Is it worth getting a charge card?
Discussion
I’ve had a test drive in the new Volvo EX60, it will replace our Q5 and a car that my wife will use more than me, we were both very impressed to the point where we will likely order one, the mid range 10 model with a WLTP of 410 miles which the sales guy suggested was real world 350.
We will fit a charger but I’m now exploring the market for charging and wondering whether it’s worth paying for a subscription service or just letting the car decide on the best option? Under normal circumstances I reckon we will probably have to public charge once or twice a month, on journeys that are between 3-500 Mike round trips.
My guess is that it’s not worth bothering with a discounted subscription service but I’d be grateful for any advice from those with experience.
We will fit a charger but I’m now exploring the market for charging and wondering whether it’s worth paying for a subscription service or just letting the car decide on the best option? Under normal circumstances I reckon we will probably have to public charge once or twice a month, on journeys that are between 3-500 Mike round trips.
My guess is that it’s not worth bothering with a discounted subscription service but I’d be grateful for any advice from those with experience.
See how you go without, you can always add one. I personally wouldn’t subscribe to a specific network as the mental freedom to use the most convenient charger outways being swayed by a few pence per kWh cheaper charging and then driving out of your way to find one, but if you find yourself using a particular network a lot then check out their options. There are aggregators like octoverse from octopus, I use them for my leccy at home so I joined up and used it for the first time yesterday, it saved a few pence, but if I’d swiped my nectar card id have had the same deal. Was it worth it, not really, but it didn’t hurt.
When I got my EV in March 2024, the insurance came with a bp Pulse card, But you can activate the chargers through the app anyway. Same goes for Electroverse too (still have the card somewhere). I used them when I was with Octopus, but you don't have to be, it just gives you 5% off and added to your home bill. Osprey chargers are app driven too.
Tesla give you extra discounts if you subscribe but I don't do enough public charging to justify it, although they are some of the best and cheapest out there. There ARE cheaper but they are the fast (ie not rapid) type at 7kW.
Tesla give you extra discounts if you subscribe but I don't do enough public charging to justify it, although they are some of the best and cheapest out there. There ARE cheaper but they are the fast (ie not rapid) type at 7kW.
Edited by sixor8 on Saturday 22 August 22:27
I got electroverse as that is free and you get a further discount if you're an octopus customer. It's not huge, but it's better than nothing. For your Volvo you will have a 'Volvo public charging app" which is remarkably similar to the 'polestar charge' app and card I got with my polestar (funny that! 
). You'll get a form of discount with that.
I don't public charge much, but I have most of the major apps already downloaded and setup on the phone as they tend to offer the best discount when you use the apps directly instead of electroverse which is really a backup for me. Means that I am not faffing around at the charge point trying to find 5G.
). You'll get a form of discount with that. I don't public charge much, but I have most of the major apps already downloaded and setup on the phone as they tend to offer the best discount when you use the apps directly instead of electroverse which is really a backup for me. Means that I am not faffing around at the charge point trying to find 5G.
If charging a couple of times a month, I d subscribe to Ionity (£10.50, then 45p Kwh, a 40% discount)
I have that via my Electroverse card.
Basically 1 fill a month & it s paid for itself.
Can dip in & out if not using..
Their chargers have always been great for me, usually adjacent to hotels with nice facilities.
The Tesla ones are similar price (with no subscription) but the cables don t reach my car.
Mt satnav is now set to only look for Ionity. It knows my cars state of charge & the destination charger availability. I’ve not seen an Ionity site more than half full !
I have that via my Electroverse card.
Basically 1 fill a month & it s paid for itself.
Can dip in & out if not using..
Their chargers have always been great for me, usually adjacent to hotels with nice facilities.
The Tesla ones are similar price (with no subscription) but the cables don t reach my car.
Mt satnav is now set to only look for Ionity. It knows my cars state of charge & the destination charger availability. I’ve not seen an Ionity site more than half full !
If you're only likely to use public charging once or twice a month, I wouldn't bother paying a monthly subscription yet. You'd need to be putting a fair few kWh through one particular network before the discount reliably beats the subscription cost. The only exception is when you're carrying out a pretty intensive charge (like RotorRambler above, I assume).
