Long trip advice for new EV driver
Discussion
SWoll said:
Vasco said:
I would also hate the sheer knowledge that I would no longer have the flexibility to go where I want, when I want.
Of course you can, it just takes a little more thought and time to get there if the trip is beyond the absolute range of the car.How often do you honestly grab your keys and got for an impromptu 300+ mile drive?
No, electrics may be ok for relatively local runs or where you know you can find a charger - and have the time. For longer runs I need a petrol.
Vasco said:
I clearly do more longer distance runs than many others. It's not unusual to do 400 miles in a day, stopping off in various random locations - there's no way that I want to waste time going out of my way to find a charging point, and then twiddling my thumbs waiting around.
No, electrics may be ok for relatively local runs or where you know you can find a charger - and have the time. For longer runs I need a petrol.
Do you consider spending 6-8 hours driving a useful way to spend your time? No, electrics may be ok for relatively local runs or where you know you can find a charger - and have the time. For longer runs I need a petrol.
Can you actually function at 100% when you get to your destination?
Nomme de Plum said:
Do you consider spending 6-8 hours driving a useful way to spend your time?
Can you actually function at 100% when you get to your destination?
It seems that many here don’t realise how (relatively) common this is. I often have to travel 250 - 300 miles each way for a client visit. Leave home at 5:30am, arrive at client’s for a 10am meeting. Meet for a couple of hours, take them to lunch, back in the car at (say) 2:30pm and back home by 7pm. It’s not a particularly unusual day (I will do this three or four times a month), and from the sound of it many here will do it more often. Can you actually function at 100% when you get to your destination?
Does anyone tow with an EV and if so how do you get on with public charging? Most public sites seem to be typical car parking spaces which is no good if you’ve got a trailer, boat etc. Worse case I guess you’d have to unhitch and leave it somewhere whist charging. We’ve got a relatively small camping trailer which is no problem in a petrol station but it’s a pain to park unless you’re in a dedicated long space or take up two.
cornish said:
Diderot said:
Moto Exeter (M5) has about 14 rapids, plus banks of Tesla chargers.
Are the Superchargers working at Moto in Exeter? Saw them go in last year and have never seen anyone using them so assumed they were not live. They also don't show up in the map I was using.Mind you, we’re on the South Coast (W Sussex), so we tend to leave at 5.00am ish on a weekday, stop at Charmouth for fresh air and a pee, and get to Exeter 7.45 ish to charge, have a pastry, coffee, spend a penny etc. then back on our way about 8.15. Works well. Destination chargers at the hotels (free for the time being) so all good.
SWoll said:
At 35kW even an hour isn't going to get you very far. In our etron that would add about 95 miles, so less than 2 hours of driving on A-roads/motorways. OK in a pinch, but really wouldn't want to rely on that regularly despite the cost saving.
So confirmed & do similar mileage around Scotland.Edited by SWoll on Thursday 30th March 07:54
An awful of going nowhere very fast in your fast EV!
FlyingPanda said:
Nomme de Plum said:
Do you consider spending 6-8 hours driving a useful way to spend your time?
Can you actually function at 100% when you get to your destination?
It seems that many here don’t realise how (relatively) common this is. I often have to travel 250 - 300 miles each way for a client visit. Leave home at 5:30am, arrive at client’s for a 10am meeting. Meet for a couple of hours, take them to lunch, back in the car at (say) 2:30pm and back home by 7pm. It’s not a particularly unusual day (I will do this three or four times a month), and from the sound of it many here will do it more often. Can you actually function at 100% when you get to your destination?
The fact it is usual for you, people in your industry and a few interested posters on this thread doesn't change that fact. 5-600 miles in a day isn't something the vast majority will do once per year, let alone once per week.
cptsideways said:
SWoll said:
At 35kW even an hour isn't going to get you very far. In our etron that would add about 95 miles, so less than 2 hours of driving on A-roads/motorways. OK in a pinch, but really wouldn't want to rely on that regularly despite the cost saving.
So confirmed & do similar mileage around Scotland.Edited by SWoll on Thursday 30th March 07:54
An awful of going nowhere very fast in your fast EV!
benny.c said:
Does anyone tow with an EV and if so how do you get on with public charging? Most public sites seem to be typical car parking spaces which is no good if you’ve got a trailer, boat etc. Worse case I guess you’d have to unhitch and leave it somewhere whist charging. We’ve got a relatively small camping trailer which is no problem in a petrol station but it’s a pain to park unless you’re in a dedicated long space or take up two.
Towing is an achilles heel for EV's 100%. Terrible efficiency losses and a nightmare public charging, I really wouldn't recommend it. Edited by SWoll on Thursday 30th March 22:48
Vasco said:
WestyCarl said:
Vasco said:
If I have a car and want to get from A-B, or have to change to A-C then I don't want to add in wasted hours charging up something when I could be far ahead if I was petrol powered. I'm certainly not going to hang around for ages just because I need to travel at a busy time.
I guess it depends on individual lifestlye's. I was concerned about this but in 2yrs I can honestly say there was 1 week when a family emergency meant I was slightly inconvienienced and had to spend maybe 3 x 30mins charging instead of driving during that week. No big deal.The other 103 weeks have been much more efficent (and a nicer drive) that an ICE vehicle.
coach said:
Download the charger map apps such as plug share and zap map at least. Load it up with your card details to save faff.
Plan your route using these (at least for the charge stops…you can always use you favourite nav and bang in charge locations as way points).
Have a plan A, B & C. Have contingency for planning stops around refreshment and comfort breaks. That way your time efficient.
