Public Charge Points
Discussion
Looking at this, it seems there are a number of networks that operate independently.
Polar (which I believe is the one that the BMW ChargeNow card works with). This is provided by ChargeMaster and you can get a free card if you have a Chargemaster point (but only valid till end of March). Otherwise it is £10 p.a. (or £20 from BMW) http://www.chargemasterplc.com/index.php/polar_onl...
Ecotricity - Mainly based at motorway services. Card is FREE. http://www.ecotricity.co.uk/for-the-road/
In the midlands, Plugged-in Midlands. Card is £20 p.a. I know this doesn't work with the ChargeNow card because I tried it when I had an i3 on loan. http://www.pluggedinmidlands.co.uk/
Polar (which I believe is the one that the BMW ChargeNow card works with). This is provided by ChargeMaster and you can get a free card if you have a Chargemaster point (but only valid till end of March). Otherwise it is £10 p.a. (or £20 from BMW) http://www.chargemasterplc.com/index.php/polar_onl...
Ecotricity - Mainly based at motorway services. Card is FREE. http://www.ecotricity.co.uk/for-the-road/
In the midlands, Plugged-in Midlands. Card is £20 p.a. I know this doesn't work with the ChargeNow card because I tried it when I had an i3 on loan. http://www.pluggedinmidlands.co.uk/
In the North (mainly the NE) there is CYC : http://chargeyourcar.org.uk/
CYC said:
Sign up today for a one-off payment of £10 and we will send you a RFID Lifetime Card that will give you access to the Charge Your Car network. You will be able to access some of the charge points on a free to use basis, and others on a pay to use basis by setting up a pre-pay account linked to your debit or credit card.
And here
http://www.zap-map.com/
but it is not hugely accurate
As i know of at least one that is missing from this map
http://www.zap-map.com/
but it is not hugely accurate
As i know of at least one that is missing from this map
Just been looking at the Ecotricity website and they say:
"2014 sees the introduction of a new standard for charging – CCS or combi charging. We plan to introduce it during the next 12 months at selected sites. The first cars able to use this are the BMW i3, Volkswagen e-up! and eGolf.
CCS vehicles can use our 22kW AC charge points."
Looking on their map, there are a couple of charging points I could use that are listed as:
"AC medium charge:
22 kW
7 pin
Sockets: 2"
I don't think this is a rapid charger as they are DC.
Does anybody know how these work? Can I charge an i3 at 22kW? If so, how long would it take?
"2014 sees the introduction of a new standard for charging – CCS or combi charging. We plan to introduce it during the next 12 months at selected sites. The first cars able to use this are the BMW i3, Volkswagen e-up! and eGolf.
CCS vehicles can use our 22kW AC charge points."
Looking on their map, there are a couple of charging points I could use that are listed as:
"AC medium charge:
22 kW
7 pin
Sockets: 2"
I don't think this is a rapid charger as they are DC.
Does anybody know how these work? Can I charge an i3 at 22kW? If so, how long would it take?
To add to the confusion, I just read this on the mybmwi3 forum
"I just realised that the DC option is not just an add on to the AC but actually it upgrades the AC part as well. So you will be able to charge the car from AC fast chargers quicker. At least my iAgent from Stuttgart explaned this so. Anyhow I try to add this option to my already ordered car, now. "
"I just realised that the DC option is not just an add on to the AC but actually it upgrades the AC part as well. So you will be able to charge the car from AC fast chargers quicker. At least my iAgent from Stuttgart explaned this so. Anyhow I try to add this option to my already ordered car, now. "
I'm pretty sure that's incorrect, at least for us in the UK market. If you read his next comment on that thread he's saying the standard car can't charge faster than 3,6kW but the standard UK cars are double that, the standard spec list states
Fast charging AC capability:
Max. power (grid side): 7.36 kW (1-phase 230 V, 32 A)
http://www.bmw.co.uk/dam/brandBM/marketGB/countryG...
Fast charging AC capability:
Max. power (grid side): 7.36 kW (1-phase 230 V, 32 A)
http://www.bmw.co.uk/dam/brandBM/marketGB/countryG...
No plan B - I've hardly got a plan A! I'm leaving from work in Woking, so the car's out back now charging up from a 3-pin socket, then I'll drive up using Eco-pro+ mode, and if the range is dropping too quick, I guess I'll turn around and go home! I'm going to phone the Ace in a minute & ask if it'll be ok to use their electric while I'm there (assuming I make it) to top things up. My Chargenow & Ecotricity cards haven't arrived yet (I only ordered last Friday) so I can't even use one of their points.
EP+ mode means no heating I think, so I'm taking an extra coat Wish me luck!
EP+ mode means no heating I think, so I'm taking an extra coat Wish me luck!
RossP said:
I've asked the BMW i people who have promised a response in 48 hrs...
Probably easiest to get Andy to go and try one!
I can't figure out how to show what rate it's charging at, maybe I need to read the manual As far as I can tell, it gives you the option to charge at "Max rate" or a reduced rate for both standard cable and a proper charge point, but neither of the displays show what rate it's actually coming in at.Probably easiest to get Andy to go and try one!
RossP said:
From a range perspective do you think the non-motorway route would be better?
Good question - normally I go A3, M25, M40, but yes, a more direct route might be appropriate. I'll see what the satnav says. Heavy traffic normally makes it busy & slow at 6pm anyway, so I guess it won't make too much difference timewise if I go in as straight a line as possible. I certainly will go as the crow flies on the way back.Gassing Station | EV and Alternative Fuels | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff