[paulockenden]

It might be a shock to some people but there are now more public charging points in the UK than petrol stations. I guess they aren’t as obvious because they are often tucked away in side streets or in the corners of car parks.

[Rhino at Work]

Originally Posted by paulockenden

It might be a shock to some people but there are now more public charging points in the UK than petrol stations. I guess they aren’t as obvious because they are often tucked away in side streets or in the corners of car parks.

Some back of the *** packet maths based on a quick bit of googling - happy to be shot down if wrong.

There's about 8,300 petrol stations in the UK so being conservative (i.e. 4 per station) that's at least 33,000 pumps.

There are about 70,000 EV charge points. BUT...

EV charge points are probably at least 10 times slower to use for a fill up so one way to look at it is you'd need there to be at least 330,000 chargers to match the petrol station network.

Whichever way you look at it, for me the charging infrastructure is not good enough yet.

EDIT - Gotta laugh at the system changing f/a/g to ***

[paulockenden]

I think the point with EVs is that most people (who can) charge at home, overnight, using cheap leccy. So visits to a public charging point are rare. It’s a completely different mindset.

I bet ICE drivers wish they could wake up every morning with their tank magically filled while they’ve been sleeping. And at a fraction of the cost of visiting a fuel station.

[Kastrupkaps]

Hi
Driving ix1 for a while. Noticed that inner portion of rear lights do not glow. When I asked the dealer, they say that they will only glow if you ordered adaptive headlights. It was very hard to believe that bmw will force people to buy adaptive headlights otherwise they will keep the rear lights partially illuminated.
Those who are ordering a new car, make sure you know this beforehand

[paulockenden]

Originally Posted by Kastrupkaps

Hi
Driving ix1 for a while. Noticed that inner portion of rear lights do not glow. When I asked the dealer, they say that they will only glow if you ordered adaptive headlights. It was very hard to believe that bmw will force people to buy adaptive headlights otherwise they will keep the rear lights partially illuminated.
Those who are ordering a new car, make sure you know this beforehand

You can see it in the configurator. If you spin the car round so that you can see the rear the lights change depending on the options selected.

[boristhebold]

Originally Posted by Rhino at Work

Some back of the *** packet maths based on a quick bit of googling - happy to be shot down if wrong.

There's about 8,300 petrol stations in the UK so being conservative (i.e. 4 per station) that's at least 33,000 pumps.

There are about 70,000 EV charge points. BUT...

EV charge points are probably at least 10 times slower to use for a fill up so one way to look at it is you'd need there to be at least 330,000 chargers to match the petrol station network.

Whichever way you look at it, for me the charging infrastructure is not good enough yet.

EDIT - Gotta laugh at the system changing f/a/g to ***

Yes there are probably more EV points than petrol pumps but a visit to a pump takes a few minutes at most, but to an EV point the stay is considerably longer so comparison of numbers of each is not that significant its the time spent at them as more cars can use petrol pumps than EV points over an hour for example.

What is needed is a four or fivefold increase in the number of EV points and until that happens I would say people will still have some range anxiety especially on a dark winters day/night.

[paulockenden]

Looks like my iX1 is going to be delivered in January (I was expecting March).

Better sell my G21 330e then! Might try Carwow.

[Carl99]

Why is this thread in the 3/4 Series section?

[SilverGrey]

Originally Posted by Carl99

Why is this thread in the 3/4 Series section?

I had a G20 and was considering an iX1. I simply wondered if anyone had any experience especially as this is the UK based forum and how knowledgeable people are.

[Nham68]

anecdotal , at the M1 services Donnington on the Sunday before Xmas, a queue for the fast chargers. If your round trip is within range, EV make good sense. A lot of complaints about some parts of country like south west which attracts lots of traffic in the summer yet have limited charging infrastructure. Public charging points near me are nearly 80p/kwh.

[paulockenden]

Originally Posted by Nham68

Public charging points near me are nearly 80p/kwh.

Which, I think, is still cheaper than current(!) petrol prices.

[Nham68]

Originally Posted by paulockenden

Which, I think, is still cheaper than current(!) petrol prices.

Not so sure…
Let’s say 70kw battery with range of 300 miles. To charge it , going to cost you £56 at 80p/kWh (or equivalent at lower /higher rate.. doesn’t matter how long it takes). For 300 miles.

An M340i averaging 35mpg (mine) : £1.35/litre so that’s £6.12 per gallon.
To do 300 miles, I’d need 9 gallons.
That’s close on to £56 (coincidentally).

if you have a much more efficient car, EV on public charger looks to be more expensive . If your’e paying 10p/kWh at home, much cheaper.
Public chargers are hence, prohibitively expensive option.

Please do check my man maths :-)

[paulockenden]

I’d counter that places charging 80p per kWh are likely to be motorway services, and you’re unlikely to find £1.35 petrol there.

[Nham68]

Originally Posted by paulockenden

I’d counter that places charging 80p per kWh are likely to be motorway services, and you’re unlikely to find £1.35 petrol there.

My local Waitrose .. 80p/kWh . Same for all other fast chargers in this town.

[xenon]

It’s a seemingly never-ending argument; it works for some but not others. With e-on I can charge fully overnight at 6.9p/kWh so it’s about a fiver for 300-odd miles and I can charge at work for nothing. The longest journey I’d really do, personally, is somewhat less than 300 miles. With the added benefit of getting into a warm, defrosted car at 6am means it works for me. 80p public charging I’d probably never need but could if there’s no alternative.

[SilverGrey]

Originally Posted by xenon

It’s a seemingly never-ending argument; it works for some but not others. With e-on I can charge fully overnight at 6.9p/kWh so it’s about a fiver for 300-odd miles and I can charge at work for nothing. The longest journey I’d really do, personally, is somewhat less than 300 miles. With the added benefit of getting into a warm, defrosted car at 6am means it works for me. 80p public charging I’d probably never need but could if there’s no alternative.

Agreed. I have a similar tariff and I would only use a public charger as a last resort.

[paulockenden]

If you have solar panels it's even more of a no brainer. There's nothing more satisfying than driving the car for free.