Volvo EX30 test drive to Golden Gate National Park in the Free State

Jan

Jan

Who's the Boss?
Staff member
Joined
May 24, 2010
Messages
13,996
Reaction score
12,005
Location
The Rabbit Hole
800km South African road trip in Volvo's fastest electric car

We recently took a trip from Pretoria to Golden Gate National Park in the Free State in Volvo's fastest electric vehicle (EV) — the EX30 — and found the 800km journey incredibly comfortable with minimal charging challenges.

As I've previously made long-distance trips in EVs in South Africa, I knew some planning would be necessary to ensure adequate range between charging stops.
 
Really good article and pictures, thank you

What do some of these charging stations want for a charge session?

My wife is getting a Honda e-Fit. Charging stations are minimal in Cape Town. There is one at Constantia Village but some customers seem to "book" it even though its supposed to be queued. She went with her friend with a Volvo EX30 and as she was pulling in, a lady rushed out and started to shout that she had stolen her place
 
chrisc said:
Really good article and pictures, thank you

What do some of these charging stations want for a charge session?

My wife is getting a Honda e-Fit. Charging stations are minimal in Cape Town. There is one at Constantia Village but some customers seem to "book" it even though its supposed to be queued. She went with her friend with a Volvo EX30 and as she was pulling in, a lady rushed out and started to shout that she had stolen her place
Click to expand...
Price is no object when you're driving a Volvo EX30.
 
It was just a question

I wondered whether prices vary. They do in England. Motorway service stations charge more. Tesco discount the charge fee and its even less if you spend more than £30 in the shop, which is not difficult
 
chrisc said:
It was just a question

I wondered whether prices vary. They do in England. Motorway service stations charge more. Tesco discount the charge fee and its even less if you spend more than £30 in the shop, which is not difficult
Click to expand...
I think some factor in rental, real estate, maybe higher profit margin etc. I noticed in Paris too.
 
chrisc said:
It was just a question

I wondered whether prices vary. They do in England. Motorway service stations charge more. Tesco discount the charge fee and its even less if you spend more than £30 in the shop, which is not difficult
Click to expand...
Yes, the prices vary. Depends on whether it is AC or DC charger and Charge rate etc. Much the like diesel prices. You have to shop around for the best prices.
Back in the day I always charged my iPace at the Jag dealership for free while doing business in the CBD, also got free parking.
 
WollieVerstege said:
Yes, the prices vary. Depends on whether it is AC or DC charger and Charge rate etc. Much the like diesel prices. You have to shop around for the best prices.
Back in the day I always charged my iPace at the Jag dealership for free while doing business in the CBD, also got free parking.
Click to expand...
and the prices of these chargers where its the only option would be $$$.
 
chrisc said:
Really good article and pictures, thank you

What do some of these charging stations want for a charge session?

My wife is getting a Honda e-Fit. Charging stations are minimal in Cape Town. There is one at Constantia Village but some customers seem to "book" it even though its supposed to be queued. She went with her friend with a Volvo EX30 and as she was pulling in, a lady rushed out and started to shout that she had stolen her place
Click to expand...
I don't think the Honda e-Fit is a plug-in hybrid? So no need to charge up at any time? Doing a whole piece on the costs for this same trip, you do pay a massive premium for the faster speed. At DC chargers it's R7.35 per kWh. So it's a good idea to start full and then return to home with as little charge as possible.
 
In a really great natural setting it must be pretty cool to be able to roll the windows down and glo slow. Just to hear the environment a bit while driving. No chug-chug-chug or farting noises coming from combustion. In a world where the trend seems to be one of ever more sensory stimulation, distraction, and ever more stress - I can only imagine it would be relaxing. And I mean dang... 4x4 offroad over challenging terrain in an EV must be amazing.
 
chrisc said:
Really good article and pictures, thank you

What do some of these charging stations want for a charge session?

My wife is getting a Honda e-Fit. Charging stations are minimal in Cape Town. There is one at Constantia Village but some customers seem to "book" it even though its supposed to be queued. She went with her friend with a Volvo EX30 and as she was pulling in, a lady rushed out and started to shout that she had stolen her place
Click to expand...
I had this problem the past weekend. I was quite irritated, but not as badly as the XC40 Recharge owner who parked him in 5 minutes later.
 

Attachments

  • WhatsApp Image 2024-05-27 at 17.23.33.jpeg
    WhatsApp Image 2024-05-27 at 17.23.33.jpeg
    402.8 KB · Views: 34
The Trutherizer said:
In a really great natural setting it must be pretty cool to be able to roll the windows down and glo slow. Just to hear the environment a bit while driving. No chug-chug-chug or farting noises coming from combustion. In a world where the trend seems to be one of ever more sensory stimulation, distraction, and ever more stress - I can only imagine it would be relaxing. And I mean dang... 4x4 offroad over challenging terrain in an EV must be amazing.
Click to expand...
Not off-road, but it was great in the Kruger: https://mybroadband.co.za/news/moto...to-kruger-and-back-consider-me-converted.html
 
Hanno Labuschagne said:
I don't think the Honda e-Fit is a plug-in hybrid? So no need to charge up at any time? Doing a whole piece on the costs for this same trip, you do pay a massive premium for the faster speed. At DC chargers it's R7.35 per kWh. So it's a good idea to start full and then return to home with as little charge as possible.
Click to expand...
and also find a destination that you can charge at.
 
wingnut771 said:
and the prices of these chargers where its the only option would be $$$.
Click to expand...
Nope, never experienced that anywhere in Cape Town or the Winelands. The price for a 60kW charger is the same no matter where or at what time you charge, or how many are available - at least from the same provider. And this was back in the day when the number of available chargers were much less than now.
 
WollieVerstege said:
Nope, never experienced that anywhere in Cape Town or the Winelands. The price for a 60kW charger is the same no matter where or at what time you charge, or how many are available - at least from the same provider. And this was back in the day when the number of available chargers were much less than now.
Click to expand...
Must be a UK thing. Chargers on freeways are more expensive.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter