Forum menu
The Electric Car Th...
 

The Electric Car Thread

 DrP
Posts: 12109
Free Member
 

Yeah - a lot of people on the Polestar forums are looking into 3d printing disks etc that clip into the rim (Tesla aero rims are normal rims with a clip in plastic disc).

TBH I quite like the stock wheels, and the tyres are fairly decent so at the moment, I'll pay my tax bill rather than pimp out the P-Wagon!!

DrP


 
Posted : 18/01/2024 12:53 pm
Posts: 2745
Free Member
 

But, you know, the yellow callipers look gauche so didn’t!

Also indicate the car has ceramic brakes...... have you seen the price of new disks for those !!


 
Posted : 18/01/2024 1:04 pm
Posts: 2745
Free Member
 

@sharkbait

while finding a 3yo Boxster for MrsSB is proving pretty difficult.

Have you looked on here ? Filter your requirements down to what you are looking for..

https://finder.porsche.com/gb/en-GB/search/718?model=718


 
Posted : 18/01/2024 1:11 pm
 Ewan
Posts: 4392
Free Member
 

Test drove an MG4 and an MGZS EV yesterday. MG4 drove better, but he ZS is more practical with kids I think. Seriously considering getting one - any opinions (other than it's ugly)? We'd get the long range one with the posher spec.


 
Posted : 18/01/2024 1:24 pm
Posts: 11605
Free Member
 

New report from Epri finds that general maintenance of electric vehicles is cheaper than ICE equivalent and where maintenance or repair is required the vehicle design is a major influence on cost.

Also comparisons between market segments not usually fair.

Who saw that coming?

Abstract
Recent news has indicated that Electric Vehicles (EVs) have much higher maintenance and repair costs than conventional vehicles. Analysis performed by EPRI indicates that although there have been some eye-popping repair bills for some EVs, these have generally been due to factors unrelated to powertrain type. The difference between routine maintenance and unexpected repairs of a vehicle becomes important to identify when analyzing costs that customers should expect. The intricate relationships among vehicle design, availability of repair components, and the overall expenses of EV ownership—versus those of a conventional gasoline vehicle—are summarized below. Three key insights offer a nuanced understanding of EV costs, including the distinction between maintenance and repair costs, the importance of comparing similar vehicle categories, and the effects of design and assembly decisions on maintenance expenses.

https://www.epri.com/research/products/000000003002028788

Some links within it to more detailed research.


 
Posted : 22/01/2024 7:40 pm
Posts: 91159
Free Member
 

Yes clearly the regular servicing should be far cheaper, I think most owners know this.


 
Posted : 22/01/2024 9:41 pm
Posts: 18590
Free Member
Topic starter
 

Zoé has just had its 4-year service, that brings the total cost of main dealer servicing to date to 660e. Most expensive single items so far have been changing the brake fluid and service battery. It's also had a couple of front Cross Climates at 120e each IIRC


 
Posted : 22/01/2024 10:03 pm
Posts: 11605
Free Member
 

Yes clearly the regular servicing should be far cheaper, I think most owners know this.

That wasn't the bit I was really focusing on. The takeaway here is the manufacturers that build their cars stupidly *cough*Tesla*cough* are the reason EV repairs are expensive. Not because they are EV's.


 
Posted : 23/01/2024 12:35 am
Posts: 10630
Full Member
 

Yup.  Tesla model 3 (all models) are group 48-50.  BMW I3, despite having a carbon fibre body…28.  


 
Posted : 23/01/2024 6:38 am
Posts: 8743
Full Member
 

anyone with a polestar had CC2s fitted?

I was going to (as had used CC's on previous cars since they first became available) but after reading reviews of the current version I decided not to bother. It seems they've improved the snow & ice performance but to the detriment of wet performance + added noise. Being in the SW it's a once a year thing that I'm driving on snow or ice so I just ended up going with a summer tire (that's good in the wet), I think Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6's but not 100%...


 
Posted : 23/01/2024 8:41 am
Posts: 1316
Full Member
 

I’ve got CrossClimate2 on a Golf. It’s like putting Magic Mary Ultra Softs on there but with 30tpi casing. Grip is very good in the wet and snow (what little we’ve had) but noisier than I’d want but…

…they  handle horribly and feel like they feel like they have no sidewall support at all if you’re driving at all with any purpose. I imagine they’d squirm all over on a heavy EV. <br /><br />

I wish I’d bought Pilot Alpin 5, and will try them next


 
Posted : 23/01/2024 8:50 am
Posts: 91159
Free Member
 

I have just seen that used Mercedes EQCs are fairly competitively priced, and they have a great towing capacity.  But the efficiency looks awful - the WTLP range of 255 divided by the usable battery of 80kWh suggests at best 3.1 m/kWh.

Anyone got any experiences with these?


 
Posted : 23/01/2024 9:29 am
Posts: 4613
Free Member
 

Anyone got any experiences with these?

yes, I bought one a couple of months ago ,primarily because I thought they were priced well- my first EV

They're not the most efficient of electric cars thats for sure, but its a 2.5 ton fast 4wd SUV so never going to get anywhere near the efficiency of a city car.

That said, I've seen a high of 3.5 miles per kwh on a 7 mile town based (ie no motorway/dual carriagway) journey, lows of 1.5 miles per kwh on really short school runs on a cold day, ie less than 2 miles trip . The best I saw on a motorway trip was 2.8miles per kwh over 80 miles , more typically its 2.4miles per kwh at between 70 and 80mph. The efficiency figures on EVDB are about right i would say. My experiences are all based on the car over the last 2 months, so a relatively cold time of year- i Guess efficiency will improve as we go into summer.

I figured I dont really care about efficiency with the milesage we would do (maybe 8000 per year), if it were twice as efficient it would save me 15 quid per month, hardly the end of the world, I care more about the range, which is good enough for most of our use, I also care about it being a nice place to sit, quiet ,comfy, lots of nice gadgets etc, fast, and big enough, and initial purchase price. So all these factors trumped efficiency.

Negative aspects? The brakes whilst feeling fine under normal use, feel wooden when you really want to stop fast, not sure if thats just a common feeling with blended braking systems, or because its a heavy car. Aside from that I cant think of any other significant downsides, its a really refined drive , so quiet.


 
Posted : 23/01/2024 9:42 am
Posts: 8095
Free Member
 

I've got the CrossClimate 2 on my Model 3. Not really noticed any loss in range and wet weather performance is excellent - I'd say that even with 4mm of tread they are better in cold/wet conditions than the new Pilot Sport 4 that they replaced.

Seem to be nicely sticky on a dry road too. Can't comment on spirited driving performance, going fast on a twisty road makes me feel sick so I don't do it.

Considering they're soft tyres they've really lasted well, with 4-5mm all round left after 35,000 miles. If you're finding them squirmy (I don't) perhaps try bumping the pressure up? They're at 44 psi on the Tesla.


 
Posted : 23/01/2024 10:03 am
 wbo
Posts: 1765
Free Member
 

I've never heard that said about cross climates before, and it's certainly not been my experience although I've mainly used them as a summer tyre , and have winters on now.

(Why as a summer tyre- mountains can be nasty in the summer - wet, dirt roads etc)


 
Posted : 23/01/2024 10:21 am
Posts: 91159
Free Member
 

Looks like other smaller posh SUVs can also tow and aren't as bad on efficiency. Q4 e-Tron and the EQA - and are similar levels of affordability to other things I was looking at.  Not that I'm buying for a few years mind.


 
Posted : 23/01/2024 10:48 am
Posts: 9577
Full Member
 

Got CC2's on my wife's ICE Qashqai - great tyres. Quieter than the Conti's fitted, and just grippy in crappy conditions, cold/wet. Perform well on snow.

DrP, you'll have to keep us updated on how the Polestar is. Seem to be a quality EV, and for that money it's fab. Looking at a car change next year, most likely a van sized people carrier in dirty diesel flavour, but if I can get a top spec EV much cheaper and significantly newer....


 
Posted : 23/01/2024 10:57 am
Posts: 4613
Free Member
 

I think if towing is your aim then an EV is probably not the best choice, I'd imagine it will kill the range and make it more of a pain than needs to be. Suspect that diesel is still king for towing.


 
Posted : 23/01/2024 10:58 am
 DrP
Posts: 12109
Free Member
 

I've had CCs on all my cars - thin sidewall, to 55 profiles...never squirmy..

I'm undecided whether banging new tyres on teh Polestar is just a pointless extavagance at present, seeing as there's plenty of treat left on teh current tyres. Also, the current ones I THINK are michenin all season thingies, so not some naff ditchfinders.. Think i'll wait till tyres need replacing TBH.<br />Being AWD the car doesn't spin with sprightly acceleration, and grip seems good enough..

