Picking up New Phev today and have a quick question!

[danvfx]

Hi all, picking up new GX4h today!
Its been really useful reading through all the posts, and Im sure this information may exists somewhere! But can anyone please advise me if I definitely need to get a second cable for public charging points? I will do most of the charging at home, but would like the option of occasional charging elsewhere and I can't find anything to clarify what I need for that - some chargers seem to have their own fixed cables and others seems to require you have your own, is that correct?
It also seems that the Mitsubishi cable might be expensive compared to some other after market ones, so any recommendations gratefully received!
Any advice welcome! Cant wait to get it later today! Thanks all.

 

[jaapv]

On the Continent - yes. In the UK - run it for a couple of weeks as-is and determine your need. You'll find out soon enough.

 

[LondonLass]

Hi all, picking up new GX4h today!
Its been really useful reading through all the posts, and Im sure this information may exists somewhere! But can anyone please advise me if I definitely need to get a second cable for public charging points? I will do most of the charging at home, but would like the option of occasional charging elsewhere and I can't find anything to clarify what I need for that - some chargers seem to have their own fixed cables and others seems to require you have your own, is that correct?
It also seems that the Mitsubishi cable might be expensive compared to some other after market ones, so any recommendations gratefully received!
Any advice welcome! Cant wait to get it later today! Thanks all.

There are different type of sockets and cables at public charge points. If like me you want a free boost when visiting say Ikea or a shopping centre then the Chademo DC chargers are always "tethered" which means they have their own cable. They are quick and will give you 80%. You can get a free card from Ecotricity or use an app for many of the other networks. Since I only do this once a week if at all I don't believe there is a problem, but they do recommend that you don't use this approach for your daily charge.

 

[maby]

Depends on the type of charging point. The rapid chargers have a cable permanently attached. Some charging points are just weatherproof 13A sockets and you can use the cable that came with the car, but the rest are untethered 16/32A points that require a separate cable.

Before you buy one, think about your pattern of usage. The car will not draw more than 16A and it takes over three hours to recharge at that rate. Are you going to be parked up long enough to take on a worthwhile amount of charge? A full charge equates to around £2 of petrol, a cable costs close to £200 - you need to take on around 100 full charges just to cover the cost of the cable.

 

[danvfx]

Thanks very much! Looking forward to getting my head around it all....its a new world after filling up for the past 20 odd years!

 

[jdsx]

Hi
Some good advice already! You can buy a cable (you need a 'type 2 to type 1') for about £170, assuming you're in the UK. If, like me, you can get free parking whilst charging, it's definitely worth it. You will also need a card ('RFID card') to enable you to charge at public charge points - although in some cases this can be done via an app. It depends where you live as to which card you need, unfortunately.
The 'rapid' chargers found (mostly) at motorway service stations and IKEAs have their own cable. Again, you will need a card for this from Ecotricity.
HTH

 

[danvfx]

Great, Im in London, so I feel charging and using a parking spot at the same time might be beneficial - without hogging a spot obviously...! I'll have a look at which my local sockets are and go from there.
Many thanks again all. Im sure I'll be back with more questions once I have it for a few days. Very helpful posts on here - aren't Phev drivers a nice lot!

 

[gobiman]

I'm in London too. Lucky that I charge at home every night and never bother with charging point - rarely free and frequently broken. However -
1. Make sure you register for Congestion Charge
2. Free parking in Westminster pay&display for up to 4 hours.

I have an office in the West End and today the 3 spaces outside were occupied by a Leaf, a Tesla ans a Smart Electric.
Can't see this concession lasting so enjoy it while it lasts!

 

[markg]

You have to balance the number of times you'll use a public charging point with the cost of the extra cable to use them. Given that the cost of the cable is ~£160-170 (or £300+ from the dealer!), and a full charge gets you ~25 miles of range, which might cost you £3 of petrol if you didn't charge, you need to fully charge over 50x before you recover the cost of the cable, and this assumes that the charge point electric is free

For me, I can charge at work, every day, so it's a no-brainer to get a cable. It doesn't make financial sense without regular use of public charge points.