EV charging for noobs
Discussion
Looking at renting a car from Gatwick Airport for a few days visit to the UK in December, and Hertz are offering a Polestar 2 cheaper than I can get a Corsa!
Never having driven an EV before what's going to be my best bet for charging it, we're going to stopping with a friend where we won't be able to charge, but I'm assuming we're probably need to charge at some point, so what's likely to be the quickest option, will I need a specific app to find chargers?
Anyone hired an EV before? Info on their site says it will be at least 75% when you collect, and if you return it with less they charge by the kWh but don't say what rate, but charging it shortly before dropoff is a bit more complicated than topping up an ICE car,
Never having driven an EV before what's going to be my best bet for charging it, we're going to stopping with a friend where we won't be able to charge, but I'm assuming we're probably need to charge at some point, so what's likely to be the quickest option, will I need a specific app to find chargers?
Anyone hired an EV before? Info on their site says it will be at least 75% when you collect, and if you return it with less they charge by the kWh but don't say what rate, but charging it shortly before dropoff is a bit more complicated than topping up an ICE car,
Download Zapp Map.
Probably the easiest way to see where chargers are on your routes so you can bear them in mind.
It's getting colder so range will be less than normal. But knowing where chargers are should ease anxiety.
IME a lot/most will just take credit card payment via contact less. Doesn't always work seamlessly (IME) but have a good strike rate.
Charging in public DC (fast) chargers is not cheap here. Anything from 45p/kWh to 83p/kWh....the upper end of this is more than typical petrol costs by my fag packet calcs (but on higher performance cars).
Probably the easiest way to see where chargers are on your routes so you can bear them in mind.
It's getting colder so range will be less than normal. But knowing where chargers are should ease anxiety.
IME a lot/most will just take credit card payment via contact less. Doesn't always work seamlessly (IME) but have a good strike rate.
Charging in public DC (fast) chargers is not cheap here. Anything from 45p/kWh to 83p/kWh....the upper end of this is more than typical petrol costs by my fag packet calcs (but on higher performance cars).
RizzoTheRat said:
Looking at renting a car from Gatwick Airport for a few days visit to the UK in December, and Hertz are offering a Polestar 2 cheaper than I can get a Corsa!
Never having driven an EV before what's going to be my best bet for charging it, we're going to stopping with a friend where we won't be able to charge, but I'm assuming we're probably need to charge at some point, so what's likely to be the quickest option, will I need a specific app to find chargers?
Anyone hired an EV before? Info on their site says it will be at least 75% when you collect, and if you return it with less they charge by the kWh but don't say what rate, but charging it shortly before dropoff is a bit more complicated than topping up an ICE car,
Don't bother. Is the short answer. If you could charge at your friends the answer might be different. Never having driven an EV before what's going to be my best bet for charging it, we're going to stopping with a friend where we won't be able to charge, but I'm assuming we're probably need to charge at some point, so what's likely to be the quickest option, will I need a specific app to find chargers?
Anyone hired an EV before? Info on their site says it will be at least 75% when you collect, and if you return it with less they charge by the kWh but don't say what rate, but charging it shortly before dropoff is a bit more complicated than topping up an ICE car,
RizzoTheRat said:
Looking at renting a car from Gatwick Airport for a few days visit to the UK in December, and Hertz are offering a Polestar 2 cheaper than I can get a Corsa!
Never having driven an EV before what's going to be my best bet for charging it, we're going to stopping with a friend where we won't be able to charge, but I'm assuming we're probably need to charge at some point, so what's likely to be the quickest option, will I need a specific app to find chargers?
Anyone hired an EV before? Info on their site says it will be at least 75% when you collect, and if you return it with less they charge by the kWh but don't say what rate, but charging it shortly before dropoff is a bit more complicated than topping up an ICE car,
I had a Taycan on a long term hire, about 6 moths in total. Never having driven an EV before what's going to be my best bet for charging it, we're going to stopping with a friend where we won't be able to charge, but I'm assuming we're probably need to charge at some point, so what's likely to be the quickest option, will I need a specific app to find chargers?
Anyone hired an EV before? Info on their site says it will be at least 75% when you collect, and if you return it with less they charge by the kWh but don't say what rate, but charging it shortly before dropoff is a bit more complicated than topping up an ICE car,
If you're not doing too many miles the car charging cost is realtively inconsequential. They are obliged to tell you the recharge rate so you could query that but the easiest solution is to photograph state of charge on pick up and ensure you are above that on return.