Haivng had the car for less than 24 hours I'd already popped the centre console out and done a nice 'brushed metal wrap' rather than the (slightly scratched) piano black..

PXL_20240118_180630925

PXL_20240118_181000732

A much better effort than I acheived trying to wrap the wing mirrors on my stepdaughter's beetle!!

DrP


 
Posted : 23/01/2024 10:58 am
Posts: 91159
Free Member
 

I think if towing is your aim then an EV is probably not the best choice, I’d imagine it will kill the range and make it more of a pain than needs to be.

Yes I'm well aware of the issues.  Range would be about half, or slightly more, but the biggest problem would be charging as you'd have to un-hitch.

But if I only tow twice a year, I would like to drive electric the rest of the time and put up with the disadvantages.  I'm not going to keep a range of cars for every eventuality and leave them sitting in the garage the rest of the time. I mean, they're not MTBs.


 
Posted : 23/01/2024 11:08 am
Posts: 8743
Full Member
 

Haivng had the car for less than 24 hours I’d already popped the centre console out and done a nice ‘brushed metal wrap’ rather than the (slightly scratched) piano black

Nice, the previous owner of mine had carbon-weave effect wrapped it but did a naff job, that said I know I'd end up breaking something by trying to redo it so have left it alone. Did yours come with the standard cheap looking black plastic key fob? That was the only thing I've changed on mine (besides the tires as they were on the wear limit), the replacement generic Chinese fob covers are a bit of a rip off though (£50-60...)


 
Posted : 23/01/2024 11:46 am
 DrP
Posts: 12109
Free Member
 

@fuzzywuzzy .  you mean the ugle key brick!

yeah...how do you change the key fob then?

DrP


 
Posted : 23/01/2024 11:50 am
Posts: 1130
Free Member
 

I need to do the console as well. Wish it was black ash like the rest of the trim. Did you get one of the precut bits of wrap, or diy from a sheet?

Key fob is easy, press the button on the top where the hole for the key ring is, then one side slides off. Once that’s off, there another little catch inside that releases the other side.

I put this on mine which is far smarter… the “Silver A” version.

Polestar 2 Key Cover Car Key Case Shell


 
Posted : 23/01/2024 2:06 pm
 DrP
Posts: 12109
Free Member
 

@bensales
I did it myself... just got some vinyl from Amazon.. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01B8EMR0M?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

There's plenty of youtube videos on how to pop the console out. My tip is that the 'lip' under it is quite thin (as the LED lights are under it oo) so you kinda just need to pull up on the edges of the console, and not 'really get your fingers under it'..
<br />Wrapping it well...well that's just a game of patience. I used a hairdryer to stretch and shrink the wrap. But all the flat bits jsut stick down - stretching and shrinking is just at the edges.
DrP

EDIT - have just ordered a few key covers too! Cheers for that!


 
Posted : 23/01/2024 2:49 pm
Posts: 1130
Free Member
 

Nice one, thanks.


 
Posted : 23/01/2024 4:25 pm
Posts: 1244
Free Member
 

Can someone sense-check my thoughts on the below, please?

I run a company car - a diesel left over from when anything electric was barred. It's due to be replaced and I can have a Polestar 2 - yum. All electricity included. I currently have a fuel card and pay back personal miles to avoid the tax hit.

I do many miles and I can think of occasions when an ICE car would be more practical. (I'm thinking of a trip last summer back to the NW from Twickenham in a mates Tesla and had to wait in the services for 3 hours for enough power to get home)

If I was to undertake these trips in my wife's car, at my own cost, surely I can state these as unreimbursed journeys and claim 45p/mile on my self assessment? ie 3000 miles at 45p £1350 off my tax bill.

Am I wrong?


 
Posted : 24/01/2024 10:43 am
Posts: 8095
Free Member
 

(I’m thinking of a trip last summer back to the NW from Twickenham in a mates Tesla and had to wait in the services for 3 hours for enough power to get home)

That doesn't make sense? Did he ignore the built-in navigation suggestions for charging?


 
Posted : 24/01/2024 10:52 am
Posts: 17313
Free Member
 

I run a company car – a diesel left over from when anything electric was barred. It’s due to be replaced and I can have a Polestar 2 – yum. All electricity included. I currently have a fuel card and pay back personal miles to avoid the tax hit.

