The best way to get around.
One of the best ways to get around has been by catching a Tesla taxi here in Podgorica. Either catching a Model 3 or Model S they offer a comfortable low-cost transport (and pretty fast from how some of the drivers perform).
Using the TeslaGo app makes booking easy, the Tesla will arrive on average in about 5 minutes although in peak times there have occasionally been no vehicles available. The good thing is you can book in advance by time and date, very handy to ensure your taxi will be waiting for you. If not already booked you can also hail a Tesla on the street.
Pricing
After you have selected your pickup and drop off points the app calculates an ‘estimated’ price. Keep in mind that there can be small additional charges due to wait time and traffic delays, generally these have been small. With a 3 euro trip the final price was 3 Euro 65 Cents. Our trip from the center of Podgorica to the outer suburbs such as Zlatica only cost around 5 Euro.
Payment methods
Cash or card. You can select on the app when booking as to how you will be paying although we found that choosing to pay either way at the end of the trip was fine.
Tipping
No idea if its necessary yet we always tip the driver with some change. Around 50 cents on a short trip.
Record of trip
Strangely the App so far has recorded the time of the trip, length of the trip, driver, car type and registration number, route etc, yet it doesn’t indicate the fare paid. I do like that you also receive an email of each trip which shows the trip details and Google map of the route but again, no indication of the fare paid!
I was checking the ‘My Bookings’ section in the menu each trip shows as being ‘Cancelled’ or ‘Not paid yet.’ Even though they have been definitely caught and paid!
Airport Taxi
We caught the Airport taxi there and back. From the airport to Podgorica city was only 10 euro yet from the city to the airport was only around 5 Euro 30 cents. The Tesla airport taxi is also cheaper than other taxi services which charge 12 Euro.
Drivers
Every driver we have had has been friendly and spoken English very well which has been handy for learning a bit more about Podgorica and Montenegro in general. The drivers are very proud of their Tesla’s, and rightly so. Most of the Tesla’s are early models from 2014. All we have caught have been well maintained and exceptionally clean.
As Podgorica is not a large city and only a limited number of Tesla’s it won’t take you long to meet the same drivers which has been a pleasant experience.
Ordering, pickup and drop off.
The app is pretty decent but not perfect, just make sure you set your pickup point, we normally do this by setting your pickup point manually on the map displayed. It will show your location but found its handy to set a more accurate point (such as choosing which side of the road as often your Tesla stops on the other side of the road in some locations) Same with drop off, although the general address provided should be sufficient.
Model S or Model 3?
If you are needing room for multiple travel luggage and have more than two people then I recommend ordering a Model S as they are larger luggage capacity. Mind you, when we were moving apartments recently the Model 3 with the driver’s ingenuity was able to cram two large travel suitcases, three back packs, and three bags of groceries. Not a bad effort!
Range
Being earlier Tesla’s they have a range of around 400km so no problem with long distant trips. One huge advantage for the driver, at least for now, is that the Tesla’s do not pay for their re-charging. The government subsidize their power. I imagine this the same for the other local electric powered taxi services.
Long trips
Feeling like a trip to the coast? As with any taxi service intercity trips are possible. For example, from Podgorica to Porto Montenegro in Tivat would set you back around 70 – 75 Euro. (Around 90 km one way). Consider the cost per person of a bus trip. (Or no bus route available at all). This could be a great way for two or thee people to enjoy some sightseeing. Why not do so in comfort with flexibility to take you to a chosen destination.
Rating your driver
At the end of the ride there is the option to choose a start rating of 1 to 5 for your driver. As yet this hasn’t been working.
Other electric powered taxi service’s
We did catch another electric powered taxi so its not just Tesla’s offering this service. Something we will explore further.
Summary
Thumbs up for a great service! Totally unexpected and has been the easiest way to get around the city.
Thanks TeslaGo!
