EV Charge Networks - Please Listen

[@alanbrad3727]

Better signage pointing out where chargers are at some locations

[@johndoyle4723]

Agree, I could not find a Fastned hub at Hamilton,it was a large shopping park, but no signs. Gave up and went back on the motorway to Gridserve, found it on my return journey after an on line google search.

[@PetroBolah]

Agreed. Fastned in Oxford had me going the wrong way up a one way road!

[@waerlogauk]

Agreed, most of the early rapid chargers were clearly trying to pretend to be a small electricity substation. A lot of the current generation of rapid chargers have large signs that are only visible once you are parked at the charger they are facing away from the road. It is easy to drive past these without seeing them even when you are actively looking for them.

[@matthewspry4217]

They will get it after 20 years or so

[@samcrewe1791]

@@johndoyle4723 I really believe this could be fixed so simply. From every carpark entry, all the operators need to do is paint a green line on the ground all the way from the entry to the chargers. Follow the line, essentially

[@rabidpb]

I would like to see better signage: - Signage to locate the charging bays - Clear signs on each bay showing the connector type and maximum charge rate at that bay - Clear information at the bay of any parking restrictions or charges.

[@kevfquinn]

Great call.

[@barney2001]

Great point. Gas stations have big, high signs you can easily see from the highway, while here in Canada, you find chargers only by using your GPS. It’s almost like they don’t want to draw attention!

[@rabidpb]

@@barney2001 There's one reason that non-EV drivers think "I couldn't have one of those there's nowhere to charge." Even with the aid of satnav though, it can be a mission to locate the chargers in a big service area or car park at night. It shouldn't be so hard, and it's an easy thing to fix

[@CampGareth]

Can I add that the information should be accurate? I went to an NCP carpark with some AC charge points recently and on every charge point was a label "Scan your ticket at the charge point terminal and end session before unplugging". It was a ticketless carpark.

[@mikeselectricstuff]

Consistent user interface - the process should always be to plug in first. That way the charger doesn't need to ask which connector you're using. Bonus points - start doing the tediously slow CCS communications process as soon as it's plugged in, so as soon as payment is done, it's ready to go. Also gives an early indication of any problems before it's taken a hold on the card. Any comms failure should put it on free vend, at least for a limited amount of time.

[@caolkyle]

I’d vote for selecting your cable first as prevents people just walking up and damaging them (sure they can get the app themselves but least then get some info) Main problem would be getting every tech company to agree on the same procedure, would be like getting all mobile phone companies to use the same connector. I’m glad 99% all share the CCS port with the odd being Nissan Leaf which even the Ayria went with ccs

[@osdias]

Spot on. You'd be an excellent UX designer.

[@JohnR31415]

I’d push a roof way up the list. Particularly for wheelchair users, it takes so much longer to just get in and out of the vehicle. Waiting for someone to put the co tactless doohickey on the connector end of the cable - it’s not big and heavy, and stops you having to go to the charger to get the cable, go to the car to plug it in, go back to the charger to enable it, go back to the car to lock up, eat, sleep, whatever. Does t sound like much - until you’re doing it in a chair

[@mrsstaff78]

They could have solar panels on it

[@johnno194]

And for electric motorcycles

[@smithy4121]

I would also say the height of the charger display should be lower or duplicated to enable you to more easily see what's going on. I am mostly able bodied now but spent a long time using scooters due to my health and things always seem to be just out of your reach.

[@tangambalanga1]

Great list, I’d like to add that the system the Dutch network FastNed has a great trick. The first time you use it after setting up an account, it asks you if you would like them to remember your car on their system. If you agree, then the next time you arrive at their charger you just plug it in and that’s it, no rfid cards, apps, or contactless payments. Seems to make sense. Oh, keep up the good work.

[@AB-yt4hd]

Hummm, and what happen when you sell the car?

[@tangambalanga1]

@@AB-yt4hd You de register it. Similar to a video account for the M50 toll.

[@buzzyphantom]

This is exactly how it should be!

[@linusa2996]

why do you even need to have an account?

[@tangambalanga1]

@@linusa2996 you don’t.

[@Fern_BG]

This must be one of the most meaningful and valuable videos you have published. Given the feedback that you have been asked to give and the people who have asked for it. However it's quite sad that this type of initiative is not driven by our own government, I mean all in, not what we currently have. You ticked all the major points. Well done EV man!

[@alanhat5252]

well, that's what "small government" means, the Conservatives want no part of it, that's why they sold all the public utilities, council housing & all the rest of it. If you want a government to get involved vote for a different party, pretty much any other party.

[@mondotv4216]

@@alanhat5252 You could argue that the job of government is to set the policy framework to encourage the correct and rapid implementation of the infrastructure rather than direct investment. OTOH you could also argue that fuel security is so important to a nation's financial wellbeing that direct investment in critical infrastructure is not just important but necessary. I'm not sure why the conservative party is so popular in the UK because they currently appear to be doing neither of those things but they do at least believe in climate change unlike the conservative side of politics in Australia.

[@buzzyphantom]

The last thing you want is a Government involved, they are usually un-informed about EV charging and make poor decisions!

[@FalkinerTim]

@@alanhat5252 As an Australian I feel saddened when I see what a shambles British government has become. Britain used to have very good government. We are going downhill in terms of Australian government but recently a group of independents, the teals, have started up, taking six seats in the last federal election. The teals get around the problems with parties which have become toxic.

[@StephenCropp]

I think you should have emphasised reliability more! Also, as well as the type of charger, the number of chargers is key. Most supermarkets with fast chargers only have a couple. I never bother looking to see if they are available any more because they are always in use or blocked, or broken. Kit out an entire row with fast chargers, and I will choose that supermarket over the one I currently shop at.

[@Mykle1AZ]

Never only 1 charging station. I felt bad at a motorway service station in France (autoroute aire) where our Zoe was using the 22 kwh charger (we can't rapid charge but had to charge) yet someone else could not DC fast charge because the equipment could not charge 2 vehicles at once. And definitely need real-time status (in-use/out-of-service/available) across various platforms/apps/websites.

[@AB-yt4hd]

You are right, there is nothing justifying that a charger could not do DC and AC charging at the same time as AC charging is using the car's onboard charger and DC charging is using the charger's charger. They just have to load balance, as they are doing when there are many chargers on-site.

[@samcrewe1791]

@@AB-yt4hd Most modern chargers (of the last 18 months anyway) can do both AC and DC at the same time

[@danielstefanovic2604]

Here in Norway more and more petrol stations are being converted to charging stations which is a great idea, it covers both the amenities and safety part.

