Electric Highway

This is more of a review of what the app is missing, than its actual performance / usability. I'm thinking of getting an EV, and I like the ethos of Ecotricity, Vince Dale is like a 'Lidl' version Elon Musk, for the UK 😃. I was hoping the App had a map showing all the Ecotricity charge points, however it only has the option to scan it if you happen to stumble across one. I live in Cornwall and I know there's one at Lands End, however that's not really central. I'm suspicious that was only installed as a marketing gimmick, so they could say they cover Lands End to John O groats. They only have one other in Cornwall close to Bodmin, not really practical for any daily commuting anywhere. I think they need to pepper a few more around the region if it's to be a viable network down here, and before I get an EV.

Once app account set up, for best results; 1. Dont touch the pump's charger until instructed to by its screen, and after you have used the app. 2. Before opening the app go to settings and turn OFF wifi and rely on your phone's data allowance. 3. In app, dont press the big charge button but the little one in the banner along bottom of the screen. 4. Follow the app instructions until it tells you to follow (the pump's) on- screen instructions. Note: If your phones battery or data allowance is low you may cut yourself off. If you interupt sequence or charging it may all stop. If you enter your bank card security number wrongly or that from a different card to the one your account is registered to, the session will not proceed. The pump id is below scan decal and above the red stop button. It is less complex to just type in the number rather than mess about scanning. Dont use pump wifi hotspot unless you have to, it confuses my phone and crashes it. You are only receiving juice when red light is on on the charger. Many cars will only accept an 80% charge from pumps, not 100%, this is normal. Electricity is only free, I understand, if you have your domestic supply from Ecotricity as well. I have learned all this the hard way, but since doing so my rating goes up to 4 from 1.

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I have installed about 5 app for EV charging and this one is by far the worst. The client on-boarding experience is amateurish and frankly worrying. Shame on you Ecotricity! Did you not bother to test this app properly before releasing? I had to restart the process 3 times on my iPhone X, first because it just hung at Step 4 (wheel of death), then it rejected a perfectly good Mastercard without good reason. So I entered a Visa card but got some message from Sage that I had entered duplicate cards with no way to go back or go forward! Thanks Ecotricity for wasting 20 minutes of my journey time and for the anxiety of having to make alternative plans. Worried about how my card number are being stored with such amateurish tech. Doubt I’d ever switch over Ecotricity based on this experience. Own goal!

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I have tried to recharge my car on multiple occasions using the Ecotricity charging points and I have never yet had any success at getting a charge out of any of multiple locations that I have tried. This is terrible as they have always been the only charging station available. I would not recommend using this company or switching over to their home provider services. We considered this in order to get a reduced charging rate, but given the charging point are always out of action I see no reason to switch. If you are considering an electric car at this time, my advise is that the infrastructure does not support you especially with companies like Ecotricity offering services that do not work.

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I have an old iphone 3gs and guess what it will not accept any app from any vendor. So i will have to fork out more £££££ for a new phone just to get an app that will allow me to charge my car. I do not need a new phone my phone makes perfectly good calls. Why did we go to apps spelt with a capital C. I am not necessarily knocking Ecotricity you can still get an rfid card for medium chargers, but there are not many about. If electric cars are to catch on there has to something as common as cash and easy to use as a petrol station otherwise there will be chaos. Despite the world knocking Tesla they got charging right first time. Come Polar, Podpoint, Chargemaster,BP, Shell and all the others get around a table and sort it out.