What I would do is get an Electroverse card and keep it in the car. It s free to join, covers a very large number of UK networks, and saves you having to decide in advance which operator you re going to use. Turn up, check the price, tap the card and charge.
For occasional public charging that convenience is probably worth more than chasing a few pence per kWh.
What I would do is get an Electroverse card and keep it in the car. It s free to join, covers a very large number of UK networks, and saves you having to decide in advance which operator you re going to use. Turn up, check the price, tap the card and charge.
For occasional public charging that convenience is probably worth more than chasing a few pence per kWh.
Edited by WattEver on Thursday 27th August 17:20
), Electroverse sites are still comparatively 'reasonable' compared to some. I used them in Cornwall in 2024 and 2025. BP Pulse are one of the most expensive IME for rapid charging. I got a free Electroverse card as it covers most chargers, but with the 1-2 times max a month I need to public charge I have used Tesla or Ionity where it is cheaper direct so not used it yet. With Ionity I have plug and charge too so no tapping or apps required.
If you aren't a planner and just happy to pay whatever a card is probably worth it. I purposely plan any long trips around using Tesla or Ionity and worked out well so far.
If you aren't a planner and just happy to pay whatever a card is probably worth it. I purposely plan any long trips around using Tesla or Ionity and worked out well so far.
Ive got an Electroverse one that lives in the car as its often easier to use that than select the charger in the app.
I also have a BMW one as this works on alot of Podpoint chargers (I got caught out once at a Podpoint where there was literally zero phone signal, and the BMW RFID would have sorted me out).
However last chargers I used were BP Pulse which aren't on electroverse so just used my Credit Card.
I also have a BMW one as this works on alot of Podpoint chargers (I got caught out once at a Podpoint where there was literally zero phone signal, and the BMW RFID would have sorted me out).
However last chargers I used were BP Pulse which aren't on electroverse so just used my Credit Card.
Indeed. I've got subs to Ionity and Tesla as there are both of these near my home and work (which are 100 miles apart) so I can just use those brands for most charging.
Plus an Electroverse card for other brands on longer trips.
Annoyingly BE.EV have just changed their subscription pricing as they have chargers near my parents house but I don't go there often enough to make it worthwhile paying the monthly fee.
Plus an Electroverse card for other brands on longer trips.
Annoyingly BE.EV have just changed their subscription pricing as they have chargers near my parents house but I don't go there often enough to make it worthwhile paying the monthly fee.
WattEver said:
If you're only likely to use public charging once or twice a month, I wouldn't bother paying a monthly subscription yet. You'd need to be putting a fair few kWh through one particular network before the discount reliably beats the subscription cost. The only exception is when you're carrying out a pretty intensive charge (like RotorRambler above, I assume).
What I would do is get an Electroverse card and keep it in the car. It s free to join, covers a very large number of UK networks, and saves you having to decide in advance which operator you re going to use. Turn up, check the price, tap the card and charge.
For occasional public charging that convenience is probably worth more than chasing a few pence per kWh.
100%. Also Chargemap is a useful card to have if travelling to the continent. You can set both Chargemap and Electroverse to charge you to your credit card, or Google/Apple Pay, and also both aggregators have a "Plug & Charge" functionality which you can activate, so that at compatible chargers you just stick the cable into the car and walk away, no swiping cards or QR codes or any of that blather. Both cover the absolute vast majority of rapid chargers across Europe and the UK. I like having both for redundancy. Never need anything else.What I would do is get an Electroverse card and keep it in the car. It s free to join, covers a very large number of UK networks, and saves you having to decide in advance which operator you re going to use. Turn up, check the price, tap the card and charge.
For occasional public charging that convenience is probably worth more than chasing a few pence per kWh.
The older Tesla chargers only have short cables so if your flap is on the 'wrong' side then you have to park in the next bay along to the one that a Tesla would use whichm unless it is the end charger, then blocks 2 chargers.
The V3 Chargers have long cables so us wrong 'uns can use the correct bay.
The V3 Chargers have long cables so us wrong 'uns can use the correct bay.
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