Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms EV beckons....

For me, I really like small format (foot print) EVs.

I've mentioned what an excellent vehicle I think the, now deceased, BMW i3S is (was). The only thing that, imho, let it down was range.

I find the Renault 5 / Alpine A290 equally appealing but again, range, and in the case of the Alpine, performance, let them down (for me - your mileage may vary - pun intended).

A small EV appeals because they are easy to park, ideal for city use, and given the right level of quality (BMW i3) a nice place to spend time.

The moment someone cracks the 400-mile (ish) range in a small format, I'd be happy to purchase one and it would suit me perfectly; not to replace an ICE vehicle but as a competent collaborator to one.

We were hoping to put of the inevitable till after Christmas as we have a few longer trips planned, but Bex had an email yesterday saying her car is ready........

So, bearing in mind that we're used to driving to any petrol station, stick an E10 hose in the car for a minute or so, and then paying by card at a kiosk we have a few questions!

We have a hybrid and have a Home Charger so that's OK, but we've only charged on the hoof once, using BP Pulse and it ended up costing more per mile than petrol so never bothered again.

a) What are the best apps to use to locate charging stations? Motorway and/or more urban settings.
b) How do you tell the difference between fast and slow chargers?
c) How do you pay for charge? Is there one app for all, or do we have to set up accounts on numerous different apps depending where we are (including Tesla)?
d) Are all the charge cables the same or do we need adaptors to use Tesla charger?

a) ZapMap or your car's built in charger map. Our Mini has an excellent map built into its routing facility. If you're going somewhere beyond battery range it offers you the choice to divert to a convenient charge point on the way.

6) The shape of the plugs. Level 2 chargers are round, DC fast chargers have an extra two pins below the round bit. In my experience the Fast DC chargers have tethered cables but the L2 chargers you use your own cable

c) Easiest way is to plug in, tap your bank card, start the charge. Then to stop you tap your card again and disconnect.

d) Yes I think so, but I've never tried to use a Tesla charger.

...if only it was that simple Tim!

In my experience, so many charge points have legacy systems in place - think VHS vs Beta-Max, when both were trying to win market share! Older chargers used to try to funnel you down a 'download our app' route, prior to allowing you to charge. It was (is) a right faff - download, sign up for an account, register your card details, then start charging. All fine if it worked - which it almost never does - and all fine if you can get reception to download - which again you often couldn't. IMHO, BP Pulse was one of the worst (app down more than up!).

Thankfully, most of these seem to be being phased out and replaced with the format Tim mentioned - tap and charge. However, be prepared for some systems that are still using the old method. Frustrating and the sooner the points get replaced, the better.

Adding to Tim's other answers: fast chargers, require a two section connection - the standard round head, as well as the pill shaped connection beneath it (generally they have a cover on the lower section). Fast chargers are rarer, other than on motorways, Tesla sites. For instance, your local supermarket will probably have all slow chargers and, perhaps, one fast.

Tesla are the same connector - again, early EVs tried the propriety route and soon realised that was a silly decision.

One last point, you will get a cable - just a cable, no charge feature - this is worth keeping in the vehicle. Every once in awhile, you'll find a charger were you need to use your own cable and this is what that is for. Again, these seem to be being phased out but still exist and may need to be used in a jam (councils still use them too, with their bollard charge points!). You should also get a 'three pin (wall plug) charger - worth using in a jam as you can charge from any mains socket, albeit VERY slowly.

Thanks both. The Polestar has a 'Frunk' which looks the perfect place for storing any cables!

Steady on old chap, we are British. Our cars have Froots!

Some car support plug & charge where you just plug in. Renault does.
I'd recommend testing out the charging at a local station to get to know the process.

To answer your questions:-
a) What are the best apps to use to locate charging stations? Motorway and/or more urban settings.I use electroverse as I have an Octopus account
b) How do you tell the difference between fast and slow chargers? The app or sat nav on my Renault tells you the charge rate. Here is what google shows for a local fastned station

CCS
· 300 kW
6/8

CHAdeMO
· 50 kW
2/3
c) How do you pay for charge? Is there one app for all, or do we have to set up accounts on numerous different apps depending where we are (including Tesla)? electroverse has an RFID card or you can use a credit card.
d) Are all the charge cables the same or do we need adaptors to use Tesla charger? No idea on Tesla I never used one.

As far as I know Tesla changed to european ccs standard in europe as we change to NACS (North American ...) over there...