This is really about the M25 challenge & how much of the battery’s charge it uses to go around, it’s the test done by Sunday Times Driving in a Renault Zoe with a 40kW battery – Renault Zoe M25 Motorway Challenge: will electric car complete a lap? – 16:47 minute mark – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Xs5ZHiHI_Y
In the original, the temperature was lower (3-6%), the weather was windier, but the average speed was a lot less too (45.8mph). Energy consumed in the Zoe was 35kWh, in the e2008 it was just under 33kWh.
What I’m showing is that since that Zoe test the cars have improved in range to a point where I’d be a little more confident in trying that challenge. It’s usually possible to bail out at M25 J8 Wray Lane CYC 50kW rapid charger if you’re running out of juice (access is compromised due to Reigate Hill southbound A217 closure at the moment until mid December). Free Vend (free electricity) is just a nice incentive to try some of these tests, & I’ll expect a full West Yorkshire “Tour de Charger” from someone using all those lovely free vend chargers in all those towns until October 2021. (SpeakEV’s “Engie rapid chargers in West Yorkshire which are Free to use until October 2021” thread).
The other thought is just how much do you miss going for a ride out in the car because the cost of fossil fuel means you conserve it for only necessary journeys? For me that was putting me off driving the 30 miles to the coast to wander around a seaside town in the wheelchair, and my home town is a bit too hilly for a wander, I know COVID is putting a dampener on the wander round a town trips but at least I’m not worrying about the expense to get there. Those of us on the Scheme with electric cars are no longer seeing the 5000 miles we can afford in fossil fuels as the limiting factor for doing anything.