Charging across Europe

[EVsince2016]

So my Easter trip 6 in the MG5 or 7th EV trip and about 39th European road trip.

Day 1 was a drive to Reims in France, the home of Champagne.

This time I chose to skip charging at Eurotunnel due to price, using Flexi-plus and EES / border issues and charge in France instead. Travelling on a Monday there were no delays at all, helped I guess by EES not being started yet, whereas the weekend before had delays of up to 3 hours.

This was my 1st charger, a new Izivia unit in Calais, chosen as it was just 28p/kW versus 50p at Eurotunnel. It was in a retail park just off the motorway by a McD, bakery & Route 66. I activated this one using my Electroverse RFID card.

Next was an Ionity unit. Note, I used the basic 50kW unit as the car battery was cold and it's cheaper at 28p/kW. It was at a motorway service station. I activated this one using my Electroverse RFID card.

My last charger was a Tesla unit in Reims, so I was charged for the next day at 41p/kW. It was located at a hotel not far from my stay. I used the Tesla app for this one.

I stayed in the centre of Reims so that I could enjoy the city for the night. Quite a nice city, but there seems to be some anti-British sentiment in this area by people and drivers!

The trip was 289 miles for £26.91.

 

[securespark]

Next year I am driving across France. Another game to learn.

The car is in Lille at the moment. Have not charged yet, currently on 48%. The hotel gave us the address of a local Lidl to try. We are in Brussels. We took a TGV, as parking we were told is a bit of a pig.

 

[EVsince2016]

My day 2 trip was south to Avignon an area of France that was part of Italy until 1791, hence road names being in French & Italian, plus lots of Roman buildings in the area.

My Bip&Go toll tag worked brilliantly on this trip, saving me a lot of time avoiding stopping, in particular on this day going south.

No issues with HGV drivers blockading roads, light traffic and good driving through some stunning scenery.

My 1st charger is considered to be one of the best Tesla chargers in the world. Just off the motorway and wow. 41p/kW activated using the Tesla app. Dozens of chargers, its own facilities, Pizza machine etc and wonderful views.

After this a normal Tesla charger at a Hotel for 41 p/kw on the Tesla app, just off the motorway.

Then a FastNed charger on auto-charge at a services for 46p/kW

Then a new French Zunder off the motorway in an industrial area with no facilities for 48p/kW - just had to try it, on auto-charge.

And finally an Engie unit at motorway services activated by Electroverse RFID for a painful 57p/kW.

En-route, I also stopped off at the Gorge du Nan, one of France's most spectacular balcony roads

Access by a steep narrow road just off the motorway and well worth a deviation

Rue de la Trainière, 38470 Cognin-les-Gorges, France.

You should visit!

510 miles for £58.49

 

[EVsince2016]

So we stayed in Avignon, a wonderful Roman walled city, once the home to the Pope in the Pope's Palace during a period of unrest in Rome. Lots of ancient architecture, a city wall and half a bridge.

We let the MG5 have a rest and took the train instead to visit the Roman city of Nimes, complete with its Colosseum (used to film Gladiator), Temple, Roman fort and water features. The city walls have gone, but so much of the city is Roman. Minimal safety in the Colosseum, but pretty much as built and far more complete than the one in Rome. Wait time to enter = 0 mins, cost low, free to roam anywhere and added value being an international tennis competition going on there being broadcast live. Later this month, full on Roman Gladiator battles are on for a few days

Yes, the Temple is also complete, Roman 1st century

If you want to visit Rome and experience the Colosseum, Temples etc, just go to Nimes, its better.

The next day we went to Arles, another Roman city with a Colosseum, Amphitheatre & various Roman buildings. Not as good, but with a more honest cosy feel and Greek burial chambers (yes ancient Greek as in BC).

Amphitheatre

Greek chamber tunnels with old Roman columns & bits stacked all over the place!

Train there was from the 1970s! Old compartment coaches too.

 

[EVsince2016]

Our next stage was to travel cross country to Grasse, the home of Perfume.

Before leaving Avignon, I used this local supermarket charger from Allegro. I used the Electroverse RFID and it cost 47p/kW. Ideal for a quick shop!

The route was stunning, with traditional tree lined roads, snow capped Alps in view and mile of fields used to grow Lavender, flowers and herbs for perfume. We also found a perfect little village for lunch, complete with old buildings and stunning views across to the Alps.

Just after we left, we used a Tesla charger to get to Grasse, 42 p/kW this time.

I love hairpin bends. We finished the way the on the Route de Napoleon.

 

[OriginalBigAl]

We are around 300km to your NW, if you could chuck some of that blue sky in this direction , much appreciated.