9 mins read

Look! The Gas-Powered Tesla Adventure: A Hilarious Road Trip Experiment Gone Wrong

electric vehicle electric car
Volkswagen Group MEB platform – Wikipedia, Photo by wikimedia.org, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

The notion of driving an electric vehicle without the necessity of frequent charging presents a compelling challenge. Matt Mikka, the innovative force behind the YouTube channel Warped Perception, has notably advanced this concept by retrofitting his Tesla Model S with a gas generator. This unconventional adaptation allowed him to undertake an ambitious 1,800-mile road trip across the Midwest, illustrating a novel approach to mobility that merges traditional and electric vehicle technologies.

The Idea
Photo by Craig Adderley on Pexels

1. **The Idea**: Let’s face it; range anxiety is a real buzzkill for electric car owners. The struggle of finding charging stations can feel like a scavenger hunt with no treasure at the end. So, Mikka thought, why not combine the best of both worlds? After five years of planning and a year and a half of designing, he created his own version of a hybrid vehicle—dubbed the “Cordless Tesla”—to keep the wheels rolling without the hassle of plugging in.

Setting the Scene
Photo by Kindel Media on Pexels

2. **Setting the Scene**: Just imagine the scene: a gas generator, awkwardly nestled in the trunk of a sleek, high-tech Tesla Model S. Gone is the serene, silent electric ride. Instead, picture Mikka traveling with the delightful hum of a generator in the background. It’s like a road trip with a twist of irony that you can’t help but laugh at!

The Challenge
Photo by HRK Gallery on Pexels

3. **The Challenge**: Mikka’s goal was clear: make it 1,800 miles without stopping at a charging station—sounds easy enough, right? The Tesla Model S can reach up to 405 miles on a single charge, but Mikka was about to put that to the test. He wasn’t just avoiding charging stations; he was on a mission to redefine long-distance electric travel!

The Build-Up
Photo by SCREEN POST on Pexels

4. **The Build-Up**: How does one even begin to create a gas-powered Tesla? According to Mikka, it took him five years to come up with this crazy idea, and once he got the green light, the construction began. It was a meticulous process, filled with trials and errors that would make even the most seasoned mechanic shake their head in disbelief.

The Journey Begins
Photo by Auto Records on Pexels

5. **The Journey Begins**: With his newly minted Cordless Tesla ready to roll, Mikka hit the road! The thrill of adventure hung in the air. But just like any great road trip, it came with some unexpected bumps—literally and figuratively. Would he make it to his destination with all his sanity intact?

6. **The First Hiccups**: Right off the bat, Mikka discovered that while he could drive without charging, the generator sometimes struggled to keep up with the energy consumption of the Tesla. Who knew a genius invention could leave you parked on the side of the road for hours? Yep, that’s right—Mikka had to pull over for 5-6 hours each day while the car sat idling, soaking up juice like a sponge.

Gas Station Shenanigans
ironic gas station? | This is a 60 pump convenience store ju… | Flickr, Photo by staticflickr.com, is licensed under CC BY 2.0

7. **Gas Station Shenanigans**: Getting gas in a Tesla is an experience you wouldn’t expect! Picture Mikka, hopping out of his electric vehicle and filling up a gas generator while other EV enthusiasts look on in disbelief. He must have looked like he was from a parallel universe, pulling up to the pump with a gigantic smile and a grin that said, “I did this on purpose!”

Police Encounter
File:Police encounter a protester during the Olympic torch relay through Paris.jpg – Wikimedia Commons, Photo by wikimedia.org, is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0

8. **Police Encounter**: And who could forget the time our hero got pulled over? Yes, folks, while trying to conserve energy by driving slower, Mikka was stopped by the cops for being, well, too slow! Just imagine the officer’s confusion when Mikka explained he was avoiding speeding to save battery life. He must have left the officer wondering if he was in a real-life episode of Saturday Night Live!

9. **The Noise Factor**: Now, we can’t ignore the fact that gas generators can be louder than a concert. Mikka’s neighbors at the hotels must have been thrilled about the late-night symphonies from his noisy generator running outside, keeping the car charged. Nothing says “restful night” quite like the sound of a roaring engine just outside your window!

10. **Lessons Learned**: In the end, Mikka completed the journey without plugging into a charging station, but the experience was a mixed bag of fun and frustration. While he could boast about his unconventional road trip, he called the entire build “basically useless.” Who would’ve thought that the dream of the ultimate road trip car would involve such an ironic twist?

The Charging Dilemma
Photo by HRK Gallery on Pexels

11. **The Charging Dilemma**: Who would’ve thought that in a world with electric cars, the concept of charging could be so complicated? Mikka learned the hard way that while his gas generator could keep the Tesla running, it couldn’t keep up with its energy consumption on the go. This led to his daily routine of stopping for 5-6 hours, essentially turning his road trip into a series of pit stops. It’s like trying to run a marathon while pausing to eat a five-course meal!

12. **Generator Vs. Tesla**: Imagine the showdown: the silent, eco-friendly Tesla versus the noisy, gas-guzzling generator. While Mikka was out there trying to redefine electric travel, he found himself in a hilariously ironic battle of technology. One could almost picture the generator puffing out smoke, yelling, “I can do it faster!” while the Tesla rolled its eyes, silently judging its companion’s outdated fuel habits.

The Hotel Experience
bringing the airport experience to the hotel experience | Flickr, Photo by staticflickr.com, is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0

13. **The Hotel Experience**: Let’s talk about hotel life. Mikka must have been the life of the party, rolling up to his accommodations with a generator in tow, causing the guests to raise their eyebrows in disbelief. Picture it: a serene hotel parking lot suddenly transformed into a bustling gas station. Meanwhile, guests sipped their cocktails while the generator serenaded them with its raucous grumbles throughout the night.

Caught in the Act
File:Caught in the Act Cologne Pride.jpg – Wikimedia Commons, Photo by wikimedia.org, is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0

14. **Caught in the Act**: The police encounter is one for the books! Mikka got pulled over for driving too slowly, a predicament that would leave anyone else in stitches. Imagine trying to explain to an officer why you’re crawling along the highway at a snail’s pace just to save a few battery charges. “Officer, I swear I’m not trying to break any speed limits, just trying to break the mold on what it means to be eco-friendly!”

15. **Fuel Economy Fiasco**: Mikka’s gas generator was not winning any fuel economy awards, let’s just say. With fuel economy ranging from 14 mpg at higher speeds to 24 mpg when cruising slowly, it’s safe to say that his road trip was more of a gas guzzling marathon than a sleek Tesla expedition. This certainly raised eyebrows regarding the efficiency of his beloved Cordless Tesla, which, in the end, might just be a high-tech way to burn fossil fuels in more stylish packaging.

range anxiety escapades
Drive Electric Northern Colorado, Photo by felixwong.com, is licensed under CC BY 4.0

The next time you enter your electric vehicle and experience a moment of range anxiety, consider the adventurous spirit of Matt Mikka. His creative approaches to travel challenges may inspire you to devise your own unconventional solutions. Innovation thrives on embracing the unexpected and maintaining a sense of humor throughout the journey. Prepare for more entertaining escapades from Warped Perception, as Mikka continues to navigate the unpredictable road of life.

Related posts:
Guy puts gas generator in his Tesla to avoid plugging it in during road trip – Supercar Blondie
YouTuber puts gas generator in Tesla so he doesn’t have to plug it in on road trip


Discover more from Auto Travel World

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.