[@neoscylax]

This is the answer, we need to reach tipping point in EV uptake for Petrol station businesses to realise that’s where the money is going forward. Tbh, I don’t think we’re that far off now, I see more and more EVs on the road now!

[@lynchetts]

Is it true that EV owners are on hunger strike due to lack of spare parts for EVs

[@helipeek2736]

@@lynchetts I wondered why the cost of lentils and mung beans has shot up.

[@davidlewis4399]

Here in the UK fast chargers are around 70P per Kw so actually cost more to run than a ICE not sure EV sales in the UK are going to do well for a bit.

[@stulop]

​@@davidlewis4399 70p is a higher rate, there is as low as 28p if you know where to look, every Lidl helps.

[@EVinstructor]

My top 3: 1) Reliability 2) Reliability 3) Reliability Must have: 1) Contactless payment That’s it, that’s the basics. Nice to have: 1) loads of chargers 2) Lights and shelter around the bay 3) Plug and charge, like Tesla 4) Facilities, toilets, somewhere to get a coffee and food. I’m on my second Leaf and waiting for a Tesla. The Leaf is a fine car but a big reason for getting the Tesla is the Supercharger network. Any charge operator only has to look at the supercharger network if they want an example of how to do charging well.

[@onesky8647]

Reliability, safety and availability are a huge thing. Range anxiety has been replaced by charger anxiety because you don’t know what you are going to find when you pull into a charging site. There is a good chance you won’t be able to charge your car because of technical issues. It’s bad enough when it happens during the day, but imagine it’s at night during a storm. Keep it simple, figure out a universal standard that people can get used to. :)

[@willswomble7274]

Please RAC, AA, Councils, Parliament pay attention to this man and get UK sorted now!

[@Whereswally606]

So i think that an ac emergency charger at every rapid would be great. Even if 3.6kw to make sure people could get to another if they are out of electrons completely. Would be better than stranding drivers.

[@nialltucker5248]

It would be good not to have to pay a parking charge on top of the paying for your electricity. For some charge points, this is the case. It seems crazy to have to pay twice.

[@andyjdhurley]

Presumably this mostly happens now due to the two businesses being different and both want their pound of flesh. Maybe this could change in the future but I don't really hold out much hope. Say you have an NCP car park (others are available), they will wany their fee for you 'parking', while the charge network will want their fee to cover their costs. It's tricky to see how that is resolved unless the charge network pay the parking network per car but that would add a lot of complications to the payment systems on both sides.

[@justintipper101]

I disagree. A destination charger in a car park means that you are parking your car (pay) and get a charge (pay). That is if it is a destination charger, ie you are going off to shop or visit a cinema etc.

[@pilgrimparishescontingency351]

@@justintipper101 I think the point being made was not about the total cost but about having to make two separate payments. I agree that is a pain but the logistics to do otherwise would be complex.

[@tartandrones3739]

There’s an EV hub in the centre of Glasgow where if not paid for parking you’re liable for a £30 fine… saying that charging is free on that location with ChargePlace Scotland

[@buzzyphantom]

@@tartandrones3739 Shame CPS is terrible, only used it once, Park & Ride near the airport at Edinburgh, 9 Rapid chargers, one mostly worked, even the guy on the phone at CPS who was trying to help said don't overstay, took 25 mins of charge, e-stopped the thing to get plug out (touch screen not working) puts me off going back to Scotland anytime soon!

[@nxsynjs]

I think you missed an important factor (above even cost imo) which is charger abuse due to cars being parked but not charging or being ICE'd. This can be countered by idle fees or even a little camera in the charger that takes a photo of the plate and generate a parking ticket if no charge is drawn within say 25 mins)we all know how car parking companies love to send tickets). Cars being parked but not charging removes a charger from use, just as much as it being out of order does..

[@diddybopper2052]

Oh yes! A Nissan Leaf has started using a pod point at my local Tesco, and he just leaves it there all day! You can see the green light flashing meaning the car is fully charged and yet he is taking up a space someone else could use!

[@criterian]

I would agree. Firstly, there needs to be a form of overstay fee once charging has been completed. Secondly, where possible, policed and tickets issued to anyone blocking a charge point and not charging.

[@kevinmair7571]

Could not agree more. They should start discharging the car after a couple of hours.

[@MrDAVIDATKIN]

There is a simple solution to this, have a surcharge for parking added to the bill, say about £10 for every 10 minutes once charging is complete.

[@jthefishy]

If its a destination charger the site should have more 7kw chargers so if 1 car blocks one point there are more . Still an inconsiderate person though.

[@sampersonal9789]

canopy be good for solar pannel or for eletric morobike once more people got them

[@helenlawson8426]

One of the most interesting chargers I've seen mentioned is the Kempower ones which I believe operate in a different way to all the others. The charging stands are just that, the actual charger electronics are in a hub and any charging stand can be a fast charger. It means you can adapt the chargers to match the demand at any given moment. I'm in Portsmouth and we keep getting promised a big charging hub and it not happening creates charging fear as people see more EVs fighting for the same spaces. We need Cities especially to start showing us some EV Charging infrastructure Plans not just vague promises.

[@rigbyphoto]

Even when there are plenty of reliable chargers installed around the country I guess there will be times when we may still have to wait for one to become available(?) and if that is the case then I (in a typically British fashion) would like to see space for an orderly queue. I once tried to charge at a motorway service area where the chargers, just two or three, were amongst all other parking and there were any number of vehicles waiting. Long story short, it was just chaos.

[@jezthomas4402]

If I’m waiting then I add a note in my PlugShare app saying I’ve arrived at whichever charger at whatever time in my Nissan van reg whatever and am next in line to charge. Then people can form a virtual queue on the app. I also chat to whoever’s there; people are nice. Also the messages allows people who were thinking of charging there, to choose another charger option.

[@rigbyphoto]

@@jezthomas4402 I've not tried the plugshare app. I'll look it up - thanks. I have found that even in the chaos that people remained calm and polite and did their best to sort it out. Nonetheless there wasn't enough space for all to queue in anything like a recognizable way and I moved on simply because there was nowhere for me to stop.

[@leesmith9299]

i worry about the awkwardness of the queuing in busy times. some system needs to be in place to make it clear who's next and how may are ahead of you at each type of charger.

