Just plug in, because you never know.
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Nearing the end of today’s driving, we pulled off the highway to visit the town of Urunga. A walk along the waterfront to the iconic boardwalk. We have walked it before, but not today.
Bellies beckoned, so I grabbed some “emergency shoes” from the frunk so we could get into the local pub for dinner. We did our usual trick of ordering one meal to share, and were glad we did when we saw the size of it. And, of course, the pub cat found Francis.
Grok
On the highway, I asked Grok (the Tesla’s AI assistant) if there are any EV chargers in Urunga. We didn’t need to charge, but I aim to “opportunistically” charge whenever we’re parking anyway. Grok said no, the closest one is in Brisbane. “Rubbish”, I replied, “look harder. For example, I know there are chargers in Coffs Harbour, long before Brisbane.” “You’re right” it conceded. “Well, now that you realise that there are chargers before Brisbane, check again in Urunga” I insisted. But it dug in “There are no public chargers in Urunga, according to the maps I have. The closest is in Brisbane. Try checking on PlugShare”. “🤬” said Tom. “🙄” said Fran …. at Tom.
Charging
After getting no help from Grok, I zoomed in on Urunga on the map – the same one that Grok has, and amazingly 😏, there’s an EV charger right across from the boardwalk. I tapped it and added it to the navigation, while muttering “one job” at Grok.
We weren’t planning on staying long, just a half hour stroll along the water. This charger is just a destination charger, from which our car will only take 11kW. 11kW x 0.5 hour = 5.5kWh. I used the opportunity to plug in anyway. But we changed plans to stay longer for dinner, so connecting early paid off, adding 93km range while the car was just sitting there for 1 hour 22 minutes.
This EVX charging unit is pole mounted. I think they are popular with councils rolling out curb-side charging. We needed our own type 2 cable, which I keep in the frunk.
Related Posts
- The charge before this one, at Thrumster: Over 200 km streak self driving, all the way to charger carpark 14 Sep 2026
- How we normally find a charger — PlugShare, not Grok: How to find an EV charger? 6 Aug 2026
- Opportunistic charging done the easy way, at Raymond Terrace: Solar shade canopy charges the car 14 Sep 2026
- The morning of the same day, leaving Norah Head: Norah Head Lighthouse 14 Sep 2026
- The next morning, up the road at Valla Beach: Valla Beach and The Big Thong 15 Sep 2026
- And on to Coffs Harbour for a banana fritter: Banana fritter and a Tesla test drive 15 Sep 2026
- And Byron Bay after that: Please turn off your engine while parked 15 Sep 2026
- And the cabin charger that made the week easy: Cabin with an EV charger 17 Sep 2026
Links
- The pole-mounted charger — EVX, 21 Morgo Street, Urunga: EVX
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