Discussion
Hi all
I have just put in my order for an iPace, very excited.... I thought I would do my research on away from home charging, which I shouldn't need to use often, but as you might expect when you need it, you really need it. I’m surprised by how ramshackle the whole supply situation is, but more than that, it's really difficult to find an up to date overview that lays out the choices of charging networks in a clear way.
Any advice on where I should look, or hard-won experience worth sharing?
Thanks
I have just put in my order for an iPace, very excited.... I thought I would do my research on away from home charging, which I shouldn't need to use often, but as you might expect when you need it, you really need it. I’m surprised by how ramshackle the whole supply situation is, but more than that, it's really difficult to find an up to date overview that lays out the choices of charging networks in a clear way.
Any advice on where I should look, or hard-won experience worth sharing?
Thanks
https://abetterrouteplanner.com/
https://www.zap-map.com/
But yes, it's a bloody mess for charging. You'll need to sign up to a few companies to give yourself a chance. Once set up it's not completely terrible but it does require far more effort than it should initially.
https://www.zap-map.com/
But yes, it's a bloody mess for charging. You'll need to sign up to a few companies to give yourself a chance. Once set up it's not completely terrible but it does require far more effort than it should initially.
ajcj said:
Hi all
I have just put in my order for an iPace, very excited.... I thought I would do my research on away from home charging, which I shouldn't need to use often, but as you might expect when you need it, you really need it. I’m surprised by how ramshackle the whole supply situation is, but more than that, it's really difficult to find an up to date overview that lays out the choices of charging networks in a clear way.
Any advice on where I should look, or hard-won experience worth sharing?
Thanks
Cool car - congrats!I have just put in my order for an iPace, very excited.... I thought I would do my research on away from home charging, which I shouldn't need to use often, but as you might expect when you need it, you really need it. I’m surprised by how ramshackle the whole supply situation is, but more than that, it's really difficult to find an up to date overview that lays out the choices of charging networks in a clear way.
Any advice on where I should look, or hard-won experience worth sharing?
Thanks
If the charging network is really a concern, a Tesla is by far the best choice.
Downward said:
Oops should have watched Harry’s Garage.
Good luck with the s
t storm of charging and chargers.
I did watch it! As I said, I won't need to use outside chargers often, as one at home and one at work. I've worked out the number of times I leave my home needing to go more than 200 miles is maybe once every three or four months. I thought Harry was unduly negative for a bloke with so many other cars he could choose from!Good luck with the s
t storm of charging and chargers.https://www.speakev.com/ is a pretty good forum for all things EV related. You'll be pleased to know it's just as mad and reactionary as Pistonheads too.
Nice car by the way, what spec did you order?
Nice car by the way, what spec did you order?
Witchfinder said:
https://www.speakev.com/ is a pretty good forum for all things EV related. You'll be pleased to know it's just as mad and reactionary as Pistonheads too.
Nice car by the way, what spec did you order?
I found speakev, looks useful.Nice car by the way, what spec did you order?
I've gone for the SE, but dropped back to the standard wheels (all about range!) and added the pano roof and the head-up display because I like to pretend I’m a fighter pilot.
with an iPace you have a decent real world range and unless you have no home charging capability or spend hours on the motorway you may find most charging is done at home.
make sure you maximise the savings by a good home electric tariff and always leave with 100% charge when driving beyond your range as 5p versus 35p+ per kwh makes a big difference to running costs.
I recommend Octopus Go for home and then use Polar Instant, followed by Ecotricity or Instavolt which ever is on or near your route for out and about.
If you want to look into octopus, you can join with a £50 credit via my referral:
http://share.octopus.energy/ivory-snail-551
Polar also offer a subscription service, just depends how much you will use. Do the sums.
make sure you maximise the savings by a good home electric tariff and always leave with 100% charge when driving beyond your range as 5p versus 35p+ per kwh makes a big difference to running costs.
I recommend Octopus Go for home and then use Polar Instant, followed by Ecotricity or Instavolt which ever is on or near your route for out and about.
If you want to look into octopus, you can join with a £50 credit via my referral:
http://share.octopus.energy/ivory-snail-551
Polar also offer a subscription service, just depends how much you will use. Do the sums.
Yep, start with abetterrouterplanner and try out planning some typical long journeys and see where you're likely to charge. Some networks are more local so you may never come across them.
I got set up with:
- Polar. You can get a free 3 month trial of Plus (their subscription service) which gets you a card to beep and discounted rates, else you can use the Polar Instant app to start a charge. Lots have contactless card payment now but it's still rolling out. They're also the main ones for 150kW chargers outside of Tesla (which you can't use) and Ionity (expensive). Not many of those yet but several sites opening soon including at BP motorway forecourts.
- Ecotricity. Not always great but they're in all the motorway service stations and only let you use an app to pay. Wouldn't plan around them but if you're on a long journey and need a quick stop anyway it can be worthwhile to get a brief charge if it's available.
- Shell. They give you a card for free if you want one, or use the app. Lots popping up in Shell forecourts, and they also let you use Ionity via the card along with loads of European networks too.
The ones with apps are worth getting set up and a payment card registered ahead of time.
Others:
- Instavolt, engenie - contactless only, no need for any apps or special cards.
- Geniepoint (lots rolling out in Morrisons carparks) - no app but they use a special mobile web page. Again, get set up ahead of time with your card to save faff later.
I tend to aim for a Polar or Instavolt as first preference, the others I've just set up as a "just in case" or because I had a need for them at the time.
I got set up with:
- Polar. You can get a free 3 month trial of Plus (their subscription service) which gets you a card to beep and discounted rates, else you can use the Polar Instant app to start a charge. Lots have contactless card payment now but it's still rolling out. They're also the main ones for 150kW chargers outside of Tesla (which you can't use) and Ionity (expensive). Not many of those yet but several sites opening soon including at BP motorway forecourts.
- Ecotricity. Not always great but they're in all the motorway service stations and only let you use an app to pay. Wouldn't plan around them but if you're on a long journey and need a quick stop anyway it can be worthwhile to get a brief charge if it's available.
- Shell. They give you a card for free if you want one, or use the app. Lots popping up in Shell forecourts, and they also let you use Ionity via the card along with loads of European networks too.
The ones with apps are worth getting set up and a payment card registered ahead of time.
Others:
- Instavolt, engenie - contactless only, no need for any apps or special cards.
- Geniepoint (lots rolling out in Morrisons carparks) - no app but they use a special mobile web page. Again, get set up ahead of time with your card to save faff later.
I tend to aim for a Polar or Instavolt as first preference, the others I've just set up as a "just in case" or because I had a need for them at the time.
I only ever used Ecotricity. Everything else was too much of a faff, plus I only really needed to charge on a trip that involved a motorway.
But you need to stop at the ecotricity point before the one you really need to stop at, as they are a bit unreliable and in case they are all in use.
But you need to stop at the ecotricity point before the one you really need to stop at, as they are a bit unreliable and in case they are all in use.
Hi ajcj
I love my Ipace. I'm lucky in Norwich most car parks in the city have free chargers for a top up.
I had a podpoint fitted at home and works well with the Ipace timed charging. I use the Octopus Go tariff, 5p a unit between 00.30am to 04.30am.
Have done a few long journeys and had no trouble with charging. Do your homework, download a few apps ( zapmap ) and off you go.
I also use Ipace Forum, which has loads of useful information.
If you want to use the link below for the Octopus Go then click on the link and pocket £50. 😀
https://share.octopus.energy/tan-brook-825
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