EV using public chargers

BOWFER

TheProfessional said:

I sold my terraced house and one of the small reasons was that my next car will be a plug-in hybrid. The new owners moved in with an electric car and go and charge it somewhere else and then park it back outside the house. They don't do lots of miles so it must work for them. 

Is there any particular reason to get a plug-in hybrid?
They're the worst of both worlds, rubbish electric-only range while dragging around an engine, and poor MPG in petrol mode whilst dragging around batteries and a motor.
Their charging rate is crap too, taking hours to recharge to do <30 miles.
Given the advances in electric only car range, plug-in hybrids are rapidly becoming completely pointless.

silverwhistle

Is there any particular reason to get a plug-in hybrid?

Possibly for the tax advantages if it's a company car? I agree with your comment though.

Although I have a terrace house I was able to put a drive in whilst still retaining a side hedge and flower bed. The council accpted my argument that I didn't need a dropped kerb as the whole close has hardly any upstand!

Before getting a charger installed I used an extension lead down the bottom of the back garden for a little plus at local supermarkets.

With a low mileage at the time it wasn't difficult but I'd want better arrangements with a commute or any higher mileage. My friend installed a new separate circuit which was easy enough as there is an isolator, so no need to break the meter seals.

As for the talk about 20p per unit etc., most people charging domestically use cheap overnight rates: mine is 5p a unit for example and I could charge over a 100 mile equivalent in the time allowed at that rate.

Brie

My wife could charge it during the day if she had it. 

I assume you have discussed this with your wife! 

For several months my OH was convinced I needed a convertible, possibly an BMW. I never understood my comment of "I like the car I have" was so hard to understand!

But back to the point - we've been having this debate on local social media and all the difficulties it involves - including how difficult it is to charge when you don't have a drive.  It was mentioned, however, that the local Tesco allowed charging for free while shopping.  I don't know how universal or how useful that is (I'm normally in the shop for 10 minutes max).  

Petriix

Some councils allow (safely) routing cables across pavements. Norwich require a £50 permit (24 months) to do so.

The EVSE installation wouldn't normally go anywhere near your existing consumer unit, let alone any of the other internal wiring. They would normally take a branch off from close to the meter and fit a separate mini CU. So you only need to worry about your meter tails, incoming fuse and whether the supply is 'looped' with your neighbours. All of which should be sorted for free or a nominal cost by your DNO if there are issues.

You may not be eligible for the OZEV grant so consider the OHME commando cable and a dedicated 32a commando socket.

Belenus

silverwhistle said:

Is there any particular reason to get a plug-in hybrid?

Although I have a terrace house I was able to put a drive in whilst still retaining a side hedge and flower bed. The council accpted my argument that I didn't need a dropped kerb as the whole close has hardly any upstand!

Are you at risk of someone parking and blocking your access, or worse, blocking you in?

TheProfessional

BOWFER said:

TheProfessional said:

I sold my terraced house and one of the small reasons was that my next car will be a plug-in hybrid...

Is there any particular reason to get a plug-in hybrid?

That's interesting. I must admit I haven't started looking properly. I won't hijack OP thread and may start my own regarding how I use my car and what you might suggest for my needs 

silverwhistle

Belenus said:

Are you at risk of someone parking and blocking your access, or worse, blocking you in?

No, it's not that sort of neighborhood. Many people have done the same and the risk is pretty much the same as if you had a formal dropped kerb. I can imagine it might be in some places.

BOWFER

silverwhistle said:

Is there any particular reason to get a plug-in hybrid?

Possibly for the tax advantages if it's a company car? I agree with your comment though.

That is, sadly, a very common reason for getting one and why they are referred to as 'cynical tax avoidance machines' on EV forums.
And I can tell you it's damned annoying when they use EV spaces.
Yes, they may be trying to drive as much as possible on electric only (in which case, get a proper EV...) but I'm more of the opinion many use them for convenience only.

Nebulous2

Well I've gone for it. I had a quote valid for 28 days, and in the last week or so prices have gone up by £30-40 a month and supply has almost totally disappeared, so I jumped while I still had the chance. Delivery in a weeks time. 

Bigphil1474

OP, just on the electrics point - we have electrics that were old when we moved in 25 years ago so was dreading what the electrician would say when he called in last month. Said all we needed was an upgraded consumer unit - £450 for installation and testing, and a few minor jobs on top. Worth looking into.