Going Pure Electric - Finding Recharge Stations

[Dorset Diver]

I'm hoping to get a pure electric car soonish. What is the best way of finding recharge points / station when on longer journeys. Is there any mapping system similar to myLPG, Search for Sites, etc, etc.

 

[BDM]

Zap-Map

 

[chesterfield hooligan]

I think Google maps are showing then now.

 

[Langtoftlad]

Don't most e-cars have charging points as poi's on their satnav already entered.

 

[Dorset Diver]

Don't most e-cars have charging points as poi's on their satnav already entered.

I don't know. I a total virgin as far as e-cars go, but studying hard. It would certainly make good sense but getting a straight answer from a salesman [many other genders are available] is proving difficult. Every one I have asked instantly goes on to transmit re their manufacturers network.

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[dazandandrea]

Tell them if they dont show you all the charging points you are walking off with your money to someone who will.

 

[Stealaway]

I get the impression it's not the location of charging station that's the problem but finding any points free when you get there

 

[Gromett]

Don't most e-cars have charging points as poi's on their satnav already entered.

You trust car manufactures software? Nope. out of date would be my guess on that front.

 

[Wanderlust]

The Toyota one seems pretty good, matches zap map so far, only tried Northumberland and Edinburgh though.

 

[Engineer999]

We have a VW ID3 and have recently travelled into London from Derbyshire. Due to time constraints had to travel at the legal maximum for the journey which really ate into the range. The BP Pulse app shows available chargers and we plugged into a 55KW on street charger adjacent to St George’s Bridge opposite Battersea Park. This App shows what type is available and what is being used, together with a postcode. I have found that many of the so called charging points in central London are, on further Street View investigation, are residents charging on permit holders only spaces, so be aware. All went well as we soaked up the sun and marvelled at the low cost and convenience of motoring into the Capital with an EV. However, what I had not realised was that these fast chargers will not fully charge batteries and will stop at 75 - 90%, ours stopped at 75 (watched the charge on the App). Apparently this is to release the facility quicker for the next customer, as the final charging takes comparatively longer than than the firs, so that more money can be made. So based on a maximum range of 250 miles, I was left with 181miles and another return journey comparing the sat-nav‘s outstanding mileage with that of the diminishing range. No complaints though, as this was not the intended reason for selecting an EV.
I have found that many of the charging points on the App in the centre of London are in Car Parks which you have to pay for as well, so add a further £20 or more to the cost of a charge.
Motorway services are another option, but on our recent journeys found that many are out of order or, although a parking space next to a charger is available, the type 2 or CCS are being used and the CHAdeMC, which is no use to us, the only one available.
The car’s Sat Nav does show nearby charging points but I prefer to plan and research my options ahead of the journey.

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[bobandjanie]

There was article the other day about Essex Police electric cars running out of puff, if they can't find charging points what chance does anyone else have. Bob.

 

[dazandandrea]

Ill be hanging onto ICE for a while .

 

[Simon Meadwell]

Finding charging points in working order is another problem.

 

[DumfriesDik]

As BDM says, Zap-Map, there is also WattsUp, A Better Route Planner and Shell and BP apps may help as well. Ignore the luddites, get an EV! SpeakEV is a helpful and good forum for EV cars.

 

[MichaelT]

Our newly rebuilt morrison's has about 12 chargers all different kw and most other supermarkets have more basic ones now so shouldn't be an issue?

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[Gromett]

There was article the other day about Essex Police electric cars running out of puff, if they can't find charging points what chance does anyone else have. Bob.

There was thread about this. Looks like they bought Nissan Leafs which are probably unsuitable for the job. And perhaps operated by idiots who don't like EV's and want them to fail?

 

[The Wino]

There was thread about this. Looks like they bought Nissan Leafs which are probably unsuitable for the job. And perhaps operated by idiots who don't like EV's and want them to fail?

It depends what they were bought for. If it was for say crime scene investigation a cheap to run ev could be a very good choice. The knockers in the press seems to assume they were supposed to be for chasing villains.

 

[scotzsue]

Stepson's best mate has had an E car for a time, loved it at first but now struggles to get home to Yorkshire in a sensible time due to queues at charging points, he might have to use his porche next time

 

[Tombola]

What car are you getting ? some are better than other for destinantion charging

the best charging point is the one on your drive or at your work place as over 90% of most cars lives are left parked up.

For those that EVs are suited too, there are too many hung up on rapid charging. A well thought out piece on that linked below.
then after that Zap map for journeys. Its rare to have charging route problems these days and getting easier by the week.

