Electric road trips with Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo

Discover how Gabriela Jilkova’s journey in the Dolomites proves that electric road trips are realistic, thrilling and supported by growing EV infrastructure.

An electric car is no longer a quirky urban gadget nervously skirting the city limits. The numbers say it all: in 2024, a record 17.1 million electric vehicles were sold worldwide — a 25% jump in just one year. Today, every fifth new car sold globally is an EV. China and Europe are setting the pace, with the US quickly catching up.

Yet if success were only about sales charts, we’d miss the dozens of personal stories where an electric drivetrain becomes more than just progress — it’s a symbol of freedom. One such story belongs to Gabriela Jilkova, a professional test and simulator driver for the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team. A racer with an analytical mind and a sharp feel for every millisecond, Gabriela knows what it means to live for results and perfect lines. But even the most focused need an escape — and she found hers in the Dolomites.

The Dolomites are more than just mountains. They’re a UNESCO World Heritage site and a bucket-list road trip destination for anyone who dreams of tight switchbacks and jaw-dropping panoramas. Stelvio, Giau, Sella — names that promise adventure and demand respect. Well-maintained roads, alpine lodges and a growing network of chargers prove that EV tourism here is no fantasy.

Her companion was the Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo — a machine engineered to tackle any route with confidence: twin electric motors, all-wheel drive, up to 613 km of range and an adaptive air suspension that laughs at rough trails. Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres keep the grip where mountain passes put the car’s balance to the test.

Gabriela’s journey kicked off at the Porsche Experience Center in Franciacorta and headed deep into the Alps. Charging? No stress — Porsche Destination Chargers and hotels like the Floris Green Hotel have made overnight top-ups routine. New hotels and mountain parking lots across the Alps follow suit, removing the last barriers for drivers worried about range.

Is long-distance travel in an EV truly realistic today? Lucid Air stretches past 800 km on a single charge. The Mercedes EQS clocks in nearly as far. Even the BMW i4 holds steady beyond 500 km. Sure, perfection’s still out of reach — remote areas mean planning ahead with tools like PlugShare or ABRP. But what once looked like major obstacles now feel like minor planning details.

Porsche is looking further ahead too: the Cayenne Electric prototype is already tackling hill climbs at Goodwood, and the company’s investment in eFuels shows that high-performance petrol engines could have a future with zero guilt. The Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup series has already made the switch to synthetic fuel — and that’s more than just a statement.

Today, an EV is more than a quiet motor and cleaner air. It’s an invitation to head for the horizon, where each charger on the map becomes another waypoint on the road to freedom. Gabriela Jilkova’s story is no glossy brochure — it’s a clear sign that the right route, a charged battery and an open mind can still give drivers what they really crave: the feeling that there’s always another mile to go.