ESB eCars

Black_Knight · 09-05-2021 9:51pm

the_amazing_raisin wrote: »

EV owners public charging kit:

- Selection of charging cards
- Phone with selection of apps for when cards fail
- Charging cable for when phone runs out of battery
- String to tie up CCS plug to car to stop communication pins from breaking contact due to weight of cable
- Insulated screwdriver to pry the dirt and stones out of the charging plug because the last person left it on the ground
- Baseball bat wrapped with barbed wire to discourage any drivers from plugging into the AC while you're charging

And the new addition

- Crowbar to pry the plug out of the charger

Save the baseball bat, bring zip ties. Tie up the other cable to stop CHAdeMO kicking CCS off

ELM327 · 09-05-2021 9:52pm

the_amazing_raisin wrote: »

EV owners public charging kit:

- Selection of charging cards
- Phone with selection of apps for when cards fail
- Charging cable for when phone runs out of battery
- String to tie up CCS plug to car to stop communication pins from breaking contact due to weight of cable
- Insulated screwdriver to pry the dirt and stones out of the charging plug because the last person left it on the ground
- Baseball bat wrapped with barbed wire to discourage any drivers from plugging into the AC while you're charging

And the new addition

- Crowbar to pry the plug out of the charger

Or just push in then pull out

the_amazing_raisin · 09-05-2021 9:55pm

Black_Knight wrote: »

Save the baseball bat, bring zip ties. Tie up the other cable to stop CHAdeMO kicking CCS off

Oh that's a good one, means I don't need to stand guard by the charger

the_amazing_raisin · 09-05-2021 9:58pm

ELM327 wrote: »

Or just push in then pull out

Not the most reliable method in my experience

ELM327 · 10-05-2021 9:22am

the_amazing_raisin wrote: »

Not the most reliable method in my experience

Chargus Interruptus?

cannco253 wrote: »

Coming back to commercial EVs on the road, this was just announced today

https://electrek.co/2021/05/04/ford-e-transit-target-price-electric-van/

If you go onto the Ford.ie website you can see it
https://www.ford.ie/future-vehicles/new-e-transit

It also mentions Depot charging and public charging

"Wherever business takes you, charging your E-Transit should be effortless. Our fast-growing FordPass Charging Network will have over 150,000 public charging points across Europe by 2021. And the high-power, fast charging stations from IONITY will have 400 locations each with multiple charging points."

Does anyone know what the FordPass Charging Network covers? Will we see these on the road here next year at eCars and Ionity?

As I mentioned before I'd love a commercial full size EV van in the next 12-18 months, been looking at a replacement for an ageing diesel. Nothing out there below 50-60k. Even looking at the likes of Maxus (which I said I never would). The deliver 9 is 26k and the e deliver 9 is 66k!. At least it has CCS at that price. The Master ZE is 66k with no fast charging!

I don't mind paying a bit more than the fossil equivalent but I'm not going to pay 60-70k when a new fossil van is mid 20's.

(Kangoo ZE and env 200 are too small)

AndyBoBandy · 10-05-2021 3:37pm

Any updates from the HyperHub in J14/Mayfield???

It's been a good while now since we saw the last photo's of barriers and ground works.
Anyone pass there frequently able to provide an update? with photo's?

Actually, now that we are open countrywide, I might take a spin down past it and have a look soon..

Been a lot of EV's sold so far this year (and last), and owners will be getting shocks when they take them out on long spins on our motorway network, and see how quickly the battery bar reduces!!!! There will be a lot of pressure on our motorway fast charging network this summer...

Might put a bit more pressure on cars to work a little faster than snails pace!!

innrain · 10-05-2021 4:19pm

AndyBoBandy wrote: »

Any updates from the HyperHub in J14/Mayfield???

It's been a good while now since we saw the last photo's of barriers and ground works.
Anyone pass there frequently able to provide an update? with photo's?

Actually, now that we are open countrywide, I might take a spin down past it and have a look soon..

Been a lot of EV's sold so far this year (and last), and owners will be getting shocks when they take them out on long spins on our motorway network, and see how quickly the battery bar reduces!!!! There will be a lot of pressure on our motorway fast charging network this summer...

