[Chris Everitt]

This may be old news to some but thought I'd add a bit more bashing to everyone's favourite installation company British Gas.
Customer today surprised we could still fit him a home charge unit for free, kept mentioning £115 fee that BG wanted to fit it next week. Thought he was asking for the 30amp charger hence the cost. Checked their web site - nope there charging £115 inc vat already 'due to the change in the grant recently announced by OLEV'. Think we all know the grant reduces 1st Sept not as soon as they think they can rinse some more customers who actually need the chargers.

 

[Paul]

Ouch.

 

[Julian Thomas]

Just my humble opinion... but £115 for a charge point, plus installation, feels like a good deal. We've been spoiled with free points previously - if you take a step back, for the kit + the work, that's a pretty good deal for a prospective EV owner?

 

[Mark J Constable]

You'll be even more amazed when you hear which "money grabbing, profiteering, out of touch, industry killers" (TM) are continuing to offer free ones under the new scheme...

 

[Julian Thomas]

Is it IPO-Master?

 

[Mark J Constable]

http://evfleetworld.co.uk/news/2014...rms-free-wallbox-offer-to-continue/0438015822

 

[Julian Thomas]

6 months free access to the Polar network? Interesting move...

Call me a cynic, but this feels like it could be a little disingenuous of CM (I preferred my name for them above!)... If OLEV are genuinely only funding 75% of the cost, why would CM be funding the other 25%? What do they get out of it? They're not getting anything from that customer in the future, like British Gas arguably would (energy purchase), so why would they make a loss on each install?

 

[Paul]

Larger customer base, free polar access means more polar "customers" too... Would look good on a sales brochure or when seeking more funding, perhaps? IF we're going down the cynical route.


Edit to add it also means people will actually be using the Polar network, so for example if Milton Keynes people take up the offer suddenly the usage wont look quite so dire. OLEV are happier.

 

[leave]

David Martell, Chargemaster’s founder and chief executive, said: ‘Chargemaster is not only subsidising the cost of the domestic unit.

Ah... but if they can buy and install them for £900, then they're not actually "subsidising" the cost of the unit are they... rather selling them at cost...

 

[Mike From Manchester]

To take the issue one step further, my lad lives 60 miles away and when I visit in the Ampera I end up doing the entire return trip on petrol. He is now moving to a house with suitable off road parking and at my suggestion - to reduce petrol miles (and because he hopes to inherit the EV) he registered with BG for a home charge unit whilst the website still carried the 'free' advert. They rang several weeks later to make an appointment but as he was driving and couldn't access his diary they rang off. Now weeks later again they ring up to make an appointment and hit him with the £115 demand on the grounds that the government have reduced the subsidy -back in July. We are not happy teddies. Any suggestions? (oils the hinges on flood gates and stands well back)

 

[Rochdale Pioneers]

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