Dummy's Guide To EV Charging | All The Things They DON'T Tell You!

Buying an electric vehicle isn't like a petrol vehicle. It's not that it's complicated... it's just different. And for those starting out, it can be difficult to know where to start. That's why we've put together this video to help beginners understand where to start. So even if you know nothing about electric vehicle, and all you've heard are horror stories, this video will answer any questions you may have (and many that you didn't).

Even for those who've been driving EVs for years, there's plenty to learn so we've got you cover.

If you liked this video, please be sure to give us a thumbs up and subscribe for more content like this! And if there's anything we've missed, be sure to let us know in the comments down below.

For those who don't have access to home charging:

// What To Watch Next

Home Charging Explained | Is A 3-Pin Plug Enough For You?

Home Charging Explained | Using A 3-Pin 13-Amp Plug For An Electric Vehicle

Why Sainsbury's Smart Charge May TRANSFORM The EV Charging Landscape

EV Charging | Why I Hesitated About Sharing This Hidden Gem

Dummy's Guide To EV Charging | Don't Make These Mistakes

// Socials

// Patreon Supporters
Special thanks to all those who have contributed to the channel. Your support means everything.

Legend Plus: Darren Pain

Above And Beyond: John Buckoke

VIP: Tom Davison | Gary Heavens | Kodzo | Kenn | Andrew Leader | Jason Herrick | Lee Houten | Graham Russell | Wayne Follett | phil rundle | Stuart Joscelyne | Tom Walker | Michael W | Barry rathbone Ledsom | Peter Hartland | Charles Siddons | 2 Thumbs in the Thumbnail | Ray Daly | Simon Smith | Richard Waghorn | Rachael McLoughlin | Stephen Bagwell | Catrin Hubbarde | Brendan McHale | Julie Marriott

Supporter: Paul Egan | Kim Edwards | Alan Williams | Nicholas Campbell | David kramrisch | Peter Lawrence | Oliver Roche-Clarke | Andy Hamilton

YouTube Super Thanks:
geoffpeters8843 | brettkemmerer1310 | leesmart1971 | michaelketley1252 | ballathiam9486 | esa4aus | stephenappleby7897 | cjsa9253 | Joe-lb8qn | rayd332 | StanDMan01 | Mora41 | 68smurfin | 1973Hog | mortenvollaug6530 | pdrpdrvolvo

#EV #Charging #DaveTakesItOn #EVCharging #Sustainability #ElectricVehicleCharging #FutureOfDriving

00:00 - Start
00:45 - Can you charge at home?
01:05 - Huge variety of chargers and prices
01:57 - Totally free EV Charging
02:31 - Nissan and Renault free charging
02:38 - Tesla supercharger network
02:46 - Vauxhall free charging
03:44 - Kerb Gullies
04:17 - Off street parking and charging
04:33 - What are all those cables for?
04:49 - Portable 3kW EV charger
05:27 - External weatherproof socket
09:55 - £1,000 wall charger; is it needed?
11:14 - Commando portable charger; a lot more power
12:32 - Is a 7kW wall mounted charger needed?
12:48 - 50kW DC home charger
13:50 - 7kW wall charger from about £400
14:46 - What features do you need?
15:39 - Wall chargers compatible with PV and ome storage batteries
15:59 - Standard variable tariff price cap
16:13 - Marker 20
16:44 - EV cost per mile
17:29 - Cost per mile off peak rates
18:13 - Visit family and friends with home charging
18:59 - Public chargers from extortionate to just expensive
19:35 - Look for the deals

[livingladolcevita]

Recently saw a video by artisan electrics and were advising to check your solar/ battery system does not favour charging your car over house use. Could end up with an empty house house battery, most being just 11 Kwh. storage

[malcym]

I've researched the law relating to "cross pavement" charging. Most local authorities say you cannot use a cable, even with protective / safety measures in place. Thus they will not give permission. However, the legislation they cite (the Highways Act - in Scotland it's the Roads Act) does NOT say placing a cable across a road (including a pavement) is illegal. It says it's illegal UNLESS you assess the risk, use mitigating measures, and give users a warning. That's very different to 'you just can't do it'.

