200+ mile road trip in the Mini Electric Cooper SE - Part I of III

Filmed as a chat whilst driving.
Lots of thought on charging, efficiency and range etc.
In three parts this is the lightly editted version with ongoing discussion whilst driving
If you prefer succinct videos there's a summary one coming soon.
Part I
First leg to the first FREE charge
Fakenham, Norfolk
Part II
Lincolnshire
90 miles - 2nd & last charge
estimating minimum kWh needed
Part III
Return trip, no charging
GOM shows were going to run out
Summary single much shorter version to follow
My first trip beyond the Mini's range.
The plan 2:30
Route 15:30
First leg summary 27:30
Solar Config:
PV all JA solar
14X280w (3.6kw Solis )
8X300w (2.4kw Solaredge)
Myenergi Zappi 1, Eddi and Hub
Givenergy AC coupled 3k, 5.2kWh storage battery
EV Mini Cooper SE Level 2
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Twitter: @EVPuzzle
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www.powerdifferent.co.uk/

[@robsmith1a]

When I had my Zoe I went to Canterbury for the day to visit my cousin. I could charge at her house so no issue range wise - 91 miles each way (M3, M25, M20 plus some other roads). On the way there I kept to 60 on the motorway but on the way back I did 70 where legal. The difference in journey time was 12 minutes, hardly worth it on a two hour journey. I can't remember the exact figures but I think energy consumption was about 20% extra going that little bit faster.

[@EVPuzzle]

Good example , those 12 minutes are better spend driving at 60 than rushing for no reason imo

[@jeffreycooper8408]

Lovely sunrise, clear roads, perfect start - didn't last long !!

[@nickieredshaw7835]

Good video thanks you went not far from us at Boston . Take care and safe travels

[@EVPuzzle]

Very close. What's the instavolt like up the road, way to find and spacious enough or is it busy? One day if LincsEVs invites NorfolkEvs for a.meetup we might catch up🤔😉

[@AndyC2_]

Really looking forward to this one Nigel, we know what we get from you is the real deal good or bad !! 👍🏼👍🏼

[@EVPuzzle]

That's good to hear I do like to present things as I find them warts and all. Problem is I shot over an hour and a half of footage so condensing is proving hard. I'm going for lightly editted in 3 parts plus a heavily editted summary after. Spot the editted illegal manoeuvre 🤣

[@AndyC2_]

@@EVPuzzle Sounds like a good plan 🤣 Haha I look forward to keeping an eye out for that ! 😁😁😁

[@davethefab6339]

I notice there are some beautiful trees on your journey, cars going well too.

[@EVPuzzle]

Much better than motorways 👍

[@michaeledwards8079]

nigel, there are 2 chargers in Kings Lynn, both in the town centre, the first is just outside the multi storey and the other a couple of miles away at morrisons supermarket, but there are no others for miles so need to plan in Norfolk as you know there is a shortage

[@EVPuzzle]

And given the Hardwick roundabout there are times it's definitely not advisable to go into Lynn. Did I imagine it or are there now chargers at the services at the A17 junction. Again horrendous junction in summer but I guess that good for trade

[@nigelcb1300]

From an ease of use point of view, regardless of whether you actually need the spare range or not I much prefer the Kona, stress free motoring compared to the much more compromised mini

[@EVPuzzle]

True but not as good to drive . Electric cars aren't just all about range

[@nigelcb1300]

@@EVPuzzle Agreed, I like the mini but something like the Kona or the Niro would better suit my daily/weekly use

[@EVPuzzle]

Exactly, there's no best ev just best or right for us... Right now

[@trevorcrook2565]

Interesting video, but I suspect it will deter many considering an EV with all the faff. Most people do just want to complete a journey in the most efficient manner, time wise. Also, little point in spending approaching 30 grand on a car then penny pinching on the charging. Just playing devil's advocate, I actually enjoy all your data Nigel.

[@EVPuzzle]

That's my point , everyone else covers the easy fast route and that's fine but you do have choices if you're not time limited. It's not penny pinching btw, it's not as if I can't afford to buy it I just choose not to IF chsrgrly slowly suits me. Next time I go I'll use the rapids just for contrast but again I'm not in a hurry anyway

[@micheleheynes4298]

