How to charge Leaf after buying, en route home from NI

mobfromcork

Folks,
Have read a lot here over the past few weeks ans very grateful for all the info. Collecting a Leaf in the North at the start of next week and will be driving back to just south of Carlow. Approximately 150 miles so will need to charge at least once and more than likely twice as it's a 24kw Leaf so once would be cutting it fine I think. I don't yet have an ESB charging card as I don't have the Irish reg etc. How do you charge en route home at public charging stations without the card? I saw mentioned in a thread (although it was from a few years ago) that you ring the number on the side of the charger and ask them to turn the charger on. Does that still work?
What's the best app to use for planning the journey and finding the best places to stop please?
I have applied for the home charging grant so will try and get things in motion as soon as I can but probably a poor time of year to try and get an electrician. Might have to wait until the new year.
Thanks in advance for any info.

Mark

slave1

You can still phone the number, it’s manned 24/7 and they will charge you up. I would plan on two stops at least.

AhHaor

What's the best app to use for planning the journey and finding the best places to stop please?

I find Zap-Map quite useful. With the leaf 24 if you want to be conservative and will be on motorways, you won't go far wrong considering 1% 1km, you should get a bit better economy than that. But as a starting guide it's not far off.

Nedved85

It's your first drive. So I would have the route planned out very well and have plenty of backup chargers in mind.

I'm not up on the 24kWh range but for me when I was bringing my 30kWh home from the UK I charged up every 120km or so to be safe and drove at 100/110km/h.

Driving at 110/120 will eat the battery.

If you are planning two charges, make it 3 at least

Nedved85

To use the ESB's fast chargers, you can swipe any bank card at the moment to start the charge as far as I know. You also swipe the same card at the end of the session.

KAGY

mobfromcork wrote: »

Folks,
Have read a lot here over the past few weeks ans very grateful for all the info. Collecting a Leaf in the North at the start of next week and will be driving back to just south of Carlow. Approximately 150 miles so will need to charge at least once and more than likely twice as it's a 24kw Leaf so once would be cutting it fine I think. I don't yet have an ESB charging card as I don't have the Irish reg etc. How do you charge en route home at public charging stations without the card? I saw mentioned in a thread (although it was from a few years ago) that you ring the number on the side of the charger and ask them to turn the charger on. Does that still work?
What's the best app to use for planning the journey and finding the best places to stop please?
I have applied for the home charging grant so will try and get things in motion as soon as I can but probably a poor time of year to try and get an electrician. Might have to wait until the new year.
Thanks in advance for any info.

Mark

Any NFC card (bank, leap, etc) should work. Until charging comes in its just used to make sure the same card stops the charge as starts it. As poster above said, you can get get zap map app and plan your route.
I've made a 105 km journey (with 17 left) with the full family + luggage in a 24k Leaf. Mind you, it was the only time I stuck to 80kph on the old n4.
Coming back along the M4 with everything on and at motorway speeds I was down by 65% by the charger at Enfield and used about 70% by the time I hit home. (So 135% for same journey)

So speed and heating knocks lots off the range - wear a hat and light shoes :-P

waynegalway

I’d say most people’s experience is that you get “better” at driving an EV over time. It seems common enough that economy gets better the more you drive it, as there’s a bit of a learning curve. To be realistic, I wouldn’t bank on getting the most out of it for your first drive.

Allowing 1km per 1% as someone said above is a good guide, but build in a safety factor for yourself. Charge when you can, not when you think you might need to. I’d play it very safe for my first trip. Enjoy!

KCross

mobfromcork wrote: »

Folks,
Have read a lot here over the past few weeks ans very grateful for all the info. Collecting a Leaf in the North at the start of next week and will be driving back to just south of Carlow. Approximately 150 miles so will need to charge at least once and more than likely twice as it's a 24kw Leaf so once would be cutting it fine I think.

What is your exact (town will do) start and end point of the journey and we should be able to give you the real worlds charge stops you need to take to ensure you dont end on a flatbed. Your first trip in it isnt the one you want to be trying to stretch the range!

NOTE: Most chargers do accept any old RFID bank card etc but some dont. If they dont you will just ring the number. Use this one instead of 1890.... 01-2583799.

mobfromcork

Thanks for all the information folks. That's made my upcoming journey far easier to plan. I'm going from Portadown to near Leighlinbridge in Carlow. At work now so hard to reply to everything properly but will post later in this evening.
Mark

KCross

mobfromcork wrote: »

I'm going from Portadown to near Leighlinbridge in Carlow.

Based on where the chargers are placed I think you will need 3 stops and you need to make sure that the dealer has the car at 100% for you when you collect it.

You also need to realise that once you get to 80% charge level at a rapid you will be charging really slowly so its better to disconnect at 80% and move on if possible, so each hop to the next charger will have <80% available to you, not 100%.