Can the local authority refuse permission to do cross-pavement charging? I can find NO legislation that gives authorities powers to give or withhold permission for placing a cable. They have the ability to seek removal of obstructions. But, (other than specific cases such as building works) they do not have the power to require permission. Even if they did, the authorities' power is limited to issuing a directive to remove the obstruction within 30 days. I suspect that very few EV users will have a cable laid out for one day, never mind 30.

What is required is a declaration from Westminster & Holyrood to local authorities clarifying what the law actually states, and the actual powers of local authorities. They could decide to place new restrictions on cross-pavement charging - e.g. to limit use only overnight (which is when most EV tariffs tend to apply anyway). They can amend the legislation - e.g. to define flush-fitting solutions such as Kerbo as legal by default (although if the installation requires excavation of the pavement, it WOULD require local authority permission). Should authorities be allowed to charge an annual licensing fee for such devices (as some seem to be doing)? I don't know. But authorities justify licensing by saying they need to inspect such installations to confirm they remain in an acceptable condition. The same can be achieved by including a clause in the amended legislation to impose a requirement on users to ensure the installation remains safe.

Ultimately, if we are all having to move to electric powered vehicles, some form of cross-pavement charging will have to become part of the charging mix. We can't expect 1/3 to 1/2 of the population to use inconvenient / costly public charging. Charging a vehicle will need to be as straightforward as charging a phone. It'll take time but, to get the support of the majority of drivers, it has to happen.

[Old_Peepar]

Dave, over the years I have had many hobbies and interests, nearly always finding myself buying associated magazines, they always have one thing in common, the longer they run the more complex they get.
The are so many EV’s being purchase there will always be a need to occasionally go back to the very basics of EV ownership.
I hope you keep these dummies guides going, even those of us that are EV veterans can always do with a reminder. 👍

[archiefleming]

No matter how you charge your EV the incredible depreciation more than any savings you think you get when you bùy an EV

[chaspainter]

Is it okay to charge to 100%% so I’ve got a full battery every morning?

[michaelbraithwaite]

Dave. You deserve more subscribers. Always invaluable info. I have had my ev for just over 1 year now....company car and must say your content has put my mind at rest. I watched a what car petrol mini Vs electric mini earlier today...their figures for comparison in cost were completely wrong...if you do post content...I would expect such a large magazine like what car to be at least fair and accurate...keep up the good work.

[mikegipson]

Most of the 3 Pin chargers are running at 10amps so will normally be providing about 2.2-2.4kW maybe 2.3kW when served by a standard 3 Pin socket. :)

[CosmosRays]

Dave, most people that charge via UK 3pin plug (13Amp 3kw) or a standard fitted commando socket (32Amp 7.2kw) are highly unlikely to be covered by appropriate RCD and have appropriate PEN fault detection relevant to safe charging of an EV.

I would certainly recommend for regular EV charging to have a fully fitted and tested EVSE equipment (wall charger).

Personally I would say use other charging opportunities to get you out a bind or short term short period charging.

I honestly don’t think enough emphasis is placed and highlighted with regard to current UK electrical regulations and ‘best practice’ for people charging with correctly fitted EVSE (chargers) with fault detection and protection.

Keep the videos. Coming Dave, love watching them. 👍🏻

[maggygwire]

Just had a 32 amp commando wall socket fitted for my Tesla and it works perfectly. Will it be okay for British Gas ev rate or do I need to have one of their chargers? If so I’ll stay on the tariff I’m on

[Jawlf]

A fantastic explanation of how to charge your EV covering all the options. Great job Dave!

[emw]

Just after I bought my Tesla I installed a 32A 7kW commando socket, which has the same output as run of the mill home charger, except the socket itself cost £46. I bought a Blue commando socket adapter from Tesla which fits onto the granny charger, which cost £39. On top of that I paid about £250 for installation, which included all materials. I have since purchased a dedicated 7kW Charger with built-in commando plug from Amazon for about £150, which is great as it has and LCD display and lots of features which protects the cars and home electrics, much like a standalone home charger.

