 Poster: A snowHead
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Before Hyundai can sort that poo-poo up and configure the battery heater to be set on 15 mins before arrival to a charging station one can easily double the anticipated time at charging station.
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I hope yours at least has a battery heater. My Ioniq 5 doesn't have one at all. Tempted to swap it in for one that does (mine is an odd model year). Travelling in summer temperatures is great!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Drove to the Alps yesterday, the best EV journey so far. Caught the 7.20am Eurotunnel, arrived in Les Arcs at 8.05pm (local). For this trip I decided to follow Tesla’s route planning exactly, with previous trips I’d manually chosen some Supercharger locations, over-riding the route/Supercharger stops that the car wanted to take. The Tesla satnav has a couple of route planning options: “Fastest” and “Fewer Stops” (which choses Supercharger locations with good nearby facilities such as restaurants or shopping malls). This time I stuck with the Fastest option and followed it without any deviation to any of the Supercharger stations I prefer. The satnav said there was a 60+ minute difference in total journey time between the Fastest and Fewer Stops options, and by following the fastest option this was my quickest journey in an EV yet. The satnav took me via the A39 rather than the A6 towards Lyon, other than that the same route as usual but mostly a different selection of Superchargers compared to what I’ve previously used (although three of the charging stations were new this year, including one which I think had only been operating for a few days as they were still commissioning half of the 24 charging stalls. Typically I was arriving at all the charging stops with around 10% battery level, and mostly charged the car to 50-60% when the satnav said that I was ready to continue the journey. This was different to previous drives, when I would charge the car to around 80% sometimes 90% before continuing. While it’s counterintuitive to leave a charging stop when the battery is only at 55%, it’s definitely a faster option overall due to the charging curve. This is one of the key ‘mindset changes’ that you need to make when driving an EV compared to ICE, and it’s taken me a couple of years to trust the technology!
These were the charging stops:
1. Setoff from SW London at 100% battery
2. Eurotunnel Folkestone - 5 of 8 charging stalls available (had plenty of time so charged to 90%)
3. St Quentin - 20 of 24 stalls available
4. Reims Tinqueux, 6/24
5. Magnant, 53/56 (new this summer)
6. Arc-sur-Tille, 17/20 (newly opened, with Tesla engineers on-site finalising the power to half the chargers)
7. Tossiat, 21/24 (newly opened)
8. Aire-du-Granier (near Chambery) 9/12 (‘only’ 12 charging stalls, but they are installing an additional 12)
9. Arrived Les Arcs with 20% battery
Seven charging stops altogether, which is two or three more than I’ve done previously, but definitely a quicker journey overall. Total charging cost, including about £7 to start with a full battery from home, was £73. All of the Superchargers had available charging stalls when I arrived, most were almost empty, so no need to queue. The new Superchargers stations were at least 24 chargers and never had more than 3 occupied when I arrived - the Tesla charging network in France is definitely a step up from what we have in the UK.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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| rob@rar wrote: |
Drove to the Alps yesterday, the best EV journey so far. Caught the 7.20am Eurotunnel, arrived in Les Arcs at 8.05pm (local). For this trip I decided to follow Tesla’s route planning exactly, with previous trips I’d manually chosen some Supercharger locations, over-riding the route/Supercharger stops that the car wanted to take. The Tesla satnav has a couple of route planning options: “Fastest” and “Fewer Stops” (which choses Supercharger locations with good nearby facilities such as restaurants or shopping malls). This time I stuck with the Fastest option and followed it without any deviation to any of the Supercharger stations I prefer. The satnav said there was a 60+ minute difference in total journey time between the Fastest and Fewer Stops options, and by following the fastest option this was my quickest journey in an EV yet. The satnav took me via the A39 rather than the A6 towards Lyon, other than that the same route as usual but mostly a different selection of Superchargers compared to what I’ve previously used (although three of the charging stations were new this year, including one which I think had only been operating for a few days as they were still commissioning half of the 24 charging stalls. Typically I was arriving at all the charging stops with around 10% battery level, and mostly charged the car to 50-60% when the satnav said that I was ready to continue the journey. This was different to previous drives, when I would charge the car to around 80% sometimes 90% before continuing. While it’s counterintuitive to leave a charging stop when the battery is only at 55%, it’s definitely a faster option overall due to the charging curve. This is one of the key ‘mindset changes’ that you need to make when driving an EV compared to ICE, and it’s taken me a couple of years to trust the technology!
These were the charging stops:
1. Setoff from SW London at 100% battery
2. Eurotunnel Folkestone - 5 of 8 charging stalls available (had plenty of time so charged to 90%)
3. St Quentin - 20 of 24 stalls available
4. Reims Tinqueux, 6/24
5. Magnant, 53/56 (new this summer)
6. Arc-sur-Tille, 17/20 (newly opened, with Tesla engineers on-site finalising the power to half the chargers)
7. Tossiat, 21/24 (newly opened)
8. Aire-du-Granier (near Chambery) 9/12 (‘only’ 12 charging stalls, but they are installing an additional 12)
9. Arrived Les Arcs with 20% battery
Seven charging stops altogether, which is two or three more than I’ve done previously, but definitely a quicker journey overall. Total charging cost, including about £7 to start with a full battery from home, was £73. All of the Superchargers had available charging stalls when I arrived, most were almost empty, so no need to queue. The new Superchargers stations were at least 24 chargers and never had more than 3 occupied when I arrived - the Tesla charging network in France is definitely a step up from what we have in the UK. |
One thing I really wish other EVs did which Tesla seem to do so well is the intuitive route planning on the go. I know there are loads of apps to use and preparation to help but that smart thing of just letting the car work out the consumption, potential stops, efficient charging periods etc is still way ahead of what most onboard EV journey planners are capable of in my experience...
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| tkmaxx5 wrote: |
| One thing I really wish other EVs did which Tesla seem to do so well is the intuitive route planning on the go. I know there are loads of apps to use and preparation to help but that smart thing of just letting the car work out the consumption, potential stops, efficient charging periods etc is still way ahead of what most onboard EV journey planners are capable of in my experience... |
Yes, it was much better than the other EVs I tested when I was looking to buy my first EV. That plus the Supercharger network were the biggest factors when I opted for the Tesla over other cars I tried three years ago. I think other manufacturers are probably improving and the Supercharger network is quickly opening up to all cars, so that Tesla advantage is getting smaller and smaller. But the drive yesterday was certainly a seamless experience, better than it would have been if I’d planned it myself.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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7 stops would drive me nuts.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| blahblahblah wrote: |
| 7 stops would drive me nuts. |
It's a mindset thing. I thought the same until our first trip to the Alps this summer. Once you take away the time you'd spend on regular stops anyway, the difference isn't significant. I don't say it's not around 1-2 hours extra, but the whole trip is more relaxed in an EV compared to an ICEV. And we found the extra stops just to charge were quite relaxing. The caveat is that you either need to do some planning (see my charts for the Autoroute des Anglais on p23), or have a car like a Tesla where the charge management is done for you.
Last edited by You'll need to Register first of course. on Sat 20-12-25 15:44; edited 1 time in total
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| LaForet wrote: |
| blahblahblah wrote: |
| 7 stops would drive me nuts. |
It's a mindset thing. I thought the same until our first trip to the Alps this summer. Once you take away the time you'd spend on regular stops anyway, the difference isn't significant. I don't say it's not around 1-2 hours extra, but the whole trip is more relaxed in an EV compared to an ICEV. And we found the extra stops just to charge were quite relaxing. The caveat is that you either need to do some planning, or have a car like a Tesla where the charge management is done for you. |
We are driving to Catalonia (near Girona) in the summer - Mrs tkmaxx5 and our two boys (will be 6 and 3) - and knowing what the kids are like the extra stopping time is vital to get them out the car to stop one of them killing the other, or one of us killing one of them (figuratively speaking of course  )
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@rob@rar, we know consumption goes up at high speed. What sort of speeds was that? 110, 120kph?
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@tkmaxx5, As per earlier in the thread, our '22 Volvo ( EX40 or whatever it's called theses days) does indeed do what the Tesla does - re-calculates on the fly - but based on your preferences (networks, charger speeds, fastest time versus fewest stops etc.).
Also as per earlier, it does have the odd 'moment' - so we tend to not be quite so brave as @rob@rar, and "overcharge" compared to it's recommended % at each stop (which of course changes the dynamic of the next stop...).
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| blahblahblah wrote: |
| 7 stops would drive me nuts. |
I used to think that, now it doesn't bother me at all. My only interest is getting to resort in a single day, arriving in the evening at a reasonable time. Every EV drive has achieved that, and the extra 90 minutes that it takes compared to when I did it in a diesel is insignificant to me.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| Orange200 wrote: |
| @rob@rar, we know consumption goes up at high speed. What sort of speeds was that? 110, 120kph? |
130kph, or whatever the speed limit was at the time. I haven't changed how I drive, same speed, cabin temperature the same.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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| Arctic Roll wrote: |
| Also as per earlier, it does have the odd 'moment' - so we tend to not be quite so brave as @rob@rar, and "overcharge" compared to it's recommended % at each stop (which of course changes the dynamic of the next stop...). |
I know the temptation to do that, but it really is the wrong way to drive EVs long distances where you have multiple charging stops. This is the first time that I didn't over-charge and the first time I used whatever Supercharger the car directed me to. The result was the fastest journey that I've had to Les Arcs, and no 'planning stress' as I just did what the car told me to do.
