Update 2.
Had the home charging unit fitted this week. Given my rural location, a home charging unit is essential, as only charging at Tesco (etc.) is not sufficient or reliable. Maybe for a city dweller you could rely on public charging points, but not here in farming territory.
Currently the Govn will cover up to £350 of the supply and fit cost, so for my pod, this bought the final bill down to £500.
While arranging this I discovered that Octopus Energy offer a special tariff for electricity, which lowers the per KWH unit price from approximately 15p to approx 5p, from midnight to 4.30 am. So, you set the charger to only draw current at this time, meaning the charging costs are peanuts.
My wife and I are now fully used to the new toy, and enjoying it.
View attachment 80552
Have you had to charge it away from home yet?
What’s the heater like compared to ICE?
My own has a petrol pre heating system... toasty warm if you remember to press start on you mobile. 4x heated seats too and steering wheel that can get very warm!Have you had to charge it away from home yet?
What’s the heater like compared to ICE?
Been thinking of a charging point at home. I presently use a 8m charging cable from the garden shed and use the 3pin plug in there. 4 hour charge for the hybrid.
Due to the restrictions of the older tech in mine it will only ever draw 7KWH regardless of the capability of the system to deliver more...so is it worth an +£500 point to shave 1.5 hours off... its not like the car is stranded if its out of elections?
My own has a petrol pre heating system... toasty warm if you remember to press start on you mobile. 4x heated seats too and steering wheel that can get very warm!
Been thinking of a charging point at home. I presently use a 8m charging cable from the garden shed and use the 3pin plug in there. 4 hour charge for the hybrid.
Due to the restrictions of the older tech in mine it will only ever draw 7KWH regardless of the capability of the system to deliver more...so is it worth an +£500 point to shave 1.5 hours off... its not like the car is stranded if its out of elections?
I charge my Outlander at night on lower rate of the dual rate tariff. Also I understood the lesser EV's that don't have sophisticated managed charging and thermal sensor systems that fast charging in the main is worse for battery life. So I slow charge mine overnight and never fast charge it anyway. However I still got a discounted BP Chargemaster unit installed as work paid for it and the grant might be taken away at any time or reduced so just got it done.Been thinking of a charging point at home. I presently use a 8m charging cable from the garden shed and use the 3pin plug in there. 4 hour charge for the hybrid.
Due to the restrictions of the older tech in mine it will only ever draw 7KWH regardless of the capability of the system to deliver more...so is it worth an +£500 point to shave 1.5 hours off... its not like the car is stranded if its out of elections?
Am I right in thinking that’s a fast-charge unit needs to be cabled directly from the consumer unit, Dean? Could involve some logistical challenges.I had to upgrade my main 3 phase board/head as they were old 60a ones. The power company upgraded all 3 and installed a new 3 phase head with 3 x 100a fuses free of charge as the old ones were so old.
Many domestic supplies won't be able to fast charge a big EV without some internal upgrades I suspect.
Mine is direct from the consumer unit yes. However from the separate consumer unit I have for the garage so was pretty easy. Might be less easy coming from a main house consumer unit though as you mention.Am I right in thinking it needs to be cabled directly from the consumer unit, Dean? Could involve some logistical challenges.
And this is were Gov UK will get back all of its lost fuel revenue! your smart meter will recognize you've plugged in your EV and charge you maybe 20 times more plus vat than your normal domestic tariff ..Its comingI could be tempted by a hybrid or less likely (due to range) full EV for business mileage.
Problem is, how you are recompensed for 'fuel'
Presently all fuel is paid by my employer as benefit in kind, with having an opted out company car, which I pay tax on the fuel purchased, that I then claim tax back on the business mileage.
Net result I get more tax back than the tax paid. Works well.
If I buy a hybrid or EV and charge at home, I have to pay for it through my electricity bill so don't get it at a reduced '40%' like traditional 'wet fuel'.
I guess a separate electricity meter for the plug in may be possible, to then claim this usage from your employer.
I could be tempted by a hybrid or less likely (due to range) full EV for business mileage.
Problem is, how you are recompensed for 'fuel'
Presently all fuel is paid by my employer as benefit in kind, with having an opted out company car, which I pay tax on the fuel purchased, that I then claim tax back on the business mileage.
Net result I get more tax back than the tax paid. Works well.
If I buy a hybrid or EV and charge at home, I have to pay for it through my electricity bill so don't get it at a reduced '40%' like traditional 'wet fuel'.
I guess a separate electricity meter for the plug in may be possible, to then claim this usage from your employer.