MG4: Long journey charging: what can we expect?

[tsedge]

Hi,

We'll be getting a white Trophy in a few months, really looking forward to it. It will be our first EV. We are getting a home charger installed (Zappi).

In the meantime, we want to get up to speed with what charging will be like on long journeys. Fully expecting it will be less convenient, more time consuming than petrol/diesel and require some planning.

So, wondering if those already with an MG EV can advise:

• Do you have to plan where you will charge or can you depend on finding chargers en-route?
• How often have you had to queue up because all the spots are taken?
• Any charger types to avoid because they are always broken/temperamental?
• Which charging networks are best to sign-up with? (We live in Devon).

Any experiences would be helpful.

Many thanks in advance,


Tom.

 

[Jomarkh]

Hi,

I use Zap-map to find charge points either at my destination or on the route. Then I have a few networks I like to use either by app or RFID card.
just have a plan B and C in case the charge point has a queue or is not working, you can check on-route if it is in use or faulty.

 

[MundaneMatt]

• Your first port of call should be to download an app called Zap Map - which is free on the Google Play Store and App Store on iPhones. This will give you the locations of all public chargers across the UK and the Republic of Ireland. It will tell you the type of connections available so you need Type 2 and CCS.
• You will be able to charge on AC at up to 7kW, which from 0% will take roughly 10 hours. Or you can also charge on DC on a rapid charger at up to 135kW (some rapid chargers can only do 50kW) so it may take up to an hour to get you to 80% from 20%.
• Motorway service stations are mostly covered by Gridserve, they have rapid chargers that start at 50kW and go up to 150kW. You use them by simply tapping your contactless credit or debit card.
• You may have to queue at a rapid charger, but you will find most EV drivers are sensible and will unplug at 80% - the charge rate slows down massively after this %.
  This will also count for you and charging etiquette is generally good, please unplug at 80% if other people are queuing to use the charger.

 

[WonkoTheSaneUK]

1. Apps like Zap-Map or ABRP (A Better Route Planner) will help with route planning
2. I haven't done many long trips, and always found an open charger. Your mileage will vary
3. BP Pulse, and where you are, Geniepoint
4. Get an Electroverse card from Octopus Energy - it works on 30 different networks.

 

[tsedge]

Thanks guys, this is really helpful and much appreciated. Electroverse looks interesting, I will check it out.

 

[the briggie]

Agree re Zapmap. I thought the Se Sr was type 2 6.6kw charging but Trophy type 2 is 11kw charging on AC. So home chargers are 7kw max, public 11kw? See below re trophy spec.

Battery and Charging​

Battery Capacity	64.0 kWh
Charge Port	Type 2
Port Location	Left Side - Rear
Charge Power †	11 kW AC
Charge Time (0->225 mi) †	6h45m
Charge Speed †	34 mph

Battery Useable	61.7 kWh
Fastcharge Port	CCS
FC Port Location	Left Side - Rear
Fastcharge Power (max)	135 kW DC
Fastcharge Time (23->180 mi)	34 min
Fastcharge Speed	270 mph

 

[MundaneMatt]

I thought the 11kW AC was only for European LHD models, not RHD UK models?

 

[MuzGB1970]

Agree re Zapmap. I thought the Se Sr was type 2 6.6kw charging but Trophy type 2 is 11kw charging on AC. So home chargers are 7kw max, public 11kw? See below re trophy spec.

Battery and Charging​

Battery Capacity	64.0 kWh
Charge Port	Type 2
Port Location	Left Side - Rear
Charge Power †	11 kW AC
Charge Time (0->225 mi) †	6h45m
Charge Speed †	34 mph

Battery Useable	61.7 kWh
Fastcharge Port	CCS
FC Port Location	Left Side - Rear
Fastcharge Power (max)	135 kW DC
Fastcharge Time (23->180 mi)	34 min
Fastcharge Speed	270 mph

I'm led to believe that it's only the European Luxury (Trophy) model that comes with 11kW AC but would love to be proved wrong. I'll be charging my Trophy at work where we have 3-phase up to 22kW wall box.

