Public Charge Points
Discussion
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/
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/
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?
"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?
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. "
"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. "
I had a nosey at an electric charging point at Kingsway Retail Park in Derby yesterday. It's from a different network - why are there so many?!?!
http://www.pod-point.com/home_new/live-availabilit...
It was basically just a three pin plug socket so not a great deal of use in my view as that's a really slow way to charge.
http://www.pod-point.com/home_new/live-availabilit...
It was basically just a three pin plug socket so not a great deal of use in my view as that's a really slow way to charge.
Edited by RossP on Monday 20th January 10:51
andywaterfall said:
I have, although it's still in its box & plastic bag in the boot, as I haven't got either my Chargenow or Ecotricity cards yet! I haven't had need it use them either, mind you, but it'd be reassuring to have some other means of charging apart from home & office. And friendly cafe owners 
Did you get it as part of a charge package from BMW or just buy it?Some more observations:
- ChargeMaster and BMW's ChargeNow (BMW) active maps seem as far as I can tell identical which is what I expected as Chargemaster provide it.
- There are some points that feature on Plugged In Midlands AND the Chargemaster ones - presumably these can be accessed with either card?
- There is a genuine concern that you might travel somewhere expecting a chargepoint and find you don't have an access card that will work.
I sent an email to plugged in midlands regarding the 'FREE' points in Westfield Derby that made no mention on their website that you needed a plugged in midlands card. They've since amended it -
"You will need a pluggedinmidlands charging card to use at the electric charging points. If you do not have one, simply pop to Concierge and we have one you can use! All you wiill need to do is full in a short form, and leave photo ID or a £10 returnable deposit with us."
- ChargeMaster and BMW's ChargeNow (BMW) active maps seem as far as I can tell identical which is what I expected as Chargemaster provide it.
- There are some points that feature on Plugged In Midlands AND the Chargemaster ones - presumably these can be accessed with either card?
- There is a genuine concern that you might travel somewhere expecting a chargepoint and find you don't have an access card that will work.
I sent an email to plugged in midlands regarding the 'FREE' points in Westfield Derby that made no mention on their website that you needed a plugged in midlands card. They've since amended it -
"You will need a pluggedinmidlands charging card to use at the electric charging points. If you do not have one, simply pop to Concierge and we have one you can use! All you wiill need to do is full in a short form, and leave photo ID or a £10 returnable deposit with us."
Hi Andy. I have the cards, cable is at the dealers. Just need my i3 now...
It's just gone into build!
I did try the one in our local shopping centre when I had a loan car. That's when I discovered I needed a plugged in midlands card (the BMW one didn't work).
It's just gone into build!
I did try the one in our local shopping centre when I had a loan car. That's when I discovered I needed a plugged in midlands card (the BMW one didn't work).
Edited by RossP on Sunday 2nd February 09:22
So GMEV is another card that would be useful to have! Seems to be part of yet another network called "Charge Your Car" http://chargeyourcar.org.uk/ They do have an RFID card (£10) but it says you can just use their app on a smartphone to pay.
Another network is podpoint. They don't have a card, they use text messages. http://www.pod-point.com/markets/public/
Another network is podpoint. They don't have a card, they use text messages. http://www.pod-point.com/markets/public/
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