Luca Del Bo, a biomedical engineer and journalist, was one of the first people to cover electric mobility in Italy, back in the 1990s. Present as one of 30 Model S owners at the first Italian gathering, the Tesla Revolution 2016, he spoke with objectivity and ease about the appeal of driving a car that has revolutionised electric mobility.

And first of all he runs a calculation on the real range of the car, which is stated as 500 kilometres. The first thing to bear in mind is never to charge the battery to 100 per cent (just as with our smartphones, for example), so as not to damage it. "To cover 500 kilometres we would need to consume 130 watt-hours, which means travelling at a constant 90 km/h — something that's practically impossible," explains Del Bo. "I consume 210 watt-hours per kilometre, so that gives me 309 kilometres of range, which I can increase to 380 with a 100 per cent charge." And then there is the cold-weather issue. "In the cold, consumption goes up, and can drop to 250 when it's raining. At an average of 165 km/h, some people have managed 185 kilometres." Clearly the range question works in exactly the same way as with a petrol vehicle: driving style, tyre condition and weather all matter.

How long have you owned a Model S?
About eleven months, during which I've covered 70,000 kilometres.

Are you happy with having bought an electric vehicle?
Absolutely. The real test, to be honest, is my wife, because she drives up into the mountains and tackles the Simplon Pass without any trouble at all. The only thing is you need to plan the journey a little — if I have to go to Rome, for instance, where there's no Supercharger. The last one is in Arezzo. But it's just a matter of finding out in advance where to charge up.

You also made it from London to Milan in a single day, didn't you?
Yes. I left London at 7.30 and arrived in Milan at 11 pm, stopping four times, two of which were for meals. An average of 45 minutes per stop. Bear in mind that charging takes around 40 minutes.

So does electric mobility work?
Electric mobility is the solution. And I'm not saying that out of blind loyalty. It's a different way of driving and getting around. Take the autopilot, for example — it can hold the lane and maintain the set speed up to 140 kilometres per hour. It's a car that's genuinely fun to drive when you want it to be, while for longer journeys it's decidedly more relaxing.

But are there any downsides?
Hmm, I'd have to think about that. I did go to London because I enjoyed making the trip in the Tesla, but otherwise for journeys that long you're better off flying. It's obviously a major investment, that much is clear. But those are 70,000 kilometres without buying a drop of petrol.

You're also the first Italian user to offer BlaBlaCar rides in a Tesla.
Yes, that's right.

Can we reveal the route?
You'll find me on the Milan–Florence run. I should mention that some passengers come back for more. Or some have sent their wife along to try the car, they've enjoyed it so much.