public charging points - what do I need to know.
Discussion
Hi All,
Per previous post, I've put in an order for an electric car (leaf). What do I need to know about public charger points?
I'm anticipating that I will rarely need to charge anywhere other than home as the car is a second car runabout - but you never know when you might need it.
The sort of problem I don't know I need to worry about is whether I need to pre-register and get some kind of key or smart card? - or can I just rock up to a charging point and swipe a credit card to start charging?
If I do need to pre-register, then does one generally need to prepay? - given I anticipate needing this very rarely, it would be a pain if I have to pay some kind of annual membership fees "just in case" we need to charge.
/Ace
Per previous post, I've put in an order for an electric car (leaf). What do I need to know about public charger points?
I'm anticipating that I will rarely need to charge anywhere other than home as the car is a second car runabout - but you never know when you might need it.
The sort of problem I don't know I need to worry about is whether I need to pre-register and get some kind of key or smart card? - or can I just rock up to a charging point and swipe a credit card to start charging?
If I do need to pre-register, then does one generally need to prepay? - given I anticipate needing this very rarely, it would be a pain if I have to pay some kind of annual membership fees "just in case" we need to charge.
/Ace
Lots just need a contactless payment card now. I usually aim for Instavolt chargers that are all like that.
Octopus Energy have a card that covers several networks (including Ionity now), it’s free to have - if you’re an energy customer then charging goes on your bill, if not they bill separately. Worth getting just to leave in the glovebox. https://octopus.energy/electric-juice-network/
Best thing is look at zap map or abetterrouteplanner, see what chargers you’re likely to use on journeys you do, and they tell you what’s needed. Set up any that need apps ahead of time to save any faff.
Octopus Energy have a card that covers several networks (including Ionity now), it’s free to have - if you’re an energy customer then charging goes on your bill, if not they bill separately. Worth getting just to leave in the glovebox. https://octopus.energy/electric-juice-network/
Best thing is look at zap map or abetterrouteplanner, see what chargers you’re likely to use on journeys you do, and they tell you what’s needed. Set up any that need apps ahead of time to save any faff.
phatmanace said:
Hi All,
Per previous post, I've put in an order for an electric car (leaf). What do I need to know about public charger points?
I'm anticipating that I will rarely need to charge anywhere other than home as the car is a second car runabout - but you never know when you might need it.
The sort of problem I don't know I need to worry about is whether I need to pre-register and get some kind of key or smart card? - or can I just rock up to a charging point and swipe a credit card to start charging?
If I do need to pre-register, then does one generally need to prepay? - given I anticipate needing this very rarely, it would be a pain if I have to pay some kind of annual membership fees "just in case" we need to charge.
/Ace
There are two kinds of charging point, AC and DC.Per previous post, I've put in an order for an electric car (leaf). What do I need to know about public charger points?
I'm anticipating that I will rarely need to charge anywhere other than home as the car is a second car runabout - but you never know when you might need it.
The sort of problem I don't know I need to worry about is whether I need to pre-register and get some kind of key or smart card? - or can I just rock up to a charging point and swipe a credit card to start charging?
If I do need to pre-register, then does one generally need to prepay? - given I anticipate needing this very rarely, it would be a pain if I have to pay some kind of annual membership fees "just in case" we need to charge.
/Ace
AC chargers are the slower kind. Sometimes they are free, sometimes you have to pay with a card or by visiting a website. Instructions on the charger. You need to bring your own cable, which should come with the car. I'd keep both cables in the car, at least when you anticipate needing public charging.
The DC chargers are rapid and have the cable built in. Payment is usually required but sometimes they are on "free vend", again via card or website. For DC charging remember that your car needs the CHAdeMO cable. Some DC chargers have both CHAdeMO and CCS, some only have one or the other.
Zap Map is handy for finding chargers and checking that they are suitable for your car. Also have a look at A Better Route Planner.
What you need depends on where you live and are going to travel to. I have just been to Edinburgh today (365 mile round trip) and charged twice at an instavolt and once at GeniePoint. Used apps for both (registered with credit card). Charged direct to card for the instavolt charges but GeniePoint like holding on to £10 so if you go negative balance they will charge enough to get back to +£10 balance.
Following recent Ecotricity and Gridserve deal the Ecotricity motorway chargers are all being replaced - just a credit or debit card will work for them but there is an Ecotricity app - doing know if that will be replaced
It would be a good idea to get an rfid card - free 7kW chargers (the slow ones) often need one of them plus your own cable to use.
If in Scotland then you want a chargeplace Scotland rfid - that triggers the charging session and also the fee if not free
Following recent Ecotricity and Gridserve deal the Ecotricity motorway chargers are all being replaced - just a credit or debit card will work for them but there is an Ecotricity app - doing know if that will be replaced
It would be a good idea to get an rfid card - free 7kW chargers (the slow ones) often need one of them plus your own cable to use.
If in Scotland then you want a chargeplace Scotland rfid - that triggers the charging session and also the fee if not free
Definitely set up Pod Point, Ecotricity and BP Pulse apps so they’re good to go, that’ll cover a good set of 50kW Chademo and 7kW AC points in England. No prepay but get accounts set up so you don’t have to faff.
Octopus as above is a good shout
When you charge on a rapid don’t use the AC connector - the one that’s like the connector at home - use the Chademo one (sorry if obvious, but it’s not always explained!) or you charge at a fraction of the maximum.
Octopus as above is a good shout
When you charge on a rapid don’t use the AC connector - the one that’s like the connector at home - use the Chademo one (sorry if obvious, but it’s not always explained!) or you charge at a fraction of the maximum.
You may want to consider your current energy supplier too if charging from home.
Chances are, you are on about 15p/kwh.
Octopus Go tarrif has a low-rate of 5p/kwh from midnight to the early hours, so there are savings to be had. Go reverts to 15p/kwh outside the off-peak, so in line with the bulk of the other suppliers.
Chances are, you are on about 15p/kwh.
Octopus Go tarrif has a low-rate of 5p/kwh from midnight to the early hours, so there are savings to be had. Go reverts to 15p/kwh outside the off-peak, so in line with the bulk of the other suppliers.
I've just looked in to Octopus. I don't have a smart meter.
Firstly i need to join them on a "normal tarif", then go on the waiting list for a smart meter. They can't tell me how long the waiting list is until i sign up for them but it...."won't be two years". Once the smart meter has been installed i need to then switch to Agile and then Go.
Decided to get my current provider to install a smartmeter, pay for my own wall charger to be installed then think about switiching when everything is sorted.
Firstly i need to join them on a "normal tarif", then go on the waiting list for a smart meter. They can't tell me how long the waiting list is until i sign up for them but it...."won't be two years". Once the smart meter has been installed i need to then switch to Agile and then Go.
Decided to get my current provider to install a smartmeter, pay for my own wall charger to be installed then think about switiching when everything is sorted.
OVO Energy (who Im with) do something called EV Anywhere
https://www.ovoenergy.com/electric-cars/ev-tariff
Low cost tariff at night and you get 2 years of BP Pulse subscription thrown in north about £200
https://www.ovoenergy.com/electric-cars/ev-tariff
Low cost tariff at night and you get 2 years of BP Pulse subscription thrown in north about £200
chrispmartha said:
OVO Energy (who Im with) do something called EV Anywhere
https://www.ovoenergy.com/electric-cars/ev-tariff
Low cost tariff at night and you get 2 years of BP Pulse subscription thrown in north about £200
OVO said:https://www.ovoenergy.com/electric-cars/ev-tariff
Low cost tariff at night and you get 2 years of BP Pulse subscription thrown in north about £200
Unit rate: 17.98p per kWh
Standing charge: 28.34p per day
Ouch! I can't see an overnight figure either...
Octopus said:
Off-peak unit rate (00:30-04:30): 5.00 p / kWh
Peak unit rate (04:30-00:30): 13.80 p / kWh
Standing Charge: 25.00 p / day
Knock_knock said:
chrispmartha said:
OVO Energy (who Im with) do something called EV Anywhere
https://www.ovoenergy.com/electric-cars/ev-tariff
Low cost tariff at night and you get 2 years of BP Pulse subscription thrown in north about £200
OVO said:https://www.ovoenergy.com/electric-cars/ev-tariff
Low cost tariff at night and you get 2 years of BP Pulse subscription thrown in north about £200
Unit rate: 17.98p per kWh
Standing charge: 28.34p per day
Ouch! I can't see an overnight figure either...