It's a great way to get the feel of an EV.
Nomme de Plum said:
They are obliged to tell you the recharge rate so you could query that but the easiest solution is to photograph state of charge on pick up and ensure you are above that on return.
That might make sense, getting it back with 80% charge would probably mean a quick stop at a motorway services fast charger (75p/kwh at Chobham!) on the way back to the airport, but 50-60% would be mean a slower charge while parked the day before.Nomme de Plum said:
It's a great way to get the feel of an EV.
Exactly my thinkingEdited by RizzoTheRat on Tuesday 31st October 18:21
Edited by RizzoTheRat on Tuesday 31st October 18:21
As I understand it Hertz let you use the Shell Recharge network so it might be worth doing some research into that & its locations rather than stressing about having one of many random apps - another point is that a Polestar on 75 % might have 200 miles in it so worst case is you leave the car empty on its return
Do you know which model it is?
They have two battery sizes, 75% on the long-range is likely to be around 150-170 miles that time of year.
The Polestar will take around 30 mins to charge 100 miles at an ultra-rapid (150kW ) charger if you start around 20%, do not try and get a full charge, it will take hours, stop at 80%
Have a look around and see if there are any chargers within walking distance of where you are staying, don't underestimate how long this will take though, local shop-type chargers are all slow and will normally take around 12+ hours for a full charge.
Find out what the kW charge is at the rental place, if it is near 80p per kWh, just take it back flat as that is what you would pay at a Rapid charger and you won't have to wait
If you use shop-type/ street chargers, be prepared to use apps etc, none of those will be contactless.
Use ZapMap and filter out all the rubbish, if you are in a hurry, only look at 100kW+ chargers.
They have two battery sizes, 75% on the long-range is likely to be around 150-170 miles that time of year.
The Polestar will take around 30 mins to charge 100 miles at an ultra-rapid (150kW ) charger if you start around 20%, do not try and get a full charge, it will take hours, stop at 80%
Have a look around and see if there are any chargers within walking distance of where you are staying, don't underestimate how long this will take though, local shop-type chargers are all slow and will normally take around 12+ hours for a full charge.
Find out what the kW charge is at the rental place, if it is near 80p per kWh, just take it back flat as that is what you would pay at a Rapid charger and you won't have to wait
If you use shop-type/ street chargers, be prepared to use apps etc, none of those will be contactless.
Use ZapMap and filter out all the rubbish, if you are in a hurry, only look at 100kW+ chargers.
stopped at Beaconsfield to charge yesterday and a 72 plate ipace pulled in next to me. i plugged in and tapped my RFID card. He faffed around, plugged in, faffed some more then asked me "what's an RFID card?"
i directed him to the next junction where contactless was accepted.
Make sure you know what an RFID card is if you want to use a charger that only accepts them (or the app)
i directed him to the next junction where contactless was accepted.
Make sure you know what an RFID card is if you want to use a charger that only accepts them (or the app)
TheDrownedApe said:
stopped at Beaconsfield to charge yesterday and a 72 plate ipace pulled in next to me. i plugged in and tapped my RFID card. He faffed around, plugged in, faffed some more then asked me "what's an RFID card?"
i directed him to the next junction where contactless was accepted.
Make sure you know what an RFID card is if you want to use a charger that only accepts them (or the app)
What chargers were they ?i directed him to the next junction where contactless was accepted.
Make sure you know what an RFID card is if you want to use a charger that only accepts them (or the app)
TheRainMaker said:
Do you know which model it is?
The Polestar will take around 30 mins to charge 100 miles at an ultra-rapid (150kW ) charger if you start around 20%, do not try and get a full charge, it will take hours, stop at 80%
Should be much quicker than that. 33kWh in 30mins isnt a great rate,,,The Polestar will take around 30 mins to charge 100 miles at an ultra-rapid (150kW ) charger if you start around 20%, do not try and get a full charge, it will take hours, stop at 80%
Edited by JonnyVTEC on Thursday 2nd November 10:02
TheRainMaker said:
Do you know which model it is?
