So you’ve done it, and on the QT: you are feeling a teeny bit smug about it. An Electric Vehicle has made it onto your drive and it’s proving itself. For the daily commute and as a general run-around – marvellous. But is a longer EV road trip going to be a logistical nightmare? Not now: not to Cornwall!
The UK boom in EV charger infrastructure is moving apace with a 47% increase in charging points in the 10 months to March ’24, according to Zapmap (as mentioned in Motability’s Planning a long EV trip). But how does it work out in reality? Will a supposed care-free holiday be overshadowed by leap-frogging between charges? Absolutely not!
The used EV dealership Wilsey Automotive took a test road trip from Falmouth back to their London showroom on a bank holiday weekend in May ’24, and their video report makes fascinating viewing. Driving the ‘shorter range’ BMW i3s, 2 top-up stops were made during the 300 mile journey; with a thorough review of alternative charging points en route. Yes they were fully charged at the set-off, but most would start a longer journey with a full tank. Yes they took 2 comfort breaks – but that’d be fairly standard surely?
Of particular interest to anyone heading into Cornwall was the range of different charging options at Exeter Services, with it being described as a ‘key [charging] site’. Nearer the Devon/Cornwall border on the A30, Strawberry Fields (farm shop) Lifton and Tesla’s super chargers in Lifton village were both rated (great if Exeter slipped past in a blur because Cornwall’s beckoning!)
So you’ve sailed into Cornwall, but how’s the holiday going to pan out? Our advice would be stay where there’s an on-site charger, for the exclusive use of guests. Somewhere like Tom’s Cottage, 1 of the 10% of Classic Cottages properties with an EV charger. Arrive, unload the luggage, plug-in and relax. Tom’s EV charger is exclusively yours – for the duration of your stay.
With both a Tesla and a hybrid having used Tom’s Cottage charger to date, the system has worked seamlessly using the VoltShare 7kw fast charger with type 2 tether, operating on a Pay As You Go basis.
Charging with VoltShare is easy - simply download the VoltShare app or scan the QR code conveniently located on the front of the charger. This will initiate your charging session. You can then securely pay using Apple Pay, Google Pay, or your preferred card. Their user-friendly system ensures a hassle-free experience, allowing you to focus on enjoying your stay while your vehicle charges. VoltShare’s how-to video takes you through the process.
Being a private drive, the entrance lane into Tom’s Cottage is single track and unmetalled (charmingly flanked by Cornish hedges). It is regularly maintained for domestic traffic with a compact stone surface, is moderately level with a marginal camber. Driven over at a suitable speed (we suggest around 10 mph) regular vehicles glide happily along.
25 meters from the house there is a small ford that vehicles cross. Averaging 5cm in depth (in all but torrential conditions) it’s not the water level that Tesla drivers need to be so aware of; more the method of crossing the space due to car clearance height. The ford has been adapted – making it shallower – to accommodate low vehicles at entrance/exit points. We still advise a diagonal drive through of the ford: entering in 1 corner, driving diagonally across the water to exit in the opposite corner; and this worked for our 1st Tesla guests.
Here at Tom’s Cottage we take pride in attentiveness – easing any guest issues in a heartbeat, but we’d rather you had a magical (hassle-free) time with us from arrival to departure. So we’d really appreciate guests with sports car type clearance mentioning this at the time of booking, for us to have the opportunity to be particularly vigilant with access maintenance prior to your stay.
Back to the main event: the holiday. What about the odd top-up charge when out and about? We suggest using Zapmap to find local public charging points. But there’ll be no need to bunny-hop between attractions for a power-up, you’ll be power-napping with overnight charges back at Tom’s Cottage! Leaving you free to discover off the beaten track gems by day.
EV holidaying has been liberated and destination Cornwall awaits. Recharging has never been so relaxing.
