Charging on M5

[oldmanbm]

In unfamiliar territory later in the week travelling from Bristol to Dartmouth. Trying to see best Rapid charging southbound and returning Northbound. Using chargemap too. An thoughts appreciated.

[Uncle boshy]

A good set of chargers have recently gone in at Exeter services, it’s off the junction so good for north and south

[Turtle Shed]

Lidl in Wellington is just off the M5 J26 as another option.

[giveitfish]

Uncle boshy said:

A good set of chargers have recently gone in at Exeter services, it’s off the junction so good for north and south

This. Used the Tesla chargers there on Friday and noticed that even bank holiday traffic wasn’t enough to fill all the Gridserve chargers there. Feels like this is what all services will/should be like in a few years.

[oldmanbm]

Thanks that's great and will look out for Exeter Services. Lidl too!

[Turtle Shed]

Also, note that at J27 there are a couple of chargers at the Travelodge/Garage. This isn't an official motorway service station, but it is only 500 yards from the junction. Gridserve units I think.

[essayer]

There’s a new hub at Buckfastleigh - just off the A38 - with 16 Osprey rapid chargers and a restaurant

[Mabbs9]

essayer said:

There’s a new hub at Buckfastleigh - just off the A38 - with 16 Osprey rapid chargers and a restaurant

Seconded. I used it last week.

[C.A.R.]

Gridserve at Exeter services was in chaos last weekend, it seemed like 80% of the chargers weren't working. Saturday afternoon and lots of holidaymakers trying to charge up being directed around by 3 people in hi-vis vests. I'm sure when it's all fully operational it's great, but those poor folks trying to queue for the 4-5 operational chargers sure didn't look like they were having fun.

Felt a tad guilty being able to just pull up at a Tesla charger, put in the required 15 minute top-up and drive off again, about 50% of the Tesla chargers were available.

[essayer]

The layout at Exeter is really badly thought out, certainly for the Gridserve side. Nowhere to ‘hold’ while waiting for chargers to become free, and manoeuvres are really hard with the oncoming traffic, especially if you’re repositioning after a failed charge, no Chademo etc

[oldmanbm]

Well called into Exeter last night in my rented Polestar and what a sight! Full range of Gridserve and the Tesla provision brought me to tears (wish I had been there in my M3). Long story short brilliant short session on Gridserve (155 kw/h to start) and twenty minutes charging and away. Thanks for the information.

[dmsims]

Cullompton as well

Stay away from Exeter services

[Diderot]

Went through Exeter today. Only 6 of the Gridserve chargers were in service (the others are being commissioned or recommissioned). Looks like there’ll be over 20 when they’re done. Will try the Buckfastleigh ones on the way back from Cornwall.

[ChrisW.]

There was an article suggesting that Exeter services were using diesel generators to keep the electric chargers going, due a lack of supply capacity ...

One assumes a short term problem ...

[blueacid]

ChrisW. said:

There was an article suggesting that Exeter services were using diesel generators to keep the electric chargers going, due a lack of supply capacity ...

One assumes a short term problem ...

Yep likely! I've seen comments that even if you do charge an EV from a diesel genset, that this is more efficient in terms of fossil fuel used compared with just fuelling a diesel car directly, but I suspect there's a number of factors at play!

The plan for supply-constrained chargers appears to be to install large onsite batteries, and use them to shave off the peak demand, charging these batteries during the evening and overnight, when there aren't as many cars charging.

[Diderot]

Can confirm two things.

Diesel generators running at Exeter when we charged on Saturday on the way to Cornwall. And Buckfast Osprey was a far better experience on the way back this lunchtime. Yet to try Cullompton, but will be avoiding Exeter next time for sure.

Exeter’s biggest issue imo is the lack of some sort of ‘charging queue lane’. If they had one, most of the ‘free for all’ lottery could be avoided given the sprawling nature of the Gridserve chargers. I think for the Tesla chargers, there’s so many, in a much better configuration, that it doesn’t matter.

Edited by Diderot on Tuesday 19th September 20:09