No, just the usual hire car thing of "Polestar 2 or equivalent"TheDrownedApe said:
Make sure you know what an RFID card is if you want to use a charger that only accepts them (or the app)
Er...is that something you need to sign up with a supplier and get a physical card for?Having looked at Zapp Map I think my best bet is a charge at Tesco in Aldershot (Podpoint) and then depending on the rate they charge for returning it at less than 80%, maybe a a fast charge top up at Chobham services (Ionity and Gridserve), Can I use those without an RFID card?
Also not sure how you're supposed to return it at 80% charge when advice is to only charge them to 80%.
TheDrownedApe said:
stopped at Beaconsfield to charge yesterday and a 72 plate ipace pulled in next to me. i plugged in and tapped my RFID card. He faffed around, plugged in, faffed some more then asked me "what's an RFID card?"
i directed him to the next junction where contactless was accepted.
Make sure you know what an RFID card is if you want to use a charger that only accepts them (or the app)
Well to be pedantic a contactless credit card is an RFID card, it's just not issued by the confusingly named car charging organisation. i directed him to the next junction where contactless was accepted.
Make sure you know what an RFID card is if you want to use a charger that only accepts them (or the app)
RizzoTheRat said:
Er...is that something you need to sign up with a supplier and get a physical card for?
Having looked at Zapp Map I think my best bet is a charge at Tesco in Aldershot (Podpoint) and then depending on the rate they charge for returning it at less than 80%, maybe a a fast charge top up at Chobham services (Ionity and Gridserve), Can I use those without an RFID card?
Also not sure how you're supposed to return it at 80% charge when advice is to only charge them to 80%.
Gridserve is contactless card. Ionity will have a QR code on the charger for you to scan and pay.Having looked at Zapp Map I think my best bet is a charge at Tesco in Aldershot (Podpoint) and then depending on the rate they charge for returning it at less than 80%, maybe a a fast charge top up at Chobham services (Ionity and Gridserve), Can I use those without an RFID card?
Also not sure how you're supposed to return it at 80% charge when advice is to only charge them to 80%.
JonnyVTEC said:
TheRainMaker said:
Do you know which model it is?
The Polestar will take around 30 mins to charge 100 miles at an ultra-rapid (150kW ) charger if you start around 20%, do not try and get a full charge, it will take hours, stop at 80%
Should be much quicker than that. 33kWh in 30mins isnt a great rate,,,The Polestar will take around 30 mins to charge 100 miles at an ultra-rapid (150kW ) charger if you start around 20%, do not try and get a full charge, it will take hours, stop at 80%
RizzoTheRat said:
Er...is that something you need to sign up with a supplier and get a physical card for?
Having looked at Zapp Map I think my best bet is a charge at Tesco in Aldershot (Podpoint) and then depending on the rate they charge for returning it at less than 80%, maybe a a fast charge top up at Chobham services (Ionity and Gridserve), Can I use those without an RFID card?
Also not sure how you're supposed to return it at 80% charge when advice is to only charge them to 80%.
Don’t get hung up on not charging over 80%, it will just charge slower.Having looked at Zapp Map I think my best bet is a charge at Tesco in Aldershot (Podpoint) and then depending on the rate they charge for returning it at less than 80%, maybe a a fast charge top up at Chobham services (Ionity and Gridserve), Can I use those without an RFID card?
Also not sure how you're supposed to return it at 80% charge when advice is to only charge them to 80%.
It’s almost like they picked a pain in the ass level of charge to maximise their profits from exorbitant recharge rates when people bring cars back with less 😂 Couldn’t be that…. Noooo…..
RizzoTheRat said:
Er...is that something you need to sign up with a supplier and get a physical card for?
Having looked at Zapp Map I think my best bet is a charge at Tesco in Aldershot (Podpoint) and then depending on the rate they charge for returning it at less than 80%, maybe a a fast charge top up at Chobham services (Ionity and Gridserve), Can I use those without an RFID card?
Also not sure how you're supposed to return it at 80% charge when advice is to only charge them to 80%.
I think you mean Cobham services on the M25?Having looked at Zapp Map I think my best bet is a charge at Tesco in Aldershot (Podpoint) and then depending on the rate they charge for returning it at less than 80%, maybe a a fast charge top up at Chobham services (Ionity and Gridserve), Can I use those without an RFID card?
Also not sure how you're supposed to return it at 80% charge when advice is to only charge them to 80%.
If you put Chobham into your satnav you will find a pleasant village with some good pubs but, afaik, no public chargers of any flavour
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