You’re going to save so much money on tax that you won’t give a shit about the occasional wait for a charger.
I had a diesel Audi A4 for 35 days over Christmas 2022. Tax bill for that month (and a bit) was £530. The tax bill for my GV60 for the entirety of this tax year is about £450.


 
Posted : 24/01/2024 11:17 am
Posts: 10630
Full Member
 

How's the GV60?


 
Posted : 24/01/2024 11:20 am
Posts: 17313
Free Member
 

It is an utterly fabulous thing. I chose it very carefully out of loads of options and it’s the best car I’ve ever had.
It’s supremely comfortable, reasonably efficient and charges like a demon.

It’s not perfect though. No rear wiper, the boot isn’t really big enough, appalling visibility out the back window and the turning circle of an oil tanker.
Much prefer it to the other options in our car park though which are mostly Q4’s, EQAs and Polestars.

I get asked about all the time it by strangers and small boys stare, slack jawed as I pass.

“Is that a Bentley /Aston Martin?”
“Naw mate… It’s a Hyundai innit.”


 
Posted : 24/01/2024 11:27 am
Posts: 1244
Free Member
 

That doesn’t make sense? Did he ignore the built-in navigation suggestions for charging?

There were charger 'issues' and a lot of demand. Apparently. I was too busy being smug about my refuelling times and trying to amuse some teenage rugby fans.

...a diesel Audi A4 for 35 days over Christmas 2022. Tax bill for that month...

Looking at Listentotaxman I'd save about £500 month having a regular tax code. Plus another £100 for reimbursing private fuel. I could comfortably run another car on that budget, but that would defeat the object. Hopefully it'll all be easy and petrol will be a thing of the past.

Anyone a tax expert?


 
Posted : 24/01/2024 11:35 am
Posts: 91159
Free Member
 

I’m thinking of a trip last summer back to the NW from Twickenham in a mates Tesla and had to wait in the services for 3 hours for enough power to get home

Rookie mistake.  Don't run it down to zero, and you'll have enough juice to get off the motorway and look somewhere else - or go to the next services.  Don't just stop at the next services and park and wait.

Also don't just use Tesla chargers, you can use any of them. Sure it might take a bit longer, but it beats a 3hr wait.

Lastly, new chargers are coming up on or just off the motorway network very quickly.  This time last year on the M4 there were maybe four at each services - now there are 12 or more.  Chievely just opened 12 new ones I think.

EDIT there are 15 CCS chargers at Chievely and 7 at Leigh Delamere Westbound. Another load at Membury are being built, so that's going to be 30-odd chargers in a 60 mile stretch of motorway that I'm familiar with.  That's not including the Tesla ones which are a similar number. It's going to be fine.


 
Posted : 24/01/2024 12:17 pm
Posts: 696
Full Member
 

We deliberated for a while over what to get and we’ve just gone for the Tesla M3 Performance. Paid a bit extra to get a Tesla approved used car and I’m very glad we did; pretty much like a new car with a brand new set of PS4S tyres too. It really is a cracking car, very nice to drive. 🙂

I had no plans to carry bikes on it, but I’m a little tempted to get a Seasucker (using the advice to stick the rear wheel attachment on the boot instead of the glass) to hopefully avoid any glass issues…

IMG_0419


 
Posted : 31/01/2024 1:41 pm
Posts: 11602
Full Member
 

I took out a MG4 EV XPower today for a decent 30 mile drive, nice car and bloody quick off the mark with really impressive handling and road manners, brakes are just as impressive as acceleration, coped with Galloway roads very well but the driving position totally ruled it out for someone like myself with spms, had to get pulled out by a mate and it took 10 mins before I could stand. So I ended up buying what I came to have a look at which was the MG HS Trophy DCT. I sat in it whilst in the showroom, adjusted the electric seat to a position that felt comfortable and that was the sum total of my test drive, ordered one in Urban Grey using the motability scheme with no downpayment (only reason I bought it), should be ready in a fortnight and I can hand back my current motability vehicle which is a VW Tiguan 2.0 DCT which has been faultless for the previous 5 years.

Wanted the MG4 XPower, left with something as exciting as a fridge. 😉


 
Posted : 31/01/2024 1:50 pm
Posts: 1130
Free Member
 

Massive tie up between MFG and Morrisons announced. I’ve been impressed whenever I’ve used MFG charging sites, so this should be good.

