Charging in France

[spicyhotone]

Planning on taking our RAV4 PHEV to France over the Summer. Anyone got any experience of charging networks suitable for PHEV charging? Most of the information out there is for full EVs, high speed charging. I've got a few questions:
1) Is it worth signing up to a particular network before we go so we can charge out and about?

2) At least some of the chargepoints en-route are Type2 22kw/3phase. RAV4 is only rated for 7kw Type2 - can I still plug in to these and draw 7kw, or are they just incompatible with the car?

3) If I want to plug into a standard power socket with the granny charger (which is a UK 3 pin plug) - is it safe to use an adapter to the European socket? Are there adaptors out there specially designed for the long high current draw of an EV charge? Would like to be able to do this when we reach our destination, as that should cover a lot of our day-trips. The expense of a European plug granny charger isn't worth it for such limited used. Actually, I've never used our granny charger - maybe it even has an exchangeable plug?

4) I understand Lidl commonly offers free charging in  their carparks (in France), but do they typically have Type2 connectors, or just the high power DC for full EV? Are there any other places to look out for free charging?

[nlee]

I haven't got personal experience but can hopefully help with some of your questions. 

Q2 - yes, you can use anything that has a type 2 plug. It will be AC and the on-board charger in the car will sort everything out and be the limiting factor. 

Q3 - I don't see why not but I'd ensure it was a good quality one and avoid cheap alternatives. If it suitable for a kettle or electric heater of 3kw, 10amps then it should be suitable for the granny charger.

Q4 - The chargemap website or app looks like good coverage across Europe. It shows charge locations, types available and cost. Stores like Leroy Merlin appear to have free type 2 charges. I think you can set up a Chargemap account which would give access to multiple networks but might add a little extra to the specific network account cost for the convenience. Bear in mind I never used it though so can't give a personal recommendation.

[IanML]

No problem with 3 phase Type 2 charging points - the car will only draw on one of the phases, and the other two will not be in circuit.

Use of adaptor - I don't see why not - they are usually rated for 16A.  A granny charger usually only takes 10A or so.  Just only plug them into the large sockets with the circular recess and the projecting earth pin - not the old-fashioned two pin ones.

[Flatcoat]

We are travelling through EUlandia this summer so will be looking into this nearer the time. I am hoping the various caravan sites we will be using will also have charging facilities. I do however know the further into Eastern Europe you travel the charging infrastructure is minimal. 

[Rav4ster]

On the other note, do not forget to apply for French clean air certificate (cost about 7 euros) on official site. And if you need German, get one from Berlin council site, about 6 euros. Also try to stick to speed limit, speed cameras are well hidden and lots of undercover police cars on the roads. Speed tolerance is low and if caught by police, they can demand the fine on the spot.

[Stopeter44]

43 minutes ago, Rav4ster said:

On the other note, do not forget to apply for French clean air certificate (cost about 7 euros) on official site.

Official French clean air certificate site

My sis in law got suckered into paying very much more (60€ 😒) through a third party site, so don't use any other site. Official cost with postage to the UK is 4,51€, but delivery can take up to 3 weeks.

Edited March 10, 2022 by Stopeter44
extra details

[philip42h]

1 hour ago, nlee said:

Q3 - I don't see why not but I'd ensure it was a good quality one and avoid cheap alternatives. If it suitable for a kettle or electric heater of 3kw, 10amps then it should be suitable for the granny charger.

On Q3, I've seen adaptors rated at 13A and at 5A. If it's rated at 13A or more you will be good to go; if it's rated at only5A or not explicitly rated at all I wouldn't use it (and get one that is explicitly rated at 13A or more).

And then, why worry about charging at all? You have a hybrid that will run perfectly well on petrol. If you are doing loads of long journeys touring around France most of your motoring will be (hybrid) petrol powered anyway; if you are mostly in one place pottering around the local mileage won't amount to that much fuel anyway. You are on holiday, so enjoy it rather than wasting time and energy looking for charging points that you don't need - unless that's all part of the adventure! 🙂

[philip42h]

51 minutes ago, Rav4ster said:

On the other note, do not forget to apply for French clean air certificate (cost about 7 euros) on official site.

