Discussion
I've recently bought a 2017 BMW i3 Rex and am wondering about the best choice for charging.
Currently I charge at home - which is fine, there car is there for enough hours daily to slow charge - but because I don't have a wallbox (nor can I fit one I think, as I'm in rented - but I assume they can be relocated if you move??? Only just thought of that) and I just plug it in to an external 3-pin point, and it charges on the standard Octopus rate of about 28p/kw overnight.
Is this the best option or would I be better seeing if I can get a wallbox installed (and if so, who to use), to then potentially move to Octopus Go and charge up in the overnight cheap rate window? Has anyone done this vs just slow charge overnight? My landlord is pretty good so I don't imagine he will have objections about installing thinking about it, but yes ... I assume they can be disconnected and relocated and then the only cost is re-installing it via an electrican?
Currently I charge at home - which is fine, there car is there for enough hours daily to slow charge - but because I don't have a wallbox (nor can I fit one I think, as I'm in rented - but I assume they can be relocated if you move??? Only just thought of that) and I just plug it in to an external 3-pin point, and it charges on the standard Octopus rate of about 28p/kw overnight.
Is this the best option or would I be better seeing if I can get a wallbox installed (and if so, who to use), to then potentially move to Octopus Go and charge up in the overnight cheap rate window? Has anyone done this vs just slow charge overnight? My landlord is pretty good so I don't imagine he will have objections about installing thinking about it, but yes ... I assume they can be disconnected and relocated and then the only cost is re-installing it via an electrican?
Edited by SuffolkDefender on Thursday 7th July 17:14
SuffolkDefender said:
I've recently bought a 2017 BMW i3 Rex and am wondering about the best choice for charging.
Currently I charge at home - which is fine, there car is there for enough hours daily to slow charge - but because I don't have a wallbox (nor can I fit one I think, as I'm in rented - but I assume they can be relocated if you move??? Only just thought of that) and I just plug it in to an external 3-pin point, and it charges on the standard Octopus rate of about 28p/kw overnight.
Is this the best option or would I be better seeing if I can get a wallbox installed (and if so, who to use), to then potentially move to Octopus Go and charge up in the overnight cheap rate window? Has anyone done this vs just slow charge overnight? My landlord is pretty good so I don't imagine he will have objections about installing thinking about it, but yes ... I assume they can be disconnected and relocated and then the only cost is re-installing it via an electrican?
Definitely worth speaking to the landlord. They might even be willing to pay for a charger to be installed as it will soon be an expected item people look for when moving home. If not that, then they might be happy to go halves or something? It increases the flexibility massively, as 3 pin is a bit slow with charging at about 7-10mph depending on vehicle / time of year. A standard 7kW ramps that up to around 19-27mph. This makes daytime top up possible in the way 3pin really is only useful for overnight. That's what we found any way Currently I charge at home - which is fine, there car is there for enough hours daily to slow charge - but because I don't have a wallbox (nor can I fit one I think, as I'm in rented - but I assume they can be relocated if you move??? Only just thought of that) and I just plug it in to an external 3-pin point, and it charges on the standard Octopus rate of about 28p/kw overnight.
Is this the best option or would I be better seeing if I can get a wallbox installed (and if so, who to use), to then potentially move to Octopus Go and charge up in the overnight cheap rate window? Has anyone done this vs just slow charge overnight? My landlord is pretty good so I don't imagine he will have objections about installing thinking about it, but yes ... I assume they can be disconnected and relocated and then the only cost is re-installing it via an electrican?
Edited by SuffolkDefender on Thursday 7th July 17:14
I also privately rent, got permission to put in a wallbox from the Landlord in writing. It shouldn't be an issue since it can only really add to the value of a property - there's lots of background work you need to do first however; I recommend watching the Artisan Electrics video on YouTube (upgraded main fuse, decent MCB tails etc.).
However; the cost of home electricity is such that it makes very little financial sense for me to pursue home charging whilst workplace charging is available to me. The low rates offered for off-peak EV charging are often completely offset by the high standing charges and rates per kW during the daytime window. Do your sums - it didn't work out for me.
Also; the £350 EV grant remains open to people in our position (renters and those in flats). What I found however was that there's a bit of a cartel around those 'registered' installers and the overall cost to have a Type 2 socket installed with the grant is somehow more expensive than getting it done without the grant. Go figure. My cheapest quote was around £560 without a grant vs £890 with the grant. Madness - but folks on Pistonheads will tell you that it's not a conspiracy and all comes down to quality of workmanship etc. etc.
However; the cost of home electricity is such that it makes very little financial sense for me to pursue home charging whilst workplace charging is available to me. The low rates offered for off-peak EV charging are often completely offset by the high standing charges and rates per kW during the daytime window. Do your sums - it didn't work out for me.
Also; the £350 EV grant remains open to people in our position (renters and those in flats). What I found however was that there's a bit of a cartel around those 'registered' installers and the overall cost to have a Type 2 socket installed with the grant is somehow more expensive than getting it done without the grant. Go figure. My cheapest quote was around £560 without a grant vs £890 with the grant. Madness - but folks on Pistonheads will tell you that it's not a conspiracy and all comes down to quality of workmanship etc. etc.
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