EV Thread

[Matty]

This is based on one of the cheaper (£370) chargers that Screwfix have. To be fair, the Sync Energy does seem to get good reviews. As Simon mentioned, guess is all varies on how good (or certified) the install is. Note the install is directly next to my meter.

EDF currently do an offer where you pay £495 and the add the remaining £480~ to your electrical standing charge over 2 years, which isn't a bad deal either.

I'm with Octopus, but they won't offer me their tariff as apparently the Honda E isn't compatible with their intelligent charging, so just bump me to the cheap overnight standard tariff.

[Carlos]

I'm with Octopus, but they won't offer me their tariff as apparently the Honda E isn't compatible with their intelligent charging, so just bump me to the cheap overnight standard tariff.

I'm sure it will as long as you have a compatible charger.

[Mito Man]

They’re pretty simple to install, I’d happily let a local electrician install it, it’s just a dedicated fuse board and much simpler than a whole home installation at the end of the day. Usually EV chargers are killed by gradual moisture ingress. If it’s going in a covered location then get whatever model you want, but if it’s exposed look for a charger with a higher IP rating.

[jamcg]

Just look for nic eic (gas safe for sparks) membership and use an electrician rather than a handyman and you’ll be fine. You can use their website to find people or to check they’re registered

https://niceic.com/browse-tradespeople/

[Jobbo]

Had a second charger installed yesterday. Although the house is on a 100A fuse, the garage is on a circuit with a 63A protector so the installer had to software cap the charging when both are in use to 60A, slightly lower than the max 32A each. I don’t think it’ll be an issue in reality but it does show that our domestic infrastructure in this country is a limiting factor.

[V8Granite]

Had a second charger installed yesterday. Although the house is on a 100A fuse, the garage is on a circuit with a 63A protector so the installer had to software cap the charging when both are in use to 60A, slightly lower than the max 32A each. I don’t think it’ll be an issue in reality but it does show that our domestic infrastructure in this country is a limiting factor.

100% this!!

Whole streets are on single phases and have been bastardised so the phase load isn't the same as streets are extended or houses added etc.

Dave!

[Mito Man]

We had loads of problems with blowing the 100 amp fuse. But were never pulling more than 18kw peak loads. A few months ago UKPN caved and upgraded the transformer 100 metres away. Turns out when they built 6 new heat pump houses down the road they never upgraded it as it was still within spec. So the voltage drop was pulling higher amps.
I can’t remember exactly what the engineer said but their formula worked out at something like the transformer is only able to give out 7kw per house. You can quickly see why this doesn’t work in 2026.
New transformer is rated to something like 10kw per house and that’s been fine so far but houses here have no gas and the new ones no oil either so I imagine as more people buy EVs even that head room will quickly run out.

[Jobbo]

That's no headroom at all if they all charge a single EV at 7kW.

[DeskJockey]

I found this very interesting.


If they started the build-out it would benefit all (possibly even the power/grid companies).

[jamcg]

I know this post is trying to suggest it’s a bad thing, but if you can’t make better than the Chinese why not buy in off them? It makes perfect sense really, but for me it would make me think if the merc is using byd tech why not consider a byd

[DeskJockey]

Not specifically just for this, but for me, the bigger concern is the concentration of power and capability in a country that isn't known for playing by the rules.

By continuing to source more and more from there we're undermining our ability (what's left of it) to make and develop our own, and also to be able to have robust conversations about important matters. We're already so beholden to them that if they decided to (threaten to) cut us off, most things would grind to a halt. Greed and short-term profit focus, combined with governments asleep at the wheel (no-one excused) have left most of the Western world dangerously exposed.

Nothing new about it though.

[Barry]

I know this post is trying to suggest it’s a bad thing, but if you can’t make better than the Chinese why not buy in off them? It makes perfect sense really, but for me it would make me think if the merc is using byd tech why not consider a byd

Where do folk seriously think most batteries come from?

[DeskJockey]

You used the word "seriously" that was a mistake when talking about people.

[Beany]

A nice bit of racism and badge snobbery gets the clicks in. I'm sure most people commenting are doing it on phones built in China with absolutely no self awareness about it.

BYD are, last I heard, the creme de la creme in terms of current battery tech. If they're prepared to license their tech, you'd be a complete fucking imbecile not to use it to give you a leg up.

[V8Granite]

China makes the war in Ukraine look all above board and not corrupt. I do not believe it's a good thing to rely on China for so much.

China manufacturing is amazing, with the correct quality control then it's as good as anyone else's and no doubt much cheaper.

China LOVE to spy on everyone and anything though so no I don't trust them. Neither do Rolls-Royce, Langley, MTU etc as we are not even allowed our normal work phones or laptops in the country, we have to collect special ones with lots disabled as there have been so many issues.

How to keep away from it though is probably nearly impossible now if you want modern tech.

Dave!

[Mito Man]

They’re very clever, they built up all their infrastructure over the past few decades and could see net zero coming to capitalise on it. World leader in solar, wind power, batteries, AI and sheer man power and cheap plentiful energy to support the industry.
The Western politicians wrote up the legislation for it and blindsided themselves. Good on China I guess…