MFG and Morrisons announce forecourts partnership and EV expansion


 
Posted : 31/01/2024 3:13 pm
Posts: 5141
Full Member
 

I’ve been impressed whenever I’ve used MFG charging sites

Me too, although I've only used the one off J27 on the M6


 
Posted : 31/01/2024 3:26 pm
tim2106 and tim2106 reacted
Posts: 2434
Free Member
 

Newbie question…..my EV is on order, should be here in July hopefully.

Is motorway electric charging reasonably priced? I’ll be making 1 long journey t that at the moment I do with a single stop on the motorway. I don’t need to put fuel in so avoid motorway costs, but with the EV I’m going to need to top up on the way down and do a proper full charge on the way back up.

Total will be about 500 miles that would cost me approx £80 in petrol (at supermarket price).

I don’t mind the stopping as I would normally stop at the same services (M6 toll). I’d normally stop and have a coffee there anyway so happy enough with that.


 
Posted : 31/01/2024 3:33 pm
Posts: 142
Full Member
 

Pricing varies a lot, from not-too-bad to how-much???!!! Zapmap will show you.


 
Posted : 31/01/2024 3:39 pm
Posts: 17313
Free Member
 

Also, you want to be fully charging at either end of a journey like that at cheaper, slower chargers and only topping up as much as is needed  on each leg to complete your journey on the motorway to save you time and money.
It’s a slightly different mindset than an ICE car. If the car is sitting idle, then that’s when it should be charging, not while you’re travelling unless absolutely necessary.


 
Posted : 31/01/2024 3:58 pm
Posts: 5141
Full Member
 

Is motorway electric charging reasonably priced?

If you just rock up and pay the charger price then no - 80 p/kw compared to 10 p on Octopus Go from your home charger.

If, however, you get a subscription with you car e.g. Audi or you buy s subscription, then you can get reduced rates from places like Ionity. I think the top Audi sub is £20 per month which would pay for itself with 1 decent charge (30 ish vs 80 ish p /Kw).
As with all things EV a little planning and preparation can save cash/pain/getting recovered on a trailer after running out of juice on the M61.

Edit - Ionity Passport is £5.49 per month and reduces the charge from 74 p to 56 p/kWh

https://ionity.eu/en/network/access-and-payment

I'm sure other subscriptions are available.


 
Posted : 31/01/2024 4:24 pm
Posts: 91159
Free Member
 

Is motorway electric charging reasonably priced?

No, but it's not necessarily cheaper elsewhere.  You may well pay less for slower chargers.  I don't pay attention much because I rarely do long trips in mine, but the older Gridserve chargers that only do 50kW are usually cheaper in my experience and it doesn't affect me because my pov old tech EV only charges at that speed at best anyway.  There are cheaper chargers around, and if you do a regular trip it would be worth a few quid to find them.

It looks like chargers at other premises might be cheaper - lots of Lidls around at 65p rather than the 80p ish at motorway services - guessing they are subsidising the cost a bit.


 
Posted : 31/01/2024 4:25 pm
Posts: 1130
Free Member
 

Maybe it’s just me (considerably richer than ewe), but I don’t consider 80p/kWh to be too bad. Not when the price-capped home charging is 28p/kWh, business electric rates being higher, and you’re paying for the convenience of ultra rapid charging and the pleasure of paying VAT. Plus a bit of profit as ultra rapid chargers ain’t cheap to install.


 
Posted : 31/01/2024 6:21 pm
Posts: 91159
Free Member
 

Maybe it’s just me (considerably richer than ewe), but I don’t consider 80p/kWh to be too bad

Well it's annoying, but like I say I'm not bothered because I don't do a lot of long trips. It makes my EV about the same price as diesel though.


 
Posted : 31/01/2024 6:36 pm
 DrP
Posts: 12109
Free Member
 

I'm heading off to the Netherlands in a few weeks, in the polestar..

Hopefully the EU charging setup is reasonable!

Oh... I may also have paid for the OTA performance upgrade... But it tak s "1-2 weeks to be sent.." FFS.... They gonna post a few bits of data per day!

DrP


 
Posted : 31/01/2024 6:37 pm
Posts: 2780
Full Member
 

you'll soon figure out your prefered charging away from home options.
i'm quite happy to pay for fast and available charger, yet to try Tesla when away from home.
Usually manage to get to where we are going with either no charge or a quick top up and then sort out a full charge somewhere at the destination.

