Public Charging - What do I need?
Discussion
Newbie here with an MG4. I've only public charged once so far. I carry a type 2 cable with me.
What apps, RFID card(s) - if any should I download if I want to be able to use mort UK chargers?
Also what app is best to navigate and show chargers along thr route, can aly app direct you to a charger if your battery does not have enough juice to do the planned joirney? - I would like to know price, availability and speed if possible?
Can I use the recommended navigation/ev charge station app in Android Car Play?
Any other tips for finding/using chargers - can you filter to ones in supermarkets or with a nice walk nearby perhaps?
What apps, RFID card(s) - if any should I download if I want to be able to use mort UK chargers?
Also what app is best to navigate and show chargers along thr route, can aly app direct you to a charger if your battery does not have enough juice to do the planned joirney? - I would like to know price, availability and speed if possible?
Can I use the recommended navigation/ev charge station app in Android Car Play?
Any other tips for finding/using chargers - can you filter to ones in supermarkets or with a nice walk nearby perhaps?
Octopus Electroverse for the majority of cases.
This has a map and I think allows navigation via it too taking charging into account.
It also can list chargers not part of the Electroverse program which although means you can’t use the RFID card you can still find and use them if needed.
Gridserve are probably the biggest company not on Electroverse and generally are only on motorways so I’d get their app too.
Then the Tesla app as if you are not logged in and using it as a guest any chargers you see are available for non-Tesla’s.
Then finally I’d get the Zapmap app as a second reference for Electroverse.
This has a map and I think allows navigation via it too taking charging into account.
It also can list chargers not part of the Electroverse program which although means you can’t use the RFID card you can still find and use them if needed.
Gridserve are probably the biggest company not on Electroverse and generally are only on motorways so I’d get their app too.
Then the Tesla app as if you are not logged in and using it as a guest any chargers you see are available for non-Tesla’s.
Then finally I’d get the Zapmap app as a second reference for Electroverse.
These days it’s really not worth worrying about. Even my ID3 (which is supposedly the worst EV ever made 
) does a great job just using its built in Nav to choose chargers.
You’ll struggle to find rapid or ultra rapid chargers these days that aren’t contactless, so I wouldn’t bother with apps unless you are going to be public charging a lot and want to have access to cheaper rates.
If you do want to just have a look in advance at an area you’ll be in, then as mentioned above I find ZapMap is useful.
) does a great job just using its built in Nav to choose chargers. You’ll struggle to find rapid or ultra rapid chargers these days that aren’t contactless, so I wouldn’t bother with apps unless you are going to be public charging a lot and want to have access to cheaper rates.
If you do want to just have a look in advance at an area you’ll be in, then as mentioned above I find ZapMap is useful.
If you’re charging infrequently all you really need is a credit card most of the time. The only apps I use are the Tesla one and Charge Place Scotland, but generally, for that very few times I need to rapid charge a credit card is what I use.
As for finding them, apps like PlugShare, Zapmap and abetterrouteplanner are all ones mentioned and I’m sure there are others. In car nav often can find them too.
The biggest challenge today is generally not finding one, it’s finding the cheapest as it can vary a lot
As for finding them, apps like PlugShare, Zapmap and abetterrouteplanner are all ones mentioned and I’m sure there are others. In car nav often can find them too.
The biggest challenge today is generally not finding one, it’s finding the cheapest as it can vary a lot
Most EV chargers have their own app that gives you a discount (Electroverse, Osprey, BP Pulse etc) but mostly require a subscription, Electroverse don't.
I believe the vast majority now accept any contactless debit card; a result of the complaints about the need for a multitude of apps.
I believe the vast majority now accept any contactless debit card; a result of the complaints about the need for a multitude of apps.
Just to add, whilst it’s been a legal requirement for new rapid and ultra rapid chargers to take contactless in the UK for quite a number of years now, it’s the fast (7-22kW) chargers that tend to be a pain for needing apps! Hotels I guess would be the most likely scenario where these would make sense when you’re wanting to fill up overnight.
plfrench said:
Just to add, whilst it s been a legal requirement for new rapid and ultra rapid chargers to take contactless in the UK for quite a number of years now, it s the fast (7-22kW) chargers that tend to be a pain for needing apps! Hotels I guess would be the most likely scenario where these would make sense when you re wanting to fill up overnight.
Actually scrap that, the regs have further been updated to capture all existing rapid and above chargers to have to be contactless too since last Nov, so if you find a public rapid or Ultra that needs an app, then you’ll be doing well!https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-pub...
