[Rod]

Hello,

What system would you most recommend for installing a charge point at home? I have my own driveway so no issues from that point of view. I'm most likely going to go for a Leaf so are any particular systems better than others?

Thanks.

 

[Dean Hamer]

I would say the Rolec Wallpod chargers are the most reliable ones. I have one and would definitely recommend installing it.

http://www.rolecserv.com/ev-charging/product/WallPod

 

[Buzby]

Avoid anything from British Gas - that includes Nissan's deal with them for leaf owners. Rolec is least-worst, and gives you far greater customisation either at a later stage or at installation. Timers, taps, even a phone socket and 13a socket are all possible.

 

[harrisop]

I've had four pod point charge points and they all had different faults. Managed to cancel the OLEV contract and reapply for a polar charge point.

Not only does this unit work without fault but the electrician was of a much higher standard and corrected some electrical errors the pod point electricians made.

 

[Buzby]

Polar use a branded version of the British Gas one - so no different in spec or reliability. The level of competence of the electrician is irrelevant, as they don't 'specialise'. They fit what they're provided with!

 

[AndyG]

Polar use a branded version of the British Gas one - so no different in spec or reliability. The level of competence of the electrician is irrelevant, as they don't 'specialise'. They fit what they're provided with!

How can the competence of the electrician be irrelevant, if as @harrisop says his electrician "corrected some electrical errors the pod point electricians made" I would say their competence was the very much relevant.

 

[Brooktop]

Have a chargemaster unit (polar). The electrician was excellent and she noticed an issue with my houses' earth and sorted it.

I went for a 16 a untethred unit so more options for my next ev.

 

[Andy]

Like I said in another recent thread, my experience with British Gas (2 installs) was very good. In fact, can't see how it could have been better. I think it does come down to the competence of the electrician that is sent to do the job. British Gas used subbies but they were both very competent and did a neat job.

One thing to check is if your installation is going to be non-standard and, if so, how much extra that will cost.

 

[Buzby]

How can the competence of the electrician be irrelevant, if as @harrisop says his electrician "corrected some electrical errors the pod point electricians made" I would say their competence was the very much relevant.

It is irrelevant as it is not uncommon for one tradesman to blame another simply because it makes them feel better - but the issue is the reliability (or otherwise) of the basic equipment. Polar BG boxes are a budget solution so you get what you pay for. Neither are they upgradeable - if you have a tethered J1772 and want to switch to a Mennrkes, tough. You buy a replacement complete unit. With the Rolec, you just upgrade the components.

 

[Chris Everitt]

Where are you located? There are numerous installers on here that may be able to help. I wouldn't advise waiting around as the grant is changing end August and as yet no manufacturers have offered prices when the grant changes. Pod point units you can change the cable and the power to 30amp - you just need the right people with the knowledge! I'll find him somewhere

 

[Buzby]

ALL manufacturers offer a standard price. None of them offer a 'grant assisted' price because that is up to the retailer or installer. As for knowing what the price would be following unannounced possible changes, who would? Are they expected to be clairvoyant? Retailers (not manufacturers) do the paperwork and get the complete rebate for the equipment and supplied and the installation work. There are currently only 3 types approved for Grangemouth installs (assuming you ignore the branding and colour options) so that makes it pretty easy to weigh up the various options. Indeed I've just bought another Rolec, complete with the accessories I require from my local Electrical Suppliers (Edmundsons) but CEL and even Screwfix are known to stock them. It cost a reasonable £273.78 for a 32a version.

 

[Mike McL]

Have a chargemaster unit (polar). The electrician was excellent job done on first visit, no problems since

I went for a 16 amp tethered unit much moreconvenient

 

[Buzby]

I went for a 16 amp tethered unit much moreconvenient

Will you be saying that when you change your vehicle? I wonder!

 

[Chris Everitt]

@Buzby Olev have already announced that the grant will reduce to £900 from 1st Sept - no need for a crystal ball here. Installers are awaiting costs to obtain margins to see what additional costs will be required from the customer post August if any. BG have not released their costs post grant change.
If OLEV don't announce reaccreditation requirements soon to installers I can guarantee there will be no one getting any units fitted under the grant come September as their turn around time for accreditations is currently about 8 weeks - we have been waiting 5 months to become accredited for a new smart charge unit. I can imagine the offices of OLEV being a stressful place to work right now.

 

[Buzby]

Transport Scotland had their own Scheme for over a year until the OLEV direct funded model arrived. Following the Referendum this may well result if this scheme (up here) being revamped. The grant has always been ephemeral, both the amount and scope will be played with to give the public another confusing time as to what they need do - of course they (OLEV) lost a lot of credibility when if was found non-EV users were encouraged to have points installed as an 'investment' - something Transport Scotland refused to countenance.

Even if the grant disappeared overnight, will this stop EV users getting home Chargepoints installed? Of course not - it'll be factored in to the cafe cigs or PCP deal, and they'll be none the wiser!

 

[Mike McL]

Will you be saying that when you change your vehicle? I wonder!

If only I knew what the future holds. Don't expect to change my ev for 5 or more years

 

[Buzby]

That's was my plan too, until I had to get rid of the Twizy for medical reasons. My replacement (Fluence) is a superb big car, but is only T2 Fast charge capable. If Ecotricity make other public operated follow them to become Rapid only I may well have been squeezed out with fashion dictating my future EV usage!

 

[Chris Everitt]

@Buzby they still offering to pay for upgrades to 32amp options in Scotland? Had some guy contact us who sent me a link saying transport for Scotland will pay for the upgrade! Nice if you can get it. He was 404miles away so sadly we couldn't help out.

 

[Buzby]

Yep - I had a 32a and an additional 13a square fitted to the Rolec (for the Twizy) and TS kindly paid in full for the install (by SSE). The change earlier this year meant TS took a back seat and it was wholly OLEV, and for some this meant a second bite at the cherry as the two deals were not mutually exclusive.

 

[harrisop]

It is irrelevant as it is not uncommon for one tradesman to blame another simply because it makes them feel better - but the issue is the reliability (or otherwise) of the basic equipment. Polar BG boxes are a budget solution so you get what you pay for. Neither are they upgradeable - if you have a tethered J1772 and want to switch to a Mennrkes, tough. You buy a replacement complete unit. With the Rolec, you just upgrade the components.

They weren't simple mistakes, they were illegal and dangerous mistakes. Pod contract the instalment out to a third party and in my view probably the cheapest. Polar use their own electricians who only install domestic polar appliances.

The pod used to fall at least half the time meaning I had to monitor the car and unplug in plug the cable back in. The polar has always worked.

The build quality of the unit is superior. The cable is thicker. And the unit comes with a key to enable you to lock the use.

I've also got a certificate of electrical safety, something pod did not supply.