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How To Chose Right Electric Car Property Type: It is

Posted on by sapling

How To Chose Right Electric Car

1. Property Type: It is very important to identify where you live as it can effect the overall cost & safety. If you are living in a block of flats or a place where charging is difficult than you need to plan to charge ahead before you go home. Overnight charging is free in many places or cost less in some places but make sure to also check the parking restrictions and safety concerns.

 

 

2. Range: It is the most common cause people hesitating in buying or using EV cars. It is not a major factor now compare to few years ago as infrastructure has improved and will always be improved in the future. Although infrastructure should be the first thing before introducing EV cars but some people paid heavy price for vehicle purchase and helped in many ways to improve the EV charging network. Identify your daily range commute and leave 30 to 40 miles minimum before going to the nearest EV charger, fog and weather conditions can drop the range very quick. If you drive long range quite often than go straight for higher range. Higher range vehicles can be between 200 miles to 400 miles. Always check default Mode when buying. If default mode is ECO than normal mode or power mode range will be less. Default mode can be normal or Eco. Some cars default mode is Eco so that’s the maximum range you can get and you will be disappointed later as range drops very quick on motorways / Highways if you use power mode. Some cars starts in Normal mode so you will get 20 or 30 miles extra if Eco mode is turned on.

3. Budget : This is something which is Individual choice. Always ask for free Home Charging Installation or any other offers with the dealer.

 

 

 

4.Maintenance : Maintenance cost of Electric cars is very cheap as they don’t have Engine so there is no Engine Oil, No oil Filter, No exhausts, No engine coolant, No engine issues or piston issues. Even Plug-In-Hybrids have Engine so maintenance is still high in PHEV.

5.Warranty: Although manufacturer’s warranty comes with the vehicle but always check the warranty is valid if buying used vehicle or buy extended warranty. Make sure that warranty covers the battery.

6. After Buying: Make sure alongside other basic accessories, you get 3 pin charging cable and some dealers can also give you Type 2 to Type 2 or Type2 to Tupe1  Charging cable as well.

7. Vehicle Type: Most of the small cars with bigger batteries are better but again it all depends upon the shape of the car and many other factors. Compact aerodynamic  shaped SUV’s with bigger batteries and efficient AI are better overall.

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How To Prepare For Long Drive

Posted on by sapling

How To Prepare For Long Drive

There are many things to consider when choosing to go for long Drive. Although it varies from Location to Location so, please add below in comments if anything is missing.

Let’s go with first one.

1. Water- This is the most essential product as dehydration or traffic chaos can happen anywhere during the journey.

2. Spare Dress – Although many people don’t bother but as there are many reasons due to change of weather condition or due to extreme driving or staying in camping or vehicle breakdown, this can help.

3. Spare Shoes and Sleeper – Helps in case of discomfort or cramps or even exploring the beach.

4. Power Bank- Although many people don’t bother but exploring places or following routes can drain the phone battery very quick and It is my personal experience so carrying a good power Bank is most important in today’s world or you will be looking for chargers everywhere.

5. Windscreen Washer – Dust can create glares so windscreen washer fluid is very important.

6. Engine oil- Depending on Petrol, Diesel. So check before buying the right engine oil for your car.

7. Spare Cable- 3 Pin to Type 2 Cable and Type 2 to Type 2 cable for EV cars. 3 Pin cable can help you charge if you are staying in a home or if hotel allows you to charge through three pin plug. You can always ask them if they have suitable and safe place to charge. Type 2 to Type 2 cable is used in AC slow charging connections.

8. Tyre Pressure- Check Tyre Pressure and Carry Spare tyre or Puncture repair kit.

9. Sleeping Arrangement’s- Sleeping Bag or Spare Blanket and Pillows are also needed. This can also be inflatable also as it takes less space but make sure to carry small compressor.

 

 

Electric Car Charging Points Explained

Posted on by sapling

When it comes to Electric Cars you need to know about charging locations and plan to reach to the nearest location and consider factors like use of Air Conditioning, weather, weight in the car, tyre pressure, as it effects the overall range.

