SDP79
Established Member
Traveling from Chelmsford Essex to Chinley Derbyshire - 198 miles. This was our first long journey in our MG5 LR. Indeed out first EV long journey! Theoretically we should be able to do this on one charge but I had my suspicions that this would not be possible - I was proved right! I planned to do a top up charge at some point and researched a few possibilities. All were to be Gridserve as I knew that no sign up was required and you turn up, plug in and swipe card and charge.
First stop Leicester Forest East Services. As I pulled up I saw 4 vacant chargers. However both proved to be not working! Still pressed on to next possibility which was Donnington Park. 4 chargers including one Chademo plus a Tesla. All occupied, everyone was behaving themselves and we formed an orderly queue and I chatted with other EV users who were far more experience than me in this. Plugged, in swiped card and started charging 38p per Kw - which is quite reasonable these days. Stopped for lunch about 40mins. Checked car several times out of curiosity and received 15 kw so rate was around 22 kw per hr. - not great. Seems the more vehicles charging then the rates drop - is this right?
During our holiday we charged up on the granny lead over night so nothing to report there.
On our return we stopped at Trowel Services - 4 chargers - only 2 working. This time charged for 25mins - for 15 kw so rate was around 36 kw per min - so much better.
Definitely had to do one charge if traveling time was to be reasonable. Overall at motorway speeds the economy was 3.4 miles/Kw. Driving at 70mph did reduce miles per Kw but I was not concerned as the journey was planned and once we reached destination charging would be easy overnight.
First stop Leicester Forest East Services. As I pulled up I saw 4 vacant chargers. However both proved to be not working! Still pressed on to next possibility which was Donnington Park. 4 chargers including one Chademo plus a Tesla. All occupied, everyone was behaving themselves and we formed an orderly queue and I chatted with other EV users who were far more experience than me in this. Plugged, in swiped card and started charging 38p per Kw - which is quite reasonable these days. Stopped for lunch about 40mins. Checked car several times out of curiosity and received 15 kw so rate was around 22 kw per hr. - not great. Seems the more vehicles charging then the rates drop - is this right?
During our holiday we charged up on the granny lead over night so nothing to report there.
On our return we stopped at Trowel Services - 4 chargers - only 2 working. This time charged for 25mins - for 15 kw so rate was around 36 kw per min - so much better.
Definitely had to do one charge if traveling time was to be reasonable. Overall at motorway speeds the economy was 3.4 miles/Kw. Driving at 70mph did reduce miles per Kw but I was not concerned as the journey was planned and once we reached destination charging would be easy overnight.
