations along the travel route and to check whether there are charging facilities near tourist spots." They advised that it is best to have charging stations installed every 30 to 50 km, and the distance should not exceed 60 km.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.