When are you going fully electric?

m4rmite said:
can you list the plugs you know of in use in the uk?
Ice vehicles aren't registered to a central pay system so why should an ev?
Multiple apps = kinda but new regs will stop/ give the portion to pay contact's on 8kwh+ chargers.

On the subject of multiple apps, I bet the majority those that moan about them will already have a large number on their phones already.

Whatsapp
Facebook
Tiktok
Instagram
Snapchat
Twitter/x
Telegram
Viber

Etc etc.

Not including the numerous other specific apps
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I dunno I think he has a point about the apps and accounts. it is a pita that I need various different accounts. personally I wish all charge points were like grid serve I think it is..... I just pull up and scan my credit card..

now sure if they want to encourage you to make an account , install an app or get a loyalty card to save a few quid per charge then great! but in petrol stations this isn't forced

as for all those apps ..... I am not a social media kind of guy so no I don't have most of them on my phone ..

the sockets sure it's type 2 and CCS all the way now, even Tesla are going that way now in Europe at least but to the person buying an older car there is still chademo and older Tesla's have not had the CCS upgrade.

I do believe EVs are just a better solution to residential transport , but it would be remise to ignore that the charging infrastructure isnt as good as it could be and there are things / annoyances which EV drivers do need to adapt to.
 
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Classic Blue Theme said:
You don't need a charger to benefit fyi. I've been granny charging for 12months and it's been no issue.
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I didn't even know what that was until today.

In any case, I couldn't get my car anywhere near a socket. Would need a 50m extension cable :p And shortly thereafter, the fire brigade.
 
FoxEye said:
In any case, I couldn't get my car anywhere near a socket. Would need a 50m extension cable
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you can get a 2.5mm^2 extension cable - OK mine is probably 25m, but at that dia is overspecced for a solid 16A;
I use it for a karcher washer which takes a hefty sustained current, and needs a slow fuse, I always unloop cord too.
 
jpaul said:
you can get a 2.5mm^2 extension cable - OK mine is probably 25m, but at that dia is overspecced for a solid 16A;
I use it for a karcher washer which takes a hefty sustained current, and needs a slow fuse, I always unloop cord too.
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I'd also have to run it over either somebody else's garden, or along a 20m stretch of pedestrianised public footway.

It's basically not happening. Probably easier to get an electrician to run power to the off-site garages. Although the expense of that (probably need planning) would kill the prospect stone dead.

Nah, the only way I could run an EV would be charging at the supermarket, etc.
 
jpaul said:
you can get a 2.5mm^2 extension cable - OK mine is probably 25m, but at that dia is overspecced for a solid 16A;
I use it for a karcher washer which takes a hefty sustained current, and needs a slow fuse, I always unloop cord too.
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You pressure wash for 8hours?
 
jpaul said:
you can get a 2.5mm^2 extension cable - OK mine is probably 25m, but at that dia is overspecced for a solid 16A;
I use it for a karcher washer which takes a hefty sustained current, and needs a slow fuse, I always unloop cord too.
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It’s the prong interface on the 3 pin that’s the bottleneck. For god sake. Pressure washer won’t even exceed 1kW. Stop making stuff up!
 
The point still stands, the reason you don’t melt plugs with pressure washers is because you are not using them continuously for hours at a time.

The reality is you use them in relatively short bursts so the sockets/plugs don’t get a chance to get hot enough to melt if there is a poor connection.
 
With granny chargers I don't think it's a case of what 'specifications are' for plugs/sockets/wiring etc.. BS1363-2 has had (since 1984 I'm told) tests for 14A continuous loads that must stabilise at a safe temperature within 8 hours or be classed a failure.. but more that the quality/variability of the entire installation end to end is the weak point, this might be old oxidised connections, or just cheap plugs/sockets that don't really meet the continuous load requirements, etc.. The advent of EVs (and interestingly newer 13A hot tubs etc) has made them tweak things and give better guidance..

I.E. heres what one supplier has stated (https://toughleads.co.uk/pages/safely-charging-your-electric-vehicle)

What do the Wiring Regulations State for Sockets Installed Specifically to Charge an EV?​

Section 722 Electrical Vehicle Charging Installations of the IET Wiring Regulations details a number of additional requirements for socket outlets which are installed specifically to supply an EV:

  • The IET Wiring Regulations (722.55.101.0.201.1i) specify that 13A UK sockets which are installed to charge an EV must comply with BS 1363-2 and be marked ‘EV’ on the back of the plate. The marking on the back is required to demonstrate that it meets the British Standard. To achieve the new standard, sockets are subject to more demanding tests than a standard outlet, to ensure that they can withstand the long term supply of the continuous 10A load of an EV charger.
  • We provide BS 1363-2 compliant 13A socket plates and weatherproof sockets.
  • Except where there is no possibility of confusion, a label shall be provided on the front face or adjacent to the socket-outlet or its enclosure stating: ‘Suitable for electric vehicle charging’.
  • Dedicated final circuit with over-current protection (e.g. you can't use or spur off an existing ring circuit).
  • Protection from a Type B RCD.
  • PEN protection device/detailed earthing requirements for certain types of supply (far too complicated to explain here!)
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We rented a nice place in the Lake District hte other week and they specifically ban EV charging from granny chargers, and do point out the sockets do not comply with the latest wiring regulations for EV charging use.. they did give links to explain and said they will get a proper socket installed shortly so as I was renting, I didn't bother granny charging..

In other words, granny charging on a normal supply/socket is a little bit at your own risk, and you take your own chances on that.. I've done it myself (We granny charged for 2 months when our ID.3 turned up), but don't be fooled in to thinking everything is automatically capable of sustaining even a 10A load from a 13A socket because the numbers seem obvious.

All IMO/IME of course..
 
bigmike20vt said:
I love a bit of badge snobbery and long may it continue. I admit I own a "brand" now but I bought the ipace despite it being a Jag and not because of it.
I got bargain 2nd hand prices back in the day on my 2 fiat coupes and my nissan 350z.

I had mates at the same time with Alfa GTVs and one with a boxter. cost way more than my cars but I would genuinely not have swapped.

I can't remember the name (will edit in later as busy now) but I really wanted a Chinese EV that I saw on fully charged.. edit xpeng P7! . but they are not launching in the UK yet :(
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They do look good and they will also clean up with their £62k SUV G9 as well when it finally comes here
 
Uther said:
Pros / cons of a heatpump? Quite a few EV's don't seem to have them, are they more of an optional thing?
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Worthwhile any time your car interior will need heating up.
Tesla invested a LOT into heatpump for the newer models - https://insideevs.com/news/632388/tesla-innovative-efficient-heat-pump-explained-new-video/
Not sure if other brands are also reclaiming heat from motors, inverters and batteries to feed into the cabin heat system, or whether they're just using air source heatpumps for heating interior air?
 
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