Charging Questions

[iHansz]

I’m new to EV’s and so far, I have only charged from home. Say I want to charger from a Tesla supercharger, or any other for that matter, can I just swipe a credit or payment card or do I need to download an app for every charger?

For Tesla you need the Tesla App and for other providers you can use your charge card (e.g. Volvo's) or, depending on which country you are from, you can use your debit or credit card. Fastned and Ionity also have their own App's and with Fastned you can link your car with the App and your debit or credit card, so that once you are plugged in the charging session starts automatically without the need for the App or debit or credit card.

[Geoff]

I’m new to EV’s and so far, I have only charged from home. Say I want to charger from a Tesla supercharger, or any other for that matter, can I just swipe a credit or payment card or do I need to download an app for every charger?

For Tesla you need the Tesla App and for other providers you can use your charge card (e.g. Volvo's) or, depending on which country you are from, you can use your debit or credit card. Fastned and Ionity also have their own App's and with Fastned you can link your car with the App and your debit or credit card, so that once you are plugged in the charging session starts automatically without the need for the App or debit or credit card.

The fewer apps I have the better and I have no idea how to link the car with the app and my card. And I’m not sure I’d want to do that even if I could, the car has too much of a mind of its own as it is.

I discovered an article on the Beev website that probably answers my question and may be of interest to others, if you don’t know already.

Credit card payment mandatory for charging stations: the electric charging revolution is underway

New regulations and initiatives are being put in place to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles and improve charging infrastructure. From now on, all new fast-charging stations, with a minimum capacity of 50 kW, will have to transparently display the cost of charging in euros per kilowatt-hour (€/kWh), adopting a model similar to conventional fuel pricing per litre.
In addition to this requirement for tariff transparency, electric vehicle users will need to have real-time access to information on prices and the availability of charging points via digital channels.

This enhanced transparency will enable electric vehicle owners to better manage their costs and plan their recharges more efficiently. What's more, these new charging stations will have to accept credit card payments at no extra charge, as opposed to the current use of dedicated charging cards or apps specifically for electric vehicles.

NB: These regulations only apply to new fast-charging stations. Existing installations have until 2027 to comply with these standards.

Incidentally I’m in France.

[andrewollason]

Hi Geoff,

How are you finding the twin motor ultra? We have the same model and I have to say it is very impressive. The startling performance off the line is a bit ott but fun all the same.

Andy

[Geoff]

Hi Geoff,

How are you finding the twin motor ultra? We have the same model and I have to say it is very impressive. The startling performance off the line is a bit ott but fun all the same.

Andy

Hi Andy,
I love it, it looks great and the performance is fantastic, but there are too many software glitches and things that niggle me. Unlocking the doors is a bit hit and miss, sometimes it will unlock as I walk towards the car, sometimes I have to give the door handle a tug or two but so far it has always opened eventually. There are too many screens to scroll through to turn on the fog lights, when instead of two buttons to open the glove box one could be used for the fog lights. Traction in slippery conditions is disappointing and it seems you have to manually select performance mode to engage the front motor and four-wheel drive. I’m getting used to the tugs on the steering but the slamming on of the brakes still catches me out. The radio muting when you brake is annoying, but probably so you can hear the shouts of the cyclists that the car has nearly swerved and braked into.
Geoff

[andrewollason]

Hi Geoff,

It is indeed not without its niggles. We found the proximity unlock would switch off when the car is parked at home. I think it is due to the fob not being far enough away from the car. Keeping the fob in a tin box seems to have fixed that. I have only had the emergency braking happen once, I couldn’t work out what had triggered it which bothered me.
I find the traction pretty good although there is a lot of torque available. For me I prefer the handling with the performance mode off as it turns in better with the front motor disengaged. The front motor engages pretty quickly so I can live with the slightly slower acceleration as it is plenty fast to be honest.

[Geoff]

The proximity fob is about ten metres from the car when it is parked at home, I thought that was far enough but I’ll try putting it in a tin. Even with the inconsistency I really hope the fob is not disabled when, or if, the phone key is introduced.
The poor traction is just my situation, my driveway to get to the road is steep and loose gravel and I have to be very gentle to avoid wheel spin, all my other four-wheel drive cars (not off roaders) have simply gone up with no drama at all and even the little 1.3 diesel Panda 4x4 would leave the EX30 behind, until we get to the road. If the EX30 has traction control it doesn’t work very well. Yesterday I found the hill decent aid and that works well, but without it the rear wheels would lock if I left one pedal drive on. Note: This is on gravel, when I get to tarmac the grip is fine.

[gloucester]

Some you can, some you can't.

I've installed several apps - Electroverse seems the most useful, and Tesla for Tesla. I've also got a Volvo charge card but it's usually more expensive unless you subscribe.

I've had my car nearly three months and have only charged it at home so far.