You don't need a Crit’Air vignette for driving in France - just for the cities that have implemented Zone à Circulation Restreinte - namely: Grenoble, Paris and Strasbourg. There's no point in getting one if you don't need it. 😉

[Stopeter44]

@philip42h True, no need if you don't need it, but the vignette is valid for the lifetime of the car, or at the very least the time you own the car. More cities have restrictions planned, such as Marseile, and Lyon already has one.

The Paris ZCR/LEZ is going to be extended from June 2022, and it will cover pretty much everything inside the A86 circular orbital autoroute, depending on where you are driving to you could easily find yourself traversing an LEZ, so 4,51€ seems little to pay to avoid an unlikely but possible inconvenience. 

[philip42h]

2 hours ago, Stopeter44 said:

@philip42h True, no need if you don't need it, but the vignette is valid for the lifetime of the car, or at the very least the time you own the car. More cities have restrictions planned, such as Mubikile, and Lyon already has one.

The Paris ZCR/LEZ is going to be extended from June 2022, and it will cover pretty much everything inside the A86 circular orbital autoroute, depending on where you are driving to you could easily find yourself traversing an LEZ, so 4,51€ seems little to pay to avoid an unlikely but possible inconvenience. 

That's a very valid point Peter. I don't like unnecessary stickers on my windscreen and have an 'issue' with invented regulation (like the obligation to carry two breathalysers and a full set of LED headlamp units 😉 ).

Obviously, if you live in France it makes perfect sense to get your vignette as soon as you acquire the car and then you don't need to worry about it again - just make sure you don't drive where your vignette does not allow ...

We used to travel to France frequently - i.e. several times a year - and it might be worth our while to get a vignette sorted (for one or other of the cars or maybe both) but so far there are no restrictions in the areas we tend to frequent. (And Covid travel restrictions etc. has made frequent travel rather difficult recently!)

But for a 'company car driver', or someone who changes their car frequently and travels in France just once in a blue moon it might just be simpler to avoid restricted areas ...

[spicyhotone]

Another related question - assume I'll need headlight beam adaptors for the LED headlights. My previous car had a setting to automatically shift the beam, but I don't think the RAV4 has this feature?

[philip42h]

1 minute ago, spicyhotone said:

Another related question - assume I'll need headlight beam adaptors for the LED headlights. My previous car had a setting to automatically shift the beam, but I don't think the RAV4 has this feature?

I don't believe so ... If you check - position the car in front of a wall with the lights on - you will note that there is no characteristic uptick in the beam on the LHS. The beam pattern is very flat so won't dazzle oncoming drivers (which is what you are not allowed to do). So, no, I don't bother with headlight beam adaptors ...

But if you'd prefer to play it uber safe - stick some on! 😉

[Matt O]

Was in a similar situation. 

I bought this for overnight trickle charging  https://toughleads.co.uk/products/standalone-european-scandinavian-ev-charging-adaptors-compatible-with-all-evs?variant=32316072820824

Essentially a glorified weather proof socket that will plug into French plug. Granny charger 13A UK plug plugs into IP66 weatherproof box. Leads are substantial and its well made. 

Didn't get to try it as Mr Macron curtailed our ski trip plans......

[Lawnmowerman]

13 hours ago, Flatcoat said:

 the further into Eastern Europe you travel the charging infrastructure is minimal. 

Sounds a bit like the UK then 🤣🤣🤣

[Flatcoat]

5 minutes ago, Lawnmowerman said:

Sounds a bit like the UK then 🤣🤣🤣

Believe me it makes the UK look like a hotbed of EV chargers. Prague has 80 charging points for a city of 1million. People there are simply not interested in EV’s and the whole eco climate change religion. 

[Cyker]

Just dangle a cord out your hotel room?