First trip well out of range!

[supermegamonkee]

Howdy, just thought I would share our experience of our trip to the North East last week.

This was our first trip that we would need to rely on rapid chargers and local infrastructure. Our destination in Northumberland was about 260 miles from home, our aim was to stop twice in the way up and use the rapid once we got to our destination.

The ride up fully loaded, cold, heater on and plenty wind and rain we averaged 3 miles per kWh at about 65mph, first stop in chesterfield at a gym with an instavolt and the second stop was in Thirsk at Starbucks services with four instavolts. Charging at destination was done in Amble at Morrisons with the return journey using the same Starbucks services and then the instavolt In Duckmanton. Highest charging speed was delivered in duckmanton with 65kw. We averaged about 44kw at the other rapids. All in all a success, didn’t bother with the motorway services at all, zap map showed them in use everyone we passed. The MG5 did really well and wouldn’t have any issues or worries doing it again.

 

[EVsince2016]

Howdy, just thought I would share our experience of our trip to the North East last week.

This was our first trip that we would need to rely on rapid chargers and local infrastructure. Our destination in Northumberland was about 260 miles from home, our aim was to stop twice in the way up and use the rapid once we got to our destination.

The ride up fully loaded, cold, heater on and plenty wind and rain we averaged 3 miles per kWh at about 65mph, first stop in chesterfield at a gym with an instavolt and the second stop was in Thirsk at Starbucks services with four instavolts. Charging at destination was done in Amble at Morrisons with the return journey using the same Starbucks services and then the instavolt In Duckmanton. Highest charging speed was delivered in duckmanton with 65kw. We averaged about 44kw at the other rapids. All in all a success, didn’t bother with the motorway services at all, zap map showed them in use everyone we passed. The MG5 did really well and wouldn’t have any issues or worries doing it again.

Similar driving I got 3.3 m/kw at 60 mph so 10% better for 5mph less

 

[Rocinante]

I currently have an ICE, but am trying to weigh up Electric, so am unfamiliar with the terminology, and may have misunderstood this somewhere, but the way I figure it, (Google says Morrisons amble is 42p/kWh), you achieved, 3.0m/kw, so is that not 14p per mile ? Which doesn't seem to be markedly cheaper than an ICE vehicle. Could you confirm the costs for your journey ? If this is accurate you would seem to be better off going getting a diesel Ford Focus Estate ?

 

[EVsince2016]

I charge at home for 5p/kw for 95% of my driving and average 4.0 miles per kw so 1.25p/mile

Public charger prices are all over the place from free up to 87p/kw on Ionity.

Motorway driving in freezing conditions is just 3.0 miles per kw.

 

[Gomev]

I currently have an ICE, but am trying to weigh up Electric, so am unfamiliar with the terminology, and may have misunderstood this somewhere, but the way I figure it, (Google says Morrisons amble is 42p/kWh), you achieved, 3.0m/kw, so is that not 14p per mile ? Which doesn't seem to be markedly cheaper than an ICE vehicle. Could you confirm the costs for your journey ? If this is accurate you would seem to be better off going getting a diesel Ford Focus Estate ?

Most charging is not done on rapids unless you use the car away from home a lot, even if you don't have a home charger there are usually plenty around at supermarkets, hotels, restaurants etc. Rapid chargers are the equivalent of filling up at motorway services for ICE vehicles, i.e. more expensive than your local Supermarket prices.
Taking fuel aside, also no VED, lower servicing costs (no engine with all it's moving bits, exhaust etc) and currently unbelievably low depreciation.

 

[Rocinante]

I've just switched to a standard tariff, as my deal has just come to an end and finding something better seems problematic at the minute, but my electricity is now getting charged at 20.40p per kWh. Again unless I'm doing something wrong that works out at 6.9p per mile. Cheaper than my ICE but not as big a margin by the time you take in to account cost of vehicle. With rates set to increase this looks set to get worse.
Where are you getting 5p/kw ?

The annual tax on my current diesel is £30 per year, so this aspect is negligible. Problems I've had with my car(touch wood) so far have been related to suspension/brakes/wheels, which will be the same for electric, if not worse, due to the increase weight, so the engine hasn't been too bad, although I appreciate increased maintenance on this aspect. Not trying to be negative, or have you persuade me electric is good, just trying to get a handle on the matter.

