Faint umbilical to cottage It has been a while in coming but we were excited to have our first electric vehicle (EV) at the cottage this week. Our guests had checked ahead to ensure there is a charging option, and whilst we don't (yet - but see further on) have a proper fast charging point, we do have an outside power point on the cottage. It is right beside the car parking area and so it means a 13am (3kW) charge can take place which is more than enough to "refill" a empty EV overnight (6 or so hours).
This also meant we had to decide on policy for the cost of that, and we have decided that, in the same spirit as our 10% discount to encourage car-free travel, we will provide the EV charging for free as part of the rental. Refilling a small EV should only cost around £3 a day if completely empty and charged to full. And for this particular EV that gives around 75 to 100 miles range, plenty enough to explore the area, completely emissions-free. We feel that seems reasonable.
Of course if the charging is done during the day then solar power on the cottage roof will be used, reducing cost. And as far as the green credentials go, as the cottage uses an entirely "green" electricity supplier (Ecotricity) all the electricity pumped in to the car will have come from renewable energy sources (hydro, wind, solar PV ...).
This also meant we had to decide on policy for the cost of that, and we have decided that, in the same spirit as our 10% discount to encourage car-free travel, we will provide the EV charging for free as part of the rental. Refilling a small EV should only cost around £3 a day if completely empty and charged to full. And for this particular EV that gives around 75 to 100 miles range, plenty enough to explore the area, completely emissions-free. We feel that seems reasonable.
Of course if the charging is done during the day then solar power on the cottage roof will be used, reducing cost. And as far as the green credentials go, as the cottage uses an entirely "green" electricity supplier (Ecotricity) all the electricity pumped in to the car will have come from renewable energy sources (hydro, wind, solar PV ...).
No petrol hose here We ourselves would love to get an EV. We have a Prius hybrid that is now 13 years old and with almost 200,000 miles on the clock. Still going and in good condition and the great mpg is holding up - the all-important battery seems fine. Mary has her tiny IQ too which does as good mpg as the Prius.
Whether or not we ever get an EV we have resolved this year to install a proper fast charge point on the cottage for our cottage guests, and that will mean a full recharge in a few hours. There is no doubt that EVs seem to have come of age, and yet as the technology is improving fast it makes it difficult to know when to jump and maybe buy. And of course there is the whole issue of embodied energy costs by just getting a new (or newer car). We typically have owned cars until they literally cannot be repaired for anything like a sensible cost. End of life. Yet it does seem that EVs have become practical and not just exotic: the charging network is good and growing, petrol is going up in cost (irrespective of the climate change argument, this is inevitably over time as sources run out and get harder to find). EV range has grown to the point of safe practicality for many people's usage. And running costs are ridiculously low: fuel, servicing (with no complicated engine) and tax. So getting an EV now starts to make sense but one question has to be will it be good for the next 10-12 years? The Prius Hybrid has proved spectacularly good and yet hybrid drive was a new, exotic and uncertain technology in its time. So I am hopeful.
We must give honourable mention our longest serving vehicle, our VW camper van, bought in Holland second-hand over 30 years ago. Still going strong, but needing some degree of TLC every year even though we only use it modestly. It seems it is now becoming a classic vehicle, our daughters have grown up knowing it, are now borrowing it themselves! It really seems part of the family. So that's one vehicle that is not going to be sold (unless maybe EV campers become available).
Whether or not we ever get an EV we have resolved this year to install a proper fast charge point on the cottage for our cottage guests, and that will mean a full recharge in a few hours. There is no doubt that EVs seem to have come of age, and yet as the technology is improving fast it makes it difficult to know when to jump and maybe buy. And of course there is the whole issue of embodied energy costs by just getting a new (or newer car). We typically have owned cars until they literally cannot be repaired for anything like a sensible cost. End of life. Yet it does seem that EVs have become practical and not just exotic: the charging network is good and growing, petrol is going up in cost (irrespective of the climate change argument, this is inevitably over time as sources run out and get harder to find). EV range has grown to the point of safe practicality for many people's usage. And running costs are ridiculously low: fuel, servicing (with no complicated engine) and tax. So getting an EV now starts to make sense but one question has to be will it be good for the next 10-12 years? The Prius Hybrid has proved spectacularly good and yet hybrid drive was a new, exotic and uncertain technology in its time. So I am hopeful.
We must give honourable mention our longest serving vehicle, our VW camper van, bought in Holland second-hand over 30 years ago. Still going strong, but needing some degree of TLC every year even though we only use it modestly. It seems it is now becoming a classic vehicle, our daughters have grown up knowing it, are now borrowing it themselves! It really seems part of the family. So that's one vehicle that is not going to be sold (unless maybe EV campers become available).
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