Two new Instavolt rapids being installed on the A55 Expressway into Wales.

[Lovemyev]

Hi folks.
This morning I have just spotted two new Instavolt rapid chargers are in the process of being installed at the McDonalds site West bound on the A55 expressway into North Wales.
The rapids are fully installed, but they have covers over them.
They are currently cutting a cable trench from the sub station close by, next to Costa.
The McDonalds and Costa is next door the the Holiday Inn hotel.
Here is the address / post code of the hotel right next door.

A55 Northop Hall Mold CH7 6HB

As you pass the exit for Ewloe if you travel about another mile and look to your left, the hotel etc can been seen in a elevated position just off the dual carriageway.
Access is easy and you leave via a Shell petrol station.
I would estimate they will be up and running in a few short weeks !.

 

[biffo]

Hi folks.
This morning I have just spotted two new Instavolt rapid chargers are in the process of being installed at the McDonalds site West bound on the A55 expressway into North Wales.
The rapids are fully installed, but they have covers over them.
They are currently cutting a cable trench from the sub station close by, next to Costa.
The McDonalds and Costa is next door the the Holiday Inn hotel.
Here is the address / post code of the hotel right next door.

A55 Northop Hall Mold CH7 6HB

As you pass the exit for Ewloe if you travel about another mile and look to your left, the hotel etc can been seen in a elevated position just off the dual carriageway.
Access is easy and you leave via a Shell petrol station.
I would estimate they will be up and running in a few short weeks !.

Good to hear - sounds like it's this pair mentioned as having planning permission in Feb. Have the 4 mentioned at Northop Hall ever gone active? Any idea what the 12 at Singing Kettle are? Is this the hub at Rhug Organic Farm? Or could be a completely different area of the UK I guess

 

[biffo]

This would be a good addition

 

[Lovemyev]

Okay @biffo .
We live fairly close to the A55 Expressway and use it frequently.
I will try a give you as much information as I can.
I think the 4 x Off units you mention at Northop are located on almost directly the opposite ( East bound ) side of the expressway, to the new Instavolt units going in at McDonalds on the West bound side of the expressway.
These are Shell Recharge super fast rapids and are located in a large Shell filling station ( East bound side ).
I can only get a brief view as we pass by, but I can see that a large high current power distribution box has been installed at the back of the forecourt.
I am unable to see if there are any rapids installed yet though, sorry.
Next time I am passing, I will pop in and double check for you.
Zap - Map is showing nothing at this location.
Also, worth mentioning here, that there is 8 x Off Non -Tesla units now been opened up, just off the A55 at the Flint Mountain Hotel.
They are located behind the hotel and it is a only very short diversion of about 2 - 3 miles from the A55.
The address is :- Flint Mountain Hotel, Northop Road, Flint Mountain, CH6 5QG.
Now onto the proposed 12 rapid units at the Singing Kettle location, well the planning permission for the KFC and the Starbucks, where intended to be built along side the current Petrol station and McDonalds already in place at this location.
There is a sizeable piece of land to the side of the McDonalds facility.
The first planning application was knocked back by the local council, after receiving a number of objections from the public I believe.
This was contested and it has now been approved, a number of months ago now.
Not sure when work will commence, but I will keep you posted on its progress.
Oh.... These will be on the East side of the expressway, but can be accessed from the West side via a slip road and then a over a bridge, that will take you over to the opposite side of the expressway.
I think there is an old Electric Highway unit already there at the moment, next to the filling station.
Next, the Rhug Estate is not close to the A55 it is on the A5 towards Corwen, you pass the Rhug Estate, it just before taking the turning and head up towards Bala.
These will be 8 x Off 120 Kw Instavolt rapid units, that will go alongside the couple of A/C Pod Point units already there.
I am not sure if these Instavolt units are up and running as of yet.
Again, not showing on Zap Map as working, so further investigation required and an update forth coming ASAP.

InstaVolt installing ultra-rapid chargers at Rhug Estate in north Wales - Zapmap

Rapid electric vehicle (EV) charging network InstaVolt is in the process of installing eight ultra-rapid charging points in north Wales. Indeed, EV...

www.zap-map.com

Hope this answers some of your questions.

 

[biffo]