 

[EVsince2016]

Where are you getting 5p/kw ?

Octopus GO 5p/unit 00:30-04:30 long term customer.

I also have solar PV / Zappi for free charging for 50% of my energy.

 

[Rocinante]

When you go on Octopus at the minute:
"Right now, energy prices are at record highs, and most homes will be better off staying with their current energy supplier for the winter.

If your fixed term is coming to an end, don't choose a new tariff or switch supplier.

Instead, let your supplier automatically move you to their default tariff, so your prices are protected by the Government's Energy Price Cap.

 

[lebelinconnu]

I don't think many energy companies are taking new customers at the moment. I am currently looking in to solar to offset the inevitable price rise when my Octopus Go renews in July....

 

[Ozzie1989]

When you go on Octopus at the minute:
"Right now, energy prices are at record highs, and most homes will be better off staying with their current energy supplier for the winter.

If your fixed term is coming to an end, don't choose a new tariff or switch supplier.

Instead, let your supplier automatically move you to their default tariff, so your prices are protected by the Government's Energy Price Cap.

That's correct, but if you're after their specialist EV tariff then give them a call, they're a friendly bunch.

 

[Lovemyev]

When you go on Octopus at the minute:
"Right now, energy prices are at record highs, and most homes will be better off staying with their current energy supplier for the winter.

If your fixed term is coming to an end, don't choose a new tariff or switch supplier.

Instead, let your supplier automatically move you to their default tariff, so your prices are protected by the Government's Energy Price Cap.

I find myself in the same position.
My contract with EDF energy expired on the 30th Nov.
I was paying around 21p /kw day rate and 8p / kw on off peak.
Off peak was 10.00 pm until 7.00pm Mon to Friday AND all weekend.
They have bumped me onto a Eco20/20 plan.
We are now paying 25p / kw and 13p / kw from 10.00pm until 8.00am and all weekend.
My on line account will not let me view any other alternative tariffs at the moment.
I rang then last Thursday to discuss the plan and was on hold for 40 mins.
Then when I did get to speak to somebody, I was told that I would be called back by one of the dedicated EV tariff team, in the next 24 hours.
It is now Tuesday and no call back !.
Excellent customer service.
I have also been into the Octopus web site and seen the opening statement about sticking with your current energy supplier.
Unsure what to do right now to be totally honest ?.
Switch or stick is the 99 dollar question ?.
I would appreciate any advice on this subject.
Thanks .

 

[Ozzie1989]

My advice, if you want Octopus Go then ring Octopus. They are willing to talk and listen if you're one of the few who will benefit from switching. Can't guarantee they'll say yes but worth a shot and they were helpful when I contacted them not so long ago.

 

[Rocinante]

Apologies for hijacking this post, without having looked in to it seriously before I was surprised at the 14p/mile that I saw on here, which is comparable if not more expensive than my current diesel. Personally, like I mentioned in one of the posts, I'm just trying to get a handle on the costs at the minute, as the main reason I'm looking at electric was cheaper running. I appreciate now that that should be a rare occurrence for me, (commute is around 100miles round trip).
I think I'll be waiting till at least next year anyway to change car to see what happens at the next energy cap review and go from there.
I'm also looking for second hand as well, so there should hopefully be a bit more availability by next summer and the 2nd hand car market might have eased off a bit as well, and redo the figures with the capital cost of the cars taken in to account.
Thanks.

 

[smokie]

... I am currently looking in to solar to offset the inevitable price rise when my Octopus Go renews in July....

I don't know how much space you have for solar but I would imagine that the cost (again, an unknown to me) would pay for many years of additional leccy costs on whatever succeeds your Go tariff. (IMO Go will continue but the "peak" time cost may well change)

I have had solar (since 2012, so on a good FIT rate). At this time of year I get nothing from it, not even enough to run the house at rest.

Most years it seems to be about 2500 - 3000 kWh over the whole year, and output on the best days peaks at about 4kWh - often for fairly brief periods only - so once I take out my underlying house usage the available energy isn't that much. You could put batteries on it I suppose which might help, also use diverting devices to maximise your usage of spare energy but that is all additional cost.

