Public Charge Points

[RossP]

Looking at this, it seems there are a number of networks that operate independently.

Polar (which I believe is the one that the BMW ChargeNow card works with). This is provided by ChargeMaster and you can get a free card if you have a Chargemaster point (but only valid till end of March). Otherwise it is £10 p.a. (or £20 from BMW) http://www.chargemasterplc.com/index.php/polar_onl...

Ecotricity - Mainly based at motorway services. Card is FREE. http://www.ecotricity.co.uk/for-the-road/

In the midlands, Plugged-in Midlands. Card is £20 p.a. I know this doesn't work with the ChargeNow card because I tried it when I had an i3 on loan. http://www.pluggedinmidlands.co.uk/

[mids]

In the North (mainly the NE) there is CYC : http://chargeyourcar.org.uk/

CYC said:

Sign up today for a one-off payment of £10 and we will send you a RFID Lifetime Card that will give you access to the Charge Your Car network. You will be able to access some of the charge points on a free to use basis, and others on a pay to use basis by setting up a pre-pay account linked to your debit or credit card.

[McWigglebum4th]

And here

http://www.zap-map.com/

but it is not hugely accurate

As i know of at least one that is missing from this map

[andywaterfall]

Thanks chaps, just signed up for Chargenow & Ecotricity.

[RossP]

Just been looking at the Ecotricity website and they say:

"2014 sees the introduction of a new standard for charging – CCS or combi charging. We plan to introduce it during the next 12 months at selected sites. The first cars able to use this are the BMW i3, Volkswagen e-up! and eGolf.

CCS vehicles can use our 22kW AC charge points."

Looking on their map, there are a couple of charging points I could use that are listed as:
"AC medium charge:
22 kW
7 pin
Sockets: 2"

I don't think this is a rapid charger as they are DC.

Does anybody know how these work? Can I charge an i3 at 22kW? If so, how long would it take?

[RossP]

To add to the confusion, I just read this on the mybmwi3 forum

"I just realised that the DC option is not just an add on to the AC but actually it upgrades the AC part as well. So you will be able to charge the car from AC fast chargers quicker. At least my iAgent from Stuttgart explaned this so. Anyhow I try to add this option to my already ordered car, now. "

[mids]

I'm pretty sure that's incorrect, at least for us in the UK market. If you read his next comment on that thread he's saying the standard car can't charge faster than 3,6kW but the standard UK cars are double that, the standard spec list states

Fast charging AC capability:
Max. power (grid side): 7.36 kW (1-phase 230 V, 32 A)

http://www.bmw.co.uk/dam/brandBM/marketGB/countryG...

[RossP]

I've asked the BMW i people who have promised a response in 48 hrs...

Probably easiest to get Andy to go and try one!

[mids]

True !

Got to admit, because I've 'bottled it' with the REx I've not really looked into all of the different public charging specs.

I wonder if Andy has a 'plan B' for his trip into London tonight ? Kudos to him for trying that so soon.

[andywaterfall]

No plan B - I've hardly got a plan A! I'm leaving from work in Woking, so the car's out back now charging up from a 3-pin socket, then I'll drive up using Eco-pro+ mode, and if the range is dropping too quick, I guess I'll turn around and go home! I'm going to phone the Ace in a minute & ask if it'll be ok to use their electric while I'm there (assuming I make it) to top things up. My Chargenow & Ecotricity cards haven't arrived yet (I only ordered last Friday) so I can't even use one of their points.

EP+ mode means no heating I think, so I'm taking an extra coat Wish me luck!

[andywaterfall]

RossP said:

I've asked the BMW i people who have promised a response in 48 hrs...

Probably easiest to get Andy to go and try one!

I can't figure out how to show what rate it's charging at, maybe I need to read the manual As far as I can tell, it gives you the option to charge at "Max rate" or a reduced rate for both standard cable and a proper charge point, but neither of the displays show what rate it's actually coming in at.

[RossP]

Good luck Andy!

What are the distances involved?

One of my mates (Alex on PH) has challenged me to drive to his house in Chiddingfold when I get mine. It's 168 miles so is going to need an en-route charge!

[andywaterfall]

31 miles work - Ace
37 miles Ace - home

[RossP]

You will be fine, presuming it's going to be fully charged by then...

Have you got the phone app up and running?

[andywaterfall]

Ok if I call you for a lift from the hard shoulder of the M25 later?

No, still waiting for a text from ConnectedDrive so I can log in. I just tried to shortcut things, but they weren't having it, got to wait my turn. Too bad.

[RossP]

From a range perspective do you think the non-motorway route would be better?

[andywaterfall]

RossP said:

From a range perspective do you think the non-motorway route would be better?

Good question - normally I go A3, M25, M40, but yes, a more direct route might be appropriate. I'll see what the satnav says. Heavy traffic normally makes it busy & slow at 6pm anyway, so I guess it won't make too much difference timewise if I go in as straight a line as possible. I certainly will go as the crow flies on the way back.

[RossP]

As the first i3 you should create a stir!

[andywaterfall]

RossP said:

As the first i3 you should create a stir!

Or as it's a Petrolhead Nirvana meet, they might not let me in at all!

[RossP]

There is that...

The i3 Police Car at The Performance Car Show was swamped!

Pics!