B’ham to Maidstone - 184miles (M1) in the ZS - and then return - any recommendations?

Cocijo

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I’m travelling from the Midlands to Maidstone in the next few days and thought I’d use the ZS and put a few miles on it. I’m not used to longer journeys using this car as it’s really only used locally. Does anyone travel these routes? Any recommended chargers/routes? M1 or M40? Route planners seem split on routes and chargers. Thank you ?
 
I’m travelling from the Midlands to Maidstone in the next few days and thought I’d use the ZS and put a few miles on it. I’m not used to longer journeys using this car as it’s really only used locally. Does anyone travel these routes? Any recommended chargers/routes? M1 or M40? Route planners seem split on routes and chargers. Thank you ?
Hi Cocijo. I have travelled both routes recently from/to midlands. Gridserve have recently updated old ecotricity units at Beaconsfield services ( end of M40 Jn2 ) and Cobham services ( M25 ) which maybe a useful, easily reached first top-up point which should then see you okay to Maidstone area. Both service areas have 3 double head 120kW charge units. Cobham is prone to being iced/large vans/caravans parking across the bays ( see Zap Chat ) but I have used them recently with good charges from each.

If you use the M1 then Milton Keynes area have literally hundreds of Rapid chargers but that is probably a bit too close to your starting point to be really useful. Maybe on the way back perhaps? I could supply more detail if you wish on more local to Maidstone area.
 
Hi Cocijo. I have travelled both routes recently from/to midlands. Gridserve have recently updated old ecotricity units at Beaconsfield services ( end of M40 Jn2 ) and Cobham services ( M25 ) which maybe a useful, easily reached first top-up point which should then see you okay to Maidstone area. Both service areas have 3 double head 120kW charge units. Cobham is prone to being iced/large vans/caravans parking across the bays ( see Zap Chat ) but I have used them recently with good charges from each.

If you use the M1 then Milton Keynes area have literally hundreds of Rapid chargers but that is probably a bit too close to your starting point to be really useful. Maybe on the way back perhaps? I could supply more detail if you wish on more local to Maidstone area.
Thats brilliant - thank you. I’m actually going to Coxheath and it would be good to charge there locally as well if I can. I’m planning a couple of days there so any local knowledge or recommended hotels would be much appreciated as I haven’t actually booked anywhere yet!
 
Thats brilliant - thank you. I’m actually going to Coxheath and it would be good to charge there locally as well if I can. I’m planning a couple of days there so any local knowledge or recommended hotels would be much appreciated as I haven’t actually booked anywhere yet!
Sorry can't help with hotels as I don't actually live there, just travel through/around Maidstone. North of Maidstone, Jn 7 of M20 there is an M&S services with 3 x BP 50kW and if you're using your Tesla there 6 x Tesla units. Haven't used those devices yet but I gather they are fairly new and I have earmarked that as a stopping point on my way to Sittingbourne now Covid permits travel. There are several destination Pod point chargers dotted around Maidstone so I don't think you should have any problems with local charging.

Depending on your Midland starting point if you fancied a leisurely scenic route I have used Rugby Moto ( Jn1 of M6 ) with 6 or 8 x Gridserve double head 350kW units, then onto A14/M11 towards Braintree Essex where Gridserve have a brand new dedicated EV service station that is something to be seen. From there head to M25 and Dartford crossing but beware there is a Toll to be paid within 24 hours of passing. I have an account so not sure what the exact charge is but 2-3 pounds I think.

Ed corrected M6 Jn1 not 2
Ed2 corrected 350Kw not 120 at Rugby. Trouble with my wrinkly memory lol.
 
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Hi Cocijo. I have travelled both routes recently from/to midlands. Gridserve have recently updated old ecotricity units at Beaconsfield services ( end of M40 Jn2 ) and Cobham services ( M25 ) which maybe a useful, easily reached first top-up point which should then see you okay to Maidstone area. Both service areas have 3 double head 120kW charge units. Cobham is prone to being iced/large vans/caravans parking across the bays ( see Zap Chat ) but I have used them recently with good charges from each.

If you use the M1 then Milton Keynes area have literally hundreds of Rapid chargers but that is probably a bit too close to your starting point to be really useful. Maybe on the way back perhaps? I could supply more detail if you wish on more local to Maidstone area.
I’ve been looking at Milton Keynes Coachway BP chargemaster - looks brilliant. Have you used this one at all?
 
Hi Cocijo. I have travelled both routes recently from/to midlands. Gridserve have recently updated old ecotricity units at Beaconsfield services ( end of M40 Jn2 ) and Cobham services ( M25 ) which maybe a useful, easily reached first top-up point which should then see you okay to Maidstone area. Both service areas have 3 double head 120kW charge units. Cobham is prone to being iced/large vans/caravans parking across the bays ( see Zap Chat ) but I have used them recently with good charges from each.

If you use the M1 then Milton Keynes area have literally hundreds of Rapid chargers but that is probably a bit too close to your starting point to be really useful. Maybe on the way back perhaps? I could supply more detail if you wish on more local to Maidstone area.
I’m going to use the Beaconsfield stop off to charge I think. It seems to be a good option for my route as you kindly advised.
 
I’m going to use the Beaconsfield stop off to charge I think. It seems to be a good option for my route as you kindly advised.
Yes I have used MK Coachway several times in the last couple of years and often found I have been the only one charging. It's very futuristic looking with 8 BP units arranged in a triangle under 3 huge mushroom type covers. I have heard it can be dominated by a local commercial company though with their vehicles dumped long term but I've never seen them. It's very convenient just off the M1 but beware the refreshment and toilet facilities are almost non-existent, especially late at night so I wouldn't recommend it for anything other than charging. (subject to BP reliability).