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| rob@rar wrote: |
| Arctic Roll wrote: |
| Also as per earlier, it does have the odd 'moment' - so we tend to not be quite so brave as @rob@rar, and "overcharge" compared to it's recommended % at each stop (which of course changes the dynamic of the next stop...). |
I know the temptation to do that, but it really is the wrong way to drive EVs long distances where you have multiple charging stops. This is the first time that I didn't over-charge and the first time I used whatever Supercharger the car directed me to. The result was the fastest journey that I've had to Les Arcs, and no 'planning stress' as I just did what the car told me to do. |
I also drive a model Y, leaving SW London tomorrow to Tignes 
Very often I over charge anyway, because by the time the whole family finished toilet break, getting a coffee and other random shop browsing, the car would have been charged to 80% plus already
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You know it makes sense.
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| blahblahblah wrote: |
| 7 stops would drive me nuts. |
One of the side effects is how much more relaxed you feel when you get there. When we did our first EV trip I was amazed how much fresher I felt when we arrived compared to the previous couple years in our SQ5 and that was including the "stress" of the first long EV trip.
Yes if you want to hammer down and stop once then it's not for you but equally one might argue that's not a safe way to drive.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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| Rob_Quads wrote: |
| One of the side effects is how much more relaxed you feel when you get there. |
Yes, definitely so. Having several short breaks along the way makes a big difference to me when I do the drive, always as the only driver. Plus this car has nice cruise control and lane following which my previous cars didn't have, which coupled with very quiet French motorways means I feel fairly fresh and unstressed when I arrive. These days I prefer driving to flying, especially with the chances of a very lengthy queue at Geneva to get through passport control.
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Poster: A snowHead
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| rob@rar wrote: |
| blahblahblah wrote: |
| 7 stops would drive me nuts. |
I used to think that, now it doesn't bother me at all. My only interest is getting to resort in a single day, arriving in the evening at a reasonable time. Every EV drive has achieved that, and the extra 90 minutes that it takes compared to when I did it in a diesel is insignificant to me. |
If it works for you (and you do it more often than most) all is good. I am happy with the big diesel approach, but an EV has turned up at home today so will have a play. Not going until March.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| blahblahblah wrote: |
| I am happy with the big diesel approach, but an EV has turned up at home today so will have a play. Not going until March. |
There's no doubt that doing the journey in an EV takes longer, but for me it's still easy to do the entire drive in a day so the extra time doesn't make much difference. If the journey is split overnight the time difference is even less significant. The small compromise necessary on a long drive the the Alps pales in to insignificance when compared to the rest of the year when refuelling the EV is mostly much cheaper and more convenient than an ICE car. Before I made the switch I had all the understandable range anxiety issues about owning an EV, but even in the worst case scenario of a long winter-time drive to the Alps those anxieties have just evaporated. Hope you experience the same with your new EV...
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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@tkmaxx5, My Polestar uses Google Automotive and therefore Google maps - it does all the planning too as it's integrated with the battery system. I guess any EV with the same setup should have it too.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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This is exactly why I’m never getting an EV until there are no more ICE cars on the road 
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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@will562, great. One less car wanting a charger stall.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@will562 If you don't and are never going to own an EV, then why are you posting on a thread titled 'EV Routes to the Alps'?
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| LaForet wrote: |
| @will562 If you don't and are never going to own an EV, then why are you posting on a thread titled 'EV Routes to the Alps'? |
First and only post on SH too.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Ooh touched a nerve here
I was looking on the forum to see about lack of snow in Europe as we go skiing soon. Came across this thread and thought I’d add my thoughts on EV cars. That’s all, no offence meant.
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Stopping 7 times to plugin a car on a short 1-day journey is beyond ridiculous.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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That’s all, no offence meant.
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Yeah, sure 
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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It’s like solar panels, need replacing before they’ve made it worthwhile installing them
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@will562, doing a great job as a windup merchant, congrats. Perhaps check some facts first though?
My solar panels cost me £10k in 2011, the FITS payments so far total £30k, I can't measure how much the free electricity I get on sunny days have saved me above that.
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You know it makes sense.
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You are lucky, they don’t offer those schemes anymore, just like EV drivers now have to pay road tax.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Ah, of course, 4 posts and most of those trolling.
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FAQ
