Is it worth getting a charge card?

[Tuftie]

I’ve had a test drive in the new Volvo EX60, it will replace our Q5 and a car that my wife will use more than me, we were both very impressed to the point where we will likely order one, the mid range 10 model with a WLTP of 410 miles which the sales guy suggested was real world 350.

We will fit a charger but I’m now exploring the market for charging and wondering whether it’s worth paying for a subscription service or just letting the car decide on the best option? Under normal circumstances I reckon we will probably have to public charge once or twice a month, on journeys that are between 3-500 Mike round trips.

My guess is that it’s not worth bothering with a discounted subscription service but I’d be grateful for any advice from those with experience.

[Gone fishing]

See how you go without, you can always add one. I personally wouldn’t subscribe to a specific network as the mental freedom to use the most convenient charger outways being swayed by a few pence per kWh cheaper charging and then driving out of your way to find one, but if you find yourself using a particular network a lot then check out their options. There are aggregators like octoverse from octopus, I use them for my leccy at home so I joined up and used it for the first time yesterday, it saved a few pence, but if I’d swiped my nectar card id have had the same deal. Was it worth it, not really, but it didn’t hurt.

[sixor8]

When I got my EV in March 2024, the insurance came with a bp Pulse card, But you can activate the chargers through the app anyway. Same goes for Electroverse too (still have the card somewhere). I used them when I was with Octopus, but you don't have to be, it just gives you 5% off and added to your home bill. Osprey chargers are app driven too.

Tesla give you extra discounts if you subscribe but I don't do enough public charging to justify it, although they are some of the best and cheapest out there. There ARE cheaper but they are the fast (ie not rapid) type at 7kW.

Edited by sixor8 on Saturday 22 August 22:27

[sawman]

Our volvo xc40 ev came with a card to access slightly discounted rates, it was free for the first year, but the rates with electroverse were often cheaper, so I might have used it once. I didnt bother to subscribe at the end if the year

[devnull]

I got electroverse as that is free and you get a further discount if you're an octopus customer. It's not huge, but it's better than nothing. For your Volvo you will have a 'Volvo public charging app" which is remarkably similar to the 'polestar charge' app and card I got with my polestar (funny that! ). You'll get a form of discount with that.

I don't public charge much, but I have most of the major apps already downloaded and setup on the phone as they tend to offer the best discount when you use the apps directly instead of electroverse which is really a backup for me. Means that I am not faffing around at the charge point trying to find 5G.

[RotorRambler]

If charging a couple of times a month, I d subscribe to Ionity (£10.50, then 45p Kwh, a 40% discount)
I have that via my Electroverse card.
Basically 1 fill a month & it s paid for itself.
Can dip in & out if not using..
Their chargers have always been great for me, usually adjacent to hotels with nice facilities.

The Tesla ones are similar price (with no subscription) but the cables don t reach my car.

Mt satnav is now set to only look for Ionity. It knows my cars state of charge & the destination charger availability. I’ve not seen an Ionity site more than half full !