ChargeMaster - installing charging points - is it worth it?

[ftm42]

I made a speculative enquiry re installing a car charge point in our driveway, making use of an apparent Government sponsored scheme where you can have one installed free of charge. They want to come and do a survey AND install, but I know little about this scheme and whether its really worth it.

Is the take-up of electric car buying worth the possible disruption of having one installed?

If we did opt to have one, how much should it cost if we don't go through this firm [who tell me it will cost c£1.5K after the Government funding for this scheme has run out].

Any advice please? Some details they have emailed on to me:

Types of units


Type 1 Tethered (J1772): This unit is currently compatible with Nissan Leaf, Chevrolet Volt, Vauxhall Ampera, Toyota Prius, Renault Kangoo, Mitsubishi i-MiEV, Citroen C Zero.


Type 2 Tethered (Mennekes): This unit is currently compatible with the Renault Zoe and Volvo V60, New BMW, Tesla Model S, VW E-Golf & E-Up.


Both of these units are installed with a built in cable which has a socket on the end which will go into the car.




Type 2 Socketed Unit: This is a slightly more universal unit in that instead of a built in cable it has a Type 2 Socketed end at the charge point. This allows you to charge either a Type 1 or Type 2 vehicle with the appropriate cable which would need to be purchased separately.



Note: As part of the offer we would install a standard 16amp unit free of charge, if you would like a 30amp unit this will be an additional £95.​

 

[Ashley_Price]

Sorry, I am not quite sure what you're asking. At first I assumed you wanted one at your home, as this is the FREE service they offer.

However, you then ask if the take up of electric car buying is worth it, so it sounds like you'd be using it for some kind of business, in which case, have you seen Point 11 of their T&Cs: "You declare that you are not VAT registered, are claiming this chargepoint as a private individual, and will not claim the VAT back from HMRC"?

 

[ftm42]

Thanks Ashley_Price! Slight misrepresentation I think - my fault!

At the moment, we're being offered the freebie, but not sure if is any point [pun intended?] as they don't seem keen to come and take a look at our property and tell us how disruptive it will be. We were approached as I'd asked for details having registered our driveway on 'Parkatmyhouse' and am intending to rent out the driveway. He said that lots of people are enquiring as a chargepoint will encourage drivers to come and rent our drive, if they have an electric car [as v to us having an electric car ourselves, which we have no intention of doing].

What you say implies that we couldn't rent out our chargepoint, in conjunction with renting out our driveway? We could however, encourage people to rent our driveway in the first place, but would have to stand the cost of the electrics ourselves, if they chose to use our chargepoint too? Is there a point in installing one if we don't have electric cars, other than to encourage others who do own electric cars to rent the drive?

The way he told it, the Government are actively trying to encourage private individuals to install them so that they can then publicise that they have a nationwide network of charging points that the general public can use in the future. Seems a bit of a mixed message between Chargemaster and the Gov't?

 

[Ashley_Price]

I would get something in writing from Chargemaster to confirm whether you could rent out your drive if you had this installed for free. Their T&Cs seem very specific about it not being for business use.

Usually, companies change their mind when you ask them to put in writing what they have been telling you verbally.

My in-laws recently had a problem with their phone line. The operator on the phone ran some checks and told us that it was "100% an external problem" (i.e. not a fault with my in-law's equipment). When I asked for this in writing, the chap said they would do this. Instead, we got a call a couple of days later saying they would have to inspect in-laws equipment to check there wasn't a problem but if there was there'd be a £150 charge.

 

[PDW Electrical Services]

We have undertook the courses and are qualified to install these points

I personally looked into installing them for my domestic clients, then claiming the grant back for them, but its such a long winded rediculous procedure you have to carry out for every point you install, to qualify for the grant, its just not worth my time as a small business, hence the reason why its mostly the big firms like british gas who have the monopoly on installing them for free etc!

The grant is for 75%of the installation costs up to £1000, i would estimate that 90% of the time these points can be supplied and installed for around £750, £1500 would be a rare occasion if the install was particuarly difficult, but they are generally not difficult to install for any decent electrician who's qualified to install them, i would say around half day to a day max