Problems with POD Point

26th March 2011 - Today we had problems with a POD Point charger at Leamington Spa, Covent Gardens Car Park.

We were at the launch of the charging points nearly a year ago and Leamington Spa were excited about the visitors they may get by installing the posts. Charging posts were installed in two of their car parks - St Peters and Covent Gardens. Over the past year we have used the charging points to charge up our Mitsubishi i MiEV and now our TATA Indica Vista EV.

We arrived at the POD Point swiped our tag and the flap opened to charge up, we plugged in the car, closed the flap and went off to do our shopping. On return from town there was a second car charging from the same post - a new Land Rover Range e hybrid. We swiped our tag and the unit recognised it, confirmed that the charging had stopped and to remove our cable. The problem was the flap was not released so we could not remove our cable.

We made a phone call to the help line for POD Point, who said they would call us back, since then we have heard nothing back from them. We spoke to the car park attendants who were very helpful, they tried their tags and contacted the company again once again, still no response. After about 20 minutes and the children (who were being very patient sitting in the back) we had to make a decission and remove the charger from the car and leave the cable at the car park.

The car park staff took our details and said they would arrange to get the cable returned to us. The next morning they arrived with the cable, so we are now able to recharge our TATA. The problem was solved when they tried one of their tags again much later for someone who made an enquiry about the points. On this occasion the flap opened.

POD Point have 96 active bays installed and a further 132 under construction. On their website it is poosible to see live availablity of their bays.

We have contacted POD Point about the problem and will report any updates which we receive from them. Thanks to the car park staff for being so helpful and returning the cable.

To make the electric car infrastructure work, users will need to have confidence in the charge points which are being installed installed around the country.

We have now received an update from POD Point.

Return from problems with POD point to electric car blog page.