cog16
Standard Member
As has been said by other french residents, it all depends what you intend to do. I recommend. ABRP as a planning tool anyway, and Chargemap as well. Google maps is much improved and tells you where chargers are en route.
If you are on a motorway dash then fast chargers are available at every aire which sells fuel, but , in the high season , I suspect that they may not suffice for the demand, even though they are getting faster (250+).
Off the motorways, the bornes are scattered, much slower, and can be unreliable. I use RFID only, and based in Nouvelle Aquitaine, have a Mobive card, Chargemap and izivia come in handy as well. I think off motorway travel is more fun for the hols, as long as you plan well and have good navigation software
Bornes are scarce and limited in hotels, but improving rapidly. Some are free to use but more are attached to one of many networks.
Tesla (for non Tesla cars) offered limited, but more expensive service.
Ze anti-french replies earlier are a source of fun.
Ive never been asked for my breathalyser, but random tests are the norm, and I've tested negative once (coming back from a party)- was asked if I had been drinking - replied 1 pineau, blew in, and he went off to look. My wife reminded me that I'd also had a glass of wine (panic), but I tested -ve and had a chat about my new ( to him ) ZS EV.
HI Vis - you need 2 anyway, and if you do break down, you are to escort all passengers to the roadside ( behind barriers if present) while waiting ( probably a long time!) for rescue. Insurance strongly recommended, as breakdown recovery is not cheap.
Use 112 ( in case of emergencies - multi lingual)
I cannot stress enough the difference when travelling in peak season, the French are lemmings, all travelling at the same time, eating at the same time, stopping at the same hotels, do allow for long delays and lots of waiting for bornes and ENJOY LA BELLE FRANCE
If you are on a motorway dash then fast chargers are available at every aire which sells fuel, but , in the high season , I suspect that they may not suffice for the demand, even though they are getting faster (250+).
Off the motorways, the bornes are scattered, much slower, and can be unreliable. I use RFID only, and based in Nouvelle Aquitaine, have a Mobive card, Chargemap and izivia come in handy as well. I think off motorway travel is more fun for the hols, as long as you plan well and have good navigation software
Bornes are scarce and limited in hotels, but improving rapidly. Some are free to use but more are attached to one of many networks.
Tesla (for non Tesla cars) offered limited, but more expensive service.
Ze anti-french replies earlier are a source of fun.
Ive never been asked for my breathalyser, but random tests are the norm, and I've tested negative once (coming back from a party)- was asked if I had been drinking - replied 1 pineau, blew in, and he went off to look. My wife reminded me that I'd also had a glass of wine (panic), but I tested -ve and had a chat about my new ( to him ) ZS EV.
HI Vis - you need 2 anyway, and if you do break down, you are to escort all passengers to the roadside ( behind barriers if present) while waiting ( probably a long time!) for rescue. Insurance strongly recommended, as breakdown recovery is not cheap.
Use 112 ( in case of emergencies - multi lingual)
I cannot stress enough the difference when travelling in peak season, the French are lemmings, all travelling at the same time, eating at the same time, stopping at the same hotels, do allow for long delays and lots of waiting for bornes and ENJOY LA BELLE FRANCE
