Charging - DC CHAdeMO - ecotricity

[fozziebear40]

Yes, our incident has put us off using ecotricity or any other rapid chargers now. Still nothing from Mitsubish!!

 

[jamerg]

Yes, our incident has put us off using ecotricity or any other rapid chargers now. Still nothing from Mitsubish!!

Thanks for the update Fozzie. How frustrating.

 

[maby]

Yes, our incident has put us off using ecotricity or any other rapid chargers now. Still nothing from Mitsubish!!

Rapid chargers rarely make much sense for an Outlander with its small battery capacity. They will only give you 80% charge and, since they are mostly on motorways, that probably equates to as little as 15 miles range (or less) given that range drops off significantly with speed. The impact on battery life expectance is still unclear, but Mitsubishi do recommend against frequent rapid charging. The risk of a lockup of your car due to the still undiagnosed problem is also uncertain, but clearly non-zero. All in all, I don't see the sense in breaking your journey for half an hour to take on the equivalent of less than half a gallon of petrol with the potential for shortening the lifespan of your expensive battery and possibly having to call out Mitsubishi to reset the systems for you!

 

[user 816]

Yes, our incident has put us off using ecotricity or any other rapid chargers now. Still nothing from Mitsubish!!

Rapid chargers rarely make much sense for an Outlander with its small battery capacity. They will only give you 80% charge and, since they are mostly on motorways, that probably equates to as little as 15 miles range (or less) given that range drops off significantly with speed. The impact on battery life expectance is still unclear, but Mitsubishi do recommend against frequent rapid charging. The risk of a lockup of your car due to the still undiagnosed problem is also uncertain, but clearly non-zero. All in all, I don't see the sense in breaking your journey for half an hour to take on the equivalent of less than half a gallon of petrol with the potential for shortening the lifespan of your expensive battery and possibly having to call out Mitsubishi to reset the systems for you!

I was just thinking the other day how its a pity they are on the motorways as you say, at motorway speed the range is pitiful.

But there is an upside, one trip I do a lot is from out at Shropshire back towards the M6 getting on the M6 Toll and then the M42. by the time I get to the Toll services at my age I really need a wee! Its barely 20 minutes in my PHEV to charge and is an opportunity for a saved snack in my goody bag and to clear emails. I then use save before heading back onto the toll, if its later in the day the M42 can be stop/start which is a great time to have a decent charge onboard so use some then. If its clear then I still have 10 miles or so of suburban driving at the other end and again uses the charge much more effectively, I usually see my final average mpg climb nicely doing so.

I frequently go in and out of Birmingham on minor routes and can access Frankley services without using the motorway, usually on the way home I do a charge if I have time, I actually quite like sitting in the car and people watching as its right outside the main entrance.

So yes charge in those daft motorway locations, but save it for better times to use.

 

[fozziebear40]

I take your point, but if you have to rest up, the parking spaces are good and you get virtually a free coffee :mrgreen:

 

[Neverfuel]

I take your point, but if you have to rest up, the parking spaces are good and you get virtually a free coffee :mrgreen:

Plus the fun of watching people walk past the charging point and do a double take when they see the plug sticking out of the car!

 

[user 816]

I take your point, but if you have to rest up, the parking spaces are good and you get virtually a free coffee :mrgreen:

Plus the fun of watching people walk past the charging point and do a double take when they see the plug sticking out of the car!

Yes! I am sure some people are expecting to see a milkfloat or a Sinclair C5 hooked up, not a big hunky 4x4 'real' car...
plenty of double takes.

 

[Neverfuel]

I take your point, but if you have to rest up, the parking spaces are good and you get virtually a free coffee :mrgreen:

Plus the fun of watching people walk past the charging point and do a double take when they see the plug sticking out of the car!

Yes! I am sure some people are expecting to see a milkfloat or a Sinclair C5 hooked up, not a big hunky 4x4 'real' car...
plenty of double takes.

Best one I've had so far was 4 Japanese tourists who excitedly pointed it out to one another and stopped to look round the car. I couldn't hear what they were saying but the all walked away smiling, probably in the proud knowledge that their country has started a global revolution!