It’s the public fast charging that needs major extra provision. It needs to be less Trotter (Del) and more Tesla.
W.Wales to S’hampton in Aug, stopped at Cardiff Gate, one CCS just not processing card and the other in use. Luckily by the time I moved to the other side of the working one (to wait) the guy finished and I hooked straight up. While drinking coffee engineer turned up to the duff one. Then Membury and both in use with one car already waiting. Had to wait about 15 minutes during which time three more cars pitched up, two of which had to wait.
W.Wales to Plymouth this Saturday, Cardiff Gate, same machine not processing card, luckily other one empty. Taunton Deane, only one pillar and CCS in use vehicle at 75% so thought oh they’re nearly done, won’t be long. Woman pitches up (her car now at 82%) I jovially smile and say “oh great”. Oh I’m not going, it says I’ve another hour! Tried to explain pointless waiting for the extra 20 etc but she was adamant she needed 100 or she wouldn’t get to Newquay coz there was absolutely nowhere else. We moved on to Exeter (fall back plan) all six in use and 7 or 8 cars waiting while the dozen Tesla chargers had one car using them. Popped up the road to Tesco, four 7kWh in use. Luckily one chap said he was only waiting while his wife did the shopping and moved. Put in enough to finish the journey (just past Marsh Mills roundabout at Plymouth) and got to sons house on electric fumes. They’d had to leave to get to airport and had to leave key with neighbour for us (we’re dog sitting).
Home charging and 90% of our driving, great. But long journeys you really do need planning and the time to be held up etc. Currently there just aren’t enough charge points on the major routes and the % of working ones isn’t good enough either.