Daily Archives: February 24, 2014

Renault Zoe Blog

Living with the Renault ZOE EV #3

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Learning the foibles of our Public Charging Infrastructure

Screenshot_Video3_ZOE_Alloam_c

In this video I am comparing charging at a “Rapid” 43kW AC / 50kW DC charger and at a “Fast” 22kW AC charger. For the details of the 43kW charging see my previous post ‘ZOE Charging Curve (APT Rapid)‘. The long and short of it is that the 22kW charger is providing a faster charging rate than the charger that is rated at almost twice the capacity: 20.9kW vs 17.8kW.

Comparison of 43kW and 22kW APT Charge Points – State of Charge (Image: alloam)
Comparison of 43kW and 22kW APT Charge Points – State of Charge (Image: alloam)

These chargers are both made by APT, both on the Charge Your Car network, but one is not living up to its “Rapid” name. I have found that all the “Rapid” 43kW chargers I have used on the Charge Your Car network are providing about this same charge rate. Something is very wrong. As an owner of a car that can take advantage of the full 43kW supply that should be available, this is very frustrating.

Comparison of 43kW and 22kW APT Charge Points – kWh Provided (Image: alloam)
Comparison of 43kW and 22kW APT Charge Points – kWh Provided (Image: alloam)

Other than these public infrastructure gremlins, life with the ZOE remains a lot of fun. And for 90% of our motoring these are not issues, but for those occasional longer drives, then the Rapid chargers really need to live up to their name.