 

[Ron61]

I currently have an ICE, but am trying to weigh up Electric, so am unfamiliar with the terminology, and may have misunderstood this somewhere, but the way I figure it, (Google says Morrisons amble is 42p/kWh), you achieved, 3.0m/kw, so is that not 14p per mile ? Which doesn't seem to be markedly cheaper than an ICE vehicle. Could you confirm the costs for your journey ? If this is accurate you would seem to be better off going getting a diesel Ford Focus Estate ?

I'm at the other end of the charging spectrum. I charge almost exclusively at free chargers rarely paying anything. My cost per mile is about 0.75p per mile.

 

[Ozzie1989]

Apologies for hijacking this post, without having looked in to it seriously before I was surprised at the 14p/mile that I saw on here, which is comparable if not more expensive than my current diesel. Personally, like I mentioned in one of the posts, I'm just trying to get a handle on the costs at the minute, as the main reason I'm looking at electric was cheaper running. I appreciate now that that should be a rare occurrence for me, (commute is around 100miles round trip).
I think I'll be waiting till at least next year anyway to change car to see what happens at the next energy cap review and go from there.
I'm also looking for second hand as well, so there should hopefully be a bit more availability by next summer and the 2nd hand car market might have eased off a bit as well, and redo the figures with the capital cost of the cars taken in to account.
Thanks.

As has been said already, if you charge at home it's a lot cheaper. If you do 100 miles a day and charge exclusively at home, you're still looking at 2-4p a mile.

On the rarer occasions you need to do longer trips and use rapid chargers then yes you will pay more, however over a year this will even out for all the charging you do at home and still result in a significantly cheaper bill at the end of it.

You also have to consider rising fuel prices and bear in mind the government hasn't increased fuel duty for some time. They will likely increase this soon to help drive demand for electric/alternative fuel vehicles to help meet their emissions targets.

I don't think any of us are under any illusion that one day charging your electric car will cost as much as an ICE did say last year, but it will never fully catch up with it as long as fuel prices increase too and, for now at least, many of us are making huge savings.

Have a look at the taxi driver on YouTube, he charges at home and is paying something like £30-40 a month in electric vs. £150-200 on diesel. Don't quote my figures, but you get the idea.

 

[EVsince2016]

I don't think many energy companies are taking new customers at the moment. I am currently looking in to solar to offset the inevitable price rise when my Octopus Go renews in July....

Solar for me covers just over 50% now I work from home

 

[Ozzie1989]

Solar for me covers just over 50% now I work from home

I guess it depends on roof position and install costs. Anyone had panels installed recently and willing to share the price?

According to my energy monitor I'd need batteries to fully gain from solar:

And then only save £18 in November. If I look at August I could save £40, it must be sunnier in August

 

[EVsince2016]

Ah its far more complicated than that!

Element 1 - Solar panels. Size really matters here and bigger the better

As much of the cost is fixed, extra panels do not greatly increase the costs. A small system offers very little in returns, can rarely offer the minimum 1.4 KW/h rate to activate your car charging etc so the minimum size recommended is a 4 kw system. I recommend though that you go for panels of around 6.5kw on a 6 kw inverter system.

The reason suppliers suggest 4kw is because its easy for them (not you) because they have to apply for DNO consent above 4kw but DNOs have to accept 6kw without good reason. Above that could be tricky. The reason you oversize the panels is for losses and the fact it only uses the peak in the summer so mine has a flat topped output curve thus getting more total daily power.

This is what I calculated to give the best overall return

 

[EVsince2016]

Element 2 - saving through usage.

The rule here is to use as much of the generation as possible. A simple system, even at 6kw only gives me a return of 3-4% even with FiT & export (no longer available).

So usage is the answer!

I have a myenergi system as follows: -

Zappi - charges my car with spare electric so not using the grid. Has various settings for various usage demands, is smart & has a timer. This adds another 3-4% saved.

Eddi - power diverter to heat you water tank - this adds another 2% overall savings for little extra cost.

If you also use the energy monitor to time usage of high power appliances, the extra savings come.

I also have a low wattage kettle, that avoids grid usage & maximises solar usage.

This give me in my circumstances a return of 10%, payback in 10 years on a product with a 25 year life, except the inverter which will requires replacement half way.