On 03/05/15 13:17, Dave Liquorice wrote:
On Sun, 03 May 2015 10:16:35 +0100, Tim Watts wrote:

Trouble is stopping for a hour every 100 miles instead of 10 mins
every 550+ isn't very convenient.

A Tesla supercharger will charge the 85kWh model in 75 minutes to 100%
(about 300 miles of range), 80% in 40mins and 170 miles worth in 30 mins
according to:

http://www.teslamotors.com/en_GB/supercharger

Huston, we have a problem. Nearest charger is Leeds 100+ miles away
or Edinburgh 150 miles+ and only 20 in the UK don't make eye larf...
Can a Tesla charge from the more widespread genric charge points and
if so how long does that take for what range?

Now, at least the way I drive, after 170 miles, I rather find a 30 min
break with a coffee and a good walk around to be a necessity.

Perhaps one ought to chill out a bit more when driving? Having said
that it probably depends when and where you are driving.

M25 - it's never much fun and the concentration is somewhat higher than
say the more midlands parts of the M1.

I can haul much further on the M3 or M4 once clear of town, but a run to
Heathrow from junction 5 ish (can't remember exactly) does my head in
and I can just do that in one go, but I prefer a quick knee stretcher
break at Clackett Ln or the other one depending on direction.

Went to
Preston Easter Monday, that wasn't a pleasant drive particulary south
of Lancaster. The number of drivers on the M6 who hadn't a clue how
to drive on motorways, 70 mph less than two car lengths apart, lane 2
hogging (I set the cruise just over 60, so either illegally under
take or have to go out to lane 3 and back), the "magic indicator"
either from incoming slip roads or lane changing. I go further south
than Preston quite often and it's never as bad as it was Easter
Monday. Occasionally busy with three lanes full all at 60 to 70 but
well spaced and no magic indicators.

Having said that 170 miles is anything from 3 to 6 hours behind the
wheel depending on the roads. I'd probably need a pee and possibly a
coffee and bun but that doesn't take 30 mins. Also that 30 mins is
presumably marketing speak and doesn't include the time to
connect/disconnect, authorisation, payment (free in the US but are
they free over here?)

Yes, you have to plan your journey around fuel stops,

But long fuel stops and if you are third in the queue with the others
taking a full charge (1 1/4 hours) not just a top up any schedule of
getting to your destination on time goes out the window.

True - I did not make any allowance for queues at the charger. I guess
that will make the Tesla a victim of its own success if/when.

The other problem is that we are in danger of ending up with umpteen
incompatible superchargers and a plethera of medium charging stations.

A 32A or 13A supply is OK of you drive 5 miles across London and park at
a charging pole outside your office all day (I see a car near Covent
Garden that lives like this every day).


Had a tediously slow diesel pump yesterday. I'd guesstimate 0.1 l/sec
but that means 13 1/2 minutes for the 81 l delivery, I'm sure it
wasn't *that* long! But even so I won't have to refuel for 550+
miles.