I used the app but then polar/chargemaster sent me a card at no extra charge to use in case there were problems with the app, so I now use both, depending on internet connectivity at the location. So far as I can see, with the sites I have used, either the app or the card will work so I have both.

 

Have a look through here or search for polar instant and you'll find plenty, this is particularly lengthy: https://speakev.com/threads/polar-instant-app-discussion-feedback.1674/

In short, sign up for Polar Instant and the app should work in all instances. However it's slow and not always reliable. They send you an RFID car too, but that takes a few days usually to arrive.

If you don't fancy giving them £20 "deposit", check here: https://speakev.com/threads/tool-to-top-up-different-amounts-with-polar-instant.3006

 

Paul, thanks: I did look at that thread but it rapidly descended into a discussion on compatibility with Android devices, as did the other threads I found on other . I have an iPhone: it just works! At least, downloading the app was simple enough, as was mugging me for 20 quid....as has been noted, I only downloaded this today and any RFID card won't arrive before my trip tomorrow. Also I am not sure that they WILL send me one, at least, not unless they have some means of guessing my postal address from my email address, since I could not see anywhere that asked me for my address.

I'll report back how it goes. At worst, it will be a 55mph crawl back round the M25 I guess

 

Call Chargemaster. As much as they can be a complete mess I always find their customer service team really try to be helpful and get things going for you if needed.

 

OK will do....I just received this from the Oracle:

Good afternoon
Thank you for your email regarding our electric car charging point in our Holybrook car park.
The EV charging post is working but it does not work with the Polar smartphone application. The charge point is free of charge but requires a charge card. Cards can be obtained for £10 per year at www.chargemasterplc.com/index.php/polar_online which also enables access to a network of charge points.
You can find the information on The Oracle website, www.theoracle.com under the Parking section.
Kind regards

....which is (a) completely contrary to what the Polar Instant website suggests and (b) no good for me as I am travelling tomorrow.

I'm going to call Chargemaster as I actually don't believe this.

Am rapidly thinking that taking my wife's ICE might be easier. Grrrrrrr

 

Good news....as you suggested Paul I called Chargemaster and they could not have been more helpful. Firstly I was right that the charging post in the car park SHOULD work via the Polar Instant app. It is a bit depressing that the car park owners don't seem to know how their own kit works. The only reason it would not work with the App would be a lack of wireless connectivity. Secondly he has personally posted an RFID card to the office I am visiting, first class, in the hope that it will get there before me tomorrow morning. Thirdly he has given me a direct dial number and his name and assured me that at worst I can call him and he can remotely start and stop charging.

So I am currently giving a big thumbs up to Chargemaster. We'll see whether they walk the walk (and whether the spot is ICE'd when I get there after all this.....)

Alex

 

I overlooked this thread or I would have commented earlier but I think I understand why the Oracle centre told you the charging point doesn't work with the app.
Back in July we parked in the Oracle and used the app to connect up to the charging point without any trouble. When we returned to the car though the app just gave errors. Chargemaster customer services attempted to reset the post but it wouldn't respond and they said it hadn't contacted their systems since shortly after we plugged in. In the end I had to find the Oracle centre's phone near the payment machine and call their control room then wait while they sent an engineer to power cycle the unit. By then of course I had gone over the grace period for getting out after paying so I had to call again from the barrier to get them to override the system and finally escape.
So that unit has problems with the mobile connection. I don't know if they've had other users getting the same issue I had, or if they just overreacted to the one incident, but I think that's why Oracle say to use the card. Chargemaster should be aware of this but I think they have a rose tinted view of their network.

 

AFAIK, Ecotricity have their own cards for the Electric highway - I'm not sure your SourceEast card will work at the Mway services.

 

Source East works fine, as does CYC/SourceWest

 

Some other cards work with Ecotricity machines, but I have no idea if they will work with all Ecotricity machines.

Quite a lot of the older rapi chargers tell you which cards will work with them. Plugged-in Midlands, CYC and Source London/East are certainly some I have seen. IIRC the old Thurrock charger tells you that other cards can be used, but the new one doesn't. I don't bother to use anything other than Ecotricity cards for Ecotricity machines.

 

I would like to know just how many charging point cards you should have when out on the road?

 

One for every network you expect to use

Sorry, flippant reply... but seriously, if you are not travelling outside your local network area then possibly just one (or even none if you only charge at home!) but many areas have charging stations from several different networks so if you travel a lot in that area then you might want one for each network you could possible charge at.

Some of them charge quite a fee so be careful. I know the one at Taunton charged £50pa so although we travel to Taunton quite a bit it is unlikely we will use the network much so we haven't bought the card.