[robertowen]

Well Dave, I am not someone who is likely to be buying an Electrical Vehicle any time soon, but speaking as a person with a lifetime's work in electrical engineering I have to applaud you. This appears to be very sound and practical advice for all who own or are considering running an E.V. People who are considering entering this market, and for whom current E.V. depreciation is not a problem because they intend to keep their vehicle, will surely benefit from this clear and comprehensive information. Excellent work.

[sausagemcgregory]

Great video as always Dave. Regarding 3 pin EVSE chargers. I would advise against charging at 13A ( 3.2 Kw ) for any prolonged period of time as the plug will get warm after a few hours of use. This progressive warming and cooling of the plug /socket can damage the plastic over time on the socket and end up causing fire or damage. I would recommend 10 A (2.4 Kw) maximum from a 3 pin plug, even a heavy duty socket. Also make sure that the socket you use is ideally not part of a ring circuit and is a on its own dedicated radial circuit prefereably with no other equipment using the circuit when you are charging the car. Many of these new EVSE chargers have an adaptable amperage rate from 6/8/10 and13A. I am a low to medium mileage user and personally charge my Nissan Leaf at 6 or 8A. An 8A charge can almost fully charge a 30kwh Leaf over night so If you're not a high mileage driver charging at these lower ampages will keep the plug cool and is much safer. I've had my car for almost 5 years and never had to use a dedicated charger the 3 pin has done 90% of my charges with no problems whatsoever.

[stevecoinitin]

Sorry, but the pence per mile figures are very wrong!
I haven't worked out the true cost of a Petrol car pence per mile, but it will be more than the 12p or so that the AA might come up with! 1st year after includes what should be included, like depreciation etc, might be 50p per mile or so.
A 5 year old Petrol car might be about 20p
You did not include the home charger installation cost, nor did you include the far steeper EV depreciation (about 50% in the 1st year and an average of 10% after year 4 from searching the internet) and servicing/repair cost from what I saw!
Include all that and the figure for new EV'S in the 1st year with 12, 5000 miles covered, is about £1.60 a mile.
With a 5 year old EV say with 125, 000 miles covered, the pence per mile for year 5 will be a lot lower, probably about 30 pence per mile with normal servicing and home charger installation cost now not included.
I haven't even included the higher cost of buying an EV or that a 5 year old EV will be closer to needing a new battery than not!

As for home chargers, there's no way in the world I'd have any EV plugged into a house wall or in the garage!
A home charger for me would be a small trench dug, so the charger sits independently 15 metres from the house with an extra circuit breaker in a waterproof closet on the drive. At worst, a hedge or fence might catch fire!

[andyhamilton]

I tripped myself up today. My Egolf only charges at 40kw so at Wetherby services I left the high power charges to those who need it, plugged into a 50kw charger and came out to have a neighbour and 25kw each. Next time it’s busy I’ll use the high power ones.

Wetherby looks to be getting a load more installed.

[layking]

Thanks Dave, but where can I buy the Portable 3kW EV charger? Any discount? I need a portable EV charger for my road trip/

[chaspainter]

Is it okay to charge to 100%% so I’ve got a full battery every morning?

[CEUOTC]

Great work Dave, excellent information. Just finished doing a 1000+ mile round trip this week for the first time. The IONITY Passport came in handy and the 20% off GRIDSERVE. The cost of this trip was on PAR with my old ICE Kia Xceed doing the same trip (Moray to Lincolnshire and back). Home charger is great, ‘we’ got a discounted charger fitted as we bought a 2nd hand MG5.

[brianwright]

Dave the reason we install a 7kw charger is to get cheap electricity which also runs wahing machine and dishwasher possibly tumble dryer we are not as stupid as you think.

[oliverowner]

2.2kW maximum (10A is usually quoted), unless a heavier duty connector - like the commando plug and socket - is used instead of a standard three pin square (well actually rectangular, of course) pronged 13A plug.

The plug and socket are not rated at 3kW for continuous use, such as the longer times the EV charger may be in operation. A 13A draw is perfectly adequate for washing machines, dishwashers, etc, which typically only operate for a few minutes at high power (heating the water).

A 7kW charger is more efficient appliance than the lower charge rates - the charger and the car both have losses (the car will be rather more than the charger - I think my car loses around 3.5% at ~7kW), so fewer hours charging equates to less losses.

Apart from the above, a good guide for newbies to EV charging.