Thank you for logging onto our blog! This webiste is dedicated to recording the events and experiences of Highland Charge 2014, which we have just completed on Sunday 27th April 2014.
Having participated in 2 great motorshows (GreenFleet and Evolution 2014), there was no reason but to head for home - mission accomplished!
When the show organiser announce '30 mins to close' - it seems to be a trigger to drop and wrap all displays! In 2 mins the halls looked bare - all car exhibits in place - but banners were into cases in seconds and brochues and laptops disappeared into boxes! I think the remaining visitors were a bit startled - 5 mins later they were gone!
We followed suit and stowed our gear! However, before leaving we did have a few thank you's to make to adjacent stands and to the show organisers. We were happy to share a dozen or more jars of Auntie Val's Marmalade, with the Team Green Motorsport logo - we hope they enjoy the excellent marmalade - just a much as we enjoyed their company for the 3 days at the Royal Highland Showground.
The Journey South Day - 1: Edinburgh - Scotch Corner (160 Miles)
View Larger Map
Our strategy for travelling the 400 miles from Edinburgh home was straightforward - join up the shortest distance between rapid chargers - with due regard to serviceability. The only sector where there could be uncertainty was between Edinburgh and Newcastle, which is reliant to the serviceability of the Newtown Boswell. The A1 route was rejected because of the additional distance and time.
Although it was only 48 miles to our first stop at Newton St Boswells, our recollection from 2013, was that there was a significant sustained uphill gradient - so plan A was to top up the battery at the Edinburgh IKEA and make the stop optimal, by taking a meal. Alhough it had been serviceable the evening before - we found it U/s when we got there. We had a meal but we aere losing time! We were luckiy enough to have a Nissan dealership nearby (Nobles of Loanhead) and they were simply superb! They recogised the car from the motorshow and despite charging a non-Nissan was not a problem!
So AF Noble, Nissan Dealler you get ***** for a most friendly service!
 |
| Jedburgh - a 'must see' town! |
We left Edinburgh about 6 pm nearly an hour later than planned it was a glorious evening to climb the Cheviot hills heading south towards Newtown St Boswells. We arived at the Borders Council Offices with a range of 19 remaining - so the top-up was not absolutely necessary. However, in terms of peace-of-mind the top-up was a valid decision.
 |
| Jedburgh - History and Character! |
The next leg had a similar dilemma - the next rapid charger was at the Gateshead Metrocente 72 miles away - possible on wing-and-a-prayer, but imprudent! So we had option for 'fast' charging at Jedburgh (9 miles on) - or Pontisland (9 miles short of Gateshead). So which do we choose? Jedburgh, of course! Its a beautiful town with an Abbey and we would be there before dark.
The climb up from Jedburgh (about 400ft) nobbled the range severely and we were in range-deficit within 20 miles. However, having taken account of the road profile (nothing scientific) from previous visits we were optimistic that the range would recover. It happened very much that way and we were able to pass Pontisland with a range of 20 miles (with 11 miles to go).
Gateshead Metrocentre was a ghost town at 9pm - not even street lights. As we pulled up to the 'rapid' charger a security guard appeared from the shadows. I'm not sure if he thought we were about to steal the big white box!
The remainder of the day was straightforward and we arrived a the Travelodge, Scotch Corner, without delay. We parked the Ecotricity 'rapid' charger and settled in our room - feeling smug that we had done a full days exhibition and still managed to get 1/3rd of the distance home - by EV!
The Journey South Day - 2: Scotch Corner - Wokingham (260 miles)
View Larger Map
Sunday morning we were ready faily early - keen to ensure that we made it home within the day. Fitst cahllenge was to get th charger to go over 82%; however, when we realised that Wetherby was within range we quickly logged out and got rolling. All though we had morning tea, teh judgement was to have breakfast at the first stop! Optimisng the time use - maybe 'Breakfast at Greggs' would not be my 1st choice - tehy do a very fine 'Bacon Butty' and since were 'up North', that was our choice!
Leicaster East was to be the next stop maybe too soon for morning coffee - but we were pleased to pass the half-way point on the return journey - and it was still early!
Our journey was about to take a turn for the worse - however! We had an appreciation of the serviceability of chargers ahead, but felt confident that there was enough! Northampton N-bound, would get us to IKEA and on to Chargemaster, Luton. All others were 'red-flagged'! However, Northampton turned out to have an earthing fault - with Newport Pagnell N&S both out - our only choice was IKEA, at Milton Keynes. Or range was marginal - but there seemed no choice. We duly arrived at IKEA with a range of -4miles - yes we met the Green Turtle for the 2nd time, ever! However, the IKEA 'rapid' was down. We blagged a 13 amp socket, had lunch and set off of the MK Coachway, which was working, we were out of trouble - we thought!
With Toddington N&S U/s prudence told us to take a top-up at Chargemaster, Luton - its status is not declared anywhere, but it has been reliable. However, it too was broken! Not a problem - next charger is at Nissan (Maple Cross) - though its not reported either! It too was broken!
We were suddenly starting to look critical! We were 30 miles from home, with a range remaining of 11 miles and we had been travelling for 8 hours already. Any 'fast' charge would take 3-4 hours and we really did want to get home! So out with the iPad - the panacea for all navigation issues! The nearest 'rapid' charger would be at Heston, well W of our planned route - but according to the GPS we would fail by 4-5 miles! However, Google Maps suggesed we could make it - if we took a direct route and entered the service area from the back entrance! This link will how we reduced the distance by at least 1/3rd!
Maple Cross - Heston Direct!
We were delayed at Heston by a LEAF on charge - the family had been having a weekend away in Windsor and had been worried about getting the range down to 20 miles - I didn't dare tell them that we had got there 'on a wing and a prayer'!
We arrived home at 2010 - just in time to boot the Mac and join the EVDA Board Meeting!
If we had wanted to claim Edinburgh to London, in day - then we could have taken the M1, charged at London Gateway and photgraphed Marble Arch - with an hour to spare! But that's been done by two stubbly blokes in a LEAF who went to Edinburgh on Burns Night and stayed sober! We turned W on the M25, got delayed by another charger outage and arrived home in 24 hours and 10 mins!
We didn't claim a record - I had travelled with my wife - stayed in a comfortable hotel - had every meal at a cafe, or restaurant - and enjoyed the whole experience! We just went home - had a pleasant meeting with our buddies at EVDA and toasted and epic trip with a glass of Merlot!
Travelling long distance in a short range EV is not rocket science - its just a matter of good planning and good decision making! You just take the journey at a gentle pace - making sensible charging choices and dont panic when range starts to get critical! Be wary of using an in-car GPS - they are not optimised for an EV. Always travel with tablet computer, or smart phone - but use it to find 'last resort' charging - not to call recovery!
