Picking up my 1st EV 190 miles from Home...
Discussion
Hi all.
This is my first foray into EV ownership having sold my BMW 435i and bought an i3.
The car is in Stoke on Trent and I live in north Essex which is 190 miles away so a stop somewhere on the way home will be in order.
I'm sure it'll be fine but I am on a bit of a learning curve and would appreciate advice on how to plan the journey!
I suspect I'll need to stop on the A14 somewhere between the M6 and Cambridge. where's the best option on that route? Do I need to open an account with one of the charging providers or can I get away with a credit card and if yes, which one?
I'm very much looking forward to the journey and EV ownership but it all seems a bit complicated compared with what I'm used to!
Cheers for any help.
This is my first foray into EV ownership having sold my BMW 435i and bought an i3.
The car is in Stoke on Trent and I live in north Essex which is 190 miles away so a stop somewhere on the way home will be in order.
I'm sure it'll be fine but I am on a bit of a learning curve and would appreciate advice on how to plan the journey!
I suspect I'll need to stop on the A14 somewhere between the M6 and Cambridge. where's the best option on that route? Do I need to open an account with one of the charging providers or can I get away with a credit card and if yes, which one?
I'm very much looking forward to the journey and EV ownership but it all seems a bit complicated compared with what I'm used to!
Cheers for any help.
I'd suggest you download ZapMap and A Better Route Planner (ABRP). You can put your vehicle details into ABRP, including its state of charge (SOC) and it will suggest where to stop on the way. It will suggest 50KWh+ rapid chargers and most of these require only an app or are contactless, so once you've chosen the relevant charges, download the app.
I'd also suggest you ask the dealer to put the car on charge so it is as near to 100% as possible. There are many EVs that can easily do 190 miles on a full charge (or even less) but you haven't said what car you are picking up?
We have 2 EVs and love them both. Good luck.
I'd also suggest you ask the dealer to put the car on charge so it is as near to 100% as possible. There are many EVs that can easily do 190 miles on a full charge (or even less) but you haven't said what car you are picking up?
We have 2 EVs and love them both. Good luck.
The BMW i3 120ah is supposed to do 188 miles so it's a bit tight!
I'll get hold of ZapMap and see how I get on.
I have to say as a first time EV user things need to be simplified by which I mean had I bought a ICE car I would have got in it and pulled over when I need fuel whereas EV's seem to need a lot more planning not because there's not enough chargers but I don't seem to be able to rely on turning up and simply paying with a credit/debit card? I may be wrong but that's how it appears to the uninitiated.
Either way i3 here I come. I'll post the details with a pic once I've got the car in my grubby hands...
I'll get hold of ZapMap and see how I get on.
I have to say as a first time EV user things need to be simplified by which I mean had I bought a ICE car I would have got in it and pulled over when I need fuel whereas EV's seem to need a lot more planning not because there's not enough chargers but I don't seem to be able to rely on turning up and simply paying with a credit/debit card? I may be wrong but that's how it appears to the uninitiated.
Either way i3 here I come. I'll post the details with a pic once I've got the car in my grubby hands...
A quick look on Zap Map suggests that any likely route is well covered by a mixture of three "easiest" charging networks - Instavolt, Osprey and Shell Recharge. All facilitate contactless payment and certainly Instavolt and Osprey and generally extremely reliable.
Personally these are my default choices and I would only look elsewhere if they were unavailable on my route.
Just checking - do all i3's have CCS quick charging...? Something makes me think some of the early ones didn't, but I may be wrong! I'd check just to be sure, as it would rather change things
Personally these are my default choices and I would only look elsewhere if they were unavailable on my route.
Just checking - do all i3's have CCS quick charging...? Something makes me think some of the early ones didn't, but I may be wrong! I'd check just to be sure, as it would rather change things
I just picked up an 2018 i3 (battery only) as my first EV and drove it back 150 miles from Birmingham to Kent a few weeks ago.
Take a look at Zap Map to plot your route home and look for services with multiple chargers. Filter for 50kw+ CCS. Stop before you’re desperate and charge to about 90%, the 2017 onward i3s charge fast even at fairly high states of charge.
There is a new site in Rugby which might be ideal stopping point.
i3 is a great car, I find seats a little hard for long journeys but likely on par with a 435i, I’m just used to squashy luxobarge seats!
Take a look at Zap Map to plot your route home and look for services with multiple chargers. Filter for 50kw+ CCS. Stop before you’re desperate and charge to about 90%, the 2017 onward i3s charge fast even at fairly high states of charge.
There is a new site in Rugby which might be ideal stopping point.
i3 is a great car, I find seats a little hard for long journeys but likely on par with a 435i, I’m just used to squashy luxobarge seats!