Here are few Steps you can take before you start your journey. There are few Apps you need in your phone.

 

When going for long journeys you need.

1. Domestic three Pin Cable and Your own cable for Pod Point, Life EV or other slow charging points. You can buy them online.

2. Zap Map: It is an app that gives whole map of nearest charging points. It shows clearly about slow chargers, Rapid Chargers and Fast Chargers. It can also help plan your journey and gives option to choose the charging points on the way.

3. It is better to start moving to charging point if 30 to 40 miles range left just like you do with Petrol or Diesel cars, as charging points can be broken, occupied or might not exist or site has closed the barriers or access. This can be rare, but many people experienced in some sites like Gym Entrances, Golf Clubs etc.

4. For most of the chargers you need App and need to top up balance between £5 to £15 depending upon the location and the provider. Some places take holding fee so be sure to check this before paying, as many times people pay the holding fee and chargers didn’t work. Paying multiple holding fee from many cards can put people in situation of run out of funds so charging in other locations will be difficult. Refund can take up to 7 working days.

5.Depending upon the vehicle manufacturers you need Type1 to Type2 Cable or Type2 to Type2 Charging cable. Also you need to identify the need of length. Mostly people buy around 5m length. These cables are also available in various specifications. Below are some specs

– 16A or 32A single phase

-16A or 32A Three Phase

 

Here are Few Charging Points 

 1.Instavolt: It is a Fast Charger. No App Needed for Rapid Charging. It Holds the Deposit and eventually deduct the charges after charging is finished.

 2. BP Charge Master: It is a Fast Charger. App Required and balance Pre-loading required.

 3. Pod Point: App Required. They are available as slow and fast also. They need balance pre-Loaded. They are mostly in supermarkets and in many locations. Some places it needs your own cable, and some places cable is attached mainly in Fast Charging locations.

4. LiFe EV: App required. They are slow chargers. They need balance pre-loaded. They are also in many locations around supermarkets, stations etc. They need your own cable.

 5. Ecotricity: Mostly in Motorways / Highways and very quick to charge your car. No App needed now.

 6. Genie Point: It is a Fast Charger. App Required and balance need to be pre-Loaded.

 7. Ubitricity : Slow Charging Point. Need App and own Cable. Mostly in Lamp Posts. Fastest growing Network.

8. Tesla Superchargers: Mostly was Free to use with All Tesla Models but changed recently so check when buying.

9. Osprey Charging : App required. Fast Chargers. Billed monthly. Mostly in Restaurants & around pubs

10. MFG EV Power : Supercharger’s CCS & CHAdeMO. Very quick to charge.

11. ESB Chargers : App required. Contactless Payments also available

12.  Gridserve : No App required. Mostly in motorway services.

13.ChargePlace Scotland

14. Connected Kerb

Some companies are providing RFID card that can be used in most of the locations rather than paying individually through the app. RFID card can be very handy as in some locations mobile networks are weak.

AC chargers can be used in most locations parallel to DC Chargers depending upon the car parking space. You can disconnect the chargers at any point during the charging. Just follow the instructions by manufacturers. Some charging points need you to touch the card used for Top Up to disconnect and some need to press the stop button in the App. Customer support is mostly available. Some residential or commercial energy suppliers also offer Cheaper Electric Car Charging tariffs so worth checking with your energy supplier

General Etiquette:

Leave the charging cable at the right place.

Help others if they don’t know the usage as this is a new system and we can help people to be confident on EV Revolution. 

Do not throw litters as it can be flammable and not safe for others.

Observe around as other people can be waiting before you for charging. 

Report the breakdown if possible to the provider so they can fix earlier.

Keep an eye on charging & if your required charging is complete than move out from the space as many people can be waiting for you to disconnect.

Safety

Be careful with surroundings and lock your car.

Also be aware of the Parking charges and read the notifications around as parking charges apply after certain duration.