[@boxertrix2540]

I've been to a couple of Shell 150kW chargers which have not been working. The reason for that is that the site has recently had a power cut and the staff have been told that they need an engineer to visit to safely turn the chargers back on again after the power cut is over. One of those chargers was off line for at least a week waiting for an engineer to turn up... As you said, its not rocket surgery!. It's not even brain science. If the a new "state of the art" charger is so fragile that it needs an engineer visit to turn it back on again after a power cut, it is not reliable enough for production usage.

[@therutlandflyer3184]

Yes I loved the rocket surgery as well

[@judebrown4103]

Thanks for mentioning accessibility which should be a matter of course. You say about there not being quite such a need for covered charging places. I just watched Nikki from Transport Evolved make the point that the chargers on a long road trip were all proving unreliable. She reckoned it was the heat slowing them down and now that our summers are becoming excessively hot that might be a factor that needs to be considered here. Besides surely solar panels should be used to supplement the power supply when possible. Thanks for another good unbiased video, I hope they listen. Cheers Andy 👍👏

[@malcolmfowler8972]

Excellent video. An additional 'want' would be 'Plug and Charge', making charging ANY EV on a public charger as easy as a Tesla using a Tesla Supercharger

[@manwithcorsae7738]

Signage. Like you, we've been electric since 2015 and we had a game called 'hunt the charger' whenever we came on to the service area. Admittedly it's a lot better now, but still a bind in some places. Maybe it's time for an official roadsign.

[@johncoles]

Other points: • Location. • Number of chargers. Also: • RELIABILITY! PS If you are going to have a phone line for support: • have a clear, simple reference that people can use to identify a charger. • have it manned 24/7 • have a dedicated number so there is no menu (maybe ask for the reference number to save time when the human is there) • answer quickly - waiting on hold is frustraiting when you want to get somewhere! PPS: *RELIABILITY*

[@johncoles]

Also as a note, we should be teaching people about public charging infrastructure properly. Every friend I’ve spoken about range with asks “where’s your nearest rapid charger” to which my answer is “I don’t care, I don’t need chargers near my house.” As an EV driver I’m not bothered about infrastructure near home (for myself, I am for others and continue to push for more) but public infrastructure away from home is far more important.

[@ians3328]

I still have 2 Chargeplace scotland chargers connected as I refused to bother ringing them, hanging on the phone for 15mins, just to get them to stop the charge.

[@15bit62]

Primarily, i want chargers that work :) After that: Credit card payments, food outlets and signposts from the nearby main roads. I do like the idea of different speed chargers at fast charger locations. I've been suggesting this to networks for over a year now, when i get feedback questionaires. My Model 3 charges faster on a 150kW+ charger than i can walk my dog, get some food and have a coffee. It's actually inconvenient, cos i have to interrupt my break to move the car. So i would like a mix of 150kW+ and 75kW chargers at service station locations. Then i can choose whether i want to sit down for a longer break (75kW) or do a splash and dash (150kW+) and continue on my way. I would be happy to pay the same for both, i just want the convenience. I would also like the networks to think more about general destination charging. Appropriate charging at supermarkets, shopping centres, workplace car parks. Tailor the speed to the expected time of stay (6kW is fine for all day workplace charging). Do this, price it decently, and you sort out a major impediment to EV ownership for people without home charging.

[@michaelgoode9555]

I had one recently where the charger couldn't get the confirmation from me using the app to actually start the charge. The provider claimed that unfortunately their network failed across the UK. I am unconvinced.

[@Classic2EV]

Agree fully with the list. At present I just have a little VW eUP as a runabout and charge at home. I want to get something big enough to tow my caravan - which will halve the nominal range making access to fast chargers really important. The layout of current petrol stations is often very difficult when towing (can only use the outside pumps) and there is a fixation on making the exit straight into the shop! Even the otherwise excellent Gridserve charging hub at Braintree is useless when towing, as is the magic mushroom layout at Milton Keynes. You have to have drive-through layouts for towing and larger vans etc.

[@David-bl1bt]

SAFETY...YES...we did a 3800 mile round trip to the costa del sol earlier in the year. My Partner stated that she would not do any trip on her own in an EV that required public charging as she does not feel safe waiting around tethered to a charge cable in what are mainly in isolated areas.

[@PaulMcCormack1968]

I spoke to a lady from Osprey at Fully charged, and they had the heavy charge supported on a boom that you could swing out on a boom, so you're not carrying the weight of the cable - genius. She also told me that they wanted to have travel info available as you approach service stations telling you now many chargers were working and available (and cost?) but they didn't do this due to cost - they were concentrating CAPEX on deploying chargers as fast as possible

[@HoltAlex]

Some Carrefour supermarkets (Allego chargers) have booms like this in France. Breath of fresh air to not have to fight with it. Standard hypercharger design too which exist all over Europe, so not like they needed a special charger.

[@Richard-io9xe]

Great example of your point number 2 - charger type. Premier Inn signing up to put a single rapid charger in all their car parks. There can be no more suitable place for a whole line of destination chargers than a hotel.

[@NickFoster]

Perfect example. It smacks of not thinking the situation through.

[@misterflibble9799]

One minor disagreement with that: almost every Premier Inn is next to (and shares its car park with) a pub/restaurant (Beefeater/Harvester/Brewers Fayre/etc.) that is owned by the same parent company. I frequently use them on long journeys to stop for a meal before continuing. For Premier Inns sited close to arterial roads, they're a perfect location to get a "large charge" over a period of about an hour. It certainly makes sense to have slower destination chargers as well, but fast chargers are not necessarily a stupid idea in these locations.

[@Haggisking]

Absolutely - the mind boggles why all the big hotel chains (Premier Inn, Travelodge, Hilton, etc.) haven't installed 10-20+ 7kWh chargers (depending on hotel size) in their car parks. As you say it's the ideal place for it. I went to Chichester last weekend, stayed in the Premier Inn, which a) has it's own small car park, and b) is on the side of a big leisure park, including a cinema and several restaurants. The nearest chargers are half a mile away, and according to Zap-Map there are only 4 of them (2x22kW, 2x 7kW). As you say, I can't think of anywhere better suited to rows of 7kWh chargers for people to use overnight, or during the ~4 hours it takes to go watch a film followed by a meal! The last thing you want after a 4 hour drive (as we'd just had) is to then have to find somewhere to charge. I don't currently have an EV (although shopping for one atm), but I used to have a Zoe, and my choice of hotel, Airbnb, campsite etc. was heavily influenced by the availability & proximity of chargers; if places like this don't start to provide them, then as EVs become more and more prevalent, they'll find themselves losing customers to the more forward-thinking companies, even if they are more expensive.

