Another long tow with an EV

ChocolateTrees replied on 23/07/2022 21:19

Posted on 23/07/2022 21:19

Great journey yesterday from South Northamptonshire to the Lake District, towing our 1550kg Unicorn Vigo, with our Polestar 2 LRDM. It’s our 7th or 8th holiday towing with the Polestar so are getting the hang of it.
Two stops, the first after 110 miles in Crew at an Instavolt. Insta was on a go slow at only 80kW max (49 mins)
Second stop 85 miles later at the South lakes Porsche experience center. Great 350kW charger peaked at 136kW for me (battery at 26%). Stopped for just 25mins. Then on to Borrowdale. The whole journey used 146kWh over 260 miles giving a potential range of 132 miles on a single charge. The first leg was even better (much flatter) with a potential range or 140miles towing.
In all just 75 mins of charging on a 7:25 min journey, but we had some long delays on the M6 (around 50 mins). Car was superb…
Total electricity cost, about £61, with about 40 solo miles left over at the end.

We did the same journey last October. I have learned 4 key things since then.
1) ultra-rapid chargers make a huge difference. I would love an EV6 as a tow car for that reason (though I am not sure I would give up the Polestar just for that).
2) there are a LOT more ultra-rapid chargers than just 8 months ago.
3) Gridserve MSA that replaced the Electric Highway chargers are NOT ultra-rapid, even though they are advertised as 120kW.
4) Plan to use as much of your charge as possible each time to maximise charge rate and minimise charge time. As the number of Ultra-rapid chargers grows, this gets easier.

The infrastructure is definitely not as bad either the press make out or people think it is, but it still has a long way to go!

Gabbleduck replied on 24/08/2022 21:27

Posted on 16/08/2022 12:25 by Tinwheeler

Really? As I said to someone else how can you know about "most" to allow you to think that?

Posted on 24/08/2022 21:27

Funny really, I think it’s one of those things that non-EV owners think concerns EV owners, but my limited experience suggests otherwise. All the EV owners i’ve spoken to are very happy with the charging situation. It certainly didn’t concern me when I ordered the car, and I did plenty of research beforehand.

I suspect the cost of leccy is more likely to be the biggest concern, especially for those who use public rapid chargers a lot.

Gabbleduck replied on 24/08/2022 21:41

Posted on 11/08/2022 19:01 by EmilysDad

you need a petrol mower .... 😉😉

Posted on 24/08/2022 21:41

Haha, I’d love one! I have a petrol brushcutter that I use to battle the woodland at the bottom of the rear garden. Once the new car arrives, I’m expecting to be the target of various comments from other drivers when I pull up next to a petrol pump (to fill my jerry cans!)

Tinwheeler replied on 25/08/2022 18:36

Posted on 25/08/2022 18:25 by Fastnet

Our van is 1,800kg.  Which EV tow car would the forum recommend? 

Posted on 25/08/2022 18:36

What’s on your shortlist, FS?

EmilysDad replied on 25/08/2022 18:37

Posted on 25/08/2022 18:25 by Fastnet

Our van is 1,800kg.  Which EV tow car would the forum recommend? 

Posted on 25/08/2022 18:37

Tesla Model X is probably your best (& only?) bet ..... Do you have a spare £100k? 🙄

JVB66 replied on 02/09/2022 17:39

Posted on 02/09/2022 17:39

We went shopping today and there were two DPD electric large Ford transits on the car park charge points no drivers around and both chargers not runningundecided there was another in the carpark on two parking bayssurprised

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