If you have to use plan B or C it may be on a slower charger so leave plenty of time.
If things change, stop, breath, re plan and have the detail clear. Don’t just plow on and hope for the best.
Oh and when you plan the route, note the charger suppliers and note the payment needed in terms of contactless, app etc and BE PREPARED. Don’t be faffing in location under pressure from family
Bloody hell what an absolute faff!Plan your route using these (at least for the charge stops…you can always use you favourite nav and bang in charge locations as way points).
Have a plan A, B & C. Have contingency for planning stops around refreshment and comfort breaks. That way your time efficient.
If you have to use plan B or C it may be on a slower charger so leave plenty of time.
If things change, stop, breath, re plan and have the detail clear. Don’t just plow on and hope for the best.
Oh and when you plan the route, note the charger suppliers and note the payment needed in terms of contactless, app etc and BE PREPARED. Don’t be faffing in location under pressure from family
They should definitely be contactless. I hate apps.
I can’t speak for other brands but I regularly drive my Tesla over 200 miles in a day, this weekend I’ll do 400 miles on Saturday.
I’ll charge up once at the motorway services for about 15mins, the time it takes to walk in, order a coffee, get something to eat and have a pee.
That’s all that’s needed. It will cost around £10 for that charge, in total it will work out at 4.4p for mile.
I can’t speak for other brands but I regularly drive my Tesla over 200 miles in a day, this weekend I’ll do 400 miles on Saturday.
I’ll charge up once at the motorway services for about 15mins, the time it takes to walk in, order a coffee, get something to eat and have a pee.
That’s all that’s needed. It will cost around £10 for that charge, in total it will work out at 4.4p for mile.
Alickadoo said:
Why do these charging station compamies insist on an app?
Why can't you just put your card in as you do for every other purchase on the planet?
Seriously, what is the official explanation?
Instavolt, Ionity, FastNED, GridServe are all tap and go.Why can't you just put your card in as you do for every other purchase on the planet?
Seriously, what is the official explanation?
I used Connected Kerb near my in-laws recently, it was a post and needed an app. Once I'd used it for the first time it was easy to use on the 2nd and 3rd times; plug in, scan the QR and it started charging.
Alickadoo said:
Maracus said:
Instavolt, Ionity, FastNED, GridServe are all tap and go.
I used Connected Kerb near my in-laws recently, it was a post and needed an app.
Yes, but WHY?I used Connected Kerb near my in-laws recently, it was a post and needed an app.
I'm not in favour of apps, but I can understand that not having a screen for the sake of discreetness is fine, as long as it's as easy to use as tapping a card at a petrol station or tap and go charger. In this case it was.
Maracus said:
Because it had no screen for discreetness.
I'm not in favour of apps, but I can understand that not having a screen for the sake of discreetness is fine, as long as it's as easy to use as tapping a card at a petrol station or tap and go charger. In this case it was.
The question I am asking is:-I'm not in favour of apps, but I can understand that not having a screen for the sake of discreetness is fine, as long as it's as easy to use as tapping a card at a petrol station or tap and go charger. In this case it was.
Why don't ALL charging stations simply accept a credit or debit caed? I don't need help with routes and stuff. I can do all that myself.
Alickadoo said:
The question I am asking is:-
Why don't ALL charging stations simply accept a credit or debit caed? I don't need help with routes and stuff. I can do all that myself.
I guess that's a business decision from the companies involved, it means they build up a database of user's and habits.Why don't ALL charging stations simply accept a credit or debit caed? I don't need help with routes and stuff. I can do all that myself.
FlyingPanda said:
It seems that many here don’t realise how (relatively) common this is. I often have to travel 250 - 300 miles each way for a client visit. Leave home at 5:30am, arrive at client’s for a 10am meeting. Meet for a couple of hours, take them to lunch, back in the car at (say) 2:30pm and back home by 7pm. It’s not a particularly unusual day (I will do this three or four times a month), and from the sound of it many here will do it more often.
It must be a complete pain. Does it really need to be face to face. Could you not do a video meeting.Having to travel so much cannot do anything for UK productivity.
Alickadoo said:
Maracus said:
Because it had no screen for discreetness.
I'm not in favour of apps, but I can understand that not having a screen for the sake of discreetness is fine, as long as it's as easy to use as tapping a card at a petrol station or tap and go charger. In this case it was.
The question I am asking is:-I'm not in favour of apps, but I can understand that not having a screen for the sake of discreetness is fine, as long as it's as easy to use as tapping a card at a petrol station or tap and go charger. In this case it was.
Why don't ALL charging stations simply accept a credit or debit caed? I don't need help with routes and stuff. I can do all that myself.
This was 34p/Kw so I wasn't complaining
Alickadoo said:
Why do these charging station compamies insist on an app?
Why can't you just put your card in as you do for every other purchase on the planet?
Seriously, what is the official explanation?
COST. Why can't you just put your card in as you do for every other purchase on the planet?
Seriously, what is the official explanation?
"Quick, easy and accessible, contactless payment suits many people.
The government has mandated that contactless payment be available on all new rapid chargers that are installed – but this is not yet the case.
It’s worth noting that contactless payment does tend to be the most expensive form of payment, partly due to cost of installation.
What’s more, while charge point operators are moving to make payment more accessible – with most new devices sporting contactless terminals – this form of payment is typically only available on rapid and ultra-rapid devices.
This is likely to remain the case given that the cost of installing the unit is high.
Moreover, many existing slow and fast chargers across the UK do not have contactless capability and are unlikely to receive an upgrade for some time."
Source: https://www.zap-map.com/how-to-pay-public-ev-charg...
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