EV Owners Thread

[Tenkaykev]

"Using a typical 7kW charger at home the charge time is 9 hours and a half hours. Charging using a 11kW charger however reduces this time down to just 6 hours 15. This is a large contrast to using the 3-pin charger which comes with the vehicle on purchase, this can take up to 35 hours to charge from 0% to 100%"

Couldn't see one in the boot, I'll check again 👍

 

[BoldonLad]

A question for this sub forum We're currently at our daughters place in Leeds. She has a VW id3 and a dedicated charger on her wall. When she visits us for Christmas I wondered if there was any way that she could trickle charge from our domestic supply? I looked in the boot and there's a length of yellow cable with a dedicated plug on either end. I know there's several local charging stations but wondered if there was another option. We're having solar PV installed next week, and see there's an option for a dedicated car charging station, but as we no longer have a car it seems like an expensive option for irregular usage.

Not an expert, but, I think the short answer is "yes". ie, it is possible to charge from a "normal" 3 pin plug, it just takes much longer (and, may cost more), but, if her car is going to be parked at yours for the duration of the Christmas festivities then, charge time may not be an issue

 

[Tenkaykev]

Couldn't see one in the boot, I'll check again 👍

Nothing in the vehicle. Daughter is going to email the leasing company.

 

[CXRAndy]

There should be a 3 kW charger lead. It will have a UK 3 pin plug on one end, a box on the middle. The other end is the connection to the car,type 2 plug

 

[cougie uk]

Yes you can. We've done the same with our Leaf several times all over the country.

Obviously it takes longer but you can do it at home. Get an approved extension cord if the socket isn't nearby.

 

[CXRAndy]

My best trickle charge was when I dropped my 75ft extension cable out of 2nd floor French chateau window to charge my car.

It dribbled 7 miles per hour, but was more of an experiment rather than gaining necessary charge

 

[icowden]

A question for this sub forum We're currently at our daughters place in Leeds. She has a VW id3 and a dedicated charger on her wall. When she visits us for Christmas I wondered if there was any way that she could trickle charge from our domestic supply?

The good news is - yes! There is!

She just needs a "granny" charger cable with a normal 3 pin plug on the end.

The bad news is that VW do not supply these cables as standard. The good news is that you can buy them. The further bad news is that they are not cheap.
They cost in the region of £100 depending on how long you want the cable. They can not be connected to the regular cable to extend it further.

Obviously charge rate is slow, about 3 miles for every hour plugged in.

 

[icowden]

this can take up to 35 hours to charge from 0% to 100%"

But you would never, ever do this. More realistic is 20% to around 80%. That will take you around 12-16 hours. SO if you put it on charge when you arrive on Christmas morning, it'll be close to full by the end of Boxing day lunch.

 

[CXRAndy]

The good news is - yes! There is!

She just needs a "granny" charger cable with a normal 3 pin plug on the end.

The bad news is that VW do not supply these cables as standard. The good news is that you can buy them. The further bad news is that they are not cheap.
They cost in the region of £100 depending on how long you want the cable. They can not be connected to the regular cable to extend it further.

Obviously charge rate is slow, about 3 miles for every hour plugged in.

Buy the 16A rated extension cable. The max power supplied is 3kW, safe enough for 3 pin plug with 13A fuse

 

[albion]

Unless the battery packs are pre heated for charging it would be best to stick to 3KW charging if you can, especially in winter.

 

[icowden]

Unless the battery packs are pre heated for charging it would be best to stick to 3KW charging if you can, especially in winter.

That's only an issue if you live somewhere really cold. Our winters in the UK are fairly mild.

 

[albion]

Not sure about that. 15C to 35C is said to be the ideal operating temperature, and I would assume the same for charging.

 

[Grant Fondo]

Thinking of charging the i4 to 90% now its colder to keep range up, any issues? I'll add its a company car.

 

[icowden]

Thinking of charging the i4 to 90% now its colder to keep range up, any issues? I'll add its a company car.

Same here. I regularly take mine to 100% though. Had no issues so far.

 

[icowden]

Not sure about that. 15C to 35C is said to be the ideal operating temperature, and I would assume the same for charging.

A lot of assumptions there. Cold weather does mean that it can take longer to charge and that range drops. However it doesn't damage the battery. It would if the battery was not designed to mitigate the damage however, Lithium plating can happen when temperatures are low. The majority of EVs have battery management which heats the battery so that plating doesn't happen.

Additionally, if you live somewhere cold, you can usually pay for a heat pump as an add on which improves both your range and your charging.