[@TheGourmetSnapper]

I've been riding and/or driving electric vehicles on and off since 2008. In my opinion, things have got a lot better over the years. However, for me, what I would like to see consistently across all charging networks in the UK is: - More than 1 fast, rapid or ultra-rapid charger at any given location. This can help to alleviate reliability issues and in cases where the charge point has been deliberately vandalised and/or switched off. - Charging of 2 vehicles at1 charge point at the same time- e.g, AC/DC or CCS/CHAdeMO or CCS/CCS - Wider than standard parking bays, additionally with painted lines/green background with a universally recognised EV plug symbol. This helps to make it clear to non-EV drivers that you are not allowed to park there and if you do, a Parking Charge Notice may be issued, the same as parking in a disabled bay without displaying a valid badge. - A light and proper signage above charge point to locate it in crowded or unfamiliar locations

[@rogerstarkey5390]

I can see a time when you will need a "Drive thru" like entrance to the large locations to prevent queue jumping at busy periods. Single file in stops that

[@andrewjditton]

You know I agree with you there Roger! 👍

[@Chris_Carini]

All good and obvious points (to us anyway) but also some protection from UK weather would be good as well as a kiosk with toilet and essentials on sale as well as, wait for it, a human being employed to oversee the facility. Maybe more than one.

[@shoestringsev4529]

Make it like a petrol station, drive through charging bays with an overhead support pole. Rows and rows of drive through bays, at least along the motorway. Covered at a height that all vehicles can drive under. So this design is good for all users, cars, busses trucks, towing, handicap you name it make it universally accessible. Now that over head cover, make is out of solar panels because that saves you money. Think about the bigger picture. Use batter storage. If the area is suitable build windmills.

[@thorbjrnhellehaven5766]

I used the Oslo Central Supercharger, staying at a hotel. It's inside a parking garage close to the hotel we stayed at. Found the floor with the Supercharger. Picked up the bags and went to the hotel to check in. Relaxed a few minutes, checked charging status, Went back to the car, and moved it to a normal spot, then the rest was like any other stay. It was not the correct type of charger, but adapted to make the best of it.

[@AWAsh9]

Show the prices upfront like in a petrol station - nice, big and clear, so you know the price before you even stop your car. They should also ensure a percentage of all car parks or parking spaces are set aside for ev charging, say 10% of spaces should be for EV's.

[@The_BeeBopper]

Totally agree with your views, but I want a well-lit covered area (solar panels on the roof) and use petrol station price type signs at the entrance that tells you if there are any free chargers available or even how long you might have to wait for a free charger.

[@kenbartlett2267]

Spot on, you deserve a medal. So bloody obvious! You would think.

[@Daniel-jm5hd]

Totally agree with your comments. Priorities for me are reliability (obviously), accessibility for all, ease of use, safety and some way of stopping ICE cars blocking the chargers. In my local supermarket (4 chargers, often only 2 working) recently, two spaces were blocked, one by a lady who was standing next to her car chatting to her friends. So annoying.

[@larsenbirger]

A waiting line for each charger type. A clearly marked; "queue here!" Sometimes its like a game of chicken....

[@peteraviss9352]

Thanks so much for your KZbin videos. I'm a very new EV owner, and will be towing a caravan, so thanks for flagging this up already. On a frequent route that we use, with previous ICE car (not EV with caravan yet!) we have been using Birchanger Green on the M11 - good amenities - and they have just intalled a lot more chargers. Great! But, to park the caravan in the caravan section, unhitch, one then has to brave the queues that are backed up from the exit onto roundabout, to drive all the way round back to the EV chargers. Unless one drives the wrong way in a one-way system! At the new Cambridge services on A14, the Ionity chargers are fairly close to the caravan section - easy to unhitch, charge, and back to hitch up. When we visited there though, most of the caravan slots were taken up with vans, cars (not towing), etc. so if we had been towing that time it would have been very annoying. So layout is imperative, and as many have pointed out in the comments, with good signage. It is OK if you are familiar with the service station, but if travelling on holiday, one probably hasn't visited it before.

[@Cwmwd24]

Signage and road markings -- so you can find the things without having to fire up ZapMap or some random network operator app to get vague directions or a miss-placed GPS pin that leaves you driving around a car park looking for tell-tale blue LEDs...

[@Archetypebmx]

Watched this video on Friday, drove down to my parents with my two kids on Saturday morning in my 30kwh leaf. Got to gridserve rugby. Two of the Chademo chargers were red (out of service) and three of the free ones were green. All 3 were not recognising that a car was plugged in! One newer leaf charging then 3 other leafs plus me, waiting! Left there and tried next two services both rammed with cars charging and waiting, only 2 or 1 chargers at those sites. Finally found a free bp at a holiday inn (in the middle of no where) hotel was closed to the public so no amenities at all, with my 3 year old daughter needing a wee with no where to go! So in conclusion, 100% agree reliability #1! Then we need more chargers at every site! It’s ridiculous that the majority of services only have 1 or 2 chargers! There are plenty of sites just not enough at each location.

[@CycleCalm]

Sadly electric motorcycles aren't yet as developed or popular as e-cars, but the amenities, canopy, and a point not mentioned, security (having cctv, and ideally a ground anchor to lock to) are extra important to them.

[@Orbit353]

Excellent video! Reliability is really the thing to give top priority as you point out. For offline chargers, they should preferably default to allowing charging to start WITHOUT authorization - thus for free. Some networks do that, others allow already registered customers to use RFIDs (the list of known customer RFIDs are cached in the chargers), while others do not function at all when offline (which is really bad). Monitoring of the chargers is also lacking. E.g. this summer when on vacation in France, my regular charge card could not start the charger. I also had a backup card from the operator itself (Freshmile), but also that failed. Only the Freshmile app worked. I called customer support after charging had started, and they could tell me that every RFID session had failed since the charger was installed 4-5 months ago.....but they had not noticed until I called it in!! So while the operators should definitively improve, we can as EV drivers also help out on calling in every issue.

[@stephenclay6852]

Great video. I agree with all that you’ve said. I would add one other point when the likes of Tesco / asda etc are building new stores or rehashing the current store car parks put more chargers in. Think of tomorrow not just today. My local asda has two charge posts witch can charge 4 cars a year ago there was always bays spare but not now as one leaves another car pulls in. On occasion you can’t get on any chargers. And set a time limit of two hours. I’ve been there when DPD vans pull in plug in and the driver gets in his car and drives home coming back to his van in the morning. And I’m not making that up.

