Just completed my trip down from Aberdeen to Falkirk for my first service.
I’ve been slightly apprehensive about the trip on two counts:
1) Charge Place Scotland are still going through some difficulties with the network switchover to Swarco. I havent received my replacement RFC card yet so would have to rely on the app (tested it at a local charger last night and it did work though).
2) The distance. The trip planner showed 121 miles for the trip, and the GOM was showing 156. I have done the trip before when I bought the car so know it can be done, but still!
Because the numbers look good, I want to attempt it in one go, so decided to head early to the Falkirk stadium where the charging hub is and fill up at a rapid before heading to the dealership (to save me time after the service).
Glad I did as well, as the car doesnt really help with Range anxiety. With 37 miles left on GOM and 28 miles to the stadium, the HV battery low warning comes on (yellow battery on the dash) and one bar left on the battery. Anxiety increases.
With I think it was around 20 miles left on the GOM and 11miles to destination this starts flashing, followed by turning red and advising that aggressive driving is not recommended. Anxiety increases.
It’s fine though! Rolled into the charging hub with — — — miles on the GOM.
No other cars there, so popped into the stadium for a toilet and a breakfast having attached to a 50kW rapid and had no issues starting the charge. When the charge commenced it showed 6% in the battery. I really wish the car would just display this graphic of the battery all the time, or show it when you flick the battery switch.
Another MG ZS arrived just as I was heading to the stadium - I would have stopped for a chat but I was absolutely bursting!!
Breakfast finished, returned to the charger which was still going. 56mins, 35.2kWh, £8.82. Probably a tad on the expensive side, but still a heck of a lot cheaper than when I recently drove Aberdeen-Edinburgh-Aberdeen in the diesel - full tank @£56.
Dropped the car of at Frasers and took a walk around the Canal to visit a mate for a coffee.
Took a little bit longer than I was hoping it would (was told I’d get a call in about an hour and a half, but made my way back after 4 hours and it was sitting ready. I wont make it back up the road in time for my kids martial arts class now, but they did apologise for the weight and I got an MG Bear! I’d also need to stop in Dundee for a top up charge on the way home (as i wont be leaving with a full tank of electrons this time). Ended up getting home with again 0 miles of range for about 10 mins!
all in happy with the 1st service (service plan)