Charging across Europe

[EVsince2016]

My 2024 trip is . . . .

France - Belgium - Luxembourg - Germany - Liechtenstein - Austria - Italy - Switzerland!

7 new EV countries for me to sample, new chargers & networks and the first post Tesla upgrade!

I've driven these routes (mostly) before, but have some exciting new drives to enjoy!

Just discovered that another motorway went free-flowing (no toll booths) in France! My Portuguese Via-verde tag doesn't work there, just in Spain & Portugal, so I had to register with Sanef for auto-payments from my car reg. Easy!

 

[rjhfandclf]

Just discovered that another motorway went free-flowing (no toll booths) in France! My Portuguese Via-verde tag doesn't work there, just in Spain & Portugal, so I had to register with Sanef for auto-payments from my car reg. Easy!

... and aren't the French just loving them! 'Free-flow' tolls, along with French farmers, presently seem to be vying to become the next excuse for French Revolution # nnn!

Since they started on, and are spreading from, the A13 and north of France, these did concern me for our regular route south-west, but I am assured by Emovis (I got a cheap deal via Le Shuttle for a French Liber-t tag some years ago) that my tag will continue to collect the 'free-flow' charges in exactly the same way. Whether, in reality, they will do so - or whether it will be any faster than the old 30 kph non-stop fast lanes - has yet to be seen!

Incidentally, for anyone newly looking for Spain/Portugal tag too, Emovis provide these also - but are (as explained by EVsince2016 above) non-compatible with the French tag ... well, there's a surprise!

Just for info, IECharge (one of my French favourites for 'splash and go'), are currently in a summer promotion at 0.25€/kWh at all their stations until 31/08/2024. They are small, no frills, with only 4 chargers each, but at 320/160kW, so all work for me ... but I'm not journeying till 02/09, so will have to pay the full price of 0.30€/kWh!!

 

[EVsince2016]

I've actually subscribed to ABRP this time to try it out. Seems good at route planning, directions TBC.

ABRP works well, great to see how many spaces are freely. Doesn't show traffic or speed cameras but takes weather and gradients into account.

 

[rjhfandclf]

I see that Chargemap pass is now accepted by Tesla 'open-to-all' superchargers. So how about Electroverse next? Not essential but handier to have it all in one place.

 

[EVsince2016]

I see that Chargemap pass is now accepted by Tesla 'open-to-all' superchargers. So how about Electroverse next? Not essential but handier to have it all in one place.

But you can now see it's possible.

 

[tsedge]

I've actually subscribed to ABRP this time to try it out. Seems good at route planning, directions TBC.

Be interesting to see how you get on with it. I have seen a lot of people online saying the subscription isn't worth it, but I have wondered if they are using it correctly or enough to make it useful.

 

[EVsince2016]

Be interesting to see how you get on with it. I have seen a lot of people online saying the subscription isn't worth it, but I have wondered if they are using it correctly or enough to make it useful.

On my home laptop I planned out all of my long holiday trips. Ideal as you can plan complex routes and take into account conditions. When driving you are directed to the chargers, knowing how many are free and what % you should arrive at, and what % you should be at where you are. If you're above fine, below worry if tight.

Once I've fully tried it out I'll report back.

 

[Gomev]

I see that Chargemap pass is now accepted by Tesla 'open-to-all' superchargers. So how about Electroverse next? Not essential but handier to have it all in one place.

Hardly seems worth the effort. You still have to have the Tesla app with an account, and set Chargemap as the payment option. It just adds another step.

 

[rjhfandclf]

Hardly seems worth the effort. You still have to have the Tesla app with an account, and set Chargemap as the payment option. It just adds another step.

Have to confess I didn't bother to follow the process thro' that far as I don't use Chargemap ... So, yes; I fully agree!

Be interesting to see how you get on with it. I have seen a lot of people online saying the subscription isn't worth it, but I have wondered if they are using it correctly or enough to make it useful.

Yes, I agree with 'a lot of people'. I've only tried the free ABRP version, but found it (like all 'planners') to be over-dictatorial, ignoring my required route, sending me to far too frequent stops where I certainly didn't want to stop, and refusing to let me add the stops I did want. And it didn't seem to have any more info about up-to-date occupation and stats than all the apps I use already have, or are in the car ... but then maybe the paid sub. version is more flexible?

I now plan the stops and routes I want on Google maps, then (to stop it sending me entirely the wrong way) break the journey into shorter destination chunks, which I know it will follow reasonably faithfully. If it doesn't, then I tell it it's stupid and go the way I want - and it soon/eventually picks up the idea!

 

[tsedge]

Yes, I agree with 'a lot of people'. I've only tried the free ABRP version, but found it (like all 'planners') to be over-dictatorial, ignoring my required route, sending me to far too frequent stops where I certainly didn't want to stop, and refusing to let me add the stops I did want. And it didn't seem to have any more info about up-to-date occupation and stats than all the apps I use already have, or are in the car ... but then maybe the paid sub. version is more flexible?

