Malcolm L uses a Pod Point Solo 3 2022 home charging unit. 

Provide your overall rating for the charging unit

How much did you pay for your unit and installation?

£0

Why did you purchase this particular unit?

This was supplied via Pod Point after ordering an Audi Q4 e-tron and arranged via the dealership just prior to the Government grant being withdrawn. The grant covered the full cost of supplying and fitting the unit.

List 3 or more points that you like about the charging unit

• Fast charging (7kW)
• can be app controlled
• over the air updates.

List 3 or more points that you don’t like about the charging unit

• No locking facilities when not in use
• no indication of level of actual charging
• untethered.

Outline any faults you have experienced with the unit

None

Tell us about your home charging routine

Being relatively new to EV ownership, I’m still on a learning curve. I average approximately 200 miles per week and I’m on the Intelligent Octopus Go tariff. This is a beta programme which quite frequently fails to give the full charge requested due to them controlling the charge times. Consequently, I’m putting the car on charge about 4 times a week which I believe is slightly more than it would normally be. I am particularly happy with the costs having covered 1,512 miles with the overall cost being £41.82 i.e. 2.8p/mile.

If you were buying a new charging unit now, what would you buy and why?

I’ve heard good reports about zappi and Ohme chargers but I’m relatively new to EV charging so have very little experience or knowledge on my existing charger.

Tell us about your electricity provider and tariff. Would you recommend them?

The provider is Octopus Energy and I’m on Intelligent Octopus Go which is an EV tariff with reduced charges between 23:30 and 05:30. I’m paying less than £15 per month. I would recommend Octopus as a provider and the tariff too as it is 7.5p per kWh. The charging is controlled by Octopus and frequently you get additional times outside of these hours and all electricity consumption within the house is at this reduced rate too.

Are you part of a charger-sharing scheme for those who don’t have their own charger?

No

*Manufacturer image used.

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