Might put a bit more pressure on cars to work a little faster than snails pace!!

I saw some comments on FB that the groundwork seems ready. No units installed yet.

boccy23 · 10-05-2021 4:21pm

Any plans for something in Cork?

Fermoy or in the City?

cannco253 · 12-05-2021 12:13pm

Updated JAGUAR I-PACE AND ECOTRICITY x GRIDSERVE's 1st Site | Fully Charged CARS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-3WoyZiOTY

Skip the Jag review and go to around 7 minutes and see the new Ecotricity site, there's a long way to go here for eCars

ELM327 · 12-05-2021 12:18pm

It's one site though.
I'd much prefer 3 sites of 4 HPC as opposed to 1 site with 12.

cannco253 · 12-05-2021 12:52pm

Well they are saying it's being rolled out across the motorway network, so should see more this year. Good to finally see contactless payment in action.

https://www.ecotricity.co.uk/our-news/2021/ecotricity-and-gridserve-to-power-the-electric-highway
"The transformation work has two elements - already underway. Firstly, all existing chargers will be replaced with new technology, doubling the capacity - offering all three connection types (CCS, CHAdeMO, and AC) and contactless payment. Secondly – a further 6 to 12 pumps of the all-new 350kW high power standard will be installed. Funding for the program is being provided by Hitachi Capital (UK) PLC, also a shareholder in GRIDSERVE. "

Gridserve already have their own forecourt in Braintree
https://gridserve.com/braintree-overview/

ELM327 · 12-05-2021 12:55pm

Agree on contactless payment, this is the way we should be paying for all charging.

cannco253 · 12-05-2021 1:01pm

https://www.gridserve.com/partner-with-us-land-1/?LeadSourceCode=crm1017

"Calling all landowners. Are you ready to profit from the EV revolution?
Turn your property into a land bank for future generations. For the project’s lifetime (30-40 years) you will receive guaranteed payments while your land continues to appreciate."

I've heard about this for solar, but not specifically for electric forecourt/electric hubs. How does it work with eCars?

Black_Knight · 12-05-2021 7:47pm

From the new chargers sticky...

Norton House Car Park, Cork Road, Skibbereen now has a 50kW DC and 22kW AC unit (all in one)

Most South Westerly charge point now, passing easygo in clonality. Bantry looks like a nice one to do next to link up to Kenmare. If they can be relied on, the south west is a bit more open to EVs now

boccy23 · 17-05-2021 9:42am

Pulled in yesterday to the Circle K station at Ballacolla on the M8 to charge. Used the CCS charger but the cable is so short that I could only use it on the Right Hand of the two charger points.

If I had to use the Left Hand one, no way the cable would have reached. Is this normal? Seems crazy and could result in me not being able to charge even if only one point is being used.

I have an ID4 with charging point at the rear driver's side.

markpb · 17-05-2021 9:48am

Welcome to the wonderful world of eCars where everything works as long as you're driving a Leaf and nothing quite works the way it should if you insist on being awkward and driving anything else.

the_amazing_raisin · 17-05-2021 9:49am

boccy23 wrote: »

Pulled in yesterday to the Circle K station at Ballacolla on the M8 to charge. Used the CCS charger but the cable is so short that I could only use it on the Right Hand of the two charger points.

If I had to use the Left Hand one, no way the cable would have reached. Is this normal? Seems crazy and could result in me not being able to charge even if only one point is being used.

I have an ID4 with charging point at the rear driver's side.

Yeah that's standard, a symptom of the fact that the people installing the chargers don't ever use them

There's another example on the Applegreen on M11. It has those angled spaces and the placement of the charger means the Chademo can only be used from the left hand space

boccy23 · 17-05-2021 9:57am

markpb wrote: »

Welcome to the wonderful world of eCars where everything works as long as you're driving a Leaf and nothing quite works the way it should if you insist on being awkward and driving anything else.

Christ! Thanks, I kinda thought it was just me and I was missing something.

Black_Knight · 17-05-2021 10:00am

boccy23 wrote: »

Christ! Thanks, I kinda thought it was just me and I was missing something.

