EV Discussion thread

70sbudgie

The signs for the Greater Manchester LEZ have been going up this year. I haven't paid too much attention seeing as I already drive a BEV, but I think it just covers commercial vehicles for now.

ispookie666

Has anyone looked into E mopeds or Electric motorcycles? I'm seriously considering these. I have a total of 20mile commute and well with the range of most. These are really affordable. 

shinytop

ispookie666 said:

Has anyone looked into E mopeds or Electric motorcycles? I'm seriously considering these. I have a total of 20mile commute and well with the range of most. These are really affordable. 

I've taken a vague interest but nothing specific.  I  don't need commute and last time I looked EV biukes were nowhere near what I'd want for leisure purposes.  Even further away from being useful than cars.  Lots of info here.

https://www.speakev.com/categories/two-wheeled.233/

Grumpy_chap

ispookie666 said:

Has anyone looked into E mopeds or Electric motorcycles? I'm seriously considering these. I have a total of 20mile commute and well with the range of most. These are really affordable. 

I have not looked into either, though both seem a good idea.
If you go for an E-moped, then it is a proper vehicle with registration, licence plates, insurance, driving licence etc.

A 20-mile commute, especially if that is 10-mile each way, may be at the range that an electric-assist bicycle could be considered.  For that, care needs to be taken that the product purchased is legal.  Even in "High Street" locations, some of the electric-assist bicycles offered are not legal for use other than on private land.  

ispookie666

@shinytop @Grumpy_chap
Lots to think about, I'd have preferred a eMotorbike or E Moped without removable battery.  Will need to find out how the charging system works for these, AFAIK they use the normal charger not the BEV ones. 

I already cycle one day a week, can potentially not use car on another day - hence looking for alternates. 
It might be easier to get E-Bike 

Grumpy_chap

Just noticed that there are EV charging points just installed at the local Tesco.
I could not see any fees information displayed.
The branding suggest only for VW cars, which I assume is not the case, but I could not see any real information either way.

Grumpy_chap

Double post because this is a totally separate subject, and a bit of a rant.

Had to do a work trip last week, it's 1 hour door to door by train or car. 

Many advantages of train but if I go by train, no expenses can be claimed.

If I go by car, I can claim 45 pence per mile so long as I provide a petrol receipt dated on the day of travel.  Out of interest, I asked how an EV could be claimed and I was told the claim would be rejected unless supported with petrol receipt dated on the day, as per expenses policy.

Absolute double whammy of poor outcome in every way possible.

70sbudgie

I had to get my work to set up expenses for EVs. They published a flat rate for EV claims but no way to actually claim it. I also initially struggled with the no receipt thing, but was eventually told to just not attach one.

QrizB

Grumpy_chap said:

If I go by car, I can claim 45 pence per mile so long as I provide a petrol receipt dated on the day of travel.  Out of interest, I asked how an EV could be claimed and I was told the claim would be rejected unless supported with petrol receipt dated on the day, as per expenses policy.

Do you have a petrol mower, or a motorcycle, or know someone else with one? If so, a jerrycan in the boot would let you generate a receipt.

Grumpy_chap

QrizB said:

Grumpy_chap said:

If I go by car, I can claim 45 pence per mile so long as I provide a petrol receipt dated on the day of travel.  Out of interest, I asked how an EV could be claimed and I was told the claim would be rejected unless supported with petrol receipt dated on the day, as per expenses policy.

Do you have a petrol mower, or a motorcycle, or know someone else with one? If so, a jerrycan in the boot would let you generate a receipt.

My comment in relation to an EV car was purely hypothetical as I don't have one.

The consideration to use the train was far more realistic as it offers a number of advantages over the car:

• I get some exercise walking to the station
• Greener
• Cheaper ticket price than mileage
• No demand on limited car parking at workplace
• I can work on the train, checking e-mails etc.

With more than one ICE in the household, there would always be a way that can get a petrol receipt on the day.  The thing is, to travel by train and then claim mileage is lying - fraud and there are ways the employer would know you had not driven if they cross-checked between different systems they have.

Given the mileage paid is more than the price of the train ticket, there would also be a BIK liability if that was reimbursed at the mileage rate.

It's simply not worth claiming mileage against a train journey but the outcome of the company policy is it forces me to travel by car for a journey that could just as easily be done via alternate options.