Why do people get such strong feelings over electric cars and solar panels etc.

[Alex321]

We have just put a deposit on a Tesla Powerwall 3 to be fitted in September. It’s a big investment I know but it will mean much lower energy bills, better export rates and self sufficient in power with a whopping 13.5 kW battery.
Have had to arrange smart meter fitting too but oh well.

We have a 16.4 kWh battery. And yes, it makes a huge difference. At this time of year, it rarely drops below 70% charge overnight, and is always fully charged, with us exporting leccy by about this time of day, even on a dull day.

And in the winter, when we don't get enough sulight for all our needs, we charge the battery between 02:30 and 05:00, when it is cheap, then use that during the day.

 

[dicko]

We have a 16.4 kWh battery. And yes, it makes a huge difference. At this time of year, it rarely drops below 70% charge overnight, and is always fully charged, with us exporting leccy by about this time of day, even on a dull day.

And in the winter, when we don't get enough sulight for all our needs, we charge the battery between 02:30 and 05:00, when it is cheap, then use that during the day.

Exactly what we pan to do

 

[dicko]

We had our Smart Meters fitted yesterday and I am amazed at how much energy our solar/batteries save us. Cooking the dinner, running the washing machine, boiling the kettle all done by solar and TV viewing in the evening from our batteries nothing from the grid. I just didn’t see this before our smart meter was fitted but it’s staggering to see just how much the solar panels save in £.

 

[mjr]

We had our Smart Meters fitted yesterday and I am amazed at how much energy our solar/batteries save us. Cooking the dinner, running the washing machine, boiling the kettle all done by solar and TV viewing in the evening from our batteries nothing from the grid. I just didn’t see this before our smart meter was fitted but it’s staggering to see just how much the solar panels save in £.

Now you've got smart meters, are you able to get a smart tariff that lets you charge the batteries cheaply and maybe even export any extra at peak rate?

 

[mjr]

Your clothes aren't. Many people don't like getting soaked when popping to the shops, nor do they like a soggy baguette when they get back home.

Are you sure? I'm pretty sure my coat is waterproof, as are my panniers. I also have a rain cover for the occasional oversize item strapped to the rack.

There are some situations where an E-car would be much better than an E-bike but simple rain really isn't one.

 

[Alex321]

Now you've got smart meters, are you able to get a smart tariff that lets you charge the batteries cheaply and maybe even export any extra at peak rate?

If he is with Octopus he certainly should be able to. We are with them, and we do that. Over the summer we get paid a reasonable amount for the export, over the winter we charge the batteries at the cheap rate between 2:30 and 5:00, then use that during the follinig day.

 

[Legs]

https://www.blackcircles.com/tyres/electric-vehicles/microlino-ev-lbs

Sorry forgot the link.

I saw one of those buzzing up the hill on the A34 from Didcot to Chilton a couple of weeks ago, at 35mph. The young lady inside looked somewhat nervous. Probably a bit like doing a time-trial on a tricycle.

 

[dicko]

Now you've got smart meters, are you able to get a smart tariff that lets you charge the batteries cheaply and maybe even export any extra at peak rate?

Yes, Octopus Flux is what we intend to sign up to tomorrow when our Tesla arrives.

 

[icowden]

Are you sure? I'm pretty sure my coat is waterproof, as are my panniers. I also have a rain cover for the occasional oversize item strapped to the rack.

I'm pretty sure it's just water resistant and that heavy enough rain will make you wet. Most people can't be bothered with all that stuff just to nip to the shops.

It's not that it can't be done, just that if you need ketchup for the kids dinner which will be ready in 15 minutes it's a lot quicker to jump in the car than to tog up in full waterproofs, get the bike out of the shed, cycle to the co-op, lock the bike, get the ketchup, unlock the bike, cycle home, put the bike away, disrobe the wet clothes in the hallway serve dinner then hang up the clothes to dry.

 

[Reynard]

It's not that it can't be done, just that if you need ketchup for the kids dinner which will be ready in 15 minutes it's a lot quicker to jump in the car than to tog up in full waterproofs, get the bike out of the shed, cycle to the co-op, lock the bike, get the ketchup, unlock the bike, cycle home, put the bike away, disrobe the wet clothes in the hallway serve dinner then hang up the clothes to dry.

Wouldn't it just be easier to buy a new ketchup as soon as you open the old one? Would negate the whole getting wet thing in the first place

Living out in the boonies gives you a weird perspective on life LOL

 

[icowden]

Wouldn't it just be easier to buy a new ketchup as soon as you open the old one? Would negate the whole getting wet thing in the first place

It would. Do you own any teenagers? This sort of thing happens more often than I would like!

 

[Reynard]

It would. Do you own any teenagers? This sort of thing happens more often than I would like!

I do not own any offspring. I am however, owned by a cat.

And I have to confess that I'm more of a chilli sauce kind of girl.

 

[tyred]

Speaking as someone who grew up on farm in a remote area, as a child if we ran out of something, it could wait until the local grocer came around in his Type 2 VW mobile shop on a Thursday and there was no endlessly running to the shop for something non-essential. Why does everyone want everything instantly now?

 

[classic33]

Speaking as someone who grew up on farm in a remote area, as a child if we ran out of something, it could wait until the local grocer came around in his Type 2 VW mobile shop on a Thursday and there was no endlessly running to the shop for something non-essential. Why does everyone want everything instantly now?

On holiday it was a case of the nearest shop being nearly three miles away that prevented us going as kids.
Even though walking was more commonplace than today, we'd still have had trouble due to the road not being the quickest way there.

 

[dicko]

The Tesla has arrived