Domestic Charge Points - talk to me
Discussion
Right then, order is placed for my i3 REx, hoping for it to land late February 
I've started looking at domestic charge points and I'm now more confused than I was before I started. I've already got an outdoor 13a socket at the end of my drive, although it's on my ground floor mains circuit, so I'm not sure if it could trip when I had the car charging, TV on and washing machine going for example.
I was considering BMWs basic iwallbox because I don't have any renewable energy sources at home and it's relatively cheap, but I've had a quick Google and there's a number of different charge points which you can have fitted at home all at different prices and charge rates.
Am I complicating things by moving away from the BMW charge point, or are there others which I should consider?
I've started looking at domestic charge points and I'm now more confused than I was before I started. I've already got an outdoor 13a socket at the end of my drive, although it's on my ground floor mains circuit, so I'm not sure if it could trip when I had the car charging, TV on and washing machine going for example.
I was considering BMWs basic iwallbox because I don't have any renewable energy sources at home and it's relatively cheap, but I've had a quick Google and there's a number of different charge points which you can have fitted at home all at different prices and charge rates.
Am I complicating things by moving away from the BMW charge point, or are there others which I should consider?
You need to get yourself added to the i3 UK Facebook group - lots of people will help you with answers there. I think the BMW wallbox is only cheap if order confirmed by the end of today (mine should be coming in the next couple of weeks I think). The BMW subsidy disappears after that. If I don't get the discount, I will be getting a different charger.
It is worth investigating the availability of power at the point that you want to install the charger
Ideally you want a 32A supply available and a charger to go with it
Whilst the BMW unit does look nice, I can vouch for the functionality of the Rolec units - mine has been in place for over a year and used almost every day
Ideally you want a 32A supply available and a charger to go with it
Whilst the BMW unit does look nice, I can vouch for the functionality of the Rolec units - mine has been in place for over a year and used almost every day
I'd be interested is this, too. I've got an i8 coming in the next couple of months and would like to sort out a charging solution. I'm told that grants for installing a charge points is changing and my dealer will update me when they know more but I guess that will be for a BMW-branded solution which may not be the best option, unless it has some integration stuff that the on-board charger cannot do.
Don't wait for the dealer - most firms will accept a copy of the order to process the charging point & its grant eg https://www.chargemasterplc.com/home-electric-car-...
Hi we fit domestic charge points and we get a few BMW owners choosing to have non-BMW wall box. In Scotland there was a top-up grant which meant most installs were fully funded so as a BMW you weren't penalised if you wanted something other than the (very large) wall box unit.
No there's no top-up funding and the OLEV grant is dropping to £500 instead of the current £700. We've done a few hundred domestic installs so happy to help and not sure we're you are in the country but I can point you in the direction of a few good installers across the UK.
But I'd pick a 32amp (BMWs only charge at 16amp but you're better future proofing as your charger will probably outlast the time you have the current car). I'd have a tethered unit as there's little cost difference between a socket or tethered unit (it's more expensive to buy a socket unit plus a separate charging cable) unless your i3 is coming with one?
No there's no top-up funding and the OLEV grant is dropping to £500 instead of the current £700. We've done a few hundred domestic installs so happy to help and not sure we're you are in the country but I can point you in the direction of a few good installers across the UK.
But I'd pick a 32amp (BMWs only charge at 16amp but you're better future proofing as your charger will probably outlast the time you have the current car). I'd have a tethered unit as there's little cost difference between a socket or tethered unit (it's more expensive to buy a socket unit plus a separate charging cable) unless your i3 is coming with one?
I got a Rolec unit fitted a few weeks ago ready for my Leaf in a few days time.
Not sorted the cost yet until the company who fitted it have sorted all the paperwork, it was the first unit they have fitted.
Won't be any more than £185.
Got the 16 amp unit as 32 could have tripped my main fuse. I have 2 electric showers as well as electric hob, cooker.
Unit look good IMO.