A regular is Manchester into the wilds of Northunberland, quite happy to do that without charging.


 
Posted : 31/01/2024 7:04 pm
Posts: 2214
Full Member
 

Any suggestions as to the best networks to use/sign up to when visiting Scotland (from Ireland). Looking at Zapmap etc it looks like chargeplace Scotland ticks the boxes, any reason this would not be my best bet? Just want to set up apps/payment options before going over.


 
Posted : 31/01/2024 10:29 pm
Posts: 1130
Free Member
 

Best tip with Chargeplace Scotland is to pre-order the RFID tag.

https://chargeplacescotland.org/request-card/

The CPS machines don’t usually take contactless (although very new units do), and connectivity for app access is sketchy at best.

If you’re near civilisation, then Ionity and Tesla are worth using.


 
Posted : 01/02/2024 8:27 am
andy4d and andy4d reacted
Posts: 8859
Free Member
 

On the subject of Chargeplace Scotland, it used to be operated by Chargeyourcar and people south of the boarder got CYC accounts. Does anyone know if the old Chargeyourcar card / account still works on the CPS network. Or do you need to open a new account with CPS?. Can't find any info on either website.


 
Posted : 01/02/2024 10:24 am
Posts: 5141
Full Member
 

Maybe it’s just me (considerably richer than ewe), but I don’t consider 80p/kWh to be too bad.

I don't think it's too bad either, but you have to compare it against how much it costs to charge at home and possibly, how much you used to pay in your ICE car.

The Charge Place Scotland charger network is maintained by local councils although Swarco manage the payments. Some councils are better than others at managing the maintenance and repairs of the hardware.

https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/perth-kinross/4550713/dunkeld-ev-chargers-three-years-still-not-working/

The Dunkeld chargers still hadn't been commissioned when I was there in mid Jan.


 
Posted : 01/02/2024 10:32 am
Posts: 1872
Full Member
 

@andy4d

If you are visiting Scotland often then the physical CPS card is a must have. It’s a one off £10 fee though but I think well worth having.  Both mobile signals and charger cover can be patchy out in the wild though, so you could be caught out when you need it most if the app doesn’t work. Never seen an ultra fast on the network either. Loads of the chargers are old 7kw chargers attached to public buildings. App good for searching though and can be filtered to find fastest options.

A couple of Tesla for all but the Aviemore one is old and only put out 50kw not 150. IONITY brilliant but few and far between. Only petrol station one I have ever used took contactless.


 
Posted : 01/02/2024 10:59 am
Posts: 8469
Full Member
 

Any new high speed chargers have to accept contactless. If you are with Octopus, sign up for Electroverse and get a discount on IONITY and many others too.


 
Posted : 01/02/2024 11:57 am
Posts: 8469
Full Member
 

I’d say motorway charging costs slightly more than Diesel. Prices rose fast when wholesale electricity want up, and haven’t dropped with it, funny old thing. When it was reasonable I would top up for peace of mind, now I avoid at all costs. See if you can charge at your destination, even if it’s a 3 pin plug.


 
Posted : 01/02/2024 12:03 pm
Posts: 2214
Full Member
 

Thanks. I have ordered the RFID card to go to my mums (they will not post it abroad). Charging options seem limited where she lives, one 50kwh in next village a couple of miles away and an AC charger in her village. After that it’s a 25mile round trip to the nearest Gridserve fast charger. Guess I will be looking for places to top up when out and about.


 
Posted : 01/02/2024 12:22 pm
Posts: 17439
Full Member
 

I'm in Glasgow area and have the ChargePlace Scotland RFID card - got it when I got an EV in July.  I haven't used it, nor the BMW one yet.  In fact I have only used public charging when on hols in Northumberland, where I used the Tesla ones on the A1, which needed the 'Tesla charging for non Tesla' app, and worked a treat. 35% to 80% in about 20 mins and cost around £16 I recall.


 
Posted : 01/02/2024 12:46 pm
Posts: 8743
Full Member
 

Oh… I may also have paid for the OTA performance upgrade… But it tak s “1-2 weeks to be sent..” FFS…. They gonna post a few bits of data per day!

