lebelinconnu
Established Member
I have just returned from a very successful trip to Belgium. The car was an absolute joy- so comfortable, and we managed to fit everything in the boot, including my disabled daughter’s portable bedroom which we had to take with us. If anyone is interested in some charging info please read on!
Left home (near Wells, Somerset) with 100%. Stopped to charge at Cobham services on M25- 35% remaining on battery. Can’t recall exact distance- when I just looked it up it said 120 miles, but we had to take a detour as the M3 was closed between junctions 3 and 2. Successful charge with Ionity to 85%. Lucky we got there when we did, as all chargers were occupied and shortly after we arrived five other EVs turned up! We arrived at Veurne in Belgium (a trip of 250 miles in total) with about 40% battery. There was a bank of Ionity chargers about 2 miles from where we were staying and I charged there successfully 3 times using the Bonnet app. I had a slight issue on the last occasion, as the charger wouldn’t work and I had the dreaded HV battery cut off, but no need to disconnect the 12v battery as I left it for five mins and then all was back to normal, and the next charger along worked fine. On the way back (after charging to 85%) we made it to Fleet services on the M3 with 24% battery remaining- 150 miles or so from our starting point in Belgium. Successful charge on Gridserve there (again 85%) and arrived home (another 100 miles or so) with 49%. I was averaging 55/ 60 on the motorway as there was some slower traffic in places, and managed to return 4.3 m/kW on the return journey, which I was really pleased with as aircon was on and we were fully laden. Belgium was great for chargers as all public car parks seemed to have fast chargers, and rapid chargers also seemed to be quite frequently available. Hope this reassures any newer owners planning a longer trip!
Left home (near Wells, Somerset) with 100%. Stopped to charge at Cobham services on M25- 35% remaining on battery. Can’t recall exact distance- when I just looked it up it said 120 miles, but we had to take a detour as the M3 was closed between junctions 3 and 2. Successful charge with Ionity to 85%. Lucky we got there when we did, as all chargers were occupied and shortly after we arrived five other EVs turned up! We arrived at Veurne in Belgium (a trip of 250 miles in total) with about 40% battery. There was a bank of Ionity chargers about 2 miles from where we were staying and I charged there successfully 3 times using the Bonnet app. I had a slight issue on the last occasion, as the charger wouldn’t work and I had the dreaded HV battery cut off, but no need to disconnect the 12v battery as I left it for five mins and then all was back to normal, and the next charger along worked fine. On the way back (after charging to 85%) we made it to Fleet services on the M3 with 24% battery remaining- 150 miles or so from our starting point in Belgium. Successful charge on Gridserve there (again 85%) and arrived home (another 100 miles or so) with 49%. I was averaging 55/ 60 on the motorway as there was some slower traffic in places, and managed to return 4.3 m/kW on the return journey, which I was really pleased with as aircon was on and we were fully laden. Belgium was great for chargers as all public car parks seemed to have fast chargers, and rapid chargers also seemed to be quite frequently available. Hope this reassures any newer owners planning a longer trip!