Not sorted the cost yet until the company who fitted it have sorted all the paperwork, it was the first unit they have fitted.
Won't be any more than £185.
Got the 16 amp unit as 32 could have tripped my main fuse. I have 2 electric showers as well as electric hob, cooker.
Unit look good IMO.
MrOrange said:
Socket or tethered?
It seems to me that socket is more future proof but may be more expensive? Anyone got any experience?
If you're charging at home on a nightly basis I'd get tethered and also if the charge unit will be outside and exposed to the elements.It seems to me that socket is more future proof but may be more expensive? Anyone got any experience?
I have a socket unit and run a Nissan Leaf but I only went with a socket as my work lets me take home different plug-in vehicles so I needed the flexibility of jumping between type1 & 2
But it's a pain in the arse especially in winter is the driving rain to get the lead out the boot and fumble with it while you get wet and dirty hands as it will have been on the ground the day before.
If you're going to be changing your car in less than 3 years then maybe but you can always replace the tethered lead with a new tethered lead (basically a spare part) or you be lucky and your next one will use the same connection!
Plus all rapid public chargers are tethered so unless you are regularly charging on pubic fast chargers I don't see the need for socket at home. Socket units tend to be slightly cheaper as most manufactures bundle the kit together so not much difference between and a separate cable will be around £130-160 so more expensive than a tethered unit.
Hope that helps!
Slightly off topic, but a daft question, sorry.
If you're buying a used vehicle, PH ads keep bombarding me with increasingly attractive used Leaf deals, how do you go about getting the home charging point. Presumably the Govt grant for that vehicle's charging point has already been used? Or is it enough that you've ordered a second hand one, which will be the first ever at your address?
Been googling and it seems as if £195, say, and that's it, but isn't that for new vehicles only?
If you're buying a used vehicle, PH ads keep bombarding me with increasingly attractive used Leaf deals, how do you go about getting the home charging point. Presumably the Govt grant for that vehicle's charging point has already been used? Or is it enough that you've ordered a second hand one, which will be the first ever at your address?
Been googling and it seems as if £195, say, and that's it, but isn't that for new vehicles only?
FiF said:
Slightly off topic, but a daft question, sorry.
If you're buying a used vehicle, PH ads keep bombarding me with increasingly attractive used Leaf deals, how do you go about getting the home charging point. Presumably the Govt grant for that vehicle's charging point has already been used? Or is it enough that you've ordered a second hand one, which will be the first ever at your address?
Been googling and it seems as if £195, say, and that's it, but isn't that for new vehicles only?
Unless its now changed my understanding is that the ev charger grant is once per household regardless of new or used car, you didn't even have to own the car only have regular access and use of one.If you're buying a used vehicle, PH ads keep bombarding me with increasingly attractive used Leaf deals, how do you go about getting the home charging point. Presumably the Govt grant for that vehicle's charging point has already been used? Or is it enough that you've ordered a second hand one, which will be the first ever at your address?
Been googling and it seems as if £195, say, and that's it, but isn't that for new vehicles only?
PKLD said:
If you're charging at home on a nightly basis I'd get tethered and also if the charge unit will be outside and exposed to the elements.
I have a socket unit and run a Nissan Leaf but I only went with a socket as my work lets me take home different plug-in vehicles so I needed the flexibility of jumping between type1 & 2
But it's a pain in the arse especially in winter is the driving rain to get the lead out the boot and fumble with it while you get wet and dirty hands as it will have been on the ground the day before.
Our outside Rolec is a socket, the lead has not been unplugged in a year it just sits on top of the housing outside the garage - has worked faultlessly. The inside socket is tethered for the Zoe - again worked perfectly and cable is long enough to charge the Zoe outside the garage.I have a socket unit and run a Nissan Leaf but I only went with a socket as my work lets me take home different plug-in vehicles so I needed the flexibility of jumping between type1 & 2
But it's a pain in the arse especially in winter is the driving rain to get the lead out the boot and fumble with it while you get wet and dirty hands as it will have been on the ground the day before.
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