I now plan the stops and routes I want on Google maps, then (to stop it sending me entirely the wrong way) break the journey into shorter destination chunks, which I know it will follow reasonably faithfully. If it doesn't, then I tell it it's stupid and go the way I want - and it soon/eventually picks up the idea!

Paid subscription gets you:

• Use of an OBD2 dongle for accurate range predictions / nearby charger live info.
• CarPlay/AA app to control and route plan from the convenience of your car's infotainment screen.
• Live weather adjustments for route/range planning (wind/temperature).
• Personalised settings on charger choices (enable/disable which types, what/whom to avoid, by availability, space for trailer, play areas/dog friendly, toilets, number of charger stalls).
• Ability to save all your drives and export the data to Excel.
• Real-time traffic.
• Multiple vehicles on one account.
• Data sharing with other ABRP users (friends/family)
• Apple Watch integration.
• Charger notifications: e.g. 5 minutes to charge complete.

Seems like a lot of potentially useful features, especially for people who do long journeys frequently or go on annual road trips.

But I agree, I've tried the basic app and without a subscription/dongle, it doesn't do much more for me than the competition.

 

[rjhfandclf]

Paid subscription gets you

quite a lot, and I do make one particular regular 1600-mile round trip to France twice a year, so I started to have another quick look, but ...

• Use of an OBD2 dongle for accurate range predictions / nearby charger live info. Not sure of the value of this - for me at least as I usually know where I'm heading charger-wise
• CarPlay/AA app to control and route plan from the convenience of your car's infotainment screen. I don't think so - the screen isn't nearly good enough for that. Google on PC is far easier
• Live weather adjustments for route/range planning (wind/temperature). Why - in reality ???
• Personalised settings on charger choices (enable/disable which types, what/whom to avoid, by availability, space for trailer, play areas/dog friendly, toilets, number of charger stalls). OK for some I'm sure, but I head anyway for what I know and prefer
• Ability to save all your drives and export the data to Excel. Interesting for 'adventurers' perhaps
• Real-time traffic. Better than Google ... or do they use different cameras/info?
• Multiple vehicles on one account. Don't have any !
• Data sharing with other ABRP users (friends/family) Don't know of any !
• Apple Watch integration. What ??!
• Charger notifications: e.g. 5 minutes to charge complete. Already on the apps I use for charging

... so probably still not worth it for me. We're off again in three weeks, and need to check the route/method I fine-tuned on last return leg (so far have only made the one round trip in the EV), so still need to see if I've got it right.

 

[EVsince2016]

OK, Summer 2024 EV adventure is complete. 9 countries including England, 7 new to my EV experience. 2202 miles and 527kw used so c 4.2 miles per kw. 17 rapid chargers, plus 2 Airbnb chargers used.

Some of the most challenging driving I've ever done, certainly not for the faint hearted!

ABRP wasn't good enough, Electroverse was better! Tesla charging is a dream but they round UP to the nearest kw.

As I get all the figures in I shall post for each trip stage!

 

[siteguru]

OK, Summer 2024 EV adventure is complete. 9 countries including England, 7 new to my EV experience. 2202 miles and 527kw used so c 4.2 miles per kw. 17 rapid chargers, plus 2 Airbnb chargers used.

Some of the most challenging driving I've ever done, certainly not for the faint hearted!

ABRP wasn't good enough, Electroverse was better! Tesla charging is a dream but they round UP to the nearest kw.

As I get all the figures in I shall post for each trip stage!

That's interesting, as I've seen others (in the UK) report that they round down - if you put in, say, 29.9 kWh it charges for 29 kWh, it only charges for 30 kWh if you reach or exceed it.

 

[EVsince2016]

That's interesting, as I've seen others (in the UK) report that they round down - if you put in, say, 29.9 kWh it charges for 29 kWh, it only charges for 30 kWh if you reach or exceed it.

Interesting, maybe they do? That would be great, I just assumed up!

 

[rjhfandclf]

ABRP wasn't good enough, Electroverse was better! Tesla charging is a dream but they round UP to the nearest kw.

Agreed re mapping. Not 100% sure about rounding. I've never bothered to check as I generally also round my records, but certainly always got a rounded figure from Tesla in France, and thought it was down. I've read elsewhere that it is down, but will check for sure next Tuesday, when I should (all being well!) be charging mid-morning at the Le Mans Saint-Saturnin charger, then mid-pm at the Poitiers one.

Looks like being a much warmer trip this time - down at least; maybe rather cooler on return in mid-Oct - so looking for better m/kW this time.

And look forward to reading your fuller account.

 

[EVsince2016]

Stage 1 of our trip was initially planned as a 1 night stopover, but leaving 2 days earlier resulted in a much cheaper ticket for Eurotunnel that paid for 2 extra nights.

We chose to stay in the Belgian Ardennes near the River Meuse and visit the area.

Stop 1 was at Eurotunnel. I planned to use the Tesla chargers but they were all taken so ended up using Electroverse on an Engie charger as most of theses were available. Timed just right for our train.