There’s currently too much focus on rapid charging - Fully Charged Show

Mark Potter discusses the issues with rapid charging and the advantages of workplace and destination charging using sustainable and renewable energy.

fullycharged.show

 

[Tombola]

what I had not realised was that these fast chargers will not fully charge batteries and will stop at 75 - 90%, ours stopped at 75 (watched the charge on the App). Apparently this is to release the facility quicker for the next customer, as the final charging takes comparatively longer than than the firs, so that more money can be made.

good post, but this part is yes and no.

there is a nack to charging speeds, as in..... it is quicker to charge from say 20-70 twice than sit and wait from 80-100, or 0 to 20

the tesla route/charging planner is excellent and gives dynamic data changes by the minute depedning on how fast and the conditions etc, as to how much range you will have to get back to your destination. Then it plans accordingly to which charger to get you to, and at what state of charge, so it gets to your destination at the fastest time.
After a while you get used to it, and dont reaaaaly need it unless a new route but it works a treat.

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[edzt]

For those that EVs are suited too, there are too many hung up on rapid charging. A well thought out piece on that linked below.
then after that Zap map for journeys. Its rare to have charging route problems these days and getting easier by the week.

There’s currently too much focus on rapid charging - Fully Charged Show

Mark Potter discusses the issues with rapid charging and the advantages of workplace and destination charging using sustainable and renewable energy.

fullycharged.show

Can't agree with that, for EVs to be effective replacements for ICE vehicles people doing long journeys dont want to be hanging round for a couple of hours to charge.
Drove from the Lancashire coast to a village near Skegness last week
The last fast charger I could get on was Ferrybridge services and I still had 90mls to go.
180mls to get back to Ferrybridge was tight.
The Wolds and Fens appeared devoid of chargers that worked

 

[Tombola]

Can't agree with that, for EVs to be effective replacements for ICE vehicles people doing long journeys dont want to be hanging round for a couple of hours to charge.
Drove from the Lancashire coast to a village near Skegness last week
The last fast charger I could get on was Ferrybridge services and I still had 90mls to go.
180mls to get back to Ferrybridge was tight.
The Wolds and Fens appeared devoid of chargers that worked

yeah I understand. I use to have similar in the early days.
this argument has been raging for years and is getting less and less, west wales and devon/cornwall were this way only a couple of years ago, and are much better

Like I said for people who they are "suited" too, its not done yet but is far better, this transition is still early.
then it depends what car you have or range etc. I mean for instance if you buy a nissan leaf and do 300 miles, its not the ideal, get a 100kw tesla or similar and you are sorted.
horses for courses, just like hybrid are suitable for some. There is never gonna be a one type fits all with evs.

A friend of mine does half his work at motorway services sat in his car on the way home from meetings etc.

 

[PaulyP]

Carry a diesel driven generator, or better still don’t buy an electric vehicle until the backup structure is in place countrywide, probably at least ten years.

 

[nicholsong]

This thread is persuading me that the time is not right, but as there are no viable Electric MHs yet and I do not have a car it is irrelevant.

Maybe I should stop reading EV threads until 2027.

 

[Tombola]

I keep seeing across various threads things like, no good, another 10 years etc never work etc and all by people that dont have them or never used em (oh yeah but my mate lol)

Its not one size fits all, just as its not all about you you you, or me me me

At the moment it suits millions of people perfectly well, including me, so I contribute what I know to threads if poss, good or bad experiences.

Why those that dont have any obvious knowledge/experience, come along time after time and try and say "no good, 15 years away" dont bother, what about this in flats.... blah blah is just baffling to me. They in no way relate to what the original post was asking.

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[PaulyP]

I keep seeing across various threads things like, no good, another 10 years etc never work etc and all by pople that dont have them or never used em (oh yeah but my mate lol)

Its not one size fits all, just as its not all about you you you, or me me me

At the moment it suits millions of people perfectly well, including me, so I contribute what I know to threads if poss, good or bad experiences.

Why those that dont have any obvious knowledge/experience, come along time after time and try and say "no good, 15 years away" dont bother, what about this in flats.... blah blah is just baffling to me. They in no way relate to what the original post was asking.

I don’t have one and never will, but get the impression from here and other sources that there is a scarcity of chargers and for those travelling a distance it could be a problem, also a main cause is that I don’t feel they are any more environmentally better than well looked after diesel or petrol vehicles, and the country doesn’t have a pollution problem which is one of the reasons they push electric, no, it’s because somebody stands to make a lot of money !!

 

[Tombola]

I don’t have one and never will, but get the impression from here and other sources that there is a scarcity of chargers and for those travelling a distance it could be a problem, also a main cause is that I don’t feel they are any more environmentally better than well looked after diesel or petrol vehicles, and the country doesn’t have a pollution problem which is one of the reasons they push electric, no, it’s because somebody stands to make a lot of money !!

No one asked you if you would ever have one or ever will, The OP asked for advice from them that know. ? about maps etc for chargers.

We all have opinions, Im just staing the facts i know 100% right, not my unexperienced opinion on others, and to say the country doesnt have a pollution problem depends on your POV on that too . But I doubt we will see any facts on why or why not, and thats not my expertise.

My opinion on chargers having travelled to most places in various Evs, is there isnt a scarcity now ? again thats my experience. They used to be more dense toward cities/large towns but that has and is still changing.
Im not arguing the case saying they are the be all and end all, but when people come along touting useless crap like tow a genny or, they never work for a million years, cos the structure isnt in place, then i like to maybe sometimes just...put them straight with facts.

To use Scarcity means in short supply, rare, scarce...that obvs isnt true. But then aagin depends who you listen too whether they are talking clap trap or not, whether you belive em.

it boils down for me to: does that half hour now and then at a charger, outweigh all the other "crap" (in my eyes) to owning an ICE car.
my answer....... oh defo yes !
Cant rememeber the last time I used a surpercharger tbh....easy over 2000 miles ago and it was about 16 quid for 320 miles (290 real)

again another ev thread dragged way off course from the original OPS request, Ill leave it there

 

[jako999]

A lot of people don’t understand ahat they want from an ev. My wife has Mini ev it’s range is around 120 miles it’s fantastic but then she uses it to go shopping or to nip here and there and sometimes we will go to a town 40 miles away and so on, you can’t fault it it gets charged at home over night and does exactly the same the next day in fact most weeks a single charge is all it needs, it will take us to Cornwall if that’s what you want but then you would have bought an ev with 300 mile plus range if that’s what your doing weekly.
The differece is the car cost in the first place the Mini is £31,000 a car of the build quality of the Mini with 300 mile range is £50,000 that means your paying £19,000 for that bigger battery and most people only do an average of 25 miles a day. We have other cars and if I’m off to Cornwall it’s in the MH anyway but at £19,000 how many hire cars could I have and still be thousands better off with a lower range car.
People need to really sit down and work out what they really need.

 

[Puddleduck]

My opinion on chargers having travelled to most places in various Evs, is there isnt a scarcity now ? again thats my experience. They used to be more dense toward cities/large towns but that has and is still changing.

There are a very few charging points on the way to my Mum's ( a very rural route through The Scottish Borders and North Central Northumberland) and nowhere to charge easily once I have arrived. As I go every other week and it is usually a 500 mile round trip for me (including running Mum around) an EV is not practical at the moment because of the charging issue - but would be wonderful to cut costs of course - and I have looked several times to see if there are additional charge points en-route as I feel an EV is the way to go when my current car is no longer practical to repair. The single charge point in the supermarket she likes to use is the far end of the car park to the store so I would need to get her out of the car and sort out somewhere for her to sit and wait, move the car and then go back - reversing all that to pick her up. She is not the most patient of people so is likely to cause havoc by walking through the car park towards me shaking her stick at anyone nearby, running her trolley into cars (heaven forbid I take the trolley!) and resting against cars as she gets tired.

Charge points on the way to my Mum's (less than 5 miles off the route) are a bus depot 35 miles from home (so not worth stopping so close to home) after that there is just a private charge point at a holiday cottage (45 miles) , one in a business centre car park (60 miles) which has restrictions and nothing at all at the services nearest to Mum's house which is where I would ideally need to charge up. Using a different route would add miles to the journey and mean going over Carter Bar - I have not checked charge points along that route as I just don't like going that way.

There is also the minor issue of EVs not being disabled friendly at the moment - and trying to get a wheelchair (which I sometimes have to use) to a charging point is nigh on impossible! I have raised all these points with various Ministers for Transport and have not got anywhere as no one is really interested.

People need to really sit down and work out what they really need.

Exactly.

 

[Wh05apk]

There was article the other day about Essex Police electric cars running out of puff, if they can't find charging points what chance does anyone else have. Bob.

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