You’ll find the UK to be much less mature in the development of the charging network and significantly more expensive. It’s worth paying for a month of Ionity if travelling in the UK as the savings are quite substantial.
I think this is the point that’s missed in the willy waving about which type of fuel has the highest number of delivery points, many EV drivers will hardly ever use a charging station as they’re charging at home*. Personally, I only ever use a charging station on long journeys, which has been mostly painless. **
- Yes, I know that not everyone can charge from home and fully accept that EVs aren’t for everyone right now.
** I think there’s been one time when the chargers didn’t work for me, for no obvious reason. Usually the app is spot on for indicating which chargers are working and which are occupied.
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I took the 3 cards more as “insurance” in case any one decided not to play when I needed it. As proved to be the case recently. And on that one charge it cost me 1 euro 12 cents more than it would have done if the Electroverse app had worked. The only card I had to pay for was Chargemap, Renault gave me the Mobilize card and as I say I’m still waiting for the Electroverse one!
Much less mature in so many ways and in more than one use of the word!
I’d only ever go there for a few days at most and the car wouldn’t be used much while there, so any savings wouldn’t really add up to much. But a glance at the apps I have shows you are right, the pricing difference is significant. Not yet time to dispose of the 17 year old Volvo and its D5 engine that does 43mpg…even though now when I drive it it really does feel agricultural - and slow despite 185 chevaux - compared to the Renault.
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When hiring a short term EV in France do the hiring companies give you a charge card. Or do you have to download apps
I’m asking as I’ve negotiated a pay rise versus giving up my company car. The company will pay for the cost of hiring etc
I’ve only hired one in the UK and there was nothing provided other than the type 2 charging cable.
An Octopus Electroverse card will cover most eventualities.
My question for the moment is only France related. UK & other countries is flying in flying out stuff.
When I hired from Leclerc they didn’t offer any card. They did, however, suggest not charging it before returning it because I don’t have access to a charger at home and their charging rates were so much better than public chargers. The maximum they’d charge me even if I brought it back with 0% battery was 10€.
I’ve not hired an EV from any other company in France though.
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Interesting, we rarely hire cars, but usually use Leclerc, will have to check out their e-option for next time.
I don’t think they got that. Too busy slagging one another off 
I know what you mean.
Go for it Wozza, regardless.
Hertz gave me a card with my two rentals in Dublin and one in Mallorca. A MB EQA, a BMW iX3 and a Ford Mustang Mach-E for the same price as a cheapos as they push electric. The recharging cost is buttons.
OMG thanks so much for mentioning the Waze app. It used to be my navigation app of choice having got me from Leeds to Manchester when traffic reports said all Pennine crossings were closed due to snow from The Beast From The East. Being lazy, I have since been using the software that comes with a car these days. Nowhere near as good but adequate. Easier than perching a phone in a holder clamped to the air vents on the dashboard.
Yes, these days Waze has taken into account EV drivers. You can set up an EV car profile and search for charging stations. You can even add Crit’air stickers to your navigation requirements. It lacks the filter sophistication and payment facility of Chargemap but the two together are a formidable combination.
On a lighter note, you can choose the type of voice you hear. I have always hankered after a Basil Fawlty voice but could not find one. I nearly added a Trump voice but quickly realised that would not lead to a calm driving situation. I am currently working on a script to record my own. “You have exceeded the authorised speed limit” would be replaced by “Slow down you Berk” (cockney rhyming slang) and “re-calculating” would be changed to “You’ve missed your turning” and at the end “You have reached your final destination” would become “Phew, you’ve made it”. There must be a forum somewhere for Waze voice scripts.
But, most importantly, the days of grappling with a phone in the car are over. I make a cup of coffee and plan a route in the comfort of my home. When I start the car, the infotainment centre recognises my 'phone and starts to send navigation information. It mutes the radio when sending voice guidance. It mutes voice guidance when I receive a ‘phone call but, best of all, it displays visual guidance on the windscreen via the heads up display. This means you can keep your eyes straight ahead instead of straying across to a screen on the dashboard and getting a stern warning beep from the car’s software telling you to keep your eyes on the road.
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I charged my new R5e at home for the first time last night (tempo HC) and all good so far.
I’ve just ordered my Chargemap pass card too, but just one (maybe 2) questions/confirmation. When it comes to paying , is it taken automatically from the card used to pay for the Pass card, or can any card be used?
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I’m always cautious with Chargemap as they don’t share their rates with comparison services like Chargeprice so I wonder if they’re hiding that they’re not very competitive.
You can see what card is registered on the Chargemap app.
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You set up whatever payment method when you buy the initial card. This can be changed later if you wish. Your account is debited once a month if you have charged in that period.
One con I’ve found is the charging for a full kWh only e.g. if you put 16,01kWh in the car you pay for 17kWh.
The clever thing to do is to watch the charge progress & stop at (in this example) at 15,99kWh.
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That Chargeprice app looked very interesting. However I was unable to enter the make of my car. When I checked against bornes I was familiar with, it seemed to give incorrect information. Perhaps I need to spend more time on it as it is a useful format if the data is correct.
Taking a slightly different tack, I asked ChatGPT a question and got an answer as follows:-
…
What are the cheapest DC charging networks for EVs within 5km of my current location.
Within a 5-kilometer radius of your location, France, several DC fast-charging stations are available for electric vehicles (EVs). To identify the most cost-effective options, consider the following charging networks:
1. EVZen
EVZen offers DC charging stations with power capacities ranging from 50 to 240 kilowatts, priced at €0.49 per kilowatt-hour. This translates to an approximate cost of €9.80 per 100 kilometers driven.
2. Fastned
Fastned’s standard rate is €0.59 per kilowatt-hour. However, by subscribing to their Gold Membership at €14 per month, the rate decreases to €0.45 per kilowatt-hour, resulting in a charging cost of about €9.00 per 100 kilometers.
3. Total Energies
Total Energies provides DC charging at stations with varying power levels. For terminals up to 50 kilowatts, the rate is €0.52 per kilowatt-hour, equating to €10.40 per 100 kilometers. For higher-power terminals, the rate is €0.62 per kilowatt-hour, or €12.40 per 100 kilometers.
…
It also said the following site might be of interest.
My personal thought is that as I charge at home more than 90% of the time, ease of use is of more value than saving a few pennies on the occasional longer journey. (Of course both would be nice)
While I resent overpaying, and will often stop at a Lidl as they’re cheap and often have a bakery nearby, I don’t stress over it too much. If I need any comfort, I just think of the prices I had to pay on the last UK trip.
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And if, as in our case, the vast majority of charging is done at home, then the odd splurge on a long trip doesn’t seem too bad.
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I think the majority of EV drivers charge at home most of the time. This probably explains why I have never ever seen a queue at a charging point. I guess it might be different in cities.