You need to get more comfortable with "parking like an a$$hole" for charging. Bad parking at chargers is a symptom of the underlying problem that is the layout of the units.

boccy23 · 17-05-2021 10:07am

Black_Knight wrote: »

You need to get more comfortable with "parking like an a$$hole" for charging. Bad parking at chargers is a symptom of the underlying problem that is the layout of the units.

I'd laugh, but it's not funny really is it!

the_amazing_raisin · 17-05-2021 10:45am

boccy23 wrote: »

I'd laugh, but it's not funny really is it!

It's kind of a symptom of the attitude towards car charging, that they use marked parking spaces

If you look at petrol pumps for example, there's no marked spaces and there's pumps on both sides with lots of space to accomodate different vehicles parking in different positions

It also creates a sense of urgency around the area, that you can't park there for long periods

In other coutries like Normay or the Nethlands you can see fast chargers are laid out like petrol pumps and are often visible at the front of a service station

In Ireland however we get one charger which is barely usable and often hidden around the back with the bins :mad:

AndyBoBandy · 17-05-2021 11:54am

boccy23 wrote: »

I have an ID4 with charging point at the rear driver's side.

this is an ecars """"""""""hub"""""""""" in Kells.

You can only use the middle space (150kW unit), or the space on the right (50kW unit).

If you arrive and a Leaf is in the middle spot using the 150kW unit, and the 50kW unit is also being used (CCS/CHAdeMO/AC43), you are bunched, unless you put the front wheels on the dirt to the left, and park perpendicular in the space in order for the CCS plug to reach.

Mr Hyundai or Tesla could use it though as their charge port is on the left side... however if Mr Leaf was in space 1, then you're good in your ID.4, and Mr Tesla/Hyundai is bunched!!*

*I'm aware a Tesla/Hyundai could park in space 2 (assuming space 3 was occupied) and use either the CCS or AC from the 50kW unit, but ESB have told us that the 50kW triple head units at this site can now only charge 1 car at a time, despite them for years being able to charge 2 cars (CCS or CHAdeMO & AC43) at the same time...........

Black_Knight · 17-05-2021 11:57am

AndyBoBandy wrote: »

this is an ecars """"""""""hub"""""""""" in Kells.

You can only use the middle space (150kW unit), or the space on the right (50kW unit).

If you arrive and a Leaf is in the middle spot using the 150kW unit, and the 50kW unit is also being used (CCS/CHAdeMO/AC43), you are bunched, unless you put the front wheels on the dirt to the left, and park perpendicular in the space in order for the CCS plug to reach.

Mr Hyundai or Tesla could use it though as their charge port is on the left side... however if Mr Leaf was in space 1, then you're good in your ID.4, and Mr Tesla/Hyundai is bunched!!*

*I'm aware a Tesla/Hyundai could park in space 2 (assuming space 3 was occupied) and use either the CCS or AC from the 50kW unit, but ESB have told us that the 50kW triple head units at this site can now only charge 1 car at a time, despite them for years being able to charge 2 cars (CCS or CHAdeMO & AC43) at the same time...........

Drive straight in, mount the path behind the unit.

McGiver · 17-05-2021 12:30pm

ELM327 wrote:

Agree on contactless payment, this is the way we should be paying for all charging.

Absolutely.

It was one of the criteria in tender the Swiss federal government called for building of 50 hubs on the Swiss federal owned motorway rest places.
Another one was minimum number connectors and power per site. And another one was the requirement of energy storage on site.

Whereas here - no tender. And that's why we are where we are.

McGiver · 17-05-2021 12:36pm

AndyBoBandy wrote:

If you arrive and a Leaf is in the middle spot using the 150kW unit, and the 50kW unit is also being used (CCS/CHAdeMO/AC43), you are bunched, unless you put the front wheels on the dirt to the left, and park perpendicular in the space in order for the CCS plug to reach.

This is the reason why in Germany and Czechia you can see EON chargers with slanted parking bays and the charger kind of at the side of bays on a separate isle between the bays or on a mini-isle protruding from the bay...

Petrol station layout is the best but the slanted one works also.

The "ESB layout" is the worst of all. But sadly it is common throughout Europe.

the_amazing_raisin · 17-05-2021 1:42pm

Black_Knight wrote: »

Drive straight in, mount the path behind the unit.

