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

[Cocijo]

General - Using an EV for extended journeys​

This was the first extended journey in an EV for me, other than a Tesla. Previously all extended journeys were either using the Supercharger network or in an ICE, not using the public charging network.

Other EV’s that I’ve owned have only been used for local travel.

Using Superchargers you do feel a bit more confident to travel at a higher speed and run lower on battery, knowing that there will be available chargers that always work, so it was interesting to experience the public charger network on a longer trip.

Planning​

I’ve mentioned previously that extended journeys in an EV need planning. Unlike an ICE you can’t really just jump in and go. The other really different experience for me is the average speed of a journey needed to achieve a reasonable range.

Average speeds​

Most longer trips involve motorways or faster roads. This trip was nearly all motorway. To get a better range and less frequent stops out of an EV you must keep your speed down.

This can be an irritating experience. Travelling at 60-70mph on the motorways means that you actively engage with slower traffic. This can be a lot less relaxing.

Just lifting your speed by between 10–15mph takes you out of this area and makes for an easier (and safer in my opinion) drive, but it comes with a significant range reduction.

EV’s don’t like motorways​

I’ve always liked to press on and get to my destination if possible rather than pootle along - unless your journey is relatively short even bigger battery EV’s don’t have that much range at high speed.

This is one of the current big limitations of all EV’s - drive them quickly and the range just plummets.

Charging experiences - 384miles - 3 x charges​

The weekend trip totalled about 385miles. I had 3 charges. One was a destination overnight foc charge. The two others at rapids on the route. I started full at home and ended back at home with low battery light on. The rapids charging cost £13.90p and added about 40kwhr.

The 2 Rapid chargers​

The 2 rapid chargers that I used were at J2 M40 services - outward and M1 MK Coachway coming back.

J2 M40 - chargers hidden away​

The M40 Gridserve charger worked ok - I used contactless credit card - 30p/kwhr.

When you first arrive you see the Econtricity chargers which are I think 62p/kwhr - just around the corner are the Gridserve ones - poor signs at the services for the EV charging points.

Each Gridserve rapid has two cables but I don’t think both can be used at the same time.

Cars were waiting as I finished at 81% and pulled out of the bay - I think that I was lucky.

MK Coachway​

The MK Coachway BP chargers are plentiful. Again I used contactless credit card payment. I got the error message shown in the pic below after a while, but by this time had enough to get home. Nice setup here. I wonder what double green lines on the road mean?

Summary​

Overall, quite a nice trip. As an occasional journey I think it worked fine.

The ZS is not designed for regular longer journeys and that’s not what I purchased it for.

If travelling long distances regularly I’m afraid an ICE is still the best option. Even with Tesla it can be frustrating having to top up all the time if you’ve deadlines to meet.

The ZS was comfortable and quiet enough for this type of journey and the power and performance more than capable. If not for the range impact it’s quite easy to cruise along all day at the motorway limit.

Charging worked out well. I think that if you can choose larger hubs with multiple chargers you will have more confidence in getting a charge.

 

[Jake]

Great report Cocijo thanks for that. It shows how planning and bit of research beforehand can make all the difference to help reduce any anxiety to the absolute minimum. You were brave taking the M25 clockwise route to M1 from Kent. I admire you for that. I hate getting caught in 5 lanes of stop/start slow moving congestion. Having said that the last 2 or 3 times on the M25 for me have been plain sailing.

Looks like there were a few of the local Minibus vehicles at MK Coachway so you were lucky to get on a working charger. Are the very limited refreshment/toilet facilities open agin yet when you were there. They completely closed during Covid and even when open are limited hours?

 

[Cocijo]

Great report Cocijo thanks for that. It shows how planning and bit of research beforehand can make all the difference to help reduce any anxiety to the absolute minimum. You were brave taking the M25 clockwise route to M1 from Kent. I admire you for that. I hate getting caught in 5 lanes of stop/start slow moving congestion. Having said that the last 2 or 3 times on the M25 for me have been plain sailing.

Looks like there were a few of the local Minibus vehicles at MK Coachway so you were lucky to get on a working charger. Are the very limited refreshment/toilet facilities open agin yet when you were there. They completely closed during Covid and even when open are limited hours?

Thank you. The coffee shop was open. 30p to use the toilet! Although the hub is great the centre itself looks a little run down. Yes, I counted 15 vauxhall electric minibuses dotted around the chargers!

 

[jamesie]

Good report.

I would make 2 points....

1. I was concerned that having to reduce my speed down from 70 on the motorway would be a pain. Actually, I find it more relaxing to cruise at 60mph. Not having to continually change lanes to overtake slower moving traffic is a boon for me. It does need a change of mental attitude and planning extra time to accommodate the lower speed.

2. I agree that if you need to make regular long "varied" trips then the ZS (or any EV) would be a challenge. However, I have a regular 400 mile round trip and I have the charging stops well sorted. In this case it's easy. I do worry a little about the increase in number of EVs outpacing the expansion of the charging infrastructure.

Just my thoughts.

 

[Cocijo]

Yes - good points. Everyone is different in their approach. If I could drive at 60mph and not have to move lanes all the time that might help - how do you achieve that on a motorway?
There’s always slow moving vehicles in lane 1 so I find that you have to manage and overtake those as well as monitor traffic in lane 3 as you change lanes during the journey. I’m also conscious that I don’t want to unnecessarily slow down traffic through slow acceleration and be courteous to other road users. Going faster removes most of this. Do you stay in lane 2?

 

[jamesie]

Yes - good points. Everyone is different in their approach. If I could drive at 60mph and not have to move lanes all the time that might help - how do you achieve that on a motorway?
There’s always slow moving vehicles in lane 1 so I find that you have to manage and overtake those as well as monitor traffic in lane 3 as you change lanes during the journey. I’m also conscious that I don’t want to unnecessarily slow down traffic through slow acceleration and be courteous to other road users. Going faster removes most of this. Do you stay in lane 2?

Lane 1 generally moves at 60mph. HGV's are limited to 60. I use ACC set at 60 and generally cruise in lane 1 quite nicely. Occasionally have to overtake someone but not as much as if I was driving at 70mph (no lane 2 or 3 hogging, of course!).