[@EleanorPeterson]

I feel your pain, Stephen. How about some automatic ram-proof bollards that pop up and 'imprison' an illegally parked vehicle? A huge fine (£2,000?) and a big release fee (£500?) might make it a reasonable deterrent and send out the message that charging points are not to be messed with. That would catch ICE cars as well as long-term abusers like the overnight DPD vans you mention. As for legitimate EV drivers outstaying their welcome... What about, after a 2-hour maximum stay, the charger switches to an increasingly aggressive vampire mode which drains the offending EV's battery, maybe using it to run a set of warning lights, some free USB charging points, a coffee machine, and to contact the authorities. The problem with all such ideas, though, is the one highlighted in this very video: reliability. A security system that was less than perfect, all the time, would be worse than useless. Sigh. I'm glad I can only afford to ride an old bicycle these days... 🙂

[@edwyncorteen1527]

other things to add, 1. to stop a charge you must tap the card used to start the charge, not have a stop button anyone can press! 2. IF THE PAYMENT SYSTEM IS DOWN THE CHARGER MUST BE ON FREE VEND!! 3. there must be a time limit on rapids (45 minutes?) and there MUST be overstay fees. 4. in Norway many chargers are in a petrol station layout so much more convenient!

[@jeta1f35]

Excellent video, I know you'll get a good response from subscribers, I hope you get an equally good response from the network providers who have contacted you. The fact that we are so far down the road of conversion to EV's and it is only now that providers think it might be worth asking what facilities consumers would like to see at charging points / stations tells us everything we need to know about most of the providers. That they are in it for themselves and not the consumer. The current situation shows public network EV charging in a very poor light. If we are to achieve the targets laid down by the government let's hope providers listen to your 'constructive, consumer driven' feedback

[@dscotia]

Obviously they must work. It's a given❗ Be easily identifiable 7 - 22kW chargers. BECAUSE some Councils and Companies have tariffs by kW (Fast) power. My biggest bugbear is the lack of ability to walk around the vehicle. We MUST be able to walk round. As we have many cars, nose plug-in, rear plug-in and side🤷🏻‍♂️

[@andrewjditton]

Spot on mate. Especially the towing angle - that’s what I’m banging on about on my channel at the mo.

[@therutlandflyer3184]

For me layout needs to be improved. The Audi etron charging port is badly positioned and sometimes the heavy charging cable doesn’t reach. All charging bays should be drive through like a petrol station. Also the need for a proper queuing system will become vital as charging points get busier. Even something simple like the ticket machine at the supermarket deli counter would help

[@LS-ly8gl]

I've just ordered my first EV, so finding this channel very helpful.

[@neilfletcher8311]

I do think there should be some shelter at charge points, having got a good soaking the last two times I used public chargers. The process of getting the charger going is not always straightforward, and when your phone screen is wet, it’s difficult to use. Also, I think there should be a queuing system to access the chargers, otherwise it becomes a free for all, leading to arguments as to who was there first.

[@davidhowarth8131]

Another excellent video, I have a plug in hybrid, so don't use as often. Mainly because they are broke, need an app or wrong plug. The other frustration for me is the space to park in! Spaces now days are getting smaller, yet cars are getting bigger! I guess it's like house, the more they can get on a plot the better? I've had times where when the cable is plugged in, you can't get through. They need to set up like a disabled bay, that way a disabled person can use any! Hope this helps, David

[@crackers2767]

Excellent video, thankyou EVM! I think feeling safe needs to feature further up this list, probably third after reliability and access for the disabled. It's been raised in other KZbin videos how unsafe and worried women and other groups feel trying to charge late at night in that backstreet unlit industrial estate carpark, and it's the only option they have. Even as a middle aged white male I can't say I particularly safe in those situations either and a lot more must be done to ensure the site is safe and inclusive for all. On principle I have stopped using any that I feel fit into that category, I will not help fund them.

[@MargaretRoyle-o4z]

I'm a fairly new ev car owner, and was beginning to feel I had made the wrong decision, because charging away from home has been a nightmare. Having just discovered your videos.... which are brillant!.....I will persevere, and hope that the government are taking note of all the (obvious) points you have made. Of all the 60 + different charging companies, was there no consultation or market research done to determine what the public wanted from a charging point, as you have so eloquently described?

[@Joe-lb8qn]

In this order -Reliability -Multiple chargers, never just 1 or 2. Never. -GIven the available supply to the site always err on more lower powered chargers than a few higher, eg much better 10 x 100 than 3 x 350 -Credit card and no need for app -Facilities -Canopy

[@ipb1966]

Overstay penalties and ideally some kind of penalty if the charge rate drops massively - eg for some cars the charge rate drops after 80-90% and that final 10-20% can take almost as long as 10-80%. I agree on layout. The McDonalds at Newton Aycliffe has a one way route around it. The Instavolt chargers are next to diagonal bays. This means for cars with charge ports at the rear they have to reverse in and get out the wrong way - it’s incredibly difficult. The car park has standard bays so no idea why the chargers were out next to the diagonal ones.

[@hethacopland3713]

As a woman lighting around the chargers is important. An we please have contactless as standard? Very thorough list.

[@Brian-om2hh]

All chargers installed from this year onwards must have contactless payment facility by law Hetha.

[@tonychallinor6721]

Reliability! Morrisons in Northampton centre have 2x 50kw chargers. Over the last 18 months at least one has been out of order consistently. In fact for more than 70% of that period both have been out of order. I've reported them dozens of times but Genie Point consistently show them as working

[@lauriemiles1842]

Geniepoint chargers used to be my got charger network - but recently there have been more and more non-working chargers that I have found, and also chargers charging at a fraction of their stated 50kW speed, making them unusable on a long journey. Geniepoint seem to have given up maintaining their network.

[@jezthomas4402]

Somewhere warm and dry, even just a canopy would be a big step, for us electric motorbikers please. And please keep the toilets open even if the other amenities are closed, e.g. gridserve. Thanks for being our voice - power to the people!

[@stephenlee5929]

I agree with your list, but would move safety (feeling of safety) up the list, next to or just below reliability. On your Morrisons visit, the sign giving the price, that was nice. In fact a sign saying a charge point is there. A method, to get help, like you have on London Underground Stations, push button talk to someone, they know where you are because you are where the button is.

[@gchecosse]

Concentration: some councils have multiple rapids in a town, but scattered. Eg Inverness, 5 rapids: all together in a hub, brilliant! But unfortunately they're scattered about the city. If one's in use or out of order, need to drive round the others.

[@Joe-lb8qn]

p.s. love your comment on fitting the charger to the situation/location

[@johnbb99]

As all charge points get busier, there needs to be a way to queue so that first come gets served first. I realise this is a tricky problem, as currently nearly all chargers are at conventional parking slots. There are are more and more cases of people behaving badly [in some cases very badly] as a result. I won't offer solutions here, as there aren't any simple ones, but I feel this should be near the top of your list. If it's not sorted, anyone feeling vulnerable or disadvantaged is going to want to avoid driving an EV.

[@liamchadwick5013]

Agreed. Atm you have to hope you can park next to or near in order to be next without someone else getting in before you. Equally for rapid chargers, sites that have ‘free parking time limits’ this also impacts queuing as you might then have used this time waiting for availability. Cars in a charge bay should be exempt from parking restriction/limits and the charger itself adds overstay fees for being plugged in too long…

[@justsomeguy934]

Great video, let's hope the charging engineers over here across the pond listen...

[@wcoenen]

17:10 I think the reason there are canopies on petrol fuel stations is not for comfort, but because there are drains surrounding the pumps. These are intended to catch fuel spills. The canopy prevents the tank which stores those fuel spills from filling up with rain water.

[@chrisbudge1159]

Agree with reliability - my experience travelling back to the South from Yorkshire on Monday - Rugby gridserve - 4/12 newish units not working ? Why so many , 2/8 remaining showing available, cars in those were 100% charged but no owners - perhaps the amenities are too nice ? - less nice amenities with rapid chargers might mean people dont wander when their car is fully charged We moved onto Banbury and instavolt -16 chargers -all working i think apart from 1 chademo cable on 1 charger, only a costa next door, most people waiting with their cars, no issues, had a quick 20 minute charge and moved on Also better coverage over the country - hard to find many rapids in West Yorkshire (or Cornwall)

[@jayarbe60]

Tesla fine drivers if they overstay at crowded Superchargers. Perhaps other companies could implement something similar?

[@watcher24601]

The new Rugby services is particularly bad for cars with 99% charge and no sign of owners. Have even seen drivers plugging in and driving off in a second car. Doesn't help that Rugby drops from 100kwh to 38kwh when it is busy

[@bartvanhoof6278]

Great points ... What I often feel is a forgotten point in charging site design comes into the layout/amenities basket ... the street furniture aspect ... which includes things like garbage cans and benches etc. ... Sure this is mainly for HPC/rapid charging sites when you're on the move from one distant location to another ... just because I can sit in my car while charging and watch videos/listen to podcasts/music etc. doesn't mean I always want to, it might be a nice day out and the location might be quite interesting so I'd like the choice to be available where I can sit on a bench in the sun while my car charges, enjoying the view, reading a book etc. Like you mentioned ... charging sites often feel a tad desolate ... just make them a bit nicer to be at.

[@davekirk100]

I think queueing is an issue at busy charge locations. One especially is the Tesla supercharger at Darts Farm near Exeter. Most people completely ignore the one-way route around the car park, so cars arrive at the chargers from both directions, No sensible queueing solution other than blocking the regular parking spots near the chargers

[@andyfraser5876]

At a Morrison's a few years ago, the only EV chargepoint was at the junction of 4 bays; 2 were for disabled, the other 2 were for parent and child.

[@TranceElbow]

I agree about reliability being an issue. I have had a PHEV for very nearly a year and have found many many situations where the charging point just doesn't work. 1- Gridserve chargers at serval motorway services were failed on my very first long journey. I ended up having to call them to reboot the posts on every visit. If you try to get going by having scanning your contactless card, they charge a holding fee EVERYTIME!" Even if you don't get a charge!! I did get the fees back in the end. 2- Gridserve again, at IKEA Croydon. I had to call customer services, as always, to get the post rebooted. My car started chaging. I returned 4.5 hours later to find my battery still flat. It appears that charging stopped about 2 minutes after I left the car and my phone didn't tell me as the signal inside IKEA is terrible. I was charge 15pence for the charge. Good job it was an PHEV!! 3- There is a town about 20 miles from home, a trip that uses my whole PHEV battery, which has only 1 post (2 charging points) in the town centre. The post has been off for at least 2 years and no one wants to fix it. My PHEV is a company car, but I REALLY wanted a full EV. The problem is that I tow a caravan and the choices are very limited and charging options when towing are non-existent in my experience. Basically, the cars (in general) are excellent, but the infrastructure is terrible. Even at home I can't have a proper dedicated EV charger, because the feed to my 1950's house can't provide the 100A supply needed. I've been told I'd have to pay for mine and 5 of my neighbours to have new supply cables. I'm stuck with a SLOW 3 pin plug charger. At 10A that takes 4 to 5 hours to charge my 12KWh battery. A full EV would take about 23 hours I'm told. My "New Town" has 1000's of identical houses, which I suspect all have exactly the same problem as me. Sorry to rant, but things could be so so much better if the infrastructure was improved. Love your channel BTW 👍😁

[@Grinding_Gears]

"two is one, and one is none" when it comes to chargers because of the reliability. This weekend, six was none at Ionity Leeds on the M1. Looks like someone nicked all the cables 😠 All good points, keep up the good work.

[@alanburgess6467]

Brilliant video, should be compulsory viewing for EV charger providers. As been said by others - signage - number of times I turn up and then have to search for it/them!

[@robn71]

All good points. Would also add more than 1 or 2 charges at public parking. I live in a coastal town and there are only 4 chargers and 2 of them are about a mile from the beach. But the public parking is in town you would think it makes sense to have 5 or 10 fast chargers in them to encourage tourists to come ?

[@vinceasmith]

Great video. Some additional things, in no particular order: a) Standardised signage which gets added to the Highway Code. In fact a whole section added to the Highway Code, which is included in the Theory Test, about EV charging, they are not parking bays, etc. b) Simplify costs - such as the £1 connection fee then xp per kWh plus overstay fee beyond xx minutes - this needs simplifying. It is very difficult to see how much a charging session is going to cost, even more difficult to compare charging networks. Plus the parking fee whilst charging which has already been mentioned. Just like supermarkets have the price labels and the easy to compare (for example with packs of coffee) the price per 100g. c) Shared data - ensuring that all charging networks publish and share their location, charging devices, status - on an open, standardised API - ie the Open Charge Point Protocol - then we can get full coverage on any of the SatNavs, Apps, websites, etc. d) Adopt standards - eg Plug&Charge - which is an implementation based on of ISO 15118 - the Open Smart Charging Protocol e) Remote and rural charging locations - there are still many blank spaces on the map of the UK where charging, and especially Rapid DC charging is very limited. I really do not want the charging network to be "left to the market" - just look to the poor implementation of broadband as an example, where the need to use good connections for farming, health, etc. is throttled by poor broadband provision. My analogy here is that poor charging provision in remote and rural areas will throttle adoption of BEVs.

[@davidchaffey2207]

Pleased to see mention of charging bays for vehicles towing. That is probably the only thing stopping me buying electric. Quite interested in an EV6 as it appears to be a good tow car.

[@ojeskog]

I fully agree. I'd also put a roof to protect you from the elements high up on the list. Some cars/chargers are slower than others getting the charging started and I do not like to get soaked when waiting for it to happen or to nip over to the loo and a refreshment. Plug and charge support as well please.

[@BDX55]

MFG (Motor Fuel Group) deserve a shout-out. They own a large number of petrol stations around the UK and are gradually adding EV charging to them, not just one or two chargers but banks of 10 or 12. All the ones I’ve been to have had amenities, either on-site or next to them.

[@ChiefMac70]

As others have said, the number of chargers is important - I prefer 4 minimum, but never go anywhere where there's only 1 charger (when talking about rapids). I also love Fastned's plug & charge approach - all networks should do this - so much easier!

[@Sailorman6996]

Totally agree, my short list: 1. Reliability (obviously) 2. Payment. It need to be easy and work. 3. Type - If any store for ex want to attract customers with free charging - let there be many 11kW instead of one 50kW. 4. If it have a canopy to shelter the charger, people and car - why not solar PV panels?

[@stevepercival4663]

My main issue which ties into reliability is number of chargers. When planning a journey I always try to pick a charging spot with multiple chargers just in case one is in use or out of order. Also, next time you visit your brother check out the destination chargers at Bas Vagas.

[@kinross24]

Good vid. Drive through for caravan hitched /trailer hitched. Norway and USA Tesla and Ionity have. Payment;- Tesla like Charge n go! Fastned, Gridserve starting this so why not all have a choice? In case your not the car owner possibly a button to use Card reader instead but normally default to charge n go, without using app, rfid etc.. default charger to dispense without coms when back office issues. Screen washing options available like at petrol stations when at supermarkets etc. Like the Morrisons advertisement of costs! Maybe a way to indicate on each charger head how long is left or a way to show on approach which charger will be free first and a way to queue in order?

[@jmzyboy]

They need to update maps like Google maps, Waze etc when they install new chargers. A petrol station was upgraded in my area and now has public chargers, but the maps still don't show that they are there.. it's been 6 months! If I wasn't a local I wouldn't have known they were there.

[@marvinsamuels1237]

It’s a good list, could think of a few other things, but I think sticking the chargers at the back of a dark unlit carpark is one of the worst things I’ve seen. Got a few stories. Will come back to add a few 😅

[@AlistairHughes]

I agree with all your points, but would like to add the following: Clear instructions and possibly a standardised process for charging. I had to help 2 people yesterday use Ionity chargers, where you connect to the car first and then tap your card. They were used to presenting their card first and then plugging in, which didn't work for them. Also, the charger had a big sticker saying "Contactless payments not currently accepted", which I'm sure is against government guidance/requirements. However, it would accept cards for charging networks such as Volkswagen and Kia - which is counterintuitive as they are contactless payment cards. Also, I know you discussed cover, and said it wasn't that important, but the number of people I've seen standing at the charger trying to read instructions and get it to work means cover would certainly make the process more pleasant. At another site yesterday I watched a guy spend 5 minutes trying to get the charger to work, via both card and app, and he was standing at the screen the entire time. If it had been raining he would have been soaked. Once again clear instructions and a standardised system would make the process quicker, which then would reduce the need for cover. Most important for me would be a clear queueing system. I've been back and forth to the South East from South Wales over the last few weeks, and have used several different charging locations along the M4 and M25, and at each one there has been a queue that the drivers have had to manage themselves. Yesterday I was at the Ionity chargers at Cobham Services on the M25 where there are 6 chargers. 1 was out of action (the screen said the issue had been reported) and all 5 chargers were full, so of course I pulled into the empty charger, got out of my car and tried to use it only to read the message and get back into my car and wait. I parked in a bay opposite, but then I was forced to look around and try and work out whether any of the other cars in the vicinity are EVs, and if so are they waiting to charge. Luckily there was nobody else waiting at that time and an ID3 left within minutes of me turning up. Once I got onto a charger I was there for 15 minutes, and in that time I watched at least 10 cars and a van turn up, try the broken charger (I've given up telling people a charger is broken as I've discovered they always want to try it themselves), and then park in random spaces nearby. Then, when a space became available, it was often on the other side of the bank of chargers so they would drive around only to find someone waiting that side had jumped into the slot they thought they were entitled to. Whilst it was all pretty well mannered there was some confusion and one person voluntarily unplugged and went back to waiting as another driver got a bit flustered as they had been waiting longer. As the number of EVs on the motorway increases then busy spots are going to have queues, and the potential for stress and arguments will increase as the queues increase.

[@robturner724]

RELIABILITY so so right. We drove to the Alps this year, at Eurotunnel there's two dodgy looking units right near the café etc. They're free. I didn't even try them because they looked unreliable and zapmap seemed to agree, so I plugged in at the expensive Tesla public chargers, clicked go and happily walked away to wait for our turn.

[@hamshackleton]

I don't have an EV yet (price!!) but I have a couple of points - make the charge-point clearly visible, so the driver isn't going round and round looking for it! You mentioned safety, and I think it was your vlog I commented on a while back - where the charge point was round the back of a supermarket - inside the goods loading bay, and by the rubbish compactor( very smelly!) - such that you had to go into the shop, to the enquiriy desk, and ask them to open the back gate so you could get to the charger! I also think that the 'destination' chargers could be better named, especially for the planners who don't know an AA battery from a stick of dynamite - thus think a desti is a quick charger. If they were called slow - or trickle - chargers, they wouldn't think that a user would be in and out in ten minutes! - - on a "haha" point, I recently found some 'sparks' fitting a kerbside lamp-post charger, and I asked why there. The spokes-person said that was where they had been told to put it. I said yes, but it's on double yellows, where nobody is allowed to park! - - and, as Neil Smalley put - give and enforce charger-blockers a bill for parking there, if they are not physically charging.

[@SheepShearerMike]

All of what you said Andy, in that order. I tow with my MG, and often find myself blocking other chargers to get mine in, although I tend to be there early in the morning so not too busy.

[@mickinmerton8053]

Great video, I agree with your prioritisations. I hope that those charging networks you refer to take note of your points.

[@mcfc2112]

Top video - as usual! One addition I’ve thought of previously would be the ability to check tyre pressures while charging, and top them up if necessary. I guess most newer cars will have tyre pressure monitors, but while the car is stationary, why not put some wind in the wheels? Also windscreen cleaning? Cheers

[@therealjetlag]

Genius idea

[@voltagevillain7342]

Tesco offer this.

[@mcfc2112]

@@voltagevillain7342 really? Not in the 6 different locations I’ve used

[@HoltAlex]

MFG have this in Poole - great idea! One of the bays has air, screen wash etc to the side of it. Does mean that the space gets temporarily ICEd from time to time, but as it's only for a minute or two I'll take the trade off

[@voltagevillain7342]

@@mcfc2112 I'd like an overhead canopy and a vending machine. Has to happen now there are more EV's on the road.

[@davebowden6111]

Having watched your above video let me tell you about my experiences last weekend. I was staying away at the Travel Lodge at the Cherwell Valley Services. Two reasons for this, 5miles from Bicester and there are two fast 120kw 'Grid Serve Chargers' + 1 22kw but you need your own cable. When I arrived at 9pm there was two users one on each charger. on one there was a young lady having difficulties in getting her payment card excepted. It turned out the con-tactless facility was faulty so she gave up. I then rang Grid serve and got a reply straight away, explained the problem and she reset the charger and stayed on line whilst this was going through. This still didn't let me pay using my card. So she asked for an email address and that then allowed me to start charging. I have always used GS were possible because they were nearly always the cheapest. I was disappointed to find they had put their prices up on the 28th from 38p to 65p when I was expecting the price rise to be from the 1st of Oct. As well as reliability the first item on your list the next one should have been to be able to use both chargers on the same station. Not only one at a time this would cut down the waiting times. I have had to wait for over an hour before now because of being able to use one cable at a time. I don't know if this is the same for other network chargers.

[@DavidGraves7]

I agree with all of the points raised in the video. I would like plug and charge, even if it could only be for members. Non-members could use the contactless.

[@AdamJermaneJones]

Oh so many stories! Once got told off for pressing the emergency stop button on someone’s charge (I didn’t). Their charge had stopped on its own so I started a charge. They returned to their barely charged LEAF and blamed me for stopping theirs. Once arrived at an ecotricy that was offline. There were loads of working ionity chargers, but I had a LEAF at the time so I had to limp to a nearby Morrisons. This is gonna ruffle feathers: Waiting for a que at Perth park and ride chargers. 2 rapid free CPS chargers and 10 Tesla chargers. One car moves out and a tesla nips in the use the free CPS instead of the tesla chargers. He moved out when everyone told him that there was a que, but c’mon. When you can access the Tesla network, don’t add to the que on the CPS network.

[@nettlesoup]

You could do an entire video just about reliability. • Reliability of location: is it open 24/7 and accessible by cars, vans, etc. Is it in a flood zone? • Reliability of power supply: how much is available, does it need battery backup, is there room for future expansion? • Reliability of hardware: what are the minimum guarantees for uptime, and what are the penalties for failure to meet these? Who writes the firmware, and how do they comply with the standards, how often do they provide firmware updates and how are these deployed? How messy and complex does the internal wiring of the cabinets seem? • Reliability of connectivity: is there a good 4G signal for the network provider? Do the units need to call home? Can they still allow a charge to be started and stopped from the display if they lose the network? Support capabilities: can 24/7 support easily do what they need in order to get drivers charged? Remote reboot, remote start/stop charge? Etc. • Redundancy: if one or more charge modules fail, can the charge unit automatically select from other modules? Is power shared between all units in a central rack with dynamic allocation? Or fixed for each unit with a resulting higher maximum current requirement for the site? Discoverability: does the charge unit indicate in an easily identifiable way if it is unavailable, or if maximum charge rate is reduced due to heat and/or power limits? Web/mobile alternatives to RFID/contactless: ask for an overview of the software, hardware and network infrastructure, have it checked by a competent software engineer. Ask for credentials so you can test the app/website yourself and check usability, responsiveness. Ultimately, long before signing anything, procurement people need to scour Twitter and KZbin comments for any insight into how well each charge operator runs their business. Ask EV drivers for their honest opinion. Ask for expert help!

[@michaelscott1178]

Your standard of content is why I watch more KZbin than TV. Thank you. Canopies. Yes, they act (poorly) as shelters but.... they also act to protect equpment, to provide mounting for lights, CCTV and to act as a sign post. It does not have to be a "statement" structure with disproportionate install costs yet hey, why not include a small DC inverter and some canopy mounted solar panels too.

[@davidabineri908]

With the charger connection on the front of the Leaf, it solves the trailer issue, as long as parking is marked accordingly for larger vehicles. Standardizing the location of the car's charging port could be useful.

[@Snerdles]

Not sure how it is in the UK. In Canada chargers bill by the minute and not by the power you use. If you plug in to a 350kw charger and only get 50kw you are paying 7 times the cash for the same amount of miles. this is not only idiotic on the face of it but also incentivises the charger company to have people plugged in as long as possible and not get charged as fast as possible. In Canada this is due to measurements Canada being idiots and not the charging companies, but this needs to change immediately, not in 5 years when the government decides to finally do something for a change.

[@stuartkirby4654]

Good Video which covers the main points. However, one big problem for the future is the number of charge stations at a particular location to deal with the number of customers passing through. No point in having just one or two at a location and finding them occupied when you arrive so you have to stand around waiting for them to become free. Need at least 4 or 6 per location. Tesla are fitting 168 chargers at one of their new locations in California! They are keeping ahead of the curve on this.

[@FFVoyager]

My wife, who sometimes does decent trips at night (180- 250 miles) just bought a replacement car. She wanted comfort and quiet. I suggested an EV. We looked at some but she came to the conclusion that £19k on a four year old Volvo S90 Inscription Pro was a wiser spend currently than £35k or more on an electric car that she would potentially have to stop at motorway services in the cold, dark and wet for an indeterminate amount of time. That was her only reason for dismissing them. But I couldn't disagree. We could have bought anything and I took her the 220 miles there and back to get the Volvo in my Ioniq and we even charged my 28kWh Ioniq before going to collect it for a whole 18 minuets and she didn't think that was a problem. But I'm not a 53 year old woman coming back from London, Liverpool or Leeds on a miserable December night.