That would be my plan

eagerv · 18-05-2021 4:42pm

While in New Ross earlier was going to try the new Fast Charge Point.
Apparently has been inaccessible since Sunday. Showing as being unavailable on App since this morning. Nobody there working so couldn't ask what was going on..

Black_Knight · 21-05-2021 10:33am

A 50kW Circontrol Raption 50 unit popped up yesterday for a bit at GMC Utilities (Cappagh Rd). Seems a private unit installed by ESB. It's disappeared now though.

innrain · 21-05-2021 10:38am

Black_Knight wrote: »

A 50kW Circontrol Raption 50 unit popped up yesterday for a bit at GMC Utilities (Cappagh Rd). Seems a private unit installed by ESB. It's disappeared now though.

They are contractors working on behalf of ESB. I saw their vans @ chargers many times. So maybe a test.

Black_Knight · 21-05-2021 10:40am

innrain wrote: »

They are contractors working on behalf of ESB. I saw their vans @ chargers many times. So maybe a test.

A test? Now? They have 31 of those units deployed. Who do they think they are testing after deploying! Volkswagen!?

the_amazing_raisin · 21-05-2021 10:48am

Black_Knight wrote: »

A test? Now? They have 31 of those units deployed. Who do they think they are testing after deploying! Volkswagen!?

Timed charge failed again?

I guess GMC must have gotten some electric vans so they need a charger. Dunno why they couldn't get one of their own

Can't wait for the next time the eCars server goes down, the poor GMC lads won't be able to go out to fix anything :rolleyes:

Black_Knight · 21-05-2021 10:51am

the_amazing_raisin wrote: »

Timed charge failed again?

I guess GMC must have gotten some electric vans so they need a charger. Dunno why they couldn't get one of their own

Can't wait for the next time the eCars server goes down, the poor GMC lads won't be able to go out to fix anything :rolleyes:

Not yet. Too much range to need to charge it that frequently. Only at 51% now.

the_amazing_raisin · 21-05-2021 11:12am

Black_Knight wrote: »

Not yet. Too much range to need to charge it that frequently. Only at 51% now.

Yeah I'm at 76%, have to run it down a bit more so I can plug it in and make sure it'll charge

I dunno what I'm going to do with all this battery capacity, I feel like I have to do a road trip just to justify it

bodgerfederer · 21-05-2021 5:44pm

Gorey services; 1 Nissan Leaf charging, 2 more queuing. Very glad I went for a car with css charging and the presence of ionity. However, this might be the shape of things to come; esb needs to up their game.

AndyBoBandy · 21-05-2021 5:59pm

bodgerfederer wrote: »

Gorey services; 1 Nissan Leaf charging, 2 more queuing. Very glad I went for a car with css charging and the presence of ionity. However, this might be the shape of things to come; esb needs to up their game.

I’ve been saying, it’s gonna be some fun this summer at the sites where eCars are the only gig in town!!!

AndyBoBandy · 21-05-2021 6:03pm

Meanwhile at a Supercharger near you……

It’s not just the new BEV’s you’ll be competing with….

the_amazing_raisin · 21-05-2021 6:06pm

AndyBoBandy wrote: »

Meanwhile at a Supercharger near you……

It’s not just the new BEV’s you’ll be competing with….

Saw one at Castlebellingham southbound as well

I really don't get the logic of charging a PHEV off a DC charger

KCross · 21-05-2021 6:26pm

the_amazing_raisin wrote: »

I really don't get the logic of charging a PHEV off a DC charger

Thats an easy one to answer... its like the question "why climb a mountain"?.... because I can!

Dont expect to get a logical answer to the question!

kanuseeme · 21-05-2021 6:35pm

Its simple and logical enough, its cheaper than petrol and time to spare, unlike the tesla which had to stop and charge.

KCross · 21-05-2021 6:39pm

kanuseeme wrote: »

Its simple and logical enough, its cheaper than petrol and time to spare, unlike the tesla which had to stop and charge.

You'd want alot of time to spare though! Who would want to spend several hours in one of these places to save a few cent when you can just drive on and burn petrol.