Hi Nigel. Well this is what I am expecting when I am getting the EV. It's not about the shortest route always, if I have the choice, the scenic route even if it ask for slower speeds. Let me explain myself. Even if I am driving a petrol or diesel driven vehicle, I am rarely driving at the speed limit on a long distance. The thing is, I want to see what the route looks like, and give everyone the experience of the sites we are going through. So if we want to stop to take pictures, it is viable. I've been driving for over 23 years with a driver's license. I can say, I had my speed demon times, and I now mostly take on a longer road with a child, and giving a child a road that is monotonous leaves everyone in the car feeling restless and uncomfortable. The, "Are we there yet?" question makes me want to ask it myself. With the national speed limit at 120km/h (75mph) here, I end up driving between 50mph (80km/h) and 62mph (100km/h) when I am driving sort of fast, make that regular speed. I do also drive at the speed limit or slightly over, but it depends on who is with me in the car. Sometimes, I do go much faster then the national speed limit, but that is my driving my work vehicle while we in a chase, if not for work a racetrack to see what the vehicle is capable of. I need to know what my car does at every speed, how it feels and what the brakes feels like under an emergency or harsh braking. Not to mention how the car clings to the road when taking turns, up to the grip levels. Does the range of under 200miles scare me? No, because I can just plan my route, and either drive slower to just get find faster chargers on the route I am taking. I researched and found that the charging infrastructure that works, are basically one service provider and then you have the chargers at selected dealers. Shell, apparently is busy installing super chargers, make that fast chargers for long distance driving. Only routes for long distances are from Cape Town to Johannesburg / Pretoria (+-1500km / 932miles), Johannesburg / Pretoria to Durban (+-625km / 388 miles), Cape Town t Port Elizabeth (+-749km / 465miles), Port Elizabeth to Pretoria (1117km / 694 miles) and Cape Town to Langebaan (+-132km / 82miles), Cape Town to Johannesburg then Durban (+- 1970km / 1224miles). We do have blind spots, so from Langebaan further up the N7 to Namibia and the Northern Cape, there are no chargers, and between Port Elizabeth and Durban on the N2 also no chargers. The N1 has the most, the N2 and N2 share about the same amount, the N7 only the one stop. So would you look at a long distance drive here? The approximate distances to chargers are about 150-200km /94-125miles on average. Another deciding factor, the CCS chargers closer to my home are between 30-60kW capable, those that are closer to 100kW or higher are all near Johannesburg. Would I do a long distance travel? Obviously yes, as it gives me more time to explore. Type 2, I get a day or two to explore each place, a granny cable, I definitely get 2 maybe 3 days worth of exploration. Isn't that what a road trip is all about.

[@EVPuzzle]

As always Michele, you get it👍

[@micheleheynes4298]

@@EVPuzzle I also think it comes from decades of driving, and not fearing technology. It is coming, so why not just learn and embrace it, while still being capable of enjoying what nature has to give.

[@robsmith1a]

On another note you mention about knowing where chargers are. In most cases there isn't a great big sign saying where they are even if you know there are chargers where you are going (never that easy finding one in a multi storey car park unless you have looked at Zap Map for the info). Petrol stations always well signposted or easy to spot on other roads. My local now has two rapid chargers in the car park but you would never know driving by and I suspect they are new enough to not show up on the sat nav.

[@EVPuzzle]

It's a big issue hence I like to visit chargers to actually know where they are

[@cverh]

Sorry, just a quick question: does the Mini navigation system automatically provide stops for charging? Or it’s something that I have to do with some third-party apps?

[@EVPuzzle]

Not really. It does... Sort of if your destination isn't reachable it offer chargers but I found the Mini wasn't up to date charger wise. You're much better off using other apps and just navigating using the Mini satnav. If you've got an iPhone Google maps or Waze are way better options

[@cverh]

@@EVPuzzle thanks for responding so fast! It’s a pity, by the way, considering that the infotainment is always connected on the internet 😓

[@EVPuzzle]

It's just car manufacturer rubbish. The sooner they dump all that software and just provide a screen and the data the better.

[@ThisIsDibble]

I was curious about your comments regarding BP Pulse. With my Mini Electric I registered with Mini charging which rolls in one free year subscription to BP Pulse therefore giving me 15p/KwH at their 50KwH chargers. Still I agree once the year is up I won't pay the subscription. Still we all need more public chargers, here I have a bug bear in that many local authorities are "procuring" contracts with charging companies but the cumbersome public procurement procedures dictate an almost random charger landscape appearing across adjoining authorities. Each with their own take on payment, subscription and quality of hardware. The result is a disjointed and often unreliable regional charging infrastructure.

[@ThisIsDibble]

I do think that Mini Charging is worth registering with as it provides an RFID card that works across a huge range of charging networks, charging the costs to a registered card. A useful back up even with out the BP Pulse free membership i.e. you can still use BP Pulse but at the higher cost per Kwh of a non subscription user. Of course contactless on all chargers would be great but that isn't going to happen any time soon.

[@EVPuzzle]

Looks no different than just signing up with BP pulse for 3 months free. No mention now of 1 year think that was a while ago. What other networks are included? Personally I'm not a fan of more accounts and more cards, juice network is the one for me as they already have my details . Mini has way too many app issues for my liking and I've yet to see joining mini charging gives me anything extra. Happy to be proven wrong though

[@ThisIsDibble]

@@EVPuzzle The 12 months free deal for BP Pulse through Mini Charging was introduced for vehicles delivered after 1st April 21, which my Mini was. Mini Charging is a BMW platform, Pan-European (not much use in these COvid times) and seems to have all the usual big charging networks linked to one RFID card and a recharging account, without the BP Pulse free membership I wouldn't have bothered with Mini charging but for me there is 1 BP Pulse 50Kwh charger near Exeter that is a useful top up if I am heading in that direction so it makes sense on cost to use it. I have't used any others yet but guess the card is there if I need to.

[@EVPuzzle]

Makes sense and good timing for you. Web site I looked at says 3 months.

[@mikew3105]

99% of people just want to just get in there car and drive and not spend days planning it, this is not painting electrics cars in a very good light or giving people the confidence to swap from ice cars to electric.

[@EVPuzzle]

Don't agree, sorry. As I said on camera there's fast if you want it or slow and FREE On the 99% you're right . Everyone is rushing around like headless chickens it seems