No more free electric for me after 2016
Discussion
Got a letter from the Department of Regional Development (NI) today advising they are handing over responsibility for the charging network to ESB (Irish electric people) and that it was likely that from the end of 2016 (assuming they can figure out how to) there would be a charge for using public chargers. We were told when we leased the Zoe that free charging was guaranteed until then so it conveniently fits with the end of the lease.
Unfortunately there's no info about how the charging is going to be priced but if they get it wrong it could be a nail in the coffin of EV's.
Unfortunately there's no info about how the charging is going to be priced but if they get it wrong it could be a nail in the coffin of EV's.
gangzoom said:
Why would it be the 'nail in the coffin'?? I initially liked the idea of 'free' public rapid charging on my Leaf, but now I'm not sure. Someone has to pay for it some where along the line, nothing in life is free, in any case it cost me about 2p/mile to charge my Leaf at home. Our hybrid Lexus that does a true 50mpg still cost 10p/mile in fuel.
It's simply a sign the charging network is maturing, I'm not going back to a petrol car ever again, no way. I'll be ordering a Tesla to replace my Leaf when the PCP deal ends, the Tesla will be by far the most I've spent on any car, but the advantages of the EV drivetrain is so good, even my wife is in agreement that it's money worth spending.
Compared to depreciation costs on something like a £60K Tesla, electricity costs for charging is pocket change, plus the Tesla Supercharger network is totally separate and there the costs are already included in the initial purchase price.
Costs me approx £2.20 to charge my car overnight at 10p/kwh which gives me a range of 80-90 miles which is roughly the equivalent of 165 miles to gallon. If the public charging cost 20p or 30p/kwh then that equates to 80mpg or 55mpg? It's simply a sign the charging network is maturing, I'm not going back to a petrol car ever again, no way. I'll be ordering a Tesla to replace my Leaf when the PCP deal ends, the Tesla will be by far the most I've spent on any car, but the advantages of the EV drivetrain is so good, even my wife is in agreement that it's money worth spending.
Compared to depreciation costs on something like a £60K Tesla, electricity costs for charging is pocket change, plus the Tesla Supercharger network is totally separate and there the costs are already included in the initial purchase price.
At that price you're getting into the modern diesel mpg without any of the range anxiety or charging infrastructure worries.
First question i get asked about the car is usually about range and most people ignore the number of short journeys they do and discount EV's based on the 2-3 times a year they go to visit their inlaws in the middle of nowhere.
Just to resurrect this from the dead, EV owners in Southern Ireland received emails today advising "Beginning later this month new ESB ecars customers will be asked to sign up to a monthly fee of €16.99 (VAT inclusive) to access the public charging network, with payment coming into effect from January 4th 2016. Existing ESB ecars customers will continue to have access to the charging Infrastructure until April 2016 at no cost." Use of a fast charger will be 30c per minute.
Doesn't appear to be any options for pay as you go, so you have to pay a monthly fee just in case you might need a charge when out and about.
Doesn't appear to be any options for pay as you go, so you have to pay a monthly fee just in case you might need a charge when out and about.
Otispunkmeyer said:
16.99 monthly flat fee? Think that's a tad dear.... Probably fine if you're going to use it everyday ( will at least more than 2 full charges a week). They do need a payg option for those who might need one on the off chance.
Most of my driving is within range so would only need a public charge on the odd occasion. Would suck to be paying for something I might use.Don said:
So the POLAR network in the UK had been £20 a year - and PAYG.
Now it's something like £10 a month - and a big chunk of charging thrown in.
I only ever charge my Leaf at home so that was that. I still have Ecotricity membership. Whilst that's £10 a year I'll keep it. If they start the £10 a month I'll give up on that too. My EV usage is all local so there's just no point. If I had a Tesla and was trying to make my EV my only car it would be a very frustrating situation. As it is? They just lost a customer...
Got an email from polar recently £8.95 a month and 10p per kW. Thought that was OK, unfortunately there's only 1 of their chargers in NI and it's a 30 mile round trip away.Now it's something like £10 a month - and a big chunk of charging thrown in.
I only ever charge my Leaf at home so that was that. I still have Ecotricity membership. Whilst that's £10 a year I'll keep it. If they start the £10 a month I'll give up on that too. My EV usage is all local so there's just no point. If I had a Tesla and was trying to make my EV my only car it would be a very frustrating situation. As it is? They just lost a customer...
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