Random EV thoughts.....

Car was registered yesterday morning but still can't tax it, how long does it take for it to appear on their DB?

Details Incorrect (please see below)

• The combination of registration number and PIN entered was not valid. Please check you have entered the correct vehicle registration number and current PIN.

Note beware if you get solar now on an old night rate meter you get NOTHING for export until ESB networks swaps your meter

If you have a real old style day/night meter

From September 2023, ESB Networks will start installing smart meters for customers with day/night meters.

If your micro-generator was installed prior to 11 September 2023, you'll be entitled to a microgen payment until your smart meter is installed.

If your micro-generator is installed and approved after 11 September 2023, you will not qualify for a microgen payment until your smart meter is installed.

From:

https://www.bordgaisenergy.ie/home/help/i-don-t-have-a-smart-meter-can-i-still-get-a-payment-for-exporting-electricity

Admittedly I've only bought 1 brand new car but I could have sworn my dealer made me tax it before leaving, did it on the day I collected in the dealership. I paid for it though.

Maybe they just did it as a courtesy to help me, my mistake I thought it was general practice.

Two days I found, it might be up this evening, if not it will be up tomorrow.

Are there any tutorials or guides for details on getting this set up?

I thought this would be simple to get an answer to....going to NI for a weekend. Can I simply use the ESB public charging network up there?

Phoned ESB and the answer is yes.

Yes, beware network in general is worse. Consider other networks, see plugshare, there are various non esb networks in some places and they tend to be better, depending on where you are going. You are more likely to get stuck in NI

Whereabouts are you heading? Ionity, Maxol or BP Pulse might be better bets if heading to Belfast

That's a how long is a piece of string question unfortunately.

There's a lot of helpful info in the Renewable Energies forum on here. You'll find a fair few EV posters from here, there too.

I was in Belfast in Jan (before Ionity opened) and I used the Maxol Recharge site in Kinnegar, where it was a very good experience to be fair. It was the third location that I stopped at that day though as both the BP Pulse and the EasyGo chargers I tried were out of order. @zg3409 makes a good point about the reliability of charging units in NI. You are so relieved to find one that works that you don't care about the price per kWh.

Agree on the AC chargers. I actually found it handy enough to parkup and charge overnight in NI last year on holiday. Took all the stress out of planning for chargers during the day. Just lower the charge rate so it was nearly full by the time we went to set off next day.

Rubbish. That lady must be keen to keep footfall numbers up in your local motor tax office.

Yes you can, I've done it with 3 cars. I've outlined what's needed, end of. Don't be spouting rubbish.

Give some of you a laugh.

Brother in law called over earlier. Literally said hello then "I bought a VW ID3 and I'm telling you, combustion engines are done".

This is a lad who has owned various 911's and high powered BMW's. A complete petrol head. Had a fully specced 7 series that went in for repair work and they gave him and ID3 as a courtesy car for a few days. After a day he told them he'd take an ID3 and they could give him the difference back on the beemer!!

He's going next week to buy the Taycan turbo. Reckons he'll pick up one for decent money and he'll keep the ID3 as a runaround.

He has a lots of land and is looking at a big solar fit out as well. Was laughing and saying to me "jaysus I should have listened to you years ago. I just plug it in at night once or twice a week and I've a full tank in the morning for a few quid".

I never thought I'd see the day he'd give petrol the boot!!