Accessing EV charging points in the UK - how?

KCross wrote: »

Answered here:
http://touch.boards.ie/thread/2057584653/1

They will post one over without car details.

You need to double check your route home though as you may need to use a network other than ecotricity.

That's a hell of a posting KCross - thanks for that. I've done a car import run within the last year from the UK. Between the run itself and the paperwork, it's not without some difficulty. However, an EV import brings on another level of complexity.

You've covered all of the issues I've been contemplating (albeit I'm working in advance as I have as yet to source a vehicle...but that's only a matter of time).

PM sent.

I've now received both my Ecars/ESB card and my Ecotricity card for their UK rapid charging network.

All that's missing is a car! The search continues...

k123456 wrote: »

Hi makeorbrake , just out of interest, approx how much are you saving importing a car from UK, and what year are you planning to buy... Thanks

It's hard to say at the moment. Thought it was more until I discovered a lot of what I was looking at was leased-battery - not battery owned. It's frustrating as a lot of adverts don't state this.

Probably not as much as I first envisaged but there's still a difference probably of a couple of thousand. Also, sterling has dropped back a bit (due to Brexit uncertainty) which helps.

I'm looking for something very specific - so would probably have to wait for an age for it to come up in Ireland i.e. a 132 (63 reg) Mk 1.5 Acenta with 6.6kW on-board charging that's battery-owned rather than leased. They're not that plentiful in the UK either but I'll simply wait and bide my time until something suitable at the right price point pops up.

Decide what you need - and check for yourself - making the comparisons between what you see on autotrader and carzone / carsireland. Just make sure you are comparing like with like.

As an example, I was offered a 141 Leaf Acenta for £8250 (€10,350) last week. Cheapest similar I can find on carzone = €14,500. I'd imagine the irish thing will mean there will be some discounting off that price whereas they dont tend to do that as much in the UK (or not to the same extent).

k123456 wrote: »

certainly big savings to me made 4k is huge. Occasionaly used leafs come up here : https://speakev.com/forums/EV-Classifieds/

Well, you have to temper that. Irish dealers are likely to discount more - and you also have to factor in the costs in time and money of going across and bringing back. Yup, speakev is a good source of info.

proponent wrote: »

Super information there lads, thank you.

Two queries...

With regard to the CRC card thats pretty self explanatory its like a pre paid card but there doesnt appear to be many of their charge points along the a55 in Wales so its definitly a good idea to have the Ecotricity card

I appreciate the guys advice but I'm going to take my chances with ecotricity card only. I'm collecting within an hour of Liverpool - might just take the Liverpool ferry - back and that cuts out the uncertainty.

proponent wrote: »

here is my question though. How do you top up or add credit to your ecotricity card as when you sign up online for an account it asks you for a domestic electricity bill for presumably a UK address.
How did you get around that?

Add credit? As of right now, they don't charge for their EV chargers - so not quite sure where you're getting that.

I ordered one online via their website. I gave a Parcel Motel address. Someone else from here told me they just emailed them and explained the circumstances - and on that basis, they sent them a card.

proponent wrote: »

One other query regarding insurance.. do you ask a UK insurance company to cover you or do you ask your existing Irish insurance company to cover the new UK registered vehicle untill you re plate it here?

In advance of going over, ask your insurance company what it would cost you to switch over permanently to the new vehicle (just so that there are no surprises).
Once you pick up and pay for same - before you drive away, ring your insurance company and give them the vehicle details - inclusive of uk reg, etc. and ask them to switch over cover.


When you buy the vehicle, make sure that you insist on getting ALL sections of the V5! Do NOT let the dealer retain their section and send it off to the DVLA in Swansea. You will be waiting weeks for them to process - and Irish Customs don't care about that. They will apply interest/penalties if you don't produce the required documents within X number of hours (sorry...cant remember exactly how soon ...maybe 48 hours??).