C-Class 350e - Your charging experiences

[JulesFB]

I have the Polar instant App on my iPad and it woks well enough in terms of identifying a charging post but then it seems to take a number of attempts to connect with the post and start charging. Similarly after charging, it again is required to wait for a connection before having the cable released.

I have read that some people have been sent a card by Chargemaster without signing up to the £7.00 per month deal. Has anyone got one, if so is it any better than the App at connecting ?

Hello 350e,
I have a Chargemaster RFID card and I paid £20 as a pay as you go rolling contract. I used to have the old app but it was very unreliable as once the connection dropped out you couldn't unlock the charge point because it stated it was in use, not tried the new one yet but they claim to have solved the reliability issue.
I also carry a large screwdriver in the boot to jemmy the door 'just in case'. If it fails and Chargemaster can't connect to it you have to wait for the repairer too turn up, he forced it open with a bar after I had waited an hour for him to get there. I still have £20 on the card as most of the ones near me are free!
Hope this helps
Jules

 

[JulesFB]

My Chargepoint is 3 years old and has been very reliable, apart from a local fox who chewed through the cable and we awoke to a tripped house supply!

 

[taylorj7]

Can anyone advise on how charges you car app/card work?? I received the card today in the post and am a bit at a loss of its not even a plastic chipped card as I expected. It has a reference on it but not sure how that gets me charged up etc. I am not really clued up on the logistics of chargers yet as until next week I do t even have a car to charge. Any help much appreciated.

 

[JulesFB]

Plug the lead into your car and hold the card over the reader, it will ask you if you 'want fast charging, present card now' or wait for 13a charging depending on the Chargepoint. The flap requested then opens, fast or slow and you plug the lead in. It is worth waiting to check charging has started on the car. The old app showed length of charge time and kWh's supplied and it is pretty straightforward.

 

[JulesFB]

The polar instant app shows a map of chargepoints, availability and cost.

 

[350e]

350e, when you have your Rolec installed your installer should give you an access code. This code allows you one years free membership to the 'charge your car' network when you apply on line.

I didn't make it clear perhaps. I bought the Rolec pod for about £80 and a local electrician is fitting it next week. No card provided by anyone on that basis I sorry to say.

 

[350e]

Hello 350e,
I have a Chargemaster RFID card and I paid £20 as a pay as you go rolling contract. I used to have the old app but it was very unreliable as once the connection dropped out you couldn't unlock the charge point because it stated it was in use, not tried the new one yet but they claim to have solved the reliability issue.
I also carry a large screwdriver in the boot to jemmy the door 'just in case'. If it fails and Chargemaster can't connect to it you have to wait for the repairer too turn up, he forced it open with a bar after I had waited an hour for him to get there. I still have £20 on the card as most of the ones near me are free!
Hope this helps
Jules

I paid £20 online to Chargemaster, downloaded the App and that is all I got

I was offered a card if I signed up for a Plus service at £7.50 month, first 6 months free. Am I missing a trick ?

 

[Stu-350e]

Hi Spookie

I have fitted an outside 13a in preparation for my car coming mid November. Will let you know how I get on. If not I will be getting British Gas or a sparky round.

Cheers

 

[350e]

Hi Spookie

I have fitted an outside 13a in preparation for my car coming mid November. Will let you know how I get on. If not I will be getting British Gas or a sparky round.

Cheers

What loading will the consumer unit trip at ?

 

[350e]

The polar instant app shows a map of chargepoints, availability and cost.

You are right but the b****y thing is useless
Spent 45 minutes on the phone today trying to persuade Chargemaster that my cable was the correct one, the iPad has the latest software and that the post has functioned previously, all to no avail. Like talking to a wall. Only good thing was that with my mobile provider if I am called, which I made Chargemaster do, I am credited with the minutes they are paying for

 

[JulesFB]

It is a shame you can't fast charge the 350e, with such a small battery a quick dump charge would make a big difference for usable electric driving. I will have to download the new app and see what joys that brings but overall have had a positive experience with public charging and lots of questions from inquisitive passers by.
Had an email from the lease company and delivery has been delayed by one week, just hope this isn't the slippery slope experienced by others, now due to the dealer at the end of Jan so hoping first week in Feb!

 

[350e]

It is a shame you can't fast charge the 350e, with such a small battery a quick dump charge would make a big difference for usable electric driving. I will have to download the new app and see what joys that brings but overall have had a positive experience with public charging and lots of questions from inquisitive passers by.
Had an email from the lease company and delivery has been delayed by one week, just hope this isn't the slippery slope experienced by others, now due to the dealer at the end of Jan so hoping first week in Feb!

Just which system, card / App, have you had success with ?

 

[C350ePeter]

Can't decide between Rolec and Chargemaster. Also, will both home chargers enable me to charge my company the electricity used?

 

[JulesFB]

Just which system, card / App, have you had success with ?

I have a Chargemaster pod point 16a 3.6kw home charger installed and RFID card, although they have requested I transfer to their new app. The old one was terrible as it lost connection with the charge station regularly once internet connection had dropped out so I just used the card which works perfectly. Most of the points near me, Kingston etc. were Chargemaster so it suited. They also claim to have solved the issues with the new app so I assume I will have to convert at some point.
The only trouble is they are not compatible across networks such as Source London.
I had the charge unit installed for free under the original govt. scheme and the only stipulation was to have it powered up for three years so my charging habits could be monitored, that ended in September.
Which one have you gone for?

 

[350e]

I have a Chargemaster pod point 16a 3.6kw home charger installed and RFID card, although they have requested I transfer to their new app. The old one was terrible as it lost connection with the charge station regularly once internet connection had dropped out so I just used the card which works perfectly. Most of the points near me, Kingston etc. were Chargemaster so it suited. They also claim to have solved the issues with the new app so I assume I will have to convert at some point.
The only trouble is they are not compatible across networks such as Source London.
I had the charge unit installed for free under the original govt. scheme and the only stipulation was to have it powered up for three years so my charging habits could be monitored, that ended in September.
Which one have you gone for?

Very interesting. If I were you I would hang on to that card like grim death to a mutton bone
I wasted 45 minutes yesterday trying to use the app on my iPad. It was suggested that the issue could be the wrong Apple software 9.1, they mentioned there had been a compatibility issue in the recent past. Then it was the cable may be the wrong one. They infuriated me to the extent that I said I would like my money back or they provide a card. Told it would be fed back and Emily will write to me with the outcome
Then I said that the best course for me would be to get a card from Source London for a fiver. Incredibly I was told that " yes that would be the best course for me going forward"

I am told that the Source London card covers other areas such as the Midlands and the East and if that is so then to my mind it is a no brainer

My garage doesn't have electricity, away from home, so I am having a Role Pod installed at my expense. I will run a protected cable over a couple of metres of path from the front porch.

 

[Driver15]

Forgot to mention..

I ordered a Ecotricity card few months ago and it arrived within a few days .

For The Road - Ecotricity

Free card for use for the free chargers at some motorway services etc.

I used my current reg plate and they issued the card. (private plate - not sure if that was why)

Just thought i would let you know in case peole want to order pre delivery

Thanks

 

[350e]

Forgot to mention..

I ordered a Ecotricity card few months ago and it arrived within a few days .

For The Road - Ecotricity

Free card for use for the free chargers at some motorway services etc.

I used my current reg plate and they issued the card. (private plate - not sure if that was why)

Just thought i would let you know in case peole want to order pre delivery

Thanks

I have the Ecotricity card, received the next day, but don't anticipate using it much, if at all.
Might if I am on holiday and using motorway's.
I will though probably switch my home electric and gas accounts to them because in their comparison I would save money on the regular tariff. On top of that there is a special £40 PHEV owner discount and a one off £50 John Lewis voucher why wouldn't I ?

 

[MaidenheadMerc]

I've got an Ecotricity card which I've used a few times, the problem for us though is most of their chargers are the 50kWh versions. The 350e needs the 7kWh versions which I've found at Membury Services and near Costco in Reading, but I've not found them in many other places. It's not really worth charging at the services though as if you stop for 30 mins, you'll have only added about 4 miles of range.

I've also used some chargers by "Pod Point" these are generally free to use and it's all controlled via a phone app. Open Charge - POD Point Ltd

 

[350e]

I've got an Ecotricity card which I've used a few times, the problem for us though is most of their chargers are the 50kWh versions. The 350e needs the 7kWh versions which I've found at Membury Services and near Costco in Reading, but I've not found them in many other places. It's not really worth charging at the services though as if you stop for 30 mins, you'll have only added about 4 miles of range.

I've also used some chargers by "Pod Point" these are generally free to use and it's all controlled via a phone app. Open Charge - POD Point Ltd

Yes, thanks for that. I have downloaded that app but sadly they don't appear to have many points north of Watford

I think my best bet is the Chargemaster network accessed via a Souce London / East card.

 

[Saxon6]

I know it's slightly off topic, but has anyone experienced their cars refusing to go into e-mode??
This morning, despite being 75% charged, the car would not switch into electric mode even when idling or coasting, and e-mode was faded out on the screen and not a selectable drive mode. After turning the car off twice it finally reset itself...... Odd.