If you own a full BEV, do you have a way of charging it at home?
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It's a good question and the results, if enough people respond, will be very interesting.
Quite simply, I would not have bought a BEV unless I could charge it from home.
It depends on the situation.
I first checked the infrastructure in my region and then chose the car that would be most suitable, based on my commute (an abysmal 25 miles/day). This is my 5th year of EV driving and I live in multi-storey unit without any possibility for garage/off-street parking; I don't own any other car. It was also my first ever car back then, so I didn't have anything to compare with.
The principle I adopted was to have, when I parked the car in the evening, enough electricity for all the errands for the next day, plus a reasonable buffer. This then created a pattern of charging and based on that I'd organise gym, dentist, groceries, restaurants/cafe etc. I became a bit more organised as a result, learnt to say "no" to "urgent but not important" items, which funnily enough helped with my anxiety issues.
I did long journeys every now and then and I did have a few close calls on the road, but not at home. Overall I think it's not such a big issue, provided you have the infrastructure around; one adapts pretty quickly.
I first checked the infrastructure in my region and then chose the car that would be most suitable, based on my commute (an abysmal 25 miles/day). This is my 5th year of EV driving and I live in multi-storey unit without any possibility for garage/off-street parking; I don't own any other car. It was also my first ever car back then, so I didn't have anything to compare with.
The principle I adopted was to have, when I parked the car in the evening, enough electricity for all the errands for the next day, plus a reasonable buffer. This then created a pattern of charging and based on that I'd organise gym, dentist, groceries, restaurants/cafe etc. I became a bit more organised as a result, learnt to say "no" to "urgent but not important" items, which funnily enough helped with my anxiety issues.
I did long journeys every now and then and I did have a few close calls on the road, but not at home. Overall I think it's not such a big issue, provided you have the infrastructure around; one adapts pretty quickly.
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4,095 Posts
Two excellent points. Converting from ICE where I have had 500+ miles range for as long as I can remember, and (still) very limited infrastructure locally would have made changing very difficult. With my nearest rapid 8 miles away, nearest public charge point 5 miles away, and no charging points at my normal shops or work (they removed them - enlightened or what despite having a zero carbon plan) it would have been very brave to make the move and likely without any cost or environmental benefits (no off-peak charging, new car vs much older).
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I think that it is a human right to have diesel piped to every property at the Government's expense, like broadband will be after Covid-19.
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16,876 Posts
Even better than that - you can make your own organic diesel substitute from used cooking oil.
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The only downside is that there are already significant numbers of thefts from home (heating) fuel tanks and farm red diesel tanks whereas the thefts of electricity seems to be an urban myth. This is probably due to the relative value of them - typically £2,000 for the oil and £1/hour for the electricity.
Can we get back on target please🤣along the lines of my human rights to be able to refill my diesel car at home, without paying fuel duty.
Great lockdown tip. What's the recipe. I guess I can drive my diesel car to the supermarket to get veg oil to make diesel substitute to power my diesel car to get to the supermarket to buy veg oil....Even better than that - you can make your own organic diesel substitute from used cooking oil.
Or I can plug in a BEV
I’d go for veggie oil. Yup
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You need some equipment to filter it and crack it I believe. You’ll need to check some specialist sites.
It is cheaper mainly because duty isn’t applied to cooking oil.
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DIY using sugar and yeast and a modified pressure cooker?
However I haven’t get desperate yet as my stocks of single malt are still holding up.
I believe you can get a prescription from your pharmacy for that.
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19 Posts
My model 3 arrived on Friday I only have on street parking so no home charging for me. Technically If I manage to park outside my house I could probably run the granny charger across the pavement, but I have no plans to unless this lock down gets tougher. My plan had been to mainly charge for free at work, with super chargers (I’m a few miles from Park Royal) and the occasional source London round the corner when needed. Also have requested Ubitricity lamppost charger in the street from the council which would come in handy occasionally, obviously like so much things not going to plan at the moment
Yeah, worst 3 weeks of my life - waiting for the click and collect with the Dalwhinnie's Winter Gold in. Damn all those hamsters
The pros and cons of owning an EV change dramatically if you have no access to home charging. The charging infrastructure remains poor and the price is high compared with home charging particularly if you have an off-peak tariff. There is no doubt that with the current state of the market, home charging is almost essential for all except the true believers or those with special circumstances such as workplace charging (BC Before Coronavirus) or living close to a free charger.
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