 

Up to now I have just two cards the charge master and electric highway
And two cables one with the 3 pin plug and one for the polar charge master point
I like the charge master because it's pay as you go and keep this for backup

 

Sounds good. The one you say is for the polar/chargemaster is in fact for any charger with a type 2 socket... that includes most of the ZeroNet ones and many others too

Just thought I'd remind everyone that it isn't just for Chargemaster

 

I have four cards:

- Ecotricity is my main one when I am out and about. Free and excellent charging.
- ChargeMeister is the one I use next. This is mainly so that I can charge at Waitrose and Asda. I also use this card to unlock the charger across the road from the office in Victoria. I have never paid ChargeMeister anything more than the £20 that I had to deposit to get their App
- Charge You Car is a card which I have used a few times, mainly in Bristol. I got this as I was planning an Edinburgh trip which never happened. As they are looking to take over PiM chargers I am hoping to find this more and more useful
-PodPointless I have used twice. Has ANYONE ever used a PodPoint card?

 

I have four cards:
-PodPointless I have used twice. Has ANYONE ever used a PodPoint card?

Couple of times it would have helped me out- it's about the only card I don't have! Care to swap yours for a couple of beers?

 

That's the problem I found out you don't swap the card but hold the card on the spot
I know now

 

Yep - you need to hold the card on the spot until 2 words appear below - I forget if it's "please wait" or something. At that point that card has been read.

 

Having just bought a leaf, reading all this makes me think I have made a big mistake

 

Welcome to speakEV.

How far do you drive on an average day and have you got a way to charge at home?

 

I am hoping to have a charger installed but not been given a date, the car is due on 13 November I will be using the car to visit customers, my average milage is between. 25 and 110 miles a day but I have family in Tyneside . Also planning to go away in it next year to Cornwall, the salesman who sold me the car made it sound like there were fast chargers on every street corner I could just plug into for 20 min and go. I am getting a little worried now.

 

I went from Yorkshire to Cornwall, it was 400 miles journey to one side. It was with Peugeot iOn, so you really have no reason to panic or think about mistakes you did or you didn't you will be driving present, not the past

 

How many customers a day? How long do you spend with each?

If your daily mileage is below 60, in almost all conditions you will not need to charge up other than at home. Once it gets above that, for peace of mind you will need to start looking for a charge point. The motorways are well-equipped with Ecotricity rapid chargers now, although some more than others. There are also plentiful chargers at Nissan dealers.

I haven't looked through the entire thread. Where you live could make a significant difference.

 

I live in stockport Manchester I can spend anything. From 5 min to 4 hrs on my visits my daily. Mileage is around 40 -50 but twice a month is up at around 110. I have been really. Looking forward to getting my leaf I think it's a great car but all this has dampened my enthusiasm somewhat.

 

It is frustrating that the different networks are such a confusing mess but I've found that I'm doing far more miles in my Leaf than I ever thought I would, the key is to carefully plan your first few trips until you are used to what chargers you use on a regular basis and what cards you need. I've only ever needed to charge either at home / work and on the Ecotricity Electric Highway which is excellent. Don't let it dampen your enthusiasm, I'm sure you'll enjoy the car. Just be prepared to do a little planning before any longer journeys in the 'early days'. Also don't forget that the rapid charger roll out is happening faster than ever and there will hopefully be more and more about.

Make sure you equip yourself with a type 2 to type 1 charging cable as well as the 13a 3pin plug that comes with the car if you are going to be using charging posts (other than the rapid chargers that have their own connectors). Just be aware that anything over 60 - 70 miles a day you'll need to be looking for charging at some point during the day as you won't get near the 100 + miles figure unless you're driving VERY carefully on a relatively warm, dry and still day! The most I've had is 82 miles and I don't know how I could ever get more than that driving at any sort of reasonable speed.

 

I tried to use a Pod point at Sainsburys in Dawlish Warren last week 01/07/15 but it wasn't working as I asked at reception and they said the cards not on the hook were it should be so I don't think its working. As it looked as there was only two 13amp plugs it not much good unless you are desperate. I gave Pod Point a call they we helpful as they could be and said that they have advised Sainsburys that most of their points are obsolete including the one at Dawlish Warren (open for 4 years) and need replacing, as and when I suppose is up to Sainsburys. Pod Point said we don't have a remote contact at that point to help you but if they switch it of and on about 3 times it might reboot it, so I said no leave it for now but thanks, So I went back and charged at the shalet GT.

 

It's good you made a fuss it is so easy to just move on and except the bad charging as a way of life.

 

I have had nothing but trouble using the polar instant app (nexus 4 and moto g with latest software update) but can't get then to send me a card. Any advice? Did someone managed to get a refund for the membership? Thanks

 

I have had nothing but trouble using the polar instant app (nexus 4 and moto g with latest software update) but can't get then to send me a card.

The only option is to sign up for their Polar Plus membership scheme, which gives you 6 months free. Then remember to cancel your membership a few days before the 6 months expires, in the hope that they have started re-issuing RFID cards on the regular scheme by then.
I think I've used the app 8 times and had problems on 7 of those. I'm almost on first name terms with the (always friendly and helpful) people on their helpline.

 

Why do some people have the card sent and others not? Cant really understand how they get away with this to be fair.

 

They stopped sending cards on the Polar Instant scheme about two or three months ago.
Now, in order to get a card, you have to be on their Polar Plus scheme. I've just signed up for it, and will cancel in 6 months. Received the card the next day, so that takes care of my charging hassles for the next 6 months.