Question about charging the i3 in car parks etc...

[Lemonypye]

My questions are around charging the i3 at public charge points in the UK, and am hoping you seasoned EV'ers can help.

- What is the standard connector on the i3 called (Not the DC charge connector)
- When charging at public charge points do they all have the same connector?
- Do you need to buy an additional cable from BMW to utilise these charge points (I assume the car comes with a regular 3 pin cable in the UK)
- Is there a scheme that you can subscribe to charge points and have a single card, or do you need to subscribe to each individual supplier?

Any advice, greatly received..I don't have a confirmed date on my i3, but it should be here in the next 3 weeks.

Thanks
Chris.

 

[BrianStanier]

In order:

A type-2 connector.
Most have type-2. A few still have UK 3-pin domestic sockets.
The type-2 to type-2 cable is an (essential) extra - £165
At present you may need more than one card although some amalgamation is happening. What you need depends on where you live/drive. The Ecotricity card is free and well worth getting anyway.

There is a lot of information and discussion of UK charge points on the Leaftalk.co.uk forum which you may find useful. i3 users are welcome despite the title.

 

[Lemonypye]

Thanks Brian

Looks like the leaftalk site has lots of good information on it too.

Cheers
Chris.

In order:

A type-2 connector.
Most have type-2. A few still have UK 3-pin domestic sockets.
The type-2 to type-2 cable is an (essential) extra - £165
At present you may need more than one card although some amalgamation is happening. What you need depends on where you live/drive. The Ecotricity card is free and well worth getting anyway.

There is a lot of information and discussion of UK charge points on the Leaftalk.co.uk forum which you may find useful. i3 users are welcome despite the title.

 

[Lemonypye]

I've taken a picture of the connector on the chargers at work....is this the standard connector, and is the BMW cable type 2 to type 2 cable the correct one to go from the i3 to this type of connection?



Thanks
Chris.

 

[BrianStanier]

No, that looks like an industrial 'Commando' type socket. The only practicable way use these is the supplied EVSE with the domestic 3-pin plug and then an adapter to the Commando (but you need to find out what sort they are). Charging will then only be at 10 Amps.

See:

http://www.cenex.co.uk/programmes/plugged-in-midlands/charging-point-equipment/electric-vehicle-charging-cables

for type-2 pictures.