PHEVs - charging when out and about
Discussion
Evening all, I just want to garner opinion from the existing PHEV drivers about the usefulness and general approach to public charging.
Wouldn’t want to reignite a debate about PHEVs using rapids etc, what I’m really looking for is those who have the 330e / 350e / GTE and such like to comment on if they even bother charging anywhere but home or work?
I’m getting mine in a few weeks and given the splintered state of the charging networks, coupled with the £150 or so cost for a public charging cable, plus charging costs I’m not too convinced of the economic benefits as yet.
Have many of you forked out for the cables and using PodPoint or Polar type fast or destination charging points and seeing a benefit from it?
There’s a part of me that just likes to have the latest gadget and I think I should be maximising the battery potential here but in real terms the admin costs for charges outweigh the benefits for some of the likely charging sessions I’m envisaging.
I’m thinking more in the realms of shopping / restaurants / cinema visits here but any thoughts from the users will be gratefully received.
Wouldn’t want to reignite a debate about PHEVs using rapids etc, what I’m really looking for is those who have the 330e / 350e / GTE and such like to comment on if they even bother charging anywhere but home or work?
I’m getting mine in a few weeks and given the splintered state of the charging networks, coupled with the £150 or so cost for a public charging cable, plus charging costs I’m not too convinced of the economic benefits as yet.
Have many of you forked out for the cables and using PodPoint or Polar type fast or destination charging points and seeing a benefit from it?
There’s a part of me that just likes to have the latest gadget and I think I should be maximising the battery potential here but in real terms the admin costs for charges outweigh the benefits for some of the likely charging sessions I’m envisaging.
I’m thinking more in the realms of shopping / restaurants / cinema visits here but any thoughts from the users will be gratefully received.
Cheers Quinny, that’s the position I think I’m going to find myself in.
I’ve identified the most likely charging points and there are a couple of free ones but unless I can get a good deal on the cable (only 3 pin supplied) then I’ll pass it up.
Car park at the cinema at Whiteley was nearly full tonight and the charging points weren’t iced for once, I’m fact there was a 350e charging. The three month Polar subscription would come in handy to assess if it would work for me without feeling obliged to go out of my way to justify any costs.
Yeah, I think as it’s now the season for defrosting I’ll ensure it’s kept just topped up - cheers Jasper
I’ve identified the most likely charging points and there are a couple of free ones but unless I can get a good deal on the cable (only 3 pin supplied) then I’ll pass it up.
Car park at the cinema at Whiteley was nearly full tonight and the charging points weren’t iced for once, I’m fact there was a 350e charging. The three month Polar subscription would come in handy to assess if it would work for me without feeling obliged to go out of my way to justify any costs.
Yeah, I think as it’s now the season for defrosting I’ll ensure it’s kept just topped up - cheers Jasper
Edited by jonobigblind on Sunday 12th November 22:31
Totally agree Here’s Johnny and that’s the situation I’m trying to avoid. I’ve noted the best places for me to charge (7kw and lower destination type chargers) to get me a mix of ‘doing the right thing’ without blocking the useful chargers for those with full EVs.
I just haven’t convinced myself of the full benefits of doing it as yet. I’ve got the apps downloaded & registered and know which chargers require a 3 pin or type 2, RFiD or app etc etc.
Cinema last night was a perfect example of how I could benefit. PodPoint bays (4 x 7kw from 2 charging posts) and only one of the spaces was taken. Could have stuck it in there whilst being mildly bored by Agatha Christie and would have made the entire 9 mile journey home on battery. Enough space left over for any BEV or PHEV to join the party so everyone’s a winner.
The charging spots I see don’t tend to be too well used and that got me thinking enough to ask the question on here given how PHEVs are increasing in popularity amongst us company car drivers.
I just haven’t convinced myself of the full benefits of doing it as yet. I’ve got the apps downloaded & registered and know which chargers require a 3 pin or type 2, RFiD or app etc etc.
Cinema last night was a perfect example of how I could benefit. PodPoint bays (4 x 7kw from 2 charging posts) and only one of the spaces was taken. Could have stuck it in there whilst being mildly bored by Agatha Christie and would have made the entire 9 mile journey home on battery. Enough space left over for any BEV or PHEV to join the party so everyone’s a winner.
The charging spots I see don’t tend to be too well used and that got me thinking enough to ask the question on here given how PHEVs are increasing in popularity amongst us company car drivers.
The natural home for PHEVs in the wild would be destination chargers (from what I’ve picked up from my travels across the web and forums).
These dispense the lowest level of charge usually 3.6kw or similar (maybe 7 if you’re lucky( and are placed in office car parks, shopping centres and some inner city car parks.
If you’re a BEV only driver then you’re going to typically need a faster rate of charge than these provide in order to keep the car as topped up as possible. The fast and rapid chargers on streets, car parks, on Shell forecourts and in motorway service stations are more suitable for this type of driving.
In my world, I wouldn’t charge on a fast or rapid but I’d think about a slower one, especially during a free three month trial with Polar as then you’re just paying the electricity price (if any) rather than a £1.20 admin charge plus electricity costs which then render a charge uneconomical vs petrol.
I’m sure there’ll be occassions when I will charge (especially now I’ve bought a bloody lead off eBay) but I do appreciate the whole charging fairly vs those who really need it debate.
Bit more education from the dealers is required to ensure new owners are approaching it all the right way.
These dispense the lowest level of charge usually 3.6kw or similar (maybe 7 if you’re lucky( and are placed in office car parks, shopping centres and some inner city car parks.
If you’re a BEV only driver then you’re going to typically need a faster rate of charge than these provide in order to keep the car as topped up as possible. The fast and rapid chargers on streets, car parks, on Shell forecourts and in motorway service stations are more suitable for this type of driving.
In my world, I wouldn’t charge on a fast or rapid but I’d think about a slower one, especially during a free three month trial with Polar as then you’re just paying the electricity price (if any) rather than a £1.20 admin charge plus electricity costs which then render a charge uneconomical vs petrol.
I’m sure there’ll be occassions when I will charge (especially now I’ve bought a bloody lead off eBay) but I do appreciate the whole charging fairly vs those who really need it debate.
Bit more education from the dealers is required to ensure new owners are approaching it all the right way.
quinny100 said:
I public charged my C350e 3 times in a 48 hour trip to Scotland at New Year. Still yet to do so in 5 months in England! Shows what a bit of subsidy and incentive can achieve.
The odd thing was I don’t think I spotted another PHEV or EV on the road in Scotland. There was a car park with a few Leaf’s in at the Fife Council Depot I charged at, but didn’t see any on the road.
Haha, I know what you mean. I walked home after a session in the pub the other night and in the 3 mile trek I saw more Mazda RX8s than PHEVs or BEVs. The odd thing was I don’t think I spotted another PHEV or EV on the road in Scotland. There was a car park with a few Leaf’s in at the Fife Council Depot I charged at, but didn’t see any on the road.
I’m using the Polar 3 month trial but can’t see me renewing when I have to start paying for it, the battery on the Mini is just too small to justify the expense of charging away from the home.
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