The amount you would add in a typical 30min stop at 3.6kW is just not worth the effort, imo, but YMMV.

liamog · 21-05-2021 7:20pm

kanuseeme wrote: »

Its simple and logical enough, its cheaper than petrol and time to spare, unlike the tesla which had to stop and charge.

It's not logical at all to plug a 330e into a FastAC charger. The maximum saving vs petrol will be around €1.

kanuseeme · 21-05-2021 7:29pm

KCross wrote: »

You'd want alot of time to spare though! Who would want to spend several hours in one of these places to save a few cent when you can just drive on and burn petrol.

The amount you would add in a typical 30min stop at 3.6kW is just not worth the effort, imo, but YMMV.

Obviously spending time to charge would be plain stupid, which is why I don't see the owner of phev taking pictures or waiting in the car.

:D:D

Hardly any effort, swipe card plug in and go about your business, I would consider a greater hardship to add 30 minutes or more to a long drive just to save a few euro. But YMMV

Yea its a shame its only 3.7 kW, my outlander can get 16 kW.

kanuseeme · 21-05-2021 7:56pm

liamog wrote: »

It's not logical at all to plug a 330e into a FastAC charger. The maximum saving vs petrol will be around €1.

its his €1, I don't know, what to say, if it was only what most like to believe only a few cents, which is better to burn petrol or use the 330e emission-free?

Someone else would complain about the owners never plugging the thing in, really hard know what to do or say.

liamog · 21-05-2021 8:02pm

kanuseeme wrote: »

its his €1, I don't know, what to say, if it was only what most like to believe only a few cents, which is better to burn petrol or use the 330e emission-free?

I bet the same driver would say no if someone offered them €1 to park at the back of the car park instead of closer to the door.

AndyBoBandy · 21-05-2021 8:05pm

No issue with a 330e plugging into an AC43 at a motorway services…. (If anything it helps the usage stats, and maybe to encourage eCars to expand at that particular site)

The issue is when a Zoe pulls in and it needs a charge… (or any BEV that could get a few precious kWh while the CHAdeMO/CCS is being used).

MightyMunster · 21-05-2021 8:08pm

boccy23 wrote: »

Pulled in yesterday to the Circle K station at Ballacolla on the M8 to charge. Used the CCS charger but the cable is so short that I could only use it on the Right Hand of the two charger points.

If I had to use the Left Hand one, no way the cable would have reached. Is this normal? Seems crazy and could result in me not being able to charge even if only one point is being used.

I have an ID4 with charging point at the rear driver's side.

Shows the big advantage Tesla have. All these motorway hubs need a minimum of 4 units. Having a single charger is just not reliable if you're planning to arrive with a low SOC.

kanuseeme · 21-05-2021 8:10pm

liamog wrote: »

I bet the same driver would say no if someone offered them €1 to park at the back of the car park instead of closer to the door.

Why are you trying to demean that driver?

Offer him 2 euro.

In all fairness, what are you trying to say?

kanuseeme · 21-05-2021 8:15pm

AndyBoBandy wrote: »

No issue with a 330e plugging into an AC43 at a motorway services…. (If anything it helps the usage stats, and maybe to encourage eCars to expand at that particular site)

The issue is when a Zoe pulls in and it needs a charge… (or any BEV that could get a few precious kWh while the CHAdeMO/CCS is being used).

Well he better get used to it, and any BEV driver for that matter, at least tesla have 4 stalls, but how many more cars do tesla need to sell to start clogging up those 4?

AndyBoBandy · 21-05-2021 8:21pm

kanuseeme wrote: »

Well he better get used to it, and any BEV driver for that matter, at least tesla have 4 stalls, but how many more cars do tesla need to sell to start clogging up those 4?

Tesla have 8 stalls there (16 if you include the 8 on the other side of the carriageway…), so I think we’ll be grand for another while yet.

markpb · 21-05-2021 9:29pm

kanuseeme wrote: »

Well he better get used to it, and any BEV driver for that matter, at least tesla have 4 stalls, but how many more cars do tesla need to sell to start clogging up those 4?

Not only do Tesla have vastly more stalls per location, they also charge significantly faster than most cars will at an eCars 50kW charge point so the capacity is greater again.

If only they had a few more sites on IC routes :-/

ESB eCars

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