I3 Ownership

[bonerp]

Hi I keep umming and arrghing about an electric car as I don't use mine much (Merc E250 AMG Sport convertible) except for the odd 75 mile trip home and 75m back in the same day usually.

To top up the charge when I get there, is there an adapter that can be plugged into a 240v socket or does it need a dedicated supply like the home source?

Anyone got one that thinks its a good buy and not too inconvenient being being tethered everywhere?

[MagicalTrevor]

It comes (or should) with a 240v charger for charging whilst away from home or other commercial charger.

[bonerp]

Thanks are the reasonably quick to replenish electricity?

[Titfer]

Plugged in to a normal domestic socket they charge at around 10 miles per hour.

150 miles is pushing it in winter so youd need to plus it in for 3 to 4 hours.

[b14]

Note there are plenty of them around that have the range extender engine. If you are doing 75 mile trips, you'd probably want the piece of mind to know you've got the "REX" to give a bit more. You can also carry some extra fuel in a can in the frunk to extend your range extender further, for emergencies.

[Shaoxter]

bonerp said:

To top up the charge when I get there, is there an adapter that can be plugged into a 240v socket or does it need a dedicated supply like the home source?

You'd probably want a dedicated 7kW charger installed if you're doing the return trip the same day. Also if the 75 miles is mostly motorway then I think a Tesla is probably a better bet. Much as I like the i3, it's really more of a city car.

[bonerp]

[oop north]

I managed 39k miles in three years in my i3 which included plenty motorway mileage. Some people find them a bit unstable in wind but I didn’t (maybe I weighed it down more than the average!). You perhaps need to try one yourself on a motorway to see how it feels for you. I did some long trips in mine - quite a few days at over 200 miles and never felt I was in the wrong car

[Shaoxter]

I suppose it depends on what you're used to driving, it's probably the same compared to a similar sized hatchback on a motorway. But I got blown into the next lane on a bridge crossing during the recent storms! It also feels a bit fidgety but I'm comparing it to a heavy 5 series so perhaps a little unfair.

As above, best to try one for yourself!

[MrC986]

The I3 comes with what’s referred to as a “granny charger” I.e. a 3 pin charger arrangement that you can use though it’s in effect a slow charger. You’d need to get a Type 2 cable for most of the public charging points. The likes of Tesco’s currently offer at a number of their larger stores free charging btw.

I’m 4 weeks in to ownership of an I3S & have done 1200 miles & so far so good. Zapmap is your friend to see how many charging points are available - they are popping up in all sorts of places & the super fast chargers are really good though I’ve only used this type once for a quick top up.

OP, when I was considering an I3 they were offering a 24 hour test drive - I suggest you do this as it’s the best way to see what the car can do.