No apps for me, just my electroverse card which covers virtually all rapid chargers now - for the odd one that isn't on the scheme, they all accept contactless now.
I don't plan charging stops and I don't ask my car to plan either, I just charge whenever I need to stop anyway, lunch or whatever.
Don't faff around with a load of apps, those days are thankfully long gone!
I don't plan charging stops and I don't ask my car to plan either, I just charge whenever I need to stop anyway, lunch or whatever.
Don't faff around with a load of apps, those days are thankfully long gone!
plfrench said:
Actually scrap that, the regs have further been updated to capture all existing rapid and above chargers to have to be contactless too since last Nov, so if you find a public rapid or Ultra that needs an app, then you ll be doing well!
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-pub...
Arnold Clark have somehow found a way around it. They’re often the cheapest in a given area as well.https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-pub...
https://www.arnoldclark.com/charge
Blockbuster said:
plfrench said:
Actually scrap that, the regs have further been updated to capture all existing rapid and above chargers to have to be contactless too since last Nov, so if you find a public rapid or Ultra that needs an app, then you ll be doing well!
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-pub...
Arnold Clark have somehow found a way around it. They re often the cheapest in a given area as well.https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-pub...
https://www.arnoldclark.com/charge
In anycase, I've been saying for years that the option to book a slot is important and is inevitably what will happen at some point - so I'm glad it now is happening! And of course you need an app to facilitate the booking so no huge issue to use it to pay too.
I ve had an EV around six months, but rarely needed to public charge until a few days ago, for a weekend in Devon. I just tapped a card on the chargers and everything worked fine. I tried using the Electroverse card, but of the four public chargers we used on the trip, it only worked on one and I used a debit card on the others. Other than that, it was seamless really. All the chargers worked fine, and the journey didn t really take any longer as the stops were combined with lunch breaks and wee stops.
We also found some good stops that aren t advertised at all from the road - there s a fancy farm shop on the A303 with 10x 180kW chargers (Gridserve) which you d have absolutely no idea was there unless you got directed to it as a charging stop. Much nicer place than a typical grotty motorway services area, although admittedly not 24h opening.
We also found some good stops that aren t advertised at all from the road - there s a fancy farm shop on the A303 with 10x 180kW chargers (Gridserve) which you d have absolutely no idea was there unless you got directed to it as a charging stop. Much nicer place than a typical grotty motorway services area, although admittedly not 24h opening.
Edited by mikey_b on Monday 14th July 22:51
mikey_b said:
- there's a fancy farm shop on the A303 with 10x 180kW chargers (Gridserve) which you d have absolutely no idea was there unless you got directed to it as a charging stop. Much nicer place than a typical grotty motorway services area, although admittedly not 24h opening.
Whereabouts is this? We're taking the wife's i3 to Dartmoor in early September and this sounds like just the place for a charge. I'm by Stonehenge so depending on roughly where on the A303 this is it might work nicely..
We've got by for a year with just contactless and the Tesla app. I've never actually found a non-Tesla rapid charger which wont take contactless. 7kW chargers in public car-parks often require apps (Pod Point, etc.) if you intend to use those.
I use ABPR if I need to explicitly plan around chargers for some reason, but mostly I just use google maps and start looking for a charger ahead when the car gets down to about 30%.
I use ABPR if I need to explicitly plan around chargers for some reason, but mostly I just use google maps and start looking for a charger ahead when the car gets down to about 30%.
Deerfoot said:
Whereabouts is this? ....
Looking at the Gridserve map it seems to be https://teals.co.uk/ near Sparkford/Yeovil.I have electroverse app and rfid card and have found that fairly regularly I have to use one because the other doesn’t work. Have had a few experiences where debit card was no accepted by a charger (took four attempts at Gridserve rugby three years ago - have used Gridserve app more recently). It’s useful that the Electroverse card / app work on charge place Scotland network
If using Instavolt their app can get better prices and Ionity have a good subscription for regular use
If using Instavolt their app can get better prices and Ionity have a good subscription for regular use
Truckosaurus said:
Looking at the Gridserve map it seems to be https://teals.co.uk/ near Sparkford/Yeovil.
Awesome, thanks. Deerfoot said:
Truckosaurus said:
Looking at the Gridserve map it seems to be https://teals.co.uk/ near Sparkford/Yeovil.
Awesome, thanks. Gassing Station | EV and Alternative Fuels | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff