We started off near Edinburgh with a full charge. Outside temp about 3 degrees. Our target - MFG Power forecourt Wiggan
Due to the outside temp the ID3 notified us about 50 miles in that our power consumption was too high to 'safely' reach the destination and that another charge stop 'may' be automatically added/suggested. This notification came and went as we continued. We calculated we would probably make MFG Power with just about 20 miles to spare... however, Tbay services (the UK's best) was en route so we stopped for a 15 min topup at a Gridserve charger (accessed via a bridge on to the northbound side up a single track road) This was effortless. toilet stop and some shopping for our self catering Air & B later that day.
Back onto the road to our target charge stop MFG Power Wiggan. Smart looking charging bays with a small sit in costa on site. Charged up to about 90%
Next charge stop was to be a top up near Birmingham. The chestnut tree pub/restaurant - Axeltree way (ospray charger) however, we decided to continue & test the id.3's range to our digs in the Cotswolds.
In doing this we found out some useful features of the satnav and charging intelligence.
About half way there we get the 'power consumption too high to reach destination, additional charging may be required' message, followed by 'charging stop added to your route'
This was great.. So, the car will dynamically add a charger to your route guidance if your driving style or weather reduce efficiency mid journey.. Then, about 30 miles later (after some economical flat miles) we get another message 'The additional charging stop is no longer required, it has been removed' ... Great, so we then made the mistake of turning up the pace to more naughty speeds. 20 miles later an additional charge stop was automatically added once more, lesson learned. We were impressed to experience the car looking after us though ! as we tested out its limits. The charger suggested was to be a Shell charger only 10 miles from the digs. Our Air & B at Stroud included a Zappy Charger so we knew we were good to go low.
The land had been level and we were seeing good efficiency, so, with just over 20 miles range we decided to skip the suggested charge. a mile past the charger the road ramped up skyward. The last 10 miles was ALL uphill, a steep hill. The car had already limited available power 25 to 30 mile ago.. Still very driveable though. We came into the Air & B with 5 miles range left... Had we encountered a diversion or got lost at the end of route we would have hit the turtle power wall of doom. So... although we wouldn't want to put ourselves through that again, its great to know the id3 has your back covered at all times
... I thought that was worth sharing.So, we were able to zap all over Norfolk during our stay on free juice.
Then on to Leicester. A hotel/pub with a Alfa Power charger in their carpark.
On our way back we made one stop, Scotch Corner services to charge at a Gridserve once more.
Over the trip we also made a couple of pod point graze charges and a destination bp point charge due to congested car parks. We did not want to 'EV' an ICE bay.
Sure, that interior can appear clinical (I like the 77 X Wing star wars vibe as it happens) but we both had no issues whatsoever with comfort. No wriggling about or constantly reaching for seat rake. You don't think about how comfortable you are, you just arrive
Only after have I actually thought about how comfortable I was.. So, yeh, it does distance GREAT !95% of the time we are able to charge from home on a cheap rate overnight... So, Its great to know longer trips are going to be hassle free even in cold weather. An excellent experience. An exciting 5 years or so ahead as we all transition. More Braintree style electric forecourts, even faster charging speeds with more and more destination chargers installed at shops, businesses, workplaces and accommodation.
VW - Tart up the interior, supply alloys as standard and sort out the UI ... apart from that the car achieves all its requirements with ease.
