EV £/mile — the friendly “charging cheat sheet”
Assumption: BMW i7 ≈ 0.338 kWh per mile (real-world planning figure).
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Home charging (27p/kWh): ~9.1p/mile (≈ £9.10 / 100 miles)
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InstaVolt Winchester 50p/kWh (night or promo/app): ~16.9p/mile
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InstaVolt Winchester 65p/kWh (day/app): ~22.0p/mile
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InstaVolt contactless 87p/kWh (walk-up): ~29.4p/mile
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GRIDSERVE Gatwick 79p/kWh (app): ~26.7p/mile
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GRIDSERVE Gatwick 85p/kWh (contactless): ~28.7p/mile
What it means:
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Home is king. If you can start the day charged at home, you’ve already won the spreadsheet.
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App > contactless. Network apps/RFID often unlock better pricing than tap-and-go.
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Night/off-peak helps. If the schedule naturally falls after 19:00, EV economics look even better.
Diesel vs EV — who wins the wallet war?
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Mercedes E-Class diesel (≈50 mpg): ~12.7–15.5p/mile depending on fuel price
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Mercedes V-Class diesel (≈38 mpg): ~16.6–20.1p/mile
Rule of thumb:
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i7 on home/50p power = competitive with E-Class, cheaper than V-Class.
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i7 on 79–87p public = diesel often cheaper on pure fuel cost.
Of course, total cost of travel also includes ride quality, quiet cabins, zero tailpipe emissions, and city clean-air compliance—areas where the i7 shines.
Why these hubs work for busy travel days
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InstaVolt Winchester (A34): reliable high-power chargers, easy access, Starbucks.
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Gatwick Electric Forecourt®: 24/7 charging, lounge, free Wi-Fi and a bookable meeting room—perfect for a quick call between flights.
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Small, smart top-ups: a 10–20 minute stop that aligns with a comfort break keeps the whole day calm and on time.
Planning airport or cruise logistics? See Airport Transfers and Cruise Port Travel. Booking for execs or talent? Business Travel is designed for PAs and organisers.
FAQs
How long do you usually stop?
Often 10–25 minutes—or not at all if we depart with sufficient range. We design routes around the schedule, not the charger.
Is home charging really that cheap?
Yes. At 27p/kWh the i7 is ~9p/mile. That’s tough to beat.
Will I notice the stop?
We aim for “charge and chill”: stretch your legs, use the facilities, and by the time you’ve finished your coffee, we’re rolling.
Need more space?
Choose our Luxury MPV or Senzati Jet Class for people plus luggage.
Fact of the Day
Rapid charging used to mean 50 kW. Today’s hubs commonly deliver 150–350 kW, which is why a well-timed 10–20 minute top-up can comfortably bridge airport and cruise schedules.
Local relevance — why Winchester and Gatwick make sense
If your day runs between Southampton, Winchester, Portsmouth and Heathrow/Gatwick, the A34/M3 spine puts InstaVolt Winchester and Gatwick Electric Forecourt® exactly where you need them: quick in, quick out, proper amenities, and pricing you can plan around.
Useful links: Our Vehicles · Bookings · Frequent organiser? Register
Travel smoothly — book your chauffeur today
EV or diesel, we’ll plan the smartest route, the right vehicle and (if needed) the quickest stop, so your day stays effortless.
Book your next chauffeur-driven journey today!
Call +44(0)3333444018, visit www.pluschauffeurs.co.uk, or email enquiries@pluschauffeurs.co.uk.
Regular booker? Register for faster repeat arrangements.
