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EV CHARGING WITH CARAVAN

In the last issue, we promised to print the responses from the charging companies, following a request for them to explain their policy on electric vehicle charging with a caravan attached. Out of nine companies, just three responded.

Hannah Rafferty, Ionity Where we have space and suitability at a site, we work with the landlord to install our “drive thru” concept. This is a larger charging bay that enables vehicles with trailers more space to charge. The image shows how our charging sites can accommodate trailers at our Ringdalskagen site in Norway. Our Cobham site in the UK has such a Drive thru layout enabling caravanners the ability to charge.

Tom Callow, BP Pulse As early forms of public charging infrastructure typically required a dwell time of at least 30 minutes, if not several hours, they were typically located in existing parking bays, likely to be unsuitable for a vehicle towing any kind of trailer. However, as charging speeds increase and more ultra-fast chargers appear – where the dwell time for most vehicles is likely to fall to less than 30 minutes – drivers will undoubtedly see more charging infrastructure emerge that supports a wide variety of vehicles, including those towing trailers, as well as larger vans and small trucks. Such charging facilities for those towing a caravan on holiday may be most important at Motorway Service Areas, and if these locations had benefited from more investment in EV charging in recent years – which has been impeded by exclusive contracts – we may well have seen more accessible charging infrastructure emerge more quickly.

Dora Clarke, Osprey Charging We are indeed designing our en-route hub sites (over 10 currently in development) to take into account both cars towing caravans and larger commercial vans and camper vans. This includes the canopy height and size, and bay layout. These are the types of Osprey sites most relevant to those heading to and from their holiday destination.

We acknowledge that currently, at our over 200 primarily retail locations, the charging bays are often unsuitable for towing vehicles. In these cases, we usually have had to work within the existing retail car park layout, and in the space granted to us by the landlord. Where we can, we absolutely work with the landlord to maximise the space for the parking bays, not least to improve the experience for drivers with accessibility requirements.

HIGH PRAISE INDEED

Hi Ian I would like to put my perspective into your achievement with the magazine. I remember you taking it on as owner/publisher and laying out a strategy to ensure it evolved and became a prominent, successful voice in what was a niche market at the time – economy motoring.

Autocar is heralded as the original motoring magazine and has an excellent reputation with some very astute, intelligent journalists; Steve Cropley and Matt Prior being two of them.

Your leadership, professionalism and collated team are also excellent, credible, smart, and engaging (humorous, too) making Diesel&EcoCar magazine an important leader to the other available magazines.

Why the comparison with Autocar? Well, I have read every issue of your magazine since the mid-90s and have witnessed an increasing legacy, history, and growth that I expect will continue for many years to come. With comprehensive unbiased reviews/ tests, commentary for new technologies as we move to electrified motoring, and with Doctor Diesel and D-Mail to encourage a sense of community and confidence – like Autocar you have quality, endurance, and personality.

It’s fair to say that you have been apace or ahead of the game in manoeuvring the magazine to modernise its content, including the look and design of it. Where do you mostly differ from Autocar? Their magazine is too flimsy. Yours is a tactile delight. Best wishes Guy Leadbeatter Via e-mail

Hi Guy Thanks for your e-mail, and on behalf of the entire team at Diesel&EcoCar magazine, we thank you for your kind comments. While I may be leading the good ship, it is the wider team that should take the lion’s share of the credit for what the title is today. As you say, we have continued to evolve, and I like to think that is because everyone’s contribution is valued in the team, and they all strive for us to be better. I try to foster an approach of open and honest communication, where they can tell me if I’m being an idiot, and the Doc tells me that I am frequently.

Seriously, though, without every member of the Diesel&EcoCar team, from the fantastic editorial staff to the wonderful Mish, my PA, and Steve that creates an amazing design each month, to Adam that looks after the distribution, we wouldn’t have been able to achieve anything like we have, especially in these tougher recent times. From the bottom of my heart, I sincerely thank them all.

After Covid, rising production costs is the next threat, but we will fight on another day. Thanks again Guy, we all very much appreciate your thoughtful e-mail. Ian