Charging on the M6 Southbound

[AndrewS]

Hi all, fresh from the fabulous ecoRally Scotland round and about the NC500, I'm now heading from Perth to Stratford-Upon-Avon and then meandering back via Ulverston and Blyth Bridge. This is the first time I've taken my MG4 on a real trip (other than doing the NC500 last week).

Any suggestions/tips for charging on the M6? We'll be stopping at the Westmoreland Hotel overnight on the way down, I see that the Hotel is saying :

"Our 6 brand new overnight electric chargers are live! Hotel guests need to have their own cable for charging.
NOW LIVE 12 new ultra-rapid Westmorland Charging points at our Northbound services and 4 at our Southbound services.
There are also eight Tesla charge points at Tebay Southbound which can be accessed from either side of the motorway."

Are these Tesla chargers open? Any other open Tesla chargers near the M6?

thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

[Tig170]

... just search on the Tesla (non Tesla-cars), there are many these days open to non-tesla cars. Gretna Green (Outlet village), Todhills (southbound only), and then your are into Flint mountain, Trafford Shopping centre or Trentham gardens. Its been 6 months since I've need another charger aside from Tesla when out and about.

 

[Rolfe]

I drove the M6 southbound last week. My original intention was to charge at Forton, because it has a good bank of ultra-rapid Gridserves and it's a convenient distance from home and a 100% start, but the weather intervened and it became absolutely clear that Forton was something that was not going to happen to me that day. I had options.

• In Gretna there are various chargers at the motorway service station (this is the very end of the M74) including some Ionity and quite a lot of Applegreen, but the Teslas are Tesla-only and the actual service station is a bit grim. Better go for the Tesla chargers in the village, at the Gretna Outlet retail park, which are open.
• Todhills, first on the M6, has some new Gridserves I believe, I haven't been in to see.
• Next are the Ionitys at Carlisle. 12 of them right next to a Starbucks. Usually some free.
• Southwaite also has 6 new Gridserves, so I'm told, although again the only time I charged there it only had the old Electric Highway setup.
• Tebay is next, and that's where I chose to stop. Nice stop, good chargers but only four of them at the moment - the Tesla ones are Tesla-only. (I was told they have big plans to put in a LOT more, but I don't know when.) They were all taken when I got there but I didn't have to wait long for someone to move.
• Killington Lake, after that, should be avoided like the plague. It's a nice stop, but not in an EV unless you have a couple of hours to spare. Only the old Electric Highway chargers, and grid problems mean that the most you'll get is about 37 kw, IF nobody else is on the other plug on the charger. Don't even think about it.
• The Porsche Centre South Lakes has a couple of 350 kw chargers anyone can use, for a price, but there's nothing to do there but look at Porsche sports cars while you charge. Maybe you'll get a cup of coffee if you pretend you're a prospective customer.
• I believe there is somewhere good just before you get to Lancaster, possibly another 12 Ionitys like Carlisle, but I haven't investigated this.
• Forton has six 350 kw Gridserves plus the old 50 kw ones, although again it's a bit grim in the service station.
• I don't think Charnock Richard southbound has been upgraded, avoid.
• Keele is also a no-go area, but just beyond there, a couple of miles off the motorway, there are umpteen open Tesla superchargers at Trentham Park Gardens with a lovely tearoom and other ameneties.
• There are six Ionitys just off the Stafford North junction, but I've had to queue each time I've been there.

Trentham Gardens is actually lovely.

Beyond that I'm heading for the M40 so that won't be on your route. I hope this helps.

 

[Tig170]

I've been going the M6 route weekly in recent times,
. Tesla chargers in the village, at the Gretna Outlet retail park, which are open (16 chargers)
. Todhills, first on the M6 South , has some new Gridserves (open Jan 24) + Tesla new (12 chargers) now open
. Killington Lake, "after that, should be avoided like the plague" - new Gridserves going in.

. Trentham is my main aim as it has 18 non tesla + 18 Tesla chargers (+ toilets n shops n fancy cafes)

 

[Rolfe]

That's really interesting about Killington Lake, you're the second person who has said that to me. I thought their grid problems were such that the place wouldn't be upgraded for a while, but this is really good news. It's actually my favourite stop-off on the way south, has been for years in my petrol cars, and it's at a really good distance for the SR battery in winter. (That or Tebay, depending on the weather.)

Any estimate on how soon it will be completed and operational? I'm really looking forward to that.

 

[ChargeMaster]

Trentham Gardens sounds like a winner to me. 36 chargers total? That's impressive. Plus, nice to stretch your legs in a pretty spot. Might have to check it out myself next time I'm down that way.

 

[Rolfe]

I recognised it from a Dave Takes It On video.

 

[WonkoTheSaneUK]

One of the first MFG hubs to be installed is just west of the M6 at J27.
If you use it, don't forget to enter your reg number in the shop.

Crow Orchard, FS012 | Fuel Station | Motor Fuel Group

Opening times, contact information, directions, services & extras for our Crow Orchard, FS012 fuel station.

www.motorfuelgroup.com

 

[AndrewS]

I drove the M6 southbound last week. My original intention was to charge at Forton, because it has a good bank of ultra-rapid Gridserves and it's a convenient distance from home and a 100% start, but the weather intervened and it became absolutely clear that Forton was something that was not going to happen to me that day. I had options.

• In Gretna there are various chargers at the motorway service station (this is the very end of the M74) including some Ionity and quite a lot of Applegreen, but the Teslas are Tesla-only and the actual service station is a bit grim. Better go for the Tesla chargers in the village, at the Gretna Outlet retail park, which are open.
• Todhills, first on the M6, has some new Gridserves I believe, I haven't been in to see.
• Next are the Ionitys at Carlisle. 12 of them right next to a Starbucks. Usually some free.
• Southwaite also has 6 new Gridserves, so I'm told, although again the only time I charged there it only had the old Electric Highway setup.
• Tebay is next, and that's where I chose to stop. Nice stop, good chargers but only four of them at the moment - the Tesla ones are Tesla-only. (I was told they have big plans to put in a LOT more, but I don't know when.) They were all taken when I got there but I didn't have to wait long for someone to move.
• Killington Lake, after that, should be avoided like the plague. It's a nice stop, but not in an EV unless you have a couple of hours to spare. Only the old Electric Highway chargers, and grid problems mean that the most you'll get is about 37 kw, IF nobody else is on the other plug on the charger. Don't even think about it.
• The Porsche Centre South Lakes has a couple of 350 kw chargers anyone can use, for a price, but there's nothing to do there but look at Porsche sports cars while you charge. Maybe you'll get a cup of coffee if you pretend you're a prospective customer.
• I believe there is somewhere good just before you get to Lancaster, possibly another 12 Ionitys like Carlisle, but I haven't investigated this.
• Forton has six 350 kw Gridserves plus the old 50 kw ones, although again it's a bit grim in the service station.
• I don't think Charnock Richard southbound has been upgraded, avoid.
• Keele is also a no-go area, but just beyond there, a couple of miles off the motorway, there are umpteen open Tesla superchargers at Trentham Park Gardens with a lovely tearoom and other ameneties.
• There are six Ionitys just off the Stafford North junction, but I've had to queue each time I've been there.

Trentham Gardens is actually lovely.

View attachment 29681

Beyond that I'm heading for the M40 so that won't be on your route. I hope this helps.

Excellent info. Thank you

I've been going the M6 route weekly in recent times,
. Tesla chargers in the village, at the Gretna Outlet retail park, which are open (16 chargers)
. Todhills, first on the M6 South , has some new Gridserves (open Jan 24) + Tesla new (12 chargers) now open
. Killington Lake, "after that, should be avoided like the plague" - new Gridserves going in.

. Trentham is my main aim as it has 18 non tesla + 18 Tesla chargers (+ toilets n shops n fancy cafes)

Excellent info. Thanks !!

 

[Rolfe]

One of the first MFG hubs to be installed is just west of the M6 at J27.
If you use it, don't forget to enter your reg number in the shop.

Crow Orchard, FS012 | Fuel Station | Motor Fuel Group

Opening times, contact information, directions, services & extras for our Crow Orchard, FS012 fuel station.

www.motorfuelgroup.com

I remember someone else recommending that, although I haven't been there.

I'm thinking that in a car without its own navigation system it's a good idea to have a list of good chargers with the mileage between them, in case plans have to be changed on the fly, as mine had to be last week. Fortunately I knew where the chargers were. I initially thought about just stopping for a quick top-up to get back on the original plan (Forton, Tesla Solihull and Cobham), maybe at Porsche South Lakes.

But then I thought, Tebay is nicer than Forton as a lunch stop anyway, even though I'll be arriving just at noon, better try to re-jig the entire thing and stick with only three stops. So I just said "Tebay Services" to Android Auto and it re-routed me there. While I was waiting for the charger a moment on ABRP confirmed that three stops in total were still on the cards. It suggested the Teslas at Trentham which is a much nicer stop than Solihull, so win win really.

Knowing where the chargers were, particularly that Tebay now had usable units (I saw an adtrailer in a field announcing the fact last time I drove south), saved having to pull over and fiddle with ABRP on the hard shoulder. Having a passenger who can check these things on a separate phone would be a boon. Or a Tesla-style does-it-all-for-you satnav I suppose!

If Killington Lake had had decent chargers I'd have gone on there - I had enough range. I do hope they're open by Christmas. I remember the same installation at Annandale Water sitting for ages before it was commissioned.

 

[AndrewS]

Hi all, fresh from the fabulous ecoRally Scotland round and about the NC500, I'm now heading from Perth to Stratford-Upon-Avon and then meandering back via Ulverston and Blyth Bridge. This is the first time I've taken my MG4 on a real trip (other than doing the NC500 last week).

Any suggestions/tips for charging on the M6? We'll be stopping at the Westmoreland Hotel overnight on the way down, I see that the Hotel is saying :

"Our 6 brand new overnight electric chargers are live! Hotel guests need to have their own cable for charging.
NOW LIVE 12 new ultra-rapid Westmorland Charging points at our Northbound services and 4 at our Southbound services.
There are also eight Tesla charge points at Tebay Southbound which can be accessed from either side of the motorway."

