Notes on the trip... We have a LR M3. Navigate on AP was a real help. Confidence is growing but I still chicken out on sharp turns at speed
There wasn't any contention for SC resources. Never had to wait. In fact, most were empty or had just one other charging car.
At the Girona Ibis they were very Tesla affirming...
The Rouen Novotel SC site was a ghost town. Shut up tight. Here's a picture of the unisex toilet facilities...
More destinations should have signage like this. Here is the notice at the electric charge point, Crown Plaza Hotel Antwerp.
Road Trip - Charging in France & Spain
- Thread starter JP1611
- Start date
Thank you, I appreciate the advice some things i had not thought of.
I’ve arranged my hotel for the overnight stay on my way down, but any advice on places to stay on the way home.
I’ll be travelling from Costa Brava and have planned two overnight stops, the last night will be in Paris just looking for ideas in between.
I’ve arranged my hotel for the overnight stay on my way down, but any advice on places to stay on the way home.
I’ll be travelling from Costa Brava and have planned two overnight stops, the last night will be in Paris just looking for ideas in between.
M3noob
Supporting Member
Despite the ghost town aspect of the Rouen SC site, they seem to have the parking management in hand...
In sunny southern precincts there needs to be some consideration given to solar radiation while charging as here in Toulouse...
Co-located at the Toulouse SC site was this off-brand charger for those with their own cable... no info on speed or rates. No shade either!
In sunny southern precincts there needs to be some consideration given to solar radiation while charging as here in Toulouse...
Co-located at the Toulouse SC site was this off-brand charger for those with their own cable... no info on speed or rates. No shade either!
M3noob
Supporting Member
We had two good Destination Charger stops at Les Elmes Banyuls and Villa Dufot Perpignon, France. Accommodation and dining at the Relais St jacques in Chateauroux are a favourite. YMMV - others thought €10 for a cuppa in a Michelin starred eatery was a bit much. There is a rank of SCs right next door.
Sing like no one is listening and park like there's no one watching at Chateauroux in the night time
We've stopped for rest and dinner at Hotel Najeti Tilques several times where there is a Destination Charger. Closed at the moment, though :-(
The SC at the Girona Ibis is a good place to charge up before heading north.
We are having lunch inland at Mas Torrent where they have a Destination Charger.
Also stopping at the Terra Remota winery on the way home. 17751 Sant Climent Sescebes, Girona, Spain. Destination Charger site.
More tips when we wend our way home in a week or so.
Paris? Brave!
ABRP is a great resource.
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M3noob
Supporting Member
Great idea... now if I could only get Emovis to accept my registration. Awaiting tech support resolution... all getting Covid in Bournemouth?
BTW where do you position your tag? As noted, the M3 doesn't have a hashed area and the area behind the rear view mirror is full of important Tesla stuff.
Mr H
Active Member
Doudeau
Member
I’ve been using the tags for 15 years and never bothered to attach them to the windscreen. We just hold it up to the window when it’s needed. Works every time - even thru the non-stopping lanes.
interbear
Member
Mr H
Active Member
I've booked a Eurotunnel crossing for September, banking on most restrictions being lifted by then - Alps here we come
M3noob
Supporting Member
Who knows what September may bring? Bon chance! France and Spain are open now. Just read in the Telegraph that the Eurotunnel web site went down under more booking traffic in a day than all of last year.
Mr H
Active Member
Yes, took me ages to book as the site was so slow and for the first time ever it was cheaper than the ferry.
Just have to order my vignettes now
M3noob
Supporting Member
Vignettes? I was under the impression that the headlights auto-adjusted to the country they were in...
Speaking of ferry... I'm planning to go Portsmouth to Santander in a few months. Nervous about the tie-downs...
Mr H
Active Member
..
Speaking of ferry... I'm planning to go Portsmouth to Santander in a few months. Nervous about the tie-downs...[/QUOTE]
Tie-downs? I've done that route several times, and they've never tied my car down. Great ferry, more like a mini cruise.
Edit: Sorry, I was thinking Plymouth - Santander. I believe the Portsmouth one has an open deck and that has tie-downs?
Speaking of ferry... I'm planning to go Portsmouth to Santander in a few months. Nervous about the tie-downs...[/QUOTE]
Tie-downs? I've done that route several times, and they've never tied my car down. Great ferry, more like a mini cruise.
Edit: Sorry, I was thinking Plymouth - Santander. I believe the Portsmouth one has an open deck and that has tie-downs?
Not sure I have picked the best holiday location for car charging. Going on holiday to Cussac (87150) Dordogne and the closest charger of any type is 27Km. Thats a bit of diversion for charging. Its a 11Kw one on MObiVE. Anyone used chargers in this network/region? Can go to to limoges for Tesla charger but that is a 90Km round trip!
Also if I can use the house electrics when I get there anyone know a good extension lead and converter for a French plug?
Any advice welcome.
Also if I can use the house electrics when I get there anyone know a good extension lead and converter for a French plug?
Any advice welcome.
Mr H
Active Member
I wouldnt reccomend using a plug adapter as they tend to be of dubious quality. Much safer to get an outdoor extension lead and change the UK plug to a EU Schuko, this is what i've done.
Outdoor Garden Mains Weatherproof Electricl Extension Lead Cable Plug 10m Orange 5021196002604 | eBay
16A Rewireable 2 Pin Schuko European Plug- for Germany,France,Spain - BLACK 5055313640875 | eBay
Take a screwdriver just in case the froggy socket is wired the wrong way around
Outdoor Garden Mains Weatherproof Electricl Extension Lead Cable Plug 10m Orange 5021196002604 | eBay
16A Rewireable 2 Pin Schuko European Plug- for Germany,France,Spain - BLACK 5055313640875 | eBay
Take a screwdriver just in case the froggy socket is wired the wrong way around
According to Chargemap there's a 22kw chargepoint in Cussac. Recent positive comments so seems to be working
Thanks! Thats great!!
This seams to be my ignorance with which EV charge point map to use! There seam to be so many EV charge point maps. I have looked at several (plugsurf, Kiwhi, google..) but missed this one.
Does chargemap show all chargers?
Chargemap is the most comprehensive one for France. It gets updated by French drivers so you also get these ones put in by the local Mairie. Sounds like it's free too.
VanillaAir_UK
Supporting Member
I can't recommend Tough Leads Electric vehicle leads any more highly. Far better than regular extension leads. The cable is so flexible but robust too. For extra piece of mind, consider getting one with an inline RCD and a separate circuit tester plug - you may already have one of those.
