Ellie on an adventure in Raydon Great Woods
Ellie behind bars (ok then it's an ancient timber frame)
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Adventures in Ellie - 4th July 2018
A
Close Shave
As I close Ellie’s door and step out onto my drive I realise I’m
shaking at a deep core level. And it’s not just the sugar rush from the
Mr Whippy ice cream. I’ve never cut it so fine, but the good news is
that I did make it home and am not sitting stranded on the Somersham
Road.
100% Electric Vehicle
Perhaps I should explain. Ellie is an all-electric van and she was
having an off day. I knew I was in trouble when the orange warning
light came on at 17 miles. In theory I had another 50% battery energy
available to me, but I’ve learnt over the last five years of driving
her that does not mean I can access it. She has a canny way of going
into ‘limp mode’ to conserve her energy. On baking days like today I
can emphasise with her on that!
Less is More (and local is best)
I was on an outward bound journey when the orange light came on – a
little trip to return the grand children’s overnight gear. We’d had a
wonderful weekend full of adventuring in wet shoes down the local river
that has recently reduced to a small stream. Local explorations on foot
are the best and most satisfying, and The Channel is the most exciting
excursion we have. It follows a deep meandering route cut through chalk
and has river rounded stones on the riverbed. There are tunnels to
explore and obstacles to overcome. Like Amazon explorers we hack our
way through with secateurs. I digress easily.
Using Energy Wisely
Ellie also likes local adventures. Or, more to the point with a range
of 30 miles on a good day, we’ve modified our expectations of travel to
suit her battery capacity. I plan our routes carefully, googling the
shortest and frequently most scenic path. Unexpected diversions are
painful and potentially deadly.
Advance Planning
On longer journeys I’ve been known to thread my heavy duty extension
cable through village hall windows or friends cat flaps. In 2014 we
even made it to Snape Maltings where with some advance notice I was
able to recharge her through a hole in the wall disguised as a bollard.
We’d gone to a Creating the Greenest County do where we had won an
award. Getting there (and back) was an exercise in ‘mindful motoring’!
Hills require more Energy!
Ellie was made as a limited edition back in 2002. She had a range of 40
miles back in the day! Outwardly she looks like, and is a Citroen
Berlingo van. There are no visible clues that concealed on her person
are 27 twelve volt batteries of the old variety! She is a heavy
beastie, which brings me back to my close shave this afternoon. I live
on a hill that once bore Offa’s Castle. It’s a steep hill even on foot.
Today it felt even steeper as I coaxed Ellie in limp mode at 5mph up
the hill and then up the slope that is my drive. From there I was able
to plug her in for her nightly fix of electricity.
Will she have a good sleep. Will she wake up refreshed with her
batteries totally recharged? Will I be able to get to work and back
tomorrow?
Oh! The delights of living with an electric van!
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