Which charging network in the UK?

Himselfe

A bit last minute, I know, but I'm going to the UK tomorrow to pick up a 30kw Leaf and I'm not sure how I'm going to charge it on the way back.

Which network would people recommend? Can I just rock up to a charger and pay as I go or do I need a card?

Driving from London area to Holyhead.

Any tips gretly appreciated!

biko

I haven't done it myself but www.polarinstant.com seems easy to use
Their map www.polarinstant.com/map

If you're buying from a dealer that deals with EVs a lot then they should be able to tell you hopefully

ELM327

Ecotricity have an app and have most of the motorway services covered by chargers
You just download the app, add your card, and away you go

September1

Best one is instavolt as you pay with you NFC enabled credit/debit card there.
Polar Instant on Android requires to manually get apk and really good network connection. Locations are often hotels, so check parking policy if using one.
Ecotricity app works well and has perfect locations (last one is in Holyhead port), but charges seems to be poorly maintained, I recommend using ZapMap to ensure that charger is working fine.

Himselfe

Thanks folks. You can always rely on Boardsies to know whats what!

I was inspired to do this by some other posters who wrote about their experiences bringing an EV over from the UK. If I get time, and if all goes well, I'll post mine too.
Thanks again.

cros13

Ecotricity is definitely going to be your main go-to network given their position at motorway services (they have an exclusive contract with the UK motorways agency). They work off a mobile app:

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ecotricity.electrichighway
iOS: https://itunes.apple.com/ie/app/ecotricity/id986732377?mt=8

The ecotricity rapid chargers have their own WiFi networks if you are having coverage issues. If the charger itself loses connectivity they should fail open and supply power for free.
Unlike ESB, Ecotricity support is only office hours, 5 days a week.

Instavolt is not an option for you because it's CCS (the standard european connector) only AFAIK.

Chargemaster Polar is good to have as a backup, not really for their rapid chargers... but because they have lots of roaming agreements for hotel and streetside charge points if you get caught short.

ELM327

cros13 wrote: »

Ecotricity is definitely going to be your main go-to network given their position at motorway services (they have an exclusive contract with the UK motorways agency). They work off a mobile app:

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ecotricity.electrichighway
iOS: https://itunes.apple.com/ie/app/ecotricity/id986732377?mt=8

The ecotricity rapid chargers have their own WiFi networks if you are having coverage issues. If the charger itself loses connectivity they should fail open and supply power for free.
Unlike ESB, Ecotricity support is only office hours, 5 days a week.

Instavolt is not an option for you because it's CCS (the standard european connector) only AFAIK.

Chargemaster Polar is good to have as a backup, not really for their rapid chargers... but because they have lots of roaming agreements for hotel and streetside charge points if you get caught short.

AFAIK they are CCS + Chademo, https://instavolt.co.uk/driver-faqs/
Just no Fast AC

denismc

Himselfe wrote: »

A bit last minute, I know, but I'm going to the UK tomorrow to pick up a 30kw Leaf and I'm not sure how I'm going to charge it on the way back.

Which network would people recommend? Can I just rock up to a charger and pay as I go or do I need a card?

Driving from London area to Holyhead.

My only advice is stick to the motorways as there are services every 20 miles or so.
Plan your stops using the Zapmap app.
Keep enough battery in reserve to get you to the next chargepoint in case a charger is out of action.
Allow plenty of time.
I used Ecotricity and it worked ok.