 

[Whiskey Foxtrot]

Thanks guys, this is really helpful and much appreciated. Electroverse looks interesting, I will check it out.

Agreed, eletroverse card seems a no brainer. One card for all, especially older chargers that may have not been upgraded for contactless payment?

 

[tsedge]

Agree re Zapmap. I thought the Se Sr was type 2 6.6kw charging but Trophy type 2 is 11kw charging on AC. So home chargers are 7kw max, public 11kw? See below re trophy spec.

Battery and Charging​

Battery Capacity	64.0 kWh
Charge Port	Type 2
Port Location	Left Side - Rear
Charge Power †	11 kW AC
Charge Time (0->225 mi) †	6h45m
Charge Speed †	34 mph

Battery Useable	61.7 kWh
Fastcharge Port	CCS
FC Port Location	Left Side - Rear
Fastcharge Power (max)	135 kW DC
Fastcharge Time (23->180 mi)	34 min
Fastcharge Speed	270 mph

Thanks. We'll be going for a 7kW Zappi home charger. I believe you can get 22kW 3-phase chargers but obviously overkill for home use!

 

[WonkoTheSaneUK]

Thanks. We'll be going for a 7kW Zappi home charger. I believe you can get 22kW 3-phase chargers but obviously overkill for home use!

To get a 22kW 3-phase charger, you'd need your house to already be on 3-phase electrics.

 

[tsedge]

To get a 22kW 3-phase charger, you'd need your house to already be on 3-phase electrics.

Exactly.

 

[tsedge]

Also, I worked out that (on average) we do 30 miles a day and that's using the annual mileage (10,000) including long journeys, so our average home charge will probably be 20 miles a day. Assuming a pessimistic 3 miles / kWh we'll charge in less than an hour most nights anyway, so almost any home charger will do but may as well go for 7kW.

 

[the briggie]

MG MG4 EV Long Range

All details and specs of the MG MG4 EV Long Range (2022). Compare price, lease, real-world range and consumption of every electric vehicle.

ev-database.uk

This is where I found the info but but I cannot locate the equivalent on MG uk to confirm it...frustrating

 

[RichardC]

I have had my Mk1 ZSEV since June 2021 and planning is the key thing.

My first long journey was from Sheffield to Bamburgh and I planned it carefully using Zap Map. There were no issues. However on the return journey I had to revert to my back up plan as the car would not charge at Wetherby services.

I would also advise you that reading the comments regarding charging sites on Zap Map can be useful. In April I drove from Sheffield to Dumfries. I had planned to stop at Scotch Corner but someone had commented that they were very busy so they drove to a new charging site in Bishop Auckland instead.

I made this my charging stop instead. It was excellent. Eight chargers, none were being used so I charged to 100%. It was the same on the return journey.

Happily come the end of the year, when I will have my new LR MG4, I will not have to worry about planning journeys as much.

 

[the briggie]

If only 6.6kw ac inverter is fitted that would be disappointing. Most manufacturers have now upped to a around 11kw to match basic public charging rates. I assume if 6.6 is standard it is possibly not a s/w upgrade to go to 11kw but also a h/w upgrade. I feel a dealership call coming on...unless someone has eyeballed a MG UK motors spec sheet for the car to confirm what is actually fitted to LR models. Not too bothered about home charging as 7kw chargers are the norm for most of us but public chargers? I also assume MG4 is single phase charging not having look at the charge cable or input socket?

Alan

 

[tsedge]

Believe this is what the socket looks like.

 

[the briggie]

Difficult to see if L2 and L3 have pins?

 

[tsedge]

Difficult to see if L2 and L3 have pins?

I don’t know, sorry. Only saw it at my test drive this morning.

 

[Buchanty]

On terms of planning, my biggest learning curve was getting used to the idea that it wouldn't be a great idea to drop much lower than 20% when heading for a rapid charger (in case you need to go elsewhere), and remembering that around 80% will be your maximum charge, so you're effectively using only 60% of your range on a long journey.