One of the biggest advantages of EVs that can get overlooked is in reducing air pollution. Of course where this is an issue, and where councils have targets to reduce it, is in dense urban environments. Bristol City Council's own planned diesel band and Clean Air Zone encompasses just the city centre and immediate residential areas.
I live in the latter, and let me tell you there are very few people in such areas who have the luxury of a driveway or dedicated off-street parking.
Which is why it's annoying that the OLEV grant doesn't cover people without a driveway, and some councils appear to be discourage charging EVs at homes without driveways. Fortunately BCC don't appear to fall into that camp and having written to the mayor I've been told they're not planning to clamp down or fine people that do.
Then you have the simple fact that charging at home is far cheaper than using public charge points (unless they're free) and far more able to cater for additional uptake in EVs.
Anyway, where there's a will there's a way, and of course common sense prevails, but I thought it'd be useful to share my setup. No referral links!
QUBEV 7kW Charger: QUBEV - EV Charging Unit | Type 2 Socket | 32 Amp/7.2 kW | IP65 |
Not quite the smallest on the market (EO Mini) but not far off and similarly discreet. The branded label can easily be peeled off so it's just a black box (also been tempted to spray or decorate it to match the house's brickwork but cba yet).
Without the OLEV grant it makes no sense to go for any other models really, and I got it installed for £300. Make sure you ask for the RCD inside to be installed within reach! I flip mine off when not in use, partially for security but mainly because the QUBEV's light flashes blue when it's ready to charge which is just annoying when it's stuck on the front of your house.
10m Type2 to Type2 Cable: EV Public Charging Cable | Type 2 to Type 2 | 16/32 Amp | 3.6/7.2 kW | 5/10 Metre |
Seems fine so far (it works!). Plenty long enough to both reach my car when outside and safely tuck it under the wheel arch to prevent people walking into loose cables.
External Cable Protector (1m): External Cable Protector from The Workplace Depot
Really good, it's entirely made of rubber so it doesn't shift an inch when on the floor even if kicked. Can be connected (and cut down) to get lengths over 1m which I may consider at some point if needed but so far it seems enough. Flap opens from the top so it's not a faff to run the cable through unlike, I imagine, some of the ones where the channel is underneath.
Nest Cam Outdoor: Nest Cam Outdoor - Outdoor CCTV Camera - Google Store
Obviously optional. Bit of extra security so you can be happy to turn SentryCam off, but main use is that I've set up an alert zone over the top of the parked cars so I get notified of movement... basically so I know if/when the space outside becomes available and I can move into it if needed.
Solar Security Light: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Outdoor-Karrong-Bright-Security-Motion/dp/B07RL68NY5
I actually got mine from the legendary Aldi middle-aisle for £4.99 but the above is identical. It's stuck above my door and rather than security it's for pedestrian safety as it lights up the footpath and the cable cover at night. I only turn it on when charging and it works surprising well; as soon as someone gets within 3-5m of the cable cover it turns on and having watched people from the Nest Cam it really does do its job. You can see it's effect in the first image. Highly recommended!
Octopus Go
Goes without saying. I plug the car in when I go to bed at ~10.30-11.30pm and take it back as soon as I'm up at ~7am so most neighbours probably don't even know I plug it in overnight at all. I'd prefer to get it in before the school runs as I know little kids can run about without looking properly and of course the cover is bigger for them in comparison to an adult.
Hope that helps anyone that was in a similar situation to me. I've had absolutely no problems, complaints or issues, and if anything my neighbours have been great and were almost as excited as I was when my SR+ finally arrived.
I live in the latter, and let me tell you there are very few people in such areas who have the luxury of a driveway or dedicated off-street parking.
Which is why it's annoying that the OLEV grant doesn't cover people without a driveway, and some councils appear to be discourage charging EVs at homes without driveways. Fortunately BCC don't appear to fall into that camp and having written to the mayor I've been told they're not planning to clamp down or fine people that do.
Then you have the simple fact that charging at home is far cheaper than using public charge points (unless they're free) and far more able to cater for additional uptake in EVs.
Anyway, where there's a will there's a way, and of course common sense prevails, but I thought it'd be useful to share my setup. No referral links!
QUBEV 7kW Charger: QUBEV - EV Charging Unit | Type 2 Socket | 32 Amp/7.2 kW | IP65 |
Not quite the smallest on the market (EO Mini) but not far off and similarly discreet. The branded label can easily be peeled off so it's just a black box (also been tempted to spray or decorate it to match the house's brickwork but cba yet).
Without the OLEV grant it makes no sense to go for any other models really, and I got it installed for £300. Make sure you ask for the RCD inside to be installed within reach! I flip mine off when not in use, partially for security but mainly because the QUBEV's light flashes blue when it's ready to charge which is just annoying when it's stuck on the front of your house.
10m Type2 to Type2 Cable: EV Public Charging Cable | Type 2 to Type 2 | 16/32 Amp | 3.6/7.2 kW | 5/10 Metre |
Seems fine so far (it works!). Plenty long enough to both reach my car when outside and safely tuck it under the wheel arch to prevent people walking into loose cables.
External Cable Protector (1m): External Cable Protector from The Workplace Depot
Really good, it's entirely made of rubber so it doesn't shift an inch when on the floor even if kicked. Can be connected (and cut down) to get lengths over 1m which I may consider at some point if needed but so far it seems enough. Flap opens from the top so it's not a faff to run the cable through unlike, I imagine, some of the ones where the channel is underneath.
Nest Cam Outdoor: Nest Cam Outdoor - Outdoor CCTV Camera - Google Store
Obviously optional. Bit of extra security so you can be happy to turn SentryCam off, but main use is that I've set up an alert zone over the top of the parked cars so I get notified of movement... basically so I know if/when the space outside becomes available and I can move into it if needed.
Solar Security Light: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Outdoor-Karrong-Bright-Security-Motion/dp/B07RL68NY5
I actually got mine from the legendary Aldi middle-aisle for £4.99 but the above is identical. It's stuck above my door and rather than security it's for pedestrian safety as it lights up the footpath and the cable cover at night. I only turn it on when charging and it works surprising well; as soon as someone gets within 3-5m of the cable cover it turns on and having watched people from the Nest Cam it really does do its job. You can see it's effect in the first image. Highly recommended!
Octopus Go
Goes without saying. I plug the car in when I go to bed at ~10.30-11.30pm and take it back as soon as I'm up at ~7am so most neighbours probably don't even know I plug it in overnight at all. I'd prefer to get it in before the school runs as I know little kids can run about without looking properly and of course the cover is bigger for them in comparison to an adult.
Hope that helps anyone that was in a similar situation to me. I've had absolutely no problems, complaints or issues, and if anything my neighbours have been great and were almost as excited as I was when my SR+ finally arrived.