Octopus said:
Off-peak unit rate (00:30-04:30): 5.00 p / kWh
Peak unit rate (04:30-00:30): 13.80 p / kWh
Standing Charge: 25.00 p / day
TheDrownedApe said:
I've just looked in to Octopus. I don't have a smart meter.
Firstly i need to join them on a "normal tarif", then go on the waiting list for a smart meter. They can't tell me how long the waiting list is until i sign up for them but it...."won't be two years". Once the smart meter has been installed i need to then switch to Agile and then Go.
Decided to get my current provider to install a smartmeter, pay for my own wall charger to be installed then think about switiching when everything is sorted.
I’m doing this at the moment. I signed up with Octopus a couple of weeks ago. I’m due to go live at the end of this week and then I can request a smart meter and then I can finally get on the Go tariff. I’m quite looking forward to it. My car is reporting about 3.3 miles per kw/h at the moment. If I get those kw/h at 5p each, that’s 1.5p per mile for “fuel”. Incredible.Firstly i need to join them on a "normal tarif", then go on the waiting list for a smart meter. They can't tell me how long the waiting list is until i sign up for them but it...."won't be two years". Once the smart meter has been installed i need to then switch to Agile and then Go.
Decided to get my current provider to install a smartmeter, pay for my own wall charger to be installed then think about switiching when everything is sorted.
TheDrownedApe said:
I've just looked in to Octopus. I don't have a smart meter.
Firstly i need to join them on a "normal tarif", then go on the waiting list for a smart meter. They can't tell me how long the waiting list is until i sign up for them but it...."won't be two years". Once the smart meter has been installed i need to then switch to Agile and then Go.
Decided to get my current provider to install a smartmeter, pay for my own wall charger to be installed then think about switiching when everything is sorted.
I swapped to EDF purely to get my meter changed (now done) but they have since introduced the GoElectric 35 tariff which is quite good at 4.5p kw/h between 00.00 and 05.00. All weekend is off peak too. Firstly i need to join them on a "normal tarif", then go on the waiting list for a smart meter. They can't tell me how long the waiting list is until i sign up for them but it...."won't be two years". Once the smart meter has been installed i need to then switch to Agile and then Go.
Decided to get my current provider to install a smartmeter, pay for my own wall charger to be installed then think about switiching when everything is sorted.
If you want a referral I think we both get £50
https://www.edfenergy.com/media-centre/news-releas...
Can 1 public charger, charge 2x cars at once? Stupid Q possibly, dunno.
A Podpoint at my local LIDL had a Leaf charging up when I got there. But it was connected to the CHADEMO cable while the CCS cable was not in use.
There’s room to park other side of the 1x charger, so could I have charged via CCS in parallel?
A Podpoint at my local LIDL had a Leaf charging up when I got there. But it was connected to the CHADEMO cable while the CCS cable was not in use.
There’s room to park other side of the 1x charger, so could I have charged via CCS in parallel?
dino_jr said:
Can 1 public charger, charge 2x cars at once? Stupid Q possibly, dunno.
A Podpoint at my local LIDL had a Leaf charging up when I got there. But it was connected to the CHADEMO cable while the CCS cable was not in use.
There’s room to park other side of the 1x charger, so could I have charged via CCS in parallel?
Those can do one DC (CCS or CHAdeMO) plus one AC at the same time. A Podpoint at my local LIDL had a Leaf charging up when I got there. But it was connected to the CHADEMO cable while the CCS cable was not in use.
There’s room to park other side of the 1x charger, so could I have charged via CCS in parallel?
The BP Pulse units can only do one at a time but tend to be put between two spaces. If you do need a charge and opt to wait, it’s a handy way to show you’re next.
There are some about which will do two DC at the same time, and the Gridserve ones at the services will be capable of it with a software update rolling out now.
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