[MaltonZoe]

I currently have a socketed chargemaster point at home for my Zoe but i'm eligible for another Podpoint installation with my Leaf under OLEV to the same specification, is it worth having this? Apart from the benefit of charging two vehicles at once, which would be infrequent, is there any other advantage in having two?

Any advice appreciated!

 

[John Kendrick]

I reckon you've answered your own question. If you might need to charge both at once you'll need two!

 

[MaltonZoe]

I reckon you've answered your own question. If you might need to charge both at once you'll need two!

Should have initially said any other advantage in having two!

 

[John Kendrick]

If both the points have different charge rates and you have solar panels it might help match the charge rate to the spare solar capacity available.
If you wish to rent your drive as a charger location it could be handy having two.
Park On My Drive - Parking Spaces For Rent in Wembley, Heathrow, Arsenal, Twickenham and more
PlugShare (no one else is offering this in Malton.)
I can think of reasons for not having two: lack of space to install and use them both and the fact one may be able to use the granny charger if need be. Power supply may not be able to cope.

 

[Robwiz]

I think the installer has to get permission from the electricity supply DNO before a second charging point can be installed – to ensure that the local distribution can support the maximum current draw.

We looked into having a second charge point when I changed LEAFs but it still cost a few hundred quid on top of the grant and we decided it that it wasn't worth the expense because we can always organise our charging to ensure that both cars have the range we need. If we screw up we have the option of using the 13A granny chargers or using an EH rapid which is about 7 miles away.

 

[AndyG]

Two charge points, both 7kW, one is tethered the other is a socket.
The Volt is meant to be plugged in when not being used so when we got the LEAF I had no choice but to get another point.

 

[Belstar]

Put it this way, if it's free is there any advantage to not having the second one installed?

We have two chargers, one for each car, both fitted under the OLEV grant. It's very rare that both are used simultaneously but it means that the cable can sit neatly between the car and its dedicated charger, rather than being slung across the drive to a single charger.

 

[mgboyes]

The advantage of having two chargepoints is that you never have to think about which car should be plugged in, juggle charging needs on days when both have been on long journeys, etc etc. It's exactly the same as you and your other half sharing a phone charger - it's perfectly doable but it's way easier just to have two of them.

 

[BarryP]

You can control the preheating and charging of both cars from the comfort of your bed, breakfast table , or even bath.

 

[Richard Butler]

The OLEV grant probably isn't going to last for ever.
You may be able to get away with sharing one point this year, who knows what it will be like with the next car, or if the grant will still be available when you change cars next.
I had my charging socket put on the garage at the back of the house.
Then we got a 2nd for her car on the front of the house.

 

[proddick]

Definitely worth doing IMO.

We got a second OLEV charger fitted when we got B Class last year. Our first one was for Ampera 16A Type 1 tethered so we got a 32A Type 2 Tethered (for future). We prefer ChargeMaster tethered as look neater and no faff. We paid our spark to split supply and for a new metal CU for the two car chargers as I didn't want 48A going through old CU.

 

[James_leeds]

Two points:

-if you're not in a rush then wait for someone to do an offer (for example in March 2017 someone did £99 inc vat and grant)

-consider whether a 2nd charger at a relatives house may be more useful. Change the address on the V5 and get a bank statement sent there and noone will question it. I have a unit at a relatives house which is very useful (others may have ethical concerns here)

 

[richtrash]

You do realise that you wouldn't be able to make a cup of tea with an electric kettle