Charging car, home, away and costs
Discussion
Hi all, I am after some advice, and hopefully experience led help.
I am considering an i3 Rex, for my daily commute of between 70 and 100 miles per day. We would likely be fine with the non Rex, but with no charging at work, and the occasional longer journey, the Rex would make me feel more comfortable, and worry free.
I have seen options for home charging stations, but what do people find the overnight cost of a full charge? Is it worth changing to economy 7, assuming it's available. Anyone done it? Our central heating and hot water is gas, but everything else is electric. The washer, dryer and dishwasher can all be delayed to take advantage of cheaper night tarif, and our other appliances are new, so in theory relatively efficient. Would the car charge and night time white goods appliances be the main bulk of our electricity usuage? Making economy 7 an option?
There seems to be a lot of charging away from home solutions, but are any free? Are they all PAYG? I would have thought the Rex negates any need for them, though if it's free in some car parks, why not top up? I have seen some in the local Asda, but no electric cars in them, just usually 10 year old bangers.... Though that's another story.... Also there are some at Scotch Corner services, which would be an ideal half way stopping point on the main occasional long journey we would make. If this is payable, would it be easier/cheaper to just top up the petrol tank, whilst getting the obligatory Costa coffee for the wife?
How are people finding the Rex use for longer journeys? I have read it can be noisy, but for us, it is only going to be used a few times a month at a guess. Does the Rex mean the fast charging option is pointless, meaning more money for a gadget option?
Also, how does it work with bic and corporation tax. I have a limited company, so can pay through the that. The bic is fairly low, but that is a additional cost I don't pay at the moment. The car I use for the work run is paid for (12 year old focus), and costs about £250 in petrol a month, plus tax, and bits going wrong every now and then. For a i3 Rex on lease, initial quotes come out at £460 (3x35, 15kpa with most options) but as that comes out of the business account direct, is that before or after any corporation tax, I.e. Does It cost me far less than £460 per month, plus the petrol saving (minus electric cost) and pretty much no maintenance cost, mean the car is only costing me a few £100 per month more than my current work commute, for a new car, and a special one at that? (Especially since the old focus doesn't have aircon etc....)
Sorry it's more of an essay rather than a specific question, but I think I am looking for someone to tell me what a great idea it will be, and how much little extra it would cost to be driving a new i3 compared to my trusty old steed.
I am considering an i3 Rex, for my daily commute of between 70 and 100 miles per day. We would likely be fine with the non Rex, but with no charging at work, and the occasional longer journey, the Rex would make me feel more comfortable, and worry free.
I have seen options for home charging stations, but what do people find the overnight cost of a full charge? Is it worth changing to economy 7, assuming it's available. Anyone done it? Our central heating and hot water is gas, but everything else is electric. The washer, dryer and dishwasher can all be delayed to take advantage of cheaper night tarif, and our other appliances are new, so in theory relatively efficient. Would the car charge and night time white goods appliances be the main bulk of our electricity usuage? Making economy 7 an option?
There seems to be a lot of charging away from home solutions, but are any free? Are they all PAYG? I would have thought the Rex negates any need for them, though if it's free in some car parks, why not top up? I have seen some in the local Asda, but no electric cars in them, just usually 10 year old bangers.... Though that's another story.... Also there are some at Scotch Corner services, which would be an ideal half way stopping point on the main occasional long journey we would make. If this is payable, would it be easier/cheaper to just top up the petrol tank, whilst getting the obligatory Costa coffee for the wife?
How are people finding the Rex use for longer journeys? I have read it can be noisy, but for us, it is only going to be used a few times a month at a guess. Does the Rex mean the fast charging option is pointless, meaning more money for a gadget option?
Also, how does it work with bic and corporation tax. I have a limited company, so can pay through the that. The bic is fairly low, but that is a additional cost I don't pay at the moment. The car I use for the work run is paid for (12 year old focus), and costs about £250 in petrol a month, plus tax, and bits going wrong every now and then. For a i3 Rex on lease, initial quotes come out at £460 (3x35, 15kpa with most options) but as that comes out of the business account direct, is that before or after any corporation tax, I.e. Does It cost me far less than £460 per month, plus the petrol saving (minus electric cost) and pretty much no maintenance cost, mean the car is only costing me a few £100 per month more than my current work commute, for a new car, and a special one at that? (Especially since the old focus doesn't have aircon etc....)
Sorry it's more of an essay rather than a specific question, but I think I am looking for someone to tell me what a great idea it will be, and how much little extra it would cost to be driving a new i3 compared to my trusty old steed.
Have you driven one? They are great fun to drive.
The mileage you mention is on the edge for battery only. Yes I would get DC rapid, will likely reduce the lease cost! A 15min rapid charge would cover the gap. Ecotricity Rapids are currently free, but this will change this year.
BMW are currently offering a free home L2 charger for vehicles delivered before April.
There's a very active and friendly i3 forum on Facebook, bmwi3uk, you'll get a lot of info from there.
The mileage you mention is on the edge for battery only. Yes I would get DC rapid, will likely reduce the lease cost! A 15min rapid charge would cover the gap. Ecotricity Rapids are currently free, but this will change this year.
BMW are currently offering a free home L2 charger for vehicles delivered before April.
There's a very active and friendly i3 forum on Facebook, bmwi3uk, you'll get a lot of info from there.
Edited by modeller on Friday 29th January 22:49
Thanks for that. I haven't driven one yet, that's the next thing to do. I know I will be smitten, that's why I wanted to try and figure how much extra it's going to cost.
We also have a Range Rover to return soon, which will be replaced by a much cheaper lease car, so the saving on that will likely counter any additional cost for the i3. I am thinking the i3 will be the car we use more often, so want all the gadgets, and Rex for peace of mind.
Will have to look at the rapid charge, speck be it puts the lease cost up by over £10, but the. I have only had a quick play on leasing options website, as that lest you spec up and see additional cost.
Will be having a chat with BMW direct next week, to see what costs they have for business lease, especially if they have a free charger too.
We also have a Range Rover to return soon, which will be replaced by a much cheaper lease car, so the saving on that will likely counter any additional cost for the i3. I am thinking the i3 will be the car we use more often, so want all the gadgets, and Rex for peace of mind.
Will have to look at the rapid charge, speck be it puts the lease cost up by over £10, but the. I have only had a quick play on leasing options website, as that lest you spec up and see additional cost.
Will be having a chat with BMW direct next week, to see what costs they have for business lease, especially if they have a free charger too.
Why do you think ecotricity rapids will change? News to me. I also use CYC at railway stations and some city centre car parks and they are free although they charge more slowly as they're designed for leaving your car plugged in for hours. Some towns/schemes charge - you need to do some homework on where you drive using zap map or plugshare, but I've found where I live and drive I can avoid these.
Anyway.. OP, whatever you think the range might be, it won't be. And you'll never want to be driving a car on a regular basis that ticks down to 0 mile range as you pull onto your drive as one day you'll get stuck in a jam, or the weather will be cold or windy or wet, or you need to nip to a shop. If your daily distance is close then I'd get the range extender for piece of mind and dc charging to give you a quick cheap boost.
Tesla owners who will be dumping in more electricity than you are over night find it a bit marginal for Eco7 primarily due to the extra standing charge. I'd be tempted to initially not bother, see how much you actually charge at home and then do the maths. I've probably only put £20 of electricity in the Tesla in 3k miles, the rest using charging away from home for free so while in theory I could save something like £5 a night on Eco7 if I fully charged every day, my real world usage means its not worth it.
Anyway.. OP, whatever you think the range might be, it won't be. And you'll never want to be driving a car on a regular basis that ticks down to 0 mile range as you pull onto your drive as one day you'll get stuck in a jam, or the weather will be cold or windy or wet, or you need to nip to a shop. If your daily distance is close then I'd get the range extender for piece of mind and dc charging to give you a quick cheap boost.
Tesla owners who will be dumping in more electricity than you are over night find it a bit marginal for Eco7 primarily due to the extra standing charge. I'd be tempted to initially not bother, see how much you actually charge at home and then do the maths. I've probably only put £20 of electricity in the Tesla in 3k miles, the rest using charging away from home for free so while in theory I could save something like £5 a night on Eco7 if I fully charged every day, my real world usage means its not worth it.
Ecotricity have indicated free is ending, head over to speakev forum for the debate on this!
OP, when I was looking to lease a few months ago the best lease deals were not from BMW directly. Checkout http://www.contracthireandleasing.com.
OP, when I was looking to lease a few months ago the best lease deals were not from BMW directly. Checkout http://www.contracthireandleasing.com.
Does anyone have any guidance on the finance side of things? Does the monthly lease payment come off my corporation tax calc, so the monthly payment times twelve comes of my gross profit? Then I only have to pay the BIK? Or is it not as simple as that?
Having access to two cars means I can use it just for business miles, and can the insurance cost be counted as a business cost?
Also, VAT, is it only 10% I would pay, I am on the flat rate scheme.
To fast charge prep is pretty much a cost free option, though don't really know where I would use it. The only charge points I see where I park and use on a regular basis are in Asda, but always have 10 year old cars dumped in them. In their wisdom, someone placed them in the nearest spaces right near the door, If they we at the far end, they would be available.....
Having access to two cars means I can use it just for business miles, and can the insurance cost be counted as a business cost?
Also, VAT, is it only 10% I would pay, I am on the flat rate scheme.
To fast charge prep is pretty much a cost free option, though don't really know where I would use it. The only charge points I see where I park and use on a regular basis are in Asda, but always have 10 year old cars dumped in them. In their wisdom, someone placed them in the nearest spaces right near the door, If they we at the far end, they would be available.....
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