Okay @biffo .
We live fairly close to the A55 Expressway and use it frequently.
I will try a give you as much information as I can.
I think the 4 x Off units you mention at Northop are located on almost directly the opposite ( East bound ) side of the expressway, to the new Instavolt units going in at McDonalds on the West bound side of the expressway.
These are Shell Recharge super fast rapids and are located in a large Shell filling station ( East bound side ).
I can only get a brief view as we pass by, but I can see that a large high current power distribution box has been installed at the back of the forecourt.
I am unable to see if there are any rapids installed yet though, sorry.
Next time I am passing, I will pop in and double check for you.
Zap - Map is showing nothing at this location.
Also, worth mentioning here, that there is 8 x Off Non -Tesla units now been opened up, just off the A55 at the Flint Mountain Hotel.
They are located behind the hotel and it is a only very short diversion of about 2 - 3 miles from the A55.
The address is :- Flint Mountain Hotel, Northop Road, Flint Mountain, CH6 5QG.
Now onto the proposed 12 rapid units at the Singing Kettle location, well the planning permission for the KFC and the Starbucks, where intended to be built along side the current Petrol station and McDonalds already in place at this location.
There is a sizeable piece of land to the side of the McDonalds facility.
The first planning application was knocked back by the local council, after receiving a number of objections from the public I believe.
This was contested and it has now been approved, a number of months ago now.
Not sure when work will commence, but I will keep you posted on its progress.
Oh.... These will be on the East side of the expressway, but can be accessed from the West side via a slip road and then a over a bridge, that will take you over to the opposite side of the expressway.
I think there is an old Electric Highway unit already there at the moment, next to the filling station.
Next, the Rhug Estate is not close to the A55 it is on the A5 towards Corwen, you pass the Rhug Estate, it just before taking the turning and head up towards Bala.
These will be 8 x Off 120 Kw Instavolt rapid units, that will go alongside the couple of A/C Pod Point units already there.
I am not sure if these Instavolt units are up and running as of yet.
Again, not showing on Zap Map as working, so further investigation required and an update forth coming ASAP.

InstaVolt installing ultra-rapid chargers at Rhug Estate in north Wales - Zapmap

Rapid electric vehicle (EV) charging network InstaVolt is in the process of installing eight ultra-rapid charging points in north Wales. Indeed, EV...

www.zap-map.com

Hope this answers some of your questions.

Cheers! I’m down that area in July - is this where the old Ecotricity units Eastbound were, next to Starbucks? One of those worked well for me in October.

Instavolt say it’ll be mid-June for Rhug Estate so hoping that’ll be up and running. I’ll likely try the Tesla units on way home too, should given plenty charge to then reach Burton-in-Kendal hub.

Previously the PodPoint at Llandudno Junction Lidl has been good but only one connection. Need more. What’s also lacking are AC units in car parks for a few hours top up.

BP Pulse rapid at Royal Oak Hotel in Betws-y-Coed is useful during lunch stop too ?

 

[AdamMGEV]

About bloody time. They need some further down the coast towards Pwllheli

 

[Lovemyev]

Cheers! I’m down that area in July - is this where the old Ecotricity units Eastbound were, next to Starbucks? One of those worked well for me in October.

Instavolt say it’ll be mid-June for Rhug Estate so hoping that’ll be up and running. I’ll likely try the Tesla units on way home too, should given plenty charge to then reach Burton-in-Kendal hub.

Previously the PodPoint at Llandudno Junction Lidl has been good but only one connection. Need more. What’s also lacking are AC units in car parks for a few hours top up.

BP Pulse rapid at Royal Oak Hotel in Betws-y-Coed is useful during lunch stop too ?

I have seen the older Electric Highway unit your refer to, next to Starbucks on the East bound side of the A55.
But I think that one is just before the exit for Bodelwyddan castle and the hospital, before the white marble church.
The other Electric Highway unit is on the same East bound side again, but about another 5 miles along the A55.
You will pass the marble church, then continue until you hit the very long steep "Rhault" hill.
When then road flattens out, continue for about 3 miles and look left for a exit marked "Holywell".
Leave here and you have arrived at the "Singing Kettle" site.
This is where the new Instavolt charges will be installed.

I have used the Polar unit once at the Royal Hotel, worked fine with the Polar Plus card I had then.
But it is always getting ICE'd.
I was standing along side my car when it was charging and in the short time we where there, I had to inform 3 drivers that the spare space was for EV cars owners only who wanted to charge.
2 where fine, but one got a little vocal to be honest.
To be far, the spaces need identifying better as green EV bays only.
They are right in front of a shop and is an easy target for people to grab.

 

[Deleted member 9057]

The Rhug estate Twitter account said a couple of weeks ago that the new Instavolt rapids should be live by the end of June.

 

[biffo]

The Rhug estate Twitter account said a couple of weeks ago that the new Instavolt rapids should be live by the end of June.

I remember reading that Twitter thread - now I recognise the username ?

 

[biffo]

For anyone who's not seen yet, this new hub is now live

 

[Deleted member 9057]

Excellent news. That will make some of my journeys so much easier

 

[Lovemyev]

Bit of an update folks, the 8 new ultra fast Instavolt chargers at the Rhug Estate appear to be up and running according to this video !. ( fast forward to 5mins 30sec's ).





Also, a bit of an update on the two new Instavolt chargers at the Mc Donalds, next to the Holliday Inn on the A55.
We made a stop off, to check on progress on Friday 24th June 22.
There where two Instavolt installers vans parked in front of the units and they appeared to be connecting them to the power supply box close by.
The covers where "Off" the rapid units and the cable supply run trench had all been back filled and tarmac applied.
I would guess by now, they are either up and running, or very close !.
I called in ( as promised ) to the shell station on the other side of the carriage way, from McDonald's to check on the Shell Recharge units going in there.
These units where installed ages ago, but are STILL wearing the protective hoods.
They appear to be waiting for the energy supplier to run in the power cables !.
Thought you would like an update on earlier thread.