I think your rapid stops should be:

Starting at Portadown
- Castlebellingham (65km from Portadown, next rapid is just a tad too far for your first trip unless you are willing to drive at <100kmh).
- M1 J4 (58km from C'ham, 80km to M7 J14. Keep speed <110kmh on the clock)
- M7 J14 (73km to Leighlinbridge. Charge to 85%)
Arrive Leighlinbridge

Each of those stops has spare range so you shouldnt be stuck for Plan B to an SCP if you need to.

You could look at some other options, like using the Naas charger but I think you should try to avoid that charger if you can as there is a good chance you will be queuing there and its in a crap location to get to.

I presume you would normally travel the M9. When you leave M1 J4 you will have 80%. That wont get you to Carlow unless you want to travel the M9 at a snails pace.
I've suggested the M7 just because of the way the chargers are spaced, its only marginally longer and it means you should have no range issues using that route.

There are multiple ways to do this but you should pick one that gives you options in case a charger is out. You dont want to be watching the range all the way down.

And whatever route you take check the eCars app first thing in the morning in case a charger has been knocked out and you need to replan. Easier do it from your kitchen table than trying to do it on a mobile at the side of the road! And check again when you leave Portadown.

Happy travels!

slave1

Hey OP, what year is your car, there are early L24 models without rapid charging capability, outside chance but still worth checking

mobfromcork

Thanks again for all the detailed replies. It's a 2015 24kw 6.6kw leaf so has the newer battery and should be able to fast charge I think. It comes with a charge cable and a granny cable as well.
Thanks KCRoss for the suggested stopping points along the way. I'm in no rush so will be playing it safe and for the first trip would prefer to err on the side of caution.
I have downloaded the eCar, Zapmap and plug share apps to be sure to be sure ...
Will ask the garage to have it fully charged beforehand.
I've only test driven one Leaf a very short distance so am looking forward to the spin down.
Sound for all the advice. Here's hoping it all goes well.
Just as an aside - if I happen to be delayed leaving Portadown (waiting on bank transfer to go through etc), and get caught in rush hour traffic going around the M50 or M7, does that run down the battery much more than driving at 80kmph?

rolion

mobfromcork wrote: »

Just as an aside - if I happen to be delayed leaving Portadown (waiting on bank transfer to go through etc), and get caught in rush hour traffic going around the M50 or M7, does that run down the battery much more than driving at 80kmph?

A 2015 L24 doesnt have newer battery,just ,i guess, the faster charger 6.6 compared with previous 3.3

Just drive more in "B" mode on that portin on M50 or traffic.
When you select from the gear shifter "Drive",pull one more time back until screen on dashboard shows B.
From that moment,the regenerative breaks are harder and you get more "put back battery energy" when you keep on and off / move and stop in traffic.

Have fun and enjoy it.

KAGY

mobfromcork wrote: »

Just as an aside - if I happen to be delayed leaving Portadown (waiting on bank transfer to go through etc), and get caught in rush hour traffic going around the M50 or M7, does that run down the battery much more than driving at 80kmph?

Unless the heating is on, being stopped in traffic should use minimal battery. Same as a ice car slow acceleration and gentle braking to maximise range.
I drove mine back from electric autos in Naas on a bank holiday and was glad to be in slow traffic!

Gumbo

rolion wrote: »

A 2015 L24 doesnt have newer battery,just ,i guess, the faster charger 6.6 compared with previous 3.3

Just drive more in "B" mode on that portin on M50 or traffic.
When you select from the gear shifter "Drive",pull one more time back until screen on dashboard shows B.
From that moment,the regenerative breaks are harder and you get more "put back battery energy" when you keep on and off / move and stop in traffic.

Have fun and enjoy it.

A 2015 leaf does indeed have the newer battery over the gen 1 version (pre 132ish). It is more economical and provides better management.

Zenith74

Just as an aside - if I happen to be delayed leaving Portadown (waiting on bank transfer to go through etc), and get caught in rush hour traffic going around the M50 or M7, does that run down the battery much more than driving at 80kmph?

You'll actually find you get much more range when you hit traffic like this, because instead of driving at 100km/h you'll be driving at 40/50km/h which is very significantly easier on power consumption.

Just a word of warning as this is your first long drive in an EV. Unless you're lucky, you're likely to come across others charging before you at those fast chargers, which can easily add an hour or two at each depending on the number of people there (I was in a queue of 5 cars recently!). With more EVs on the road, some of the busier chargers have hit saturation point. Just don't get disheartened by it, you're going to absolutely love driving the Leaf and this queuing anxiety issue is a short-lived problem, the ESB and Ionity have a decent charger roll-out programme during 2019 to fix it.

biko

Nedved85 wrote: »

To use the ESB's fast chargers, you can swipe any bank card at the moment to start the charge as far as I know. You also swipe the same card at the end of the session.

Yes, but don't rely on this though, I have tested it several times over the autumn and winter and it might not always work.
However, if it doesn't work then you can ring them and they will start the session for you.

mobfromcork

Thanks. I'm just reading over the thread here. Heading to get the train at 6.30am. Hopefully the fund transfer goes ok and I'll be in the road back before midday.
Thanks again for all the qdvice.

slave1

So, how did it go? Don't forget any tolls you went through you can get rebate on as an EV

ELM327

slave1 wrote: »

So, how did it go? Don't forget any tolls you went through you can get rebate on as an EV

Only if you have already signed up for a video or tag account though.

mobfromcork

Back home in Carlow after a longish but enjoyable spin.
Got the train up this morning and got to garage around 11.45. Had a quick look over the car (there's so much less to be able to check with the battery rather than an engine) and talked through a few bits with the salesman. Car was nover 90% when I left Portadown and I stopped in all the places suggested by KCEire above. The charger at junction 4 wouldn't connect for me and didn't know was it something I was doing or the charger so I went on to another one a little off the motorway within range.
The bank card worked ok for two if the ESB units and I charged to 80% but the same machine wouldn't accept my bank card at junction 14 services. Luckily for me a very kind and informative lady let me use her ESB card and we chatted about the pros of EVs for a bit.
The machines in Carlow town without the building leads didn't accept my bank card so I took a small spin to another point on the ring road which had A Chademo one for a quick blast.
I took it very handy in the drive down but enjoyed it nonetheless. The car felt far lighter on the road than our other ones which was good in one sense but got caught by a few cross-winds as well.
Have to make.do with the granny cable until after Christmas I reckon. Will head to the NCT centre tomorrow to register the car if I can.
Thanks again for all the help and advice

slave1

mobfromcork wrote: »

Back home in Carlow after a longish but enjoyable spin.
Got the train up this morning and got to garage around 11.45. Had a quick look over the car (there's so much less to be able to check with the battery rather than an engine) and talked through a few bits with the salesman. Car was nover 90% when I left Portadown and I stopped in all the places suggested by KCEire above. The charger at junction 4 wouldn't connect for me and didn't know was it something I was doing or the charger so I went on to another one a little off the motorway within range.
The bank card worked ok for two if the ESB units and I charged to 80% but the same machine wouldn't accept my bank card at junction 14 services. Luckily for me a very kind and informative lady let me use her ESB card and we chatted about the pros of EVs for a bit.
The machines in Carlow town without the building leads didn't accept my bank card so I took a small spin to another point on the ring road which had A Chademo one for a quick blast.
I took it very handy in the drive down but enjoyed it nonetheless. The car felt far lighter on the road than our other ones which was good in one sense but got caught by a few cross-winds as well.
Have to make.do with the granny cable until after Christmas I reckon. Will head to the NCT centre tomorrow to register the car if I can.
Thanks again for all the help and advice

Book your NCT for January so you don’t have to pay an extra months road tax, you have 30 days so no rush

slave1

...and in any case you need an appointment

mobfromcork

slave1 wrote: »

...and in any case you need an appointment

Thanks for that, didn't realise I'd need an appointment. I'll wait until Jan so.

Zenith74

Make sure you have the full V5 as well, cannot do the VRT without it. Dealer in the UK sent the first page of mine to the DVLA by accident.

Surprised to hear you say it felt light, I was pleasantly surprised how heavy it felt. What is the other car?

I doodled back from the UK in Eco mode, had never driven a Leaf not in Eco until the day after I got home and was no longer worried about the charge. The perkiness really impressed me, very unexpected.

Enjoy the car!

mobfromcork

Yeah I have it all except for one section that the dealer sent to say that the car had been permanently exported.

Other car is a Saab 9-5 estate which, fair enough, is a totally different kettle of fish as regards weight. The car the Leaf is replacing is a 2004 Mazda 6 saloon. I really noticed it on the motorway - it was gusty at times today but not excessively. However, it will be primarily a short journey car so not too worried about it in that regard.

I also only turned off the eco mode when I got back as far as Carlow town and found the response and acceleration pleasantly surprising.

Gumbo

mobfromcork wrote: »

Back home in Carlow after a longish but enjoyable spin.
Got the train up this morning and got to garage around 11.45. Had a quick look over the car (there's so much less to be able to check with the battery rather than an engine) and talked through a few bits with the salesman. Car was nover 90% when I left Portadown and I stopped in all the places suggested by KCEire above. The charger at junction 4 wouldn't connect for me and didn't know was it something I was doing or the charger so I went on to another one a little off the motorway within range.
The bank card worked ok for two if the ESB units and I charged to 80% but the same machine wouldn't accept my bank card at junction 14 services. Luckily for me a very kind and informative lady let me use her ESB card and we chatted about the pros of EVs for a bit.
The machines in Carlow town without the building leads didn't accept my bank card so I took a small spin to another point on the ring road which had A Chademo one for a quick blast.
I took it very handy in the drive down but enjoyed it nonetheless. The car felt far lighter on the road than our other ones which was good in one sense but got caught by a few cross-winds as well.
Have to make.do with the granny cable until after Christmas I reckon. Will head to the NCT centre tomorrow to register the car if I can.
Thanks again for all the help and advice

FYI
you can call the number and ecar will start and stop your charge.
It’s manned 24/7.

Might save you leaving a charger and looking for another one.

(01) 258 3799