I did a chilled drive east across France & Wallonia, the driving in this are isn't great and the roads had bumps & roadworks all over. Highlight was swerving around a fire extinguisher in lane 2 of 3 near Mons!

I did another stop at an Ionity charger near Tournai, again simple Electroverse activation and my 1st EV charge in Belgium! All units were vacant.

I did a last top up near Namur on Tesla. It was 16p/kwh cheaper than Ionity but 40p/kwh cheaper than the local chargers! So simple to use!

My stay was supposed to have a T2 charger, but when I challenged the 80c/kw rate they said they'd removed it and let me granny charge for free.

In all the trip was 370 miles for £40.05 using 59 kw.

The stay provided me with a free charge from a Schuko socket 5m from the car allowing a 100% departure 3 days later.

Belgium seemed easy to charge and the Ardennes a nice place to visit.

 

[EVsince2016]

The highlight of our stay in Belgium included this vending machine! We were staying in a small village

Belgian Breakfast!

Downside no chargers anywhere in the area but free parking viewed from Dinant Castle!

 

[EVsince2016]

The next stage of our journey was from Belgium to Germany via Luxembourg and The Alsace region of France. I again used ABRP as it seemed to work from Calais to our 1st stay and correctly made a route to Germany.

We were able to leave with a 100% charging at the Airbnb. That was enough to get us through Belgium & Luxembourg to a Tesla charger near Metz in France. Being a Sunday morning everything was shut.

This Tesla charger was just 39p/kw saving me ~20p/kw with most spaces free. The shopping centre & all facilities were closed.

My next charger was Tesla Strasbourg North at just 34p/kwh saving me here about ~30p/kw. Again in a shopping centre but at lunch time so all the restaurants were open. This time, I took the last free Tesla charger of many. I got staring looks from the waiting Tesla owners so chose not to take a picture. Whilst we had lunch, I had to pop back to unplug & move to avoid idling fees!

A lunch picture in lieu of a charger!

From here we drove over the Rhine into Germany.

So much has changed, speed cameras everywhere and 'slow' German driving.

We did intend stopping at Triberg, home of the Cuckoo clock & home the the worlds largest cuckoo clocks for a charge, but it seemed that the whole of Germany decided as everything shuts on a Sunday to do the same! Instead we headed to a Lidl (closed) only to find that their charger closed on a Sunday too!!

I pressed the ABRP help button and it suggested another charger.

My first ever use of a City Watt charger deep in Germany on a closed shopping centre. Activated on Electroverse but ouch at 82p/kw. It was super hot so we sat in the car with the aircon on.

On the last stretch to our stay near Bodensee a section of unrestricted autobahn and some driving at up to 180 km/h. Quite nippy the MG5 even loaded, caught out the car behind as I left it for dust!

The final miles were endless 30 km/h sections & speed cameras. Welcome to 2024!


£29.68 for 69kw today.

 

[EVsince2016]

We spent 5 nights in Germany. If you haven't been there, Southern Germans are the nicest, friendliest people you will ever meet. The food is outstanding too!

The stay had a free T2 charger. Turned out to be a 3 phase 11kw unit so only charged my car at 3.6 kw/h on a single phase.

We travelled around a lot during the stay, breakfast in Lindau looking over the lake & the Alps, watching Zeppelin tourist flights overhead

Several ferries across the lake visiting places

And one big trip via Austria & Switzerland & Liechtenstein where we got a bit carried away and suddenly had a low charge. We ended up in Switzerland with just 19% having done 202 miles!

Hit the ABRP button & directed me to a Shell garage 300m away

Baking hot petrol station. Activated on Electroverse but again ouch at 82 p/kw

After here we cruised across Bodensee & drove to our stay.

 

[EVsince2016]

Now, with the 'boring' part of the trip over it was time to cross over the Austrian Tyrol Alps into the Italian Tyrol, where they speak German not Italian!

I knew this section would be a challenge as already this summer, 2 of the roads needed had been hit by landslides & floods with one still potentially closed. Diversions are over 100 miles!

Part 1 we left on a 100% charge and climbed steeply up to a ski resort in Lech for brunch.

I parked up at an easy to find charger in the centre with free parking. The Austrians like to charge for everything! Toilets, parking, tolls, speed cameras well hidden and 5 euros a bottle of water. Never a smile either.

Activated again on Electroverse this small house sized Cut Power charger was 76 p/kWh but at least 1 hour free parking instead of paying.

The roads here are mountainous, steep, twisty and full of hairpins & tunnels. Once I got down to the Arlberg pass I found the road was still blocked & had to pay a toll to use the motorway tunnel. So hairy are these roads I ended up lightly scraping my bumper on a crash barrier (just needs a quick paint repair). Luckily for me and on the same day just after I passed this happened : -



I now descended down into Italy, phew better drivers, free parking & toilets to this quiet little charger at a station. Activated on Electroverse , still 66 p/kWh but a nice station café. I needed a full charge ready for my next day as the Hotel didn't have a charge. 97% should do it!