Taxi at a free rapid while the driver takes a nap...

5366 Views 74 Replies 25 Participants Last post by Paul, Aug 31, 2014

Paul

Discussion Starter · Aug 27, 2014

So is this wrong, or just playing the game as it currently stands?

I turned up at Cobham services this morning to find a BYD e6 taxi parked and plugged into the DC/AC rapid. As we were turning up the driver put on his sleep mask, rolled back his seat and (I assume) nodded off.

Two things that sprung to mind.

Is it right a that a money making taxi firm (local to Cobham I assume) is using a free service to charge its car(s)?

Is it right that said taxi co is there long enough for the driver to take a nap (he was there for more than 20 minutes for sure, as we came and went during this time)? Perhaps regularly given the range a taxi could do in a day/week?

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Jason Wallace

· #2 · Aug 27, 2014

I don't see any more problem with a taxi charging for free than someone in an eNV200 charging or in fact myself charging for free either.

It would likely have taken longer to charge - it has a 61kwh battery

harrisop

· #3 · Aug 27, 2014

The BYD can only fast charge so it would take a lot longer for the taxi to charge up.

I think it's taking the pi55 and the sooner ecotricity set a time limit the better.

Btw, I thought the Nissan van had the same battery as the Nissan?

Reactions: 1

flipper

· #4 · Aug 27, 2014

Apparently it's quite common to see them there, at Pease Pottage and at Heston, as they are doing airport runs. By all accounts one driver is fine but the other less amenable.
Now that there are doubled-up chargers there (the BYD uses AC) they can't block the DC/CCS one so it should never be a major issue.

Whether it's right or not is another question...

Julian Thomas

· #5 · Aug 27, 2014

Paul said:
So is this wrong, or just playing the game as it currently stands?

Is it right a that a money making taxi firm (local to Cobham I assume) is using a free service to charge its car(s)?

I commute long distances for work fairly regularly, and plug into free fast/slow chargers where these are available - be it at motorway services, or at destination. I'm pretty comfortable that OLEV funding is for Social, Domestic & Pleasure driving, as well as commuting, as well as work-related miles...

Jason Wallace

· #6 · Aug 27, 2014

harrisop said:
.

Btw, I thought the Nissan van had the same battery as the Nissan?

The BYD has a large battery and the eNV200 the standard 24kw

Jimbo

· #7 · Aug 27, 2014

No issue for me. At least he's there in the car, right...?

fenlander

· #8 · Aug 27, 2014 (Edited)

Paul said:
Is it right a that a money making taxi firm (local to Cobham I assume) is using a free service to charge its car(s)?

'Free' is really being paid for by Ecotricity customers. Will they be happy when the electricity prices next rise to cover these costs of commercial businesses who are riding off that 'free'?

I'm happy to pay extra for green power, not so sure about subsidising businesses though.

Reactions: 1

Jimbo

· #9 · Aug 27, 2014

Hmmm, would you prefer them to be chugging around in smokey diesels instead?

Reactions: 2

fenlander

· #10 · Aug 27, 2014

Jimbo said:
Hmmm, would you prefer them to be chugging around in smokey diesels instead?

Really? That's my choice? Pay up or the diesel gets it?

Seriously, if Ecotricity try to put prices up while they have this on their books I'll go elsewhere.

harrisop

· #11 · Aug 27, 2014

They can do the same as C&C and get their own charger.

If they're plugged into the AC side of a rapid, they will also prevent the DC side from working.

Reactions: 1

Julian Thomas

· #12 · Aug 27, 2014

Isn't the onus here on Ecotricity to introduce some rules, by which we can all abide? At the moment what he's doing, whilst questionable, seems absolutely acceptable.

If Ecotricity say "only private users", "no commuting", or "maximum of x time or kWh in a month", or whatever, then at least we'd all know where we stand.

Reactions: 3

Jimbo

· #13 · Aug 27, 2014

fenlander said:
Really? That's my choice? Pay up or the diesel gets it?

Seriously, if Ecotricity try to put prices up while they have this on their books I'll go elsewhere.

Not really. I just see them as enviromentally-conscious first, so the more fossil-fuel miles they can convert to pure renewable electric miles the better. Maybe I am wrong and it's all part of some evil masterplan.

Reactions: 2

fenlander

· #14 · Aug 27, 2014

Jimbo said:
Not really. I just see them as enviromentally-conscious first, so the more fossil-fuel miles they can convert to pure renewable electric miles the better. Maybe I am wrong and it's all part of some evil masterplan.

Um, then why don't they give me free charging at home?

Jimbo

· #15 · Aug 27, 2014

fenlander said:
Um, then why don't they give me free charging at home?

Don't you get 1,000 miles/year free with their EV plan?

fenlander

· #16 · Aug 27, 2014

Jimbo said:
Don't you get 1,000 miles/year free with their EV plan?

Nope. If you lease or are a company car driver no free miles. Small print you can drive a bus through.

UKTechie

· #17 · Aug 27, 2014

Typical taxi driver, think they own the road the pavement and now charge stations with free car park makes great taxi stand.

Parax

· #18 · Aug 27, 2014

The car has a socket and the charger has the plug.. it's like they were meant to be...

I'm sure they'd be much happier staying at the airport to charge.. now there's a thought, a charger at the airport taxi rank would "fix" this one... obviously nothing is broken here.

Reactions: 1

tim_battersby

· #19 · Aug 27, 2014

If all taxis ran on kW rather than smelly diesel then our city centres would have much better air quality.
Plus, think of all the passengers that they carry that are exposed to some persuasive EV-evangelism from the cabbie.
So is it right to knock an early adopter for taking advantage of what's currently on offer? How does this compare to my longer commutes when I'm doing the same or similar?
Nope, for me the only bit that feels wrong here is the well rehearsed risk of charger-blocking.

UKTechie

· #20 · Aug 27, 2014

tim_battersby said:
If all taxis ran on kW rather than smelly diesel then our city centres would have much better air quality.
Plus, think of all the passengers that they carry that are exposed to some persuasive EV-evangelism from the cabbie.
So is it right to knock an early adopter for taking advantage of what's currently on offer? How does this compare to my longer commutes when I'm doing the same or similar?
Nope, for me the only bit that feels wrong here is the week rehearsed risk of charger-blocking.

Taxi ranks with wireless charging in the ideal world but will it happen?

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