We're off to France on the Eurotunnel next Saturday, M3 LR. Does anyone know if the Supercharger at Folkstone is usually available, even at busy times? Can I rely on being able to charge there? We're asked to check-in 1 hour beforehand, so we should have a fair bit of time post-check in, but obviously, we can't hang around and miss our train.
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Folkstone Supercharger
- Thread starter WillyC
- Start date
UkNorthampton
TSLA - 12+ startups in 1
I found it a bit of a sod to find and had to get one of the staff to escort me around again through some secure gate (from memory, years ago when I was very sleep deprived).
Doudeau
Member
I used them today and have many times before. It was quiet this morning - about 9:00 - and all 8 were empty when I arrived. Another M3 was plugged in as I left.
They are pretty easy to find as they are in the front row of the car park and some of the nearer parking spaces to the terminal building.
Bear in mind that they call you to proceed to the train quite a while before the train goes as you need to clear UK and French passport control before lining up for the train. The last call to proceed to the train (I.e. time to unplug) is about 25mins before the train departs.
I used to go to France at least once a month on a Friday night and there were typically 2 to 4 cars using the 8 chargers but today was my first time for 20months and I assume they will be under more pressure on a busy day than they were back then.
FYI - There are superchargers on the other side in Calais (as well as those in Eurotunnel in Calais) only a couple of miles after leaving the train if you have any hassle charging before the train.
They are pretty easy to find as they are in the front row of the car park and some of the nearer parking spaces to the terminal building.
Bear in mind that they call you to proceed to the train quite a while before the train goes as you need to clear UK and French passport control before lining up for the train. The last call to proceed to the train (I.e. time to unplug) is about 25mins before the train departs.
I used to go to France at least once a month on a Friday night and there were typically 2 to 4 cars using the 8 chargers but today was my first time for 20months and I assume they will be under more pressure on a busy day than they were back then.
FYI - There are superchargers on the other side in Calais (as well as those in Eurotunnel in Calais) only a couple of miles after leaving the train if you have any hassle charging before the train.
Doudeau
Member
I'd concur with what everyone else here says. We used them on a road trip to Norway, and there wasn't enough time to get a decent charge (to be fair, we started only 20 miles away in Ashford). The one time I've been there, it appeared to have space, and as its in my neck of the woods I don't recall ever seeing it showing up on the in-car map as fully-utilised.
The 6-stall one in Maidstone is 40 miles before Folkestone on the M20, heavily used, and it's v2 so you can expect charge-splitting. Probably not worth banking on, and when I drove past at the weekend two of the stalls were out of order.
The 6-stall one in Maidstone is 40 miles before Folkestone on the M20, heavily used, and it's v2 so you can expect charge-splitting. Probably not worth banking on, and when I drove past at the weekend two of the stalls were out of order.
You will have competition from at least one other driver if it's for Le Mans, I'm heading their myself. Haven't planned the route yet, but Rouen sounds like a good shout. I guess the Le Man ones themselves will be available too. Luckily on the other side of town from the track.
Awesome! I’ll be stopping at Rouen for lunch and then at Saint Saturnin to make sure I’ve got good charge for the camping and heading back to Rouen on the way back.
Mr H
Active Member
When you get to Rouen keep an eye out for this chap
WannabeOwner
Well-Known Member
If for some reason you can't charge at Folkestone there is one (outside the port complex) at Calais. I use Folkestone charging time as "contingency" and would charge in Calais if I had to. The first one down the A26 is 130 miles away ...
On the return there are similar chargers at the Calais terminal - both that, and Folkestone, are before Passports / customs, so have to leave time for those before train departure (and your "check-in 1 hour beforehand" is probably going to be spent more waiting for them than the actual check-in). In Calais there are an additional 2 stalls at the Flexi Lounge, which is after Customs / Passports, so much easier to judge the depart time and still make the train. Because Maidstone is popular and not many stalls, I now choose to charge enough at Calais to avoid Maidstone - even missing a train (unless they are running hourly).
A heads-up to anyone that doesn't know the area, the M20 is often speed-restricted or closed due to Operation Brock - lorries using the M20 as a queue to clear the Inland Border Facility. Today I believe there was a problem with P&O Ferries not running, and the M20 south/eastbound was closed from Ashford which caused a lot of delays, and there was a queue of at least six miles of lorries which meant everyone else had to use the A20.
So check before you travel, just in case it's one of those days.
So check before you travel, just in case it's one of those days.
All chargers were available when we arrived. We hung around in the terminal until full and then joined the queue for the train. Nice and easy. No charger queues in France when heading north or south, although some were very busy, so I'm sure there are queues at times. It's hard to work out the facilities at some of the non-aire based chargers
This is true. Chatuearoux is a great stop if you're a plane geek, being at the end of a lovely Art deco Airport. But, unless you want to pay €10 for a coffee at the attached hotel it is a long long walk back to the services for a buffalo grill
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