 

[biffo]

Instavolt app is showing three active sites ?

 

[Lovemyev]

Instavolt app is showing three active sites ?

View attachment 9374

Yeah - I can see them active on the App thanks !.
The three you mention, are the Rhug Estate / Rhyl ( about 3 miles off the A55 expressway and the very recent two units at Mc Donald’s next to the Holiday Inn again, just off the A55 expressway.

 

[biffo]

Tried the two new Instavolt next to McDonalds Rhyl - left hand unit would start but stopped after 1 second, on both attempts, so tried the right hand one - similar issues except card reader display not working. Called helpdesk and they got me to try the app (same outcome as left hand unit) but they then got it started remotely - think it was a free vend as they didn’t ask payment details.

A Peugeot e-208 arrived on left hand unit and called helpdesk too but then got a charge. Possibly just teething issues ?‍

Tried the Ecotricity units at Starbucks before these - a BMW i3 using the left hand unit, right hand one has faulty CCS connection :-(

 

[Lovemyev]

Tried the two new Instavolt next to McDonalds Rhyl - left hand unit would start but stopped after 1 second, on both attempts, so tried the right hand one - similar issues except card reader display not working. Called helpdesk and they got me to try the app (same outcome as left hand unit) but they then got it started remotely - think it was a free vend as they didn’t ask payment details.

A Peugeot e-208 arrived on left hand unit and called helpdesk too but then got a charge. Possibly just teething issues ?‍

Tried the Ecotricity units at Starbucks before these - a BMW i3 using the left hand unit, right hand one has faulty CCS connection :-(

Thanks for the feed back !.
These Instavolt units are brand new and are likely to having teething problems.
The fact they are on “Free Vend” tells us so I guess !.
As soon as they are up and running correctly, they will remove the free vend quick as a shot !.
Did you try the brand new Instavolt next to the Holiday Inn on the A55 expressway ?.
I think that only opened late last week as well.
Two units side by side, right in front of Mc Donald’s.
The ones at Starbucks are the old Electric Highway units I believe ?.

 

[biffo]

Thanks for the feed back !.
These Instavolt units are brand new and are likely to having teething problems.
The fact they are on “Free Vend” tells us so I guess !.
As soon as they are up and running correctly, they will remove the free vend quick as a shot !.
Did you try the brand new Instavolt next to the Holiday Inn on the A55 expressway ?.
I think that only opened late last week as well.
Two units side by side, right in front of Mc Donald’s.
The ones at Starbucks are the old Electric Highway units I believe ?.

I think the Instavolts were charging, they took a £20 pre-payment but refunded immediately when charge failed - only free (I hope!) due to being started by call centre.

Not tried anywhere else yet - Lidl at Llandudno Junction was busy or would have used this as only £0.28 per kWh - but did grab an hour at Tesco on the AC yesterday. Nice black ZS charging at same time.

Those old Electric Highway units need replaced - but Gridserve only seemed to do motorways and ignored all the others. I used MFG at Wigan (up to 86% or something) on way down so arrived with 40%+. It was just a mis-adventure ending up on crazy steep hairpin hills around the YHA at Rowan that used the battery up!

 

[Lovemyev]

Lidl at Llandudno Junction was busy or would have used this as only £0.28 per kWh

I was speaking to a loverly elderly couple in the car park of M&S Cheshire Oaks only last week.
He said he had owned a lot of MG's in his younger days and was extremely keen to talk about our ZS EV.
He said it was the first one he had seen !.
They where from Llandudno themselves and was out for a day's shopping trip to M&S store bless them.
The lady was telling me that they shop at the Lidl store in Llandudno and there was always car waiting to use "One Of Them Big Electric Boxes"( as she called them ).
But she said a member of staff was telling her, that a number of people had received fines for overstaying their welcome !.
One to watch out for @biffo.

 

[Gomev]

Stopped at Talardy hotel on the way to Llandudno today.
No problems as usual with Osprey.
Didn't need the charge to complete the journey was at 51% but due to the paucity of chargers around topped up for use over the coming days.

 

[Lovemyev]

Stopped at Talardy hotel on the way to Llandudno today.
No problems as usual with Osprey.
Didn't need the charge to complete the journey was at 51% but due to the paucity of chargers around topped up for use over the coming days.

I know the location of that charger !.
Easy off and back on the A55 expressway.
Bottom corner of the Marstons car park, behind the stone wall !.
Too close to home for use by ourselves.
I believe there is a rapid in the Aldi car park in LLandudno if that is more convenient ?.
It has a wait time restriction on it though I think ?.
Not used it, but somebody told me last week that some people have been fined for over staying their welcome.