Does not worrying about the cost make charging easier?

[another_clean_sheet]

I'd prefer it if someone could either validate my findings or point out where I'm mistaken, but I'm glad I did it because I'm getting ready for our annual trip and want to know where the cheapest chargers are near our overnight stop. We are not in a position to consider subscription suggestions, so please don't.

There is no shortage of chargers, and speeds aren't an issue; the problem is, of course, the cost. In my opinion, the easiest charging session will likely cost you more than you bargained for. It seems like there are a lot of hurdles to jump through in order to compare convenience with cost, even after all these years: different prices in different apps, upfront costs to fund the app that you might never use, numerous providers with different terms and conditions, and parking lots that won't let you exit to use the restroom or do anything else.

[allmightyASTON]

These days, if I'm planning a good excursion outside of my usual area, the first place I'll look for a charging station is a Tesla public charger. They're usually the quickest and cheapest, so it's a win-win situation.

[ENVIOclev]

They perfectly illustrate my point: various times, different locations, and different prices. Plus, for some inexplicable reason, they are never in the vicinity of my routes!

[Black_raven]

It's worth attempting to save £1 per week on charging, in my opinion. However, attempting to save £20 annually is not worth the effort.

Pick the one that's easiest for you.

[KWILB]

Because of the obstacles you mention, I don't usually go to extreme lengths to discover the cheapest option.
I figure that if I can save 10–20p/mile for the majority of the year, I can afford to pay a little more for the convenience of taking the occasional road trip, just like people with ICE do at highway services.

[Needsnewtyres2]

With ease, I choose. When I do travel, it's usually for a vacation. Spending a few pounds here and there on charging pales in comparison to the expense of lodging, entertainment, and dining out.

Most of the time, I'm using solar and off-peak power for my driving.

[allmightyASTON]

You make a good point; I'll probably go with the more convenient option, but it annoys me that there's a £16 discrepancy between 95p and 55p for a 40kwh charge—and the TravelLodge is only £36! Take the instavolt chargers opposite the hotel as an example. They're 55p with their app, so I think that's a good idea. However, when I go to use them, I see that I need to change my debit card, which means they'll take £20 off my account. I'm not sure if I'll actually use it, and the only time I can get it is from 8pm, when the cheap rate starts, until 9pm, when the car park closes. The same issue with paying 92p according to our arrival time. Moving on a little, there are a few new Aeon chargers; the zap map indicates 74p, 24 hours. However, after doing some additional research, I have discovered that - 74p with zap-pay and 85p everywhere else. No way to go back to the hotel while it charges because leaving the parking lot will cost you £100.The list is endless!

[Rudy7831]

If I need a charger, I usually just search for CPS options; they're slow but close to facilities, and they're usually cheaper, but that's not really important. After that, I won't waste time fiddling with apps; I'll just check the Electroverse app for ones that use the card. On the other hand, I'm becoming even less picky about that with contactless these days.

[QuirkyPixel]

There will be a lot of fellow frugal people in the cheapest ones. 🙂