Beaconsfield has 3 double head units with 5 x CCS and 1 x Chademo which are tucked away round the side of the services building. The units have recently been upgraded with Gridserve 120kW so should be reliable but the white lining does not make it easy to park 6 vehicles alongside each other. I have had to wait a short while on one occasion but the other 2 times I had the choice of all units. It is very busy but the services give a good range of food outlets and the toilets are as good as you could expect.

Have a good trip.
 
Brilliant. Thanks again for all the advice and info.
 
There’s an InstaVolt charger just off the M25 St Albans junction - “The Bell “ roundabout junction, with a McDonalds on. ?
 
Sorry can't help with hotels as I don't actually live there, just travel through/around Maidstone. North of Maidstone, Jn 7 of M20 there is an M&S services with 3 x BP 50kW and if you're using your Tesla there 6 x Tesla units. Haven't used those devices yet but I gather they are fairly new and I have earmarked that as a stopping point on my way to Sittingbourne now Covid permits travel. There are several destination Pod point chargers dotted around Maidstone so I don't think you should have any problems with local charging.

Depending on your Midland starting point if you fancied a leisurely scenic route I have used Rugby Moto ( Jn1 of M6 ) with 6 or 8 x Gridserve double head 350kW units, then onto A14/M11 towards Braintree Essex where Gridserve have a brand new dedicated EV service station that is something to be seen. From there head to M25 and Dartford crossing but beware there is a Toll to be paid within 24 hours of passing. I have an account so not sure what the exact charge is but 2-3 pounds I think.

Ed corrected M6 Jn1 not 2
Ed2 corrected 350Kw not 120 at Rugby. Trouble with my wrinkly memory lol.
I called into the Rugby services today. Very impressed with the charging. As good as my experience using Tesla superchargers. I had a quick charge of the ZS - just plugged in and touched the credit card and away. Only got 37kw/hr but that’s ok it was just a quick top up. 30p/kwhr is ok too compared to some others who rip you off. I noticed gridserve have taken 2 lots of £25 off my credit card (pending) - not sure why 2 amounts - my charge was only £1.50p! Anyway I hope these hubs become commonplace across the UK and the prices stay sensible and the stalls continually available and in service - it will certainly change the way people see travel with an EV
 

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Yes I have used MK Coachway several times in the last couple of years and often found I have been the only one charging. It's very futuristic looking with 8 BP units arranged in a triangle under 3 huge mushroom type covers. I have heard it can be dominated by a local commercial company though with their vehicles dumped long term but I've never seen them. It's very convenient just off the M1 but beware the refreshment and toilet facilities are almost non-existent, especially late at night so I wouldn't recommend it for anything other than charging. (subject to BP reliability).

Beaconsfield has 3 double head units with 5 x CCS and 1 x Chademo which are tucked away round the side of the services building. The units have recently been upgraded with Gridserve 120kW so should be reliable but the white lining does not make it easy to park 6 vehicles alongside each other. I have had to wait a short while on one occasion but the other 2 times I had the choice of all units. It is very busy but the services give a good range of food outlets and the toilets are as good as you could expect.

Have a good trip.
I don’t rapid charge very often - is there an easy way to turn on the car display when charging to show the % and range? It goes off after about a minute. Thank you. Ps. beaconsfield on 1st leg. Gridserve Rapid is working well and quite fast! Very busy!
 
I don’t rapid charge very often - is there an easy way to turn on the car display when charging to show the % and range? It goes off after about a minute. Thank you. Ps. beaconsfield on 1st leg. Gridserve Rapid is working well and quite fast! Very busy!
I never bother with the car display. The modern Chargers, especially Gridserve, Shell, Instavolt etc. give me enough information to decide when to move on. Glad Beaconsfield was of use to you. Welcome to the M25 "car park" round to Kent. Sometimes lucky, sometimes not. Heathrow, M4, M3, A3 is usually the worst bit. Thanks for the update.
 
2nd leg
 

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View attachment 4606Recorded this overall on outward journey.
Your figures suggest a reasonable trip and typically what I would aim for on that route:- Couple of hours driving / 100+ miles with ~ 19-20kWh top-up then finish slower part of journey with another couple of hours and have enough range (88 miles) left to find suitable recharge points at your destination area. Brilliant. Are you going to retrace your steps on the return journey ( better the devil you know ) or try the M1 corridor via Dartford crossing / M25?
 
Your figures suggest a reasonable trip and typically what I would aim for on that route:- Couple of hours driving / 100+ miles with ~ 19-20kWh top-up then finish slower part of journey with another couple of hours and have enough range (88 miles) left to find suitable recharge points at your destination area. Brilliant. Are you going to retrace your steps on the return journey ( better the devil you know ) or try the M1 corridor via Dartford crossing / M25?
We did clockwise m25 and took m1 to charge in MK on the way back. Lots of traffic! I’m going to post a bit more detail on the trip so I can share my experiences.
 
I don’t rapid charge very often - is there an easy way to turn on the car display when charging to show the % and range? It goes off after about a minute. Thank you. Ps. beaconsfield on 1st leg. Gridserve Rapid is working well and quite fast! Very busy!
Just switch off the car and switch on again every now and then, or i beleive on most power units you re touch the screen and it will show the progress also.
 
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