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This Tesla Model 3 Just Set a New Cannonball Run Record for EVs

One of the greatest adventures a motorist can enjoy on America soil is going for a cannonball run. That is crossing the vast expanses of the North American continent from coast to coast, cruising from start to finish as fast as possible.
The start of the Model 3 Cannonball run 21 photos
Photo: futurematters / Youtube
This type of race has seen over the years several exciting cars setting records, from Alex Roy’s modified BMW M5 to Ed Bolian’s 2004 Mercedes CL55 AMG. In recent times, even EVs have joined the race, setting records of their own.

This week, news of a new best time for the transcontinental drive in an electric car surfaced. It would appear the previous record, set by the same Alex Roy in a Tesla Model 3 in late 2017, was taken down.

According to Electrek, a Swiss family of three traveled all the way to the U.S. and took turns driving the family’s recently purchased Model 3 from the east to the west coast.

Starting in New York City on Friday, July 12th, the trio managed to reach the Redondo Beach in California on Sunday, July 14th. The drive lasted for 48 hours and 10 minutes, two hours faster than Roy’s, and covered a distance of 2,835 miles (4,562 km).

According to the family, the drive time is documented “with a start-to-finish time-lapse video and with the time-stamped supercharging protocol.” The video is available below.

Along the way, the car’s Autopilot did most of the work, traveling at an average speed of 58.9 mph (94,8 kph). Nineteen recharging stops were needed.

The car used for the drive is a U.S.-spec 2018 Model 3 LR RWD, and it was virtually unmodified for the attempt. When the trip started, the car had around 11,500 miles on the odometer, most of them driven in Europe – yes, the car was shipped to the U.S. for this run.

The new record holders are Lars Thomsen, his wife Betty Legler and their daughter Robin Jedi Thomsen.

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About the author: Daniel Patrascu
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Daniel loves writing (or so he claims), and he uses this skill to offer readers a "behind the scenes" look at the automotive industry. He also enjoys talking about space exploration and robots, because in his view the only way forward for humanity is away from this planet, in metal bodies.
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