Are these Tesla chargers open? Any other open Tesla chargers near the M6?

thanks in advance for any suggestions.

A quick volt'n'bolt at Tesla Todhills. Brilliant chargers, loads of them. I got 130kW charging speed from them. There's also half a dozen Gridserve chargers there too. A Costa Coffee is a short walk from the chargers. It's a decent facility just off the M6 Southbound.

 

[Rolfe]

A quick volt'n'bolt at Tesla Todhills. Brilliant chargers, loads of them. I got 130kW charging speed from them. There's also half a dozen Gridserve chargers there too. A Costa Coffee is a short walk from the chargers. It's a decent facility just off the M6 Southbound.

Good to know, though a bit soon for me when starting from home on 100%, even in terrible weather.

It's fantastic to see all these service stations getting sorted though. The more sites have good facilities the less pressure there will be on each individual one, improving your chances of getting a charger at your favoured stop. A far cry from a year ago, when I was forced to drive two or three miles off the motorway to Greenlands Farm Shop to get on their single Instavolt, because there was absolutely nothing on the motorway except dubious old Electric Highway installations, if even that. Then at Christmas last year, scratching around Penrith for something usable. Now it's Tebay and Forton, and hopefully before too much longer Killington Lake also.

 

[PeteC]

Good to know, though a bit soon for me when starting from home on 100%, even in terrible weather.

It's fantastic to see all these service stations getting sorted though. The more sites have good facilities the less pressure there will be on each individual one, improving your chances of getting a charger at your favoured stop. A far cry from a year ago, when I was forced to drive two or three miles off the motorway to Greenlands Farm Shop to get on their single Instavolt, because there was absolutely nothing on the motorway except dubious old Electric Highway installations, if even that. Then at Christmas last year, scratching around Penrith for something usable. Now it's Tebay and Forton, and hopefully before too much longer Killington Lake also.

It does sound a lot better. I don't drive that route at all often - I think I have only done it once southbound when travelling from Scotland to visit my son's family in Cardiff. That would be a good year and a half ago and I found it abysmal, especially compared with my usual trip to and from Scotland on the A1. I'm delighted to hear about so much progress with the charging network.

 

[dsimpkins]

A quick volt'n'bolt at Tesla Todhills. Brilliant chargers, loads of them. I got 130kW charging speed from them. There's also half a dozen Gridserve chargers there too. A Costa Coffee is a short walk from the chargers. It's a decent facility just off the M6 Southbound.

Only chargers I've seen giving me maximum charge rate have been Tesla Superchargers. Got 135kW from the ones in Carmarthen.

 

[Rolfe]

The chargers at Tebay delivered the goods too, as did the 350 kW Gridserve at Cherwell Valley and just about every Ionity I've ever been on. Although my maximum charge rate is a fair bit lower than yours, so that might not be a fair comparison.

 

[DrPlokta]

And don’t forget Cairn Lodge, owned by the same people as Tebay, though it may be a bit too close to Perth — it’s not far south of Glasgow. There’s a new bank of Westmorland Charging chargers there. There’s also a big open-to-all bank of Tesla chargers at Larkhall, but nothing to do while you’re charging.

 

[Tig170]

A quick volt'n'bolt at Tesla Todhills. Brilliant chargers, loads of them. I got 130kW charging speed from them. There's also half a dozen Gridserve chargers there too. A Costa Coffee is a short walk from the chargers. It's a decent facility just off the M6 Southbound.

Fantastic, also great to see that they have thought about the double lane (non-tesla) hoggers. I was at Flint mountain, and The Trafford Centre over the bank holiday weekend - where at both (1st time ever), you had to wait! - which didn't help with double lane hoggers (both were ID.3's) - ouch! - there were a few ? tesla owners.

 

[Rolfe]

And don’t forget Cairn Lodge, owned by the same people as Tebay, though it may be a bit too close to Perth — it’s not far south of Glasgow. There’s a new bank of Westmorland Charging chargers there. There’s also a big open-to-all bank of Tesla chargers at Larkhall, but nothing to do while you’re charging.

Yes. Cairn Lodge is somewhere I never pass, because coming north I leave the motorway at either Moffat or Abington, and going north I join the motorway at Larkhall, but I've heard it's very nice. That and Larkhall itself are so close to home I can't really envisage charging at either.

 

[Rolfe]

Fantastic, also great to see that they have thought about the double lane (non-tesla) hoggers. I was at Flint mountain, and The Trafford Centre over the bank holiday weekend - where at both (1st time ever), you had to wait! - which didn't help with double lane hoggers (both were ID.3's) - ouch! - there were a few ? tesla owners.

When I was at Trentham Gardens last week I joked to a Tesla owner that I felt a bit like a cat in a dog suit on these chargers. She just laughed, but then there were plenty free plugs, and in an MG4 I was behaving like a Tesla anyway.

 

[Daedalusminos]

Bit of a general rapid charge MG4 question...mods feel free to move

What SOC is achieved above 80% and how fast?

I've got a mini road trip (260 miles) coming up and would prefer to top up soon after departure and then again just before arrival.