Looking forward to MG4 Trophy ER coming Thursday

[SBJames]

I'm off to Peppa Pig World at the weekend, so it will be a long drive there and back, overnight. So will be trying out rapid charging in anger for the first time. Also tempted to not bother and try to destination charge at the hotel... but the EV charging isn't guaranteed etc etc. So probably an EV equivalent of a 'splash and dash' on the way!

See if I can beat your wife... I rather doubt it :-D

 

[Jomarkh]

I'm off to Peppa Pig World at the weekend, so it will be a long drive there and back, overnight. So will be trying out rapid charging in anger for the first time. Also tempted to not bother and try to destination charge at the hotel... but the EV charging isn't guaranteed etc etc. So probably an EV equivalent of a 'splash and dash' on the way!

See if I can beat your wife... I rather doubt it :-D

Have you tried different rapid chargers already as they don't always operate the same way. Will you use contactless, RFID cards or app?

 

[SBJames]

Have you tried different rapid chargers already as they don't always operate the same way. Will you use contactless, RFID cards or app?

Yeah, got Electroverse (with free credit from MG), GridServe and Tesla. No problem using contactless too if required. Don’t really want to download loads of extra apps unless really necessary.

As long as there’s an open charging point (my biggest worry!) then I’m not too worried about it. But don’t want to have all the points full, as no idea of etiquette for queuing etc

 

[Bricktop X PWR]

Yeah, got Electroverse (with free credit from MG), GridServe and Tesla. No problem using contactless too if required. Don’t really want to download loads of extra apps unless really necessary.

As long as there’s an open charging point (my biggest worry!) then I’m not too worried about it. But don’t want to have all the points full, as no idea of etiquette for queuing etc

I can highly recommend that you use the Tesla network out and about.

Much cheaper than everybody else and cheaper still if you become a member at £8.99 per month. (Circa 35p kWh)

So very quick and easy.

Once you have selected the charger you are at, get out and plug in straight away.

My record from park to charge start, is 45 seconds.

Always plenty of chargers and I have personally never had to wait.

I do avoid high traffic day's and bank holidays though.

There is lots of choice along or very near your route.

(I have taken an educated guess)

All The Best.

Post in thread 'XPower charging cable'

Oct 5, 2023

I'm going to have to do my first fast DC charge soon, most likely at a Tesla Supercharger site open to all EV's. Could you provide a very quick step by step guide please ? I've got the Tesla App but not sure how to get things started for the first time ! (i.e do you just follow the Tesla app and do nothing with the car screen/app ? and how do you pay etc. for what will be a one off charge around four times a year ?). TIA.

OK M8,
So make sure your account has a payment method set up.

Reverse up to charger.

Open app.

Tap on Charge your non Tesla.

It will bring up the map...

• Bricktop X PWR

• 
• 

 

[aardvark5]

I can highly recommend that you use the Tesla network out and about.

How would I know where the Tesla chargers are?

 

[SBJames]

Only some Tesla chargers are open to non Tesla users. But if you download the app and go to find a charger, it will only show those that are open to us.

How would I know where the Tesla chargers are?

 

[aardvark5]

Only some Tesla chargers are open to non Tesla users. But if you download the app and go to find a charger, it will only show those that are open to us.

Which app, Electroverse?

 

[SBJames]

I can highly recommend that you use the Tesla network out and about.

Much cheaper than everybody else and cheaper still if you become a member at £8.99 per month. (Circa 35p kWh)

So very quick and easy.

Once you have selected the charger you are at, get out and plug in straight away.

My record from park to charge start, is 45 seconds.

Always plenty of chargers and I have personally never had to wait.

I do avoid high traffic day's and bank holidays though.

There is lots of choice along or very near your route.

(I have taken an educated guess)

All The Best.

View attachment 34947

Post in thread 'XPower charging cable'

Oct 5, 2023

I'm going to have to do my first fast DC charge soon, most likely at a Tesla Supercharger site open to all EV's. Could you provide a very quick step by step guide please ? I've got the Tesla App but not sure how to get things started for the first time ! (i.e do you just follow the Tesla app and do nothing with the car screen/app ? and how do you pay etc. for what will be a one off charge around four times a year ?). TIA.

OK M8,
So make sure your account has a payment method set up.

Reverse up to charger.

Open app.

Tap on Charge your non Tesla.

It will bring up the map...

• Bricktop X PWR

• 
• 

Thanks - yes Tesla looks great, although not too many directly in my route and dont particularly want to divert far. I was planning to stop at Fleet Services (coming from SE Essex to Southampton) for some breakfast and a charge up. Presuming I can get away with travelling that far before the wife/small child require a wee!!

 

[SBJames]

Which app, Electroverse?

Nope, the Tesla app itself. Sign up for an account and IIRC it works out/asks if you have a Tesla. When you don’t only half the app works, but go here and only those that work with non-Teslas show up:

 

[aardvark5]

Nope, the Tesla app itself. Sign up for an account and IIRC it works out/asks if you have a Tesla. When you don’t only half the app works, but go here and only those that work with non-Teslas show up:

Thanks

 

[SBJames]

What about battery heating?

I’m leaving at 6am… do I schedule it from 4:30am? What’s the point? It’s not that cold and by the time I get to charge I’ll have been driving for an hour and a half or more….

 

[tonybridge]

I'm off to Peppa Pig World at the weekend, so it will be a long drive there and back, overnight. So will be trying out rapid charging in anger for the first time. Also tempted to not bother and try to destination charge at the hotel... but the EV charging isn't guaranteed etc etc. So probably an EV equivalent of a 'splash and dash' on the way!

See if I can beat your wife... I rather doubt it :-D

'Splash and Dash' whenever you can!

 

[Anon70]

Also the fast part of the charging curve is between about 15% and 50% after that it will slow down and once you hit 80% plus you might as well just get to the next charging stop (unless you are having an extended break).

So the little and often rule works if you drive until you get to between15% - 20% then charge to about 60% - 70% and drive again. Giving a driving range of about 40% - 50% between charges.

 

[SBJames]

Thanks. I think my 135 mile journey is about the worst from a charging etc POv - TBH I could have got here without any charge. But setting off with 100%, got to charging at 61% (91 miles), topped up to 80% (for £10.95!!!), and 44 miles later it was back down to 61%!!

I will freely admit leaving at 6:30am on a Sunday meant I could rather enjoy the motorway… a 51mph average speed probably says more than enough given I have to travel 7 miles before even getting a 50 zone, and the M25 is full of 50mph roadworks

But yes, I need to be braver and run it lower… as it would feel more worth it.

Was going to charge using Electroverse and my free credit, but got sucked into downloading the Applegreen App to get 5p off per kWh!

Issue will be destination charging at the hotel and if I don’t getting home… charge enough to not panic, but also if I don’t arrive home on fumes, then spending >10x what I can charge for at home is a total waste!!

 

[SBJames]

An expensive learning curve… I think my 520d would have had 3/4 of a tank left by the time I get home tomorrow…

Still, I’ve paid premium prices, and the speed of topping up has been amazing. No need to top up on the way home either. Need to find some 22kWh A/C charging for cheaper given my ‘quick’ service station stops seem to be 45 mins minimum these days!!