The numbers
Think in terms of what you need. Work out how far the nearest working rapid charger is, then ask us how long we'd need to charge for. We'd rather you leave with enough than a little short.
Our portable charger delivers 7.5 kW. Half an hour at that rate puts about 3.75 kWh into the battery. For most cars that is about 10 to 12 miles. That is our own figure from the work we do, and it is a guide, not a promise.
If you need more, we can charge for longer. Ring and tell us how far you need to go, and we'll talk it through.
Why the miles change
Every car and every journey is different. These things move the number up or down:
- Cold weather. Batteries hold less usable energy when it's cold, and the car works harder to warm itself
- Heating and demisting. The heater and heated seats use power that would otherwise go on the road
- Speed. Motorway speeds use far more energy per mile than steady town driving
- The car itself. A small efficient hatchback goes a lot further on 3.75 kWh than a big heavy SUV
- Hills, wind and a heavy load
Why we don't quote one exact figure
A single mileage for every car would be a guess. The range you see on the dashboard is an estimate as well, and it changes as you drive. That is why 10 to 12 miles is a range, and why we'll ask about your car and the weather on the call.
Why it's a top-up, not a full charge
A 7.5 kW charger is slow next to a public rapid charger. Filling a whole battery would take many hours, and that isn't what we're for.
Think of it as the splash of fuel that gets you to the petrol station. We give you enough to reach a public charge point, then you charge up properly there.
Pick your charger before we leave
The best use of the miles is a short, sensible journey to a rapid charger you know is working. A charge point that is full, broken or twenty miles away doesn't help.
Use your car's own app or a charging map to find the nearest rapid charger with a free bay. Have a second one in mind in case the first is busy. If you tell us where you are when you ring, we can talk through the options.
How to make the miles go further
- Turn off the heating or set it low, and use the heated seat or wheel if you have them
- Drive at a steady speed and avoid motorways if there's a good alternative
- Switch the car to its eco mode
- Go straight to the charger. Don't take detours
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