I keep debating whether to get it, from what I read most people that do it really rate it but it seems to only kick in over 40mph and you need a high battery charge (not sure how high). So for my driving/use it's hard to justify the £1k


 
Posted : 01/02/2024 1:03 pm
Posts: 91159
Free Member
 

connectivity for app access is sketchy at best

The only time I needed an app to charge (Dragon Charging at Amroth in West Wales) there was no mobile signal.  This really annoyed me until I discovered that the car park had its own WiFi hotspot, presumably for this reason as well as allowing people to pay for parking by app.  It only worked at the one end where the pay machine and the charger were though.


 
Posted : 01/02/2024 2:08 pm
 DrP
Posts: 12109
Free Member
 

@fuzzywuzzy

"Between 40-70% SOC the power boost will be slightly lower. This is to protect battery integrity.
Below 40% the power boost is not available and the standard vehicle power and torque outputs apply. This is to protect battery integrity and due to system limitations."

I completely appreciate it's expensive (and probably not worth it!), but.... hey ho!! Moar Pawah baybeh!

DrP

Edit - also for those with a polestar 2... whilst the OEM mudflaps are £150 (and OEM pencils are £41... and a Hoodie is £210!), go to EV Floormats.co.uk, and the mudflaps are only £14.99 and look ace!!

PXL_20240129_123108159

PXL_20240129_123105691


 
Posted : 01/02/2024 2:36 pm
 DrJ
Posts: 13939
Full Member
 

I’m heading off to the Netherlands in a few weeks, in the polestar..

Interested to hear how you get on, as I am contemplating a trip to southern Sweden in autumn. Are you going by ferry or tunnel?


 
Posted : 01/02/2024 2:39 pm
 DrP
Posts: 12109
Free Member
 

tunnel...

it seems there's free chargers at either end, plus payable (tesla, open to all) too.

My plan is to leave home (Hove) and charge (likely fast but payable) at the dover end of the chunnel.

Charge once again en route (300 ish KM), then charge at the destination (eftelling theme park. they have EV chargers in the residential car parks, and LOADS in teh theme park too).

Will see how the polestart fairs...

DrP


 
Posted : 01/02/2024 2:57 pm
Posts: 1130
Free Member
 

Edit – also for those with a polestar 2… whilst the OEM mudflaps are £150 (and OEM pencils are £41… and a Hoodie is £210!), go to EV Floormats.co.uk, and the mudflaps are only £14.99 and look ace!!

I got those, they’re great. Their floor mats on the other hand are shit. They went straight in the bin. The proper Polestar winter mats are the bee’s.


 
Posted : 01/02/2024 3:20 pm
Posts: 1031
Free Member
 

I’m ok with 80p per kw/hr, but primarily becuase I rarely use it. If I had to do so weekly and wasn’t getting reimbursed, it would stick in my throat. But once every 5-6 weeks is ok by me. And that said, for 80kw/hr bing able to charge the car at 350kw/hr means it genuinely takes me less than time than a wazz and get a takeout brew than it does to charge. 10 to 90% in 11 minutes… yes please. If we were having a longer stop  (ie lunch and kids) I’d consider taking the slower chargers. But mostly… no. As others have said, brim it at home for long journeys and charge just enough to get you home (+\- your own comfort factor!) 


 
Posted : 01/02/2024 5:10 pm
Posts: 17313
Free Member
 

350kw/hr means it genuinely takes me less than time than a wazz and get a takeout brew than it does to charge. 10 to 90% in 11 minutes… yes please

WTF are you driving that charges at that speed?


 
Posted : 01/02/2024 5:22 pm
Posts: 2020
Free Member
 

10 to 90% in 11 minutes

What car is that ?!?
Is this a hypothetical calculation - real world cars can only achieve high charge rates for relatively short periods


 
Posted : 01/02/2024 6:22 pm
Posts: 5141
Full Member
 

Taycan?


 
Posted : 01/02/2024 7:15 pm
Posts: 2020
Free Member
 

No, even Taycans can't do 350kW continuously. Nothing can yet.

I think that Percy has a Genesis ? So I think this is a hypothetical not an actual


 
Posted : 01/02/2024 7:32 pm
Posts: 17313
Free Member
 

I’m guessing it’s an e-GMP platform car so an Ioniq5 or 6, Ev6 or GV60?
They’ve probably got one the fastest charging curves of any EV currently but max charging speed is 238kW and 10-80% is quoted at 18 mins in ideal conditions.
Still a fair bit shy of those numbers though.