I was a newbie on the weekend. Baptism of fire! Whatever you do AVOID ECOTRICITY 'ELECTRIC HIGHWAY'. Had two horrendous experiences with them - it even pretended it was charging for 40 mins the 2nd day - at least it was a total fail the first day! We started an anxiety and self help group on the stands in Reading - we are still in touch but starting to get over it...
You may find that driving slower will get you home quicker!
There is a massive increase in range when an EV is driven slowly - and stop using the brakes as much.
Nissans suffer badly from a reduced rate of charge as the battery charges up, so best to stop when the battery is low, and put in enough to get you home with a margin.
What is good about an EV is the constant energy use at a certain speed. My eNV200 uses 1% of charge for every kilometre of range at around 50mph. If I have say 20k to go and 22% I'm OK, 20k and 18% - I have to slow down until it's back in balance.
Lowest I've ever been is 2%
Also don't forget even the slightest incline uses more power, but you gain it back on the downhill stretches.
First off, ask for the seller to make sure it’s charged to 100%. That will take a lot of pressure off to start with. The 120 version is supposed to do 180 ish miles on a full charge and probably will do if driven carefully. So you are tight but it can be done. Also, the i3 (and all electric BMW’s it seems) leave plenty of charge left when it gets to single figures. Heard plenty of stories of people who have got significantly further than the 1% -3% would normally allow! But best to not get that far.
Also, I am sure you are aware, but charge when lower on the total left. It absolutely will charge faster. So look to get below 30% or lower on remaining charge before charging up, it will reduce the wait times. And if you are concerned, use ECO Pro or ECO pro+ modes to reduce power consumption and increase the range if needed.
Finally, consistency and retaining speed seems to be the trick with them. We have the Rex model and electric range is around 100 miles consistently. Had to do an airport run which is 45 miles away and my daughter drive home again a day later. Was concerned on usage and what might happen (we did have the Rex so it was good) left on 100%, car returned on 15%. Seems steady speeds does help. Though this was between 55 and 65, as higher will absolutely eat the battery.
Other than that, it will be fine. This is what it was designed to do and it will. It’s a concern about range, but just remember that you don’t fill up on each charge. Just fill up what you need and little more. For this trip, a short stop at a decent charging station probably won’t need more than 20 mins anyway, just enough to get out home where you can fully charge anyway. It’s a bit of a shift in mindset. That’s all.
Also, I am sure you are aware, but charge when lower on the total left. It absolutely will charge faster. So look to get below 30% or lower on remaining charge before charging up, it will reduce the wait times. And if you are concerned, use ECO Pro or ECO pro+ modes to reduce power consumption and increase the range if needed.
Finally, consistency and retaining speed seems to be the trick with them. We have the Rex model and electric range is around 100 miles consistently. Had to do an airport run which is 45 miles away and my daughter drive home again a day later. Was concerned on usage and what might happen (we did have the Rex so it was good) left on 100%, car returned on 15%. Seems steady speeds does help. Though this was between 55 and 65, as higher will absolutely eat the battery.
Other than that, it will be fine. This is what it was designed to do and it will. It’s a concern about range, but just remember that you don’t fill up on each charge. Just fill up what you need and little more. For this trip, a short stop at a decent charging station probably won’t need more than 20 mins anyway, just enough to get out home where you can fully charge anyway. It’s a bit of a shift in mindset. That’s all.
Today’s the day! Off to Stoke & hopefully all will be well.
Two things have to occurred to me over the last couple of days;
1. I’m was surprised at the number of insurance companies that don’t cover ev cars. I had to cancel my current insurance with Hastings as they wouldn’t insure me an Direct Line wouldn’t provide a quote either!
2. How expensive is rail travel!
Two things have to occurred to me over the last couple of days;
1. I’m was surprised at the number of insurance companies that don’t cover ev cars. I had to cancel my current insurance with Hastings as they wouldn’t insure me an Direct Line wouldn’t provide a quote either!
2. How expensive is rail travel!
Got home with a half hour top up at Rugby services; thanks for the recommendation it was very painless.
Obligatory “forecourt” pic:
The whole experience was enjoyable and interesting. The further I drove the more I got the hang of driving it. 65 seems to be the maximum speed at which energy consumption is such that the range left doesn’t drop at a rate faster than the distance covered increases.
Pulling away is slightly spooky for want of a better phrase! And it goes pretty well!!
All in all very pleased with the car and will provide a few more thoughts after living with the car for a few days.
Obligatory “forecourt” pic:
The whole experience was enjoyable and interesting. The further I drove the more I got the hang of driving it. 65 seems to be the maximum speed at which energy consumption is such that the range left doesn’t drop at a rate faster than the distance covered increases.
Pulling away is slightly spooky for want of a better phrase! And it goes pretty well!!
All in all very pleased with the car and will provide a few more thoughts after living with the car for a few days.
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