BBC "Should I ..." EV Car article
Discussion
I’ve done a lot of OLEV chargepoint installs and as 111R says I’ve not done a £1500 install yet, equally I’ve not done a £150 install either.
Be aware that the requirements for EV chargepoints are particularly complex and most customers that I speak to initially think that it’s just a glorified socket which it most definitely isn’t.
Requirements for the OLEV grant scheme have also recently changed and the more cost effective chargepoints that we previously installed such as the ROLEC 2026 and GroWatt are no longer eligible for the grant.
Requirements for the OLEV grant scheme are a major PITA which also makes the grant assisted installs significantly more expensive than the non grant assisted installs, this tends to soak up a fair amount of the grant.
So if for whatever reason you don’t qualify for the grant then it’s not a big issue.
Vehicle manufacturer subsidies aside the cheapest grant assisted ones that I’ve seen are now around £295.
Be aware that these are often priced by national companies without doing a site visit and any variation from their guesstimate is added to the price on installation so the actual ‘installed cost’ can be a fair bit higher.
Also be aware that in the event of an issue with the chargepoint the larger installers typically use subcontractors for install so don’t have the interest or ability to help in the event of an issue.
It’s an interesting market to be in but as with anything, once the government get involved they have an amazing ability to make a balls up of it.
Hope this helps anyone thinking of a chargepoint install.
Be aware that the requirements for EV chargepoints are particularly complex and most customers that I speak to initially think that it’s just a glorified socket which it most definitely isn’t.
Requirements for the OLEV grant scheme have also recently changed and the more cost effective chargepoints that we previously installed such as the ROLEC 2026 and GroWatt are no longer eligible for the grant.
Requirements for the OLEV grant scheme are a major PITA which also makes the grant assisted installs significantly more expensive than the non grant assisted installs, this tends to soak up a fair amount of the grant.
So if for whatever reason you don’t qualify for the grant then it’s not a big issue.
Vehicle manufacturer subsidies aside the cheapest grant assisted ones that I’ve seen are now around £295.
Be aware that these are often priced by national companies without doing a site visit and any variation from their guesstimate is added to the price on installation so the actual ‘installed cost’ can be a fair bit higher.
Also be aware that in the event of an issue with the chargepoint the larger installers typically use subcontractors for install so don’t have the interest or ability to help in the event of an issue.
It’s an interesting market to be in but as with anything, once the government get involved they have an amazing ability to make a balls up of it.
Hope this helps anyone thinking of a chargepoint install.
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