Fastest I’ve managed was 223 kw and about 20 mins 10-80% and I was shiting myself because the car was practically throbbing underneath me it was sucking up electrons so quickly.


 
Posted : 01/02/2024 7:36 pm
 DrP
Posts: 12109
Free Member
 

@bensales

Good to know about the floor mats!

I got a set from carmats.co.uk for my leaf.. They're amazing. They do varying levels too...

The pornstar came with mats so no need there!

Also..still no software update yet...

DrP


 
Posted : 01/02/2024 9:13 pm
Posts: 2780
Full Member
 

Those are crazy numbers perchy. I find it pretty impressive/scary on the odd occasion my niro manages it max 70kw charge rate so 200+ would be terrifying 😀


 
Posted : 01/02/2024 9:26 pm
Posts: 2081
Full Member
 

Anyone on here an MG5 owner? I'm considering a facelifted version. I have been looking at the MG ev forums and they get good reviews but seem to have some minor issues (software/Tesla charging and door opening from inside 🤔). Probably all solvable in the long run.

Other cars in looking at is the facelift Niro (probably too expensive), maybe a Skoda enyaq or an Mg Zs long range.

I've narrowed the options down to cars which have roof rails (75kg), near 60kwh and above battery, vehicle to load capability (not sure the enyaq had that though) and room inside the car with the rear seats down to take a 1.8m bit of wood.

Other option is to get my Roomster mot'd and carry on with it for the time being.

Any other options that might fit these requirements?


 
Posted : 02/02/2024 7:38 am
 bol
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Worth checking the MG5 roof rails will carry that much.  The first generation’s rails were purely for aesthetics, which was ironic given the way the rest of the car looked


 
Posted : 02/02/2024 7:46 am
Posts: 1130
Free Member
 

The pornstar came with mats so no need there!

Carpet though?

I always put rubber ones in my cars. Rufty-tufty mountain biker an all that.


 
Posted : 02/02/2024 8:08 am
Posts: 2020
Free Member
 

@mrchrispy - my i4 regularly hits 205kW for a short time. It’s in no way scary - the only way you can tell is that the dashboard & charger displays show a high kW number and the stage of charge number increases quickly.

That only lasts until about 20% though and then it tapers down until it’s 50kW at 90%

that looks restrictive but in the real world I usually only ever fast charge to “get back home”  hence am adding a little bit of charge around the 10-50% region so the slower charging around the top end of the battery isn’t noticed.

IMG_2943


 
Posted : 02/02/2024 8:21 am
Posts: 5141
Full Member
 

I do love the fact that there is a Fastned charging station in Hamilton.


 
Posted : 02/02/2024 8:53 am
clubby and clubby reacted
Posts: 2081
Full Member
 

Worth checking the MG5 roof rails will carry that much. The first generation’s rails were purely for aesthetics, which was ironic given the way the rest of the car looked

I had read that the original mg5 had untested roof rails. The face lifted mg5 (trophy at least) can carry 75kg which is ok my minimal use.


 
Posted : 02/02/2024 8:53 am
Posts: 17313
Free Member
 

Compare the GV60’s charging curve where it’ll stay over 200 kw for over 50% of the batteries range.  It sometimes makes noises when it’s charging full pelt. A little disconcerting the first time but apparently perfectly normal.


 
Posted : 02/02/2024 8:53 am
Posts: 2081
Full Member
 

Probably active battery cooling fans making the noise?


 
Posted : 02/02/2024 8:55 am
Posts: 91159
Free Member
 

Yes, I think it is actually liquid cooled which would have fans along with pumps and valves and whatnot and I think the aircon compressor is used as well.


 
Posted : 02/02/2024 8:56 am
Posts: 17313
Free Member
 

A bit of that and some thermal expansion of the battery casing. It’s like the occasional ticking a radiator makes when it’s heating up combined with a barely perceptible hum


 
Posted : 02/02/2024 8:58 am
Posts: 2020
Free Member
 

That GV6 charging curve is impressive!

The ETron I used to have was flat at its max 150kW all the way to 80% and it's definitely a good feature.


 
Posted : 02/02/2024 9:01 am
Posts: 91159
Free Member
 

Turns out the Q4 is only rated to tow 1200kg as well, which is a bit borderline for me.  So the Ioniq 5 is probably still the front runner, and that charging curve is certainly another plus.  That said, the Q4 is a lovely car.


 
Posted : 02/02/2024 9:19 am
Page 68 / 131