NG2 December/January 2020

The Kia e-Niro First Edition:
Happy People
The very clever Kia e-Niro is
pointing the way towards the
immediate future of personal and
private transportation. But let us
not get ahead of ourselves here
as this is not a review of the e-Niro
just yet, rather a rumination
regarding the practicality of
electric vehicle travel right here
and right now.
TIP 1
Before going anywhere you
absolutely must download the
fantastic Zap-Map app which is
compatible with both Android
and IOS and is packed full of
invaluable features. Without going
into detail, you input your own EV
information and then have access
to a UK-wide charging point map
(constantly updated) currently
showing over 6,000 charging
locations and 19,000 connectors.
There’s also a superb route
planning feature that you can
customise to your own required
specifications. Believe me when
I say that this superb app helps
extinguish any doubts regarding
range anxiety.
TIP 2
Familiarise yourself with the type of
charger you need to find on the
journey so that you can access
maximum range for the time spent
charging. Turns out they’re not all
the same... Checkout the What
Car? EV charging guide online and
look for rapid chargers rather than
just fast on Zap Map.
TIP 3
Take a good look next time you
see an EV charge point at the
services. They all look the same
don’t they? Now look closely at
the charging cables available
and you’ll notice that some have
a Type 2 charger (capable of
charging from 7 kW to 22 kW, fully
charging an EV in 3-4 hours) on one
side and a Chademo on the other
and yet others have a CCS (rapid
DC units which are at least 50 kW
and will charge the majority of EVs
to 80% in around 30-60 minutes)
and Chademo charger. Which to
choose? It’s different for some EVs
(Nissan, Renault, Mitsubishi and
Tesla) but generally and from my
own experience with the Kia, it’s
the CCS type charger that you
need when looking to maximise
recharging.
TIP 4
Don’t waste time charging twice
at a charge point (one 45 min
charge followed straight away by
another) trying to get the battery
up to 100%, as it takes longer than
just finding another charge point as
and when you need it. Most, if not
all, EV manufacturers recommend
that charging to 80% rather than
100% will help extend the real
world lifespan of the EV’s battery
pack. Indeed, Tesla themselves
recommend charging to 100%
only if a longer journey is to be
undertaken. And then there’s the
time it takes to fill the final 20%,
which takes longer to complete
relative to the first 80%. So charge
to 80% and off you go.
TIP 5
Download and register with a
number of the most popular EV
charging apps available on either
IOS or Android allowing yourself
the luxury of choice when it comes
to charging your chosen EV.
You really don’t want to be wasting
time trying to set up the correct
app and payment card on the
journey itself. Try out Zap Map,
ChargePoint, PlugShare, Polar Plus,
Pod-Point and Electric
HIGHWAY.
Whether we like it or not the electric
vehicle revolution is here to stay.
Prices will come down, range will
increase and charging times will
reduce, but until they do, take on
board the advice given and carry
on enjoying the drive. It’s going to
be a electrifying journey.
Where will you go?