maby said:As I understand it, the only economical option on the motorway network is Ecotricity - which is currently free. I think that Polar Network have some charging points in motorway service areas, but their pricing structure means that it is cheaper to run an Outlander on petrol.
Personally, I haven't bothered subscribing to any supplier - I did the sums and came to the conclusion that, with my pattern of usage they just did not make sense - the savings are too small to justify the inconvenience. Depending on your usage pattern, you may come to a different conclusion.
dukeinlondon said:maby said:As I understand it, the only economical option on the motorway network is Ecotricity - which is currently free. I think that Polar Network have some charging points in motorway service areas, but their pricing structure means that it is cheaper to run an Outlander on petrol.
Personally, I haven't bothered subscribing to any supplier - I did the sums and came to the conclusion that, with my pattern of usage they just did not make sense - the savings are too small to justify the inconvenience. Depending on your usage pattern, you may come to a different conclusion.
I completely agree that it's hardly worth it to try to charge on the go purely on a cost basis. But the car is at its best when relying on its electric drive train so it's a nice indulgence if there is the opportunity.
jaapv said:But - as stated in the manual, fast charging on a regular basis will reduce the lifespan of your batteries.....
Even if you plan to trade it in after two or three years, the battery condition check will reveal the state of the battery, which in turn will certainly affect the price.
Actually nil....maby said:dukeinlondon said:maby said:As I understand it, the only economical option on the motorway network is Ecotricity - which is currently free. I think that Polar Network have some charging points in motorway service areas, but their pricing structure means that it is cheaper to run an Outlander on petrol.
Personally, I haven't bothered subscribing to any supplier - I did the sums and came to the conclusion that, with my pattern of usage they just did not make sense - the savings are too small to justify the inconvenience. Depending on your usage pattern, you may come to a different conclusion.
I completely agree that it's hardly worth it to try to charge on the go purely on a cost basis. But the car is at its best when relying on its electric drive train so it's a nice indulgence if there is the opportunity.
But it never allows the battery to go so flat that the electric drive train cannot function - that would leave you with an unusable car since the mechanical drive train cannot engage at low speeds. You do need additional charge if you are going to climb significant gradients, but for motorway runs on the (relatively) flat, the handling difference between a full and flat battery is small.
CJ1045 said:jaapv said:But - as stated in the manual, fast charging on a regular basis will reduce the lifespan of your batteries.....
Even if you plan to trade it in after two or three years, the battery condition check will reveal the state of the battery, which in turn will certainly affect the price.
You need to read the manual more carefully - the issue with fast charging is that it charges to 80% not 100% like slow charge so if you ONLY fast charge the battery gets used to this. As the manual states if you then do a slow charge to 100% it reconditions the battery. There is no issue with using fast chargers from time to time but they should not be used exclusivlely!
CJ
I agree - this has become something of an urban myth, I'm surprised jaapv (who seems to talk a lot of sense) has repeated it. But at the end of the day we all have to make our own minds up about what the manual actually means. Personally I'm going for fast charge when I can get it, otherwise it rather defeats the purpose of the car, but then I don't intend selling the car for a very long time.CJ1045 said:jaapv said:But - as stated in the manual, fast charging on a regular basis will reduce the lifespan of your batteries.....
Even if you plan to trade it in after two or three years, the battery condition check will reveal the state of the battery, which in turn will certainly affect the price.
You need to read the manual more carefully - the issue with fast charging is that it charges to 80% not 100% like slow charge so if you ONLY fast charge the battery gets used to this. As the manual states if you then do a slow charge to 100% it reconditions the battery. There is no issue with using fast chargers from time to time but they should not be used exclusivlely!
CJ
Q: WILL RAPID CHARGING DAMAGE THE BATTERY?
Repeatedly performing only rapid charging may reduce the battery capacity. In usual charge, normal charging is recommended. To maintain the capacity of the drive battery the vehicle should be fully charged in normal charging every two weeks and repeat charging near the full charge level should not be repeated.
jaapv said:From the official Mitsubushi FAQ: ( http://www.mitsubishi-cars.co.uk/outlander/phev-faq.aspx )
Q: WILL RAPID CHARGING DAMAGE THE BATTERY?
Repeatedly performing only rapid charging may reduce the battery capacity. In usual charge, normal charging is recommended. To maintain the capacity of the drive battery the vehicle should be fully charged in normal charging every two weeks and repeat charging near the full charge level should not be repeated.
Ozukus said:Can anyone tell me how long it takes to charge on a rapid charge once the battery is depleted and it has started running in series hybrid please.
greendwarf said:...
I agree - this has become something of an urban myth, I'm surprised jaapv (who seems to talk a lot of sense) has repeated it. But at the end of the day we all have to make our own minds up about what the manual actually means. Personally I'm going for fast charge when I can get it, otherwise it rather defeats the purpose of the car, but then I don't intend selling the car for a very long time.
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