I am contemplating a 5KW set of solar panels with battery and charging point in advance of getting an EV and then when my wifes car needs replacing to shift her over to driving fully on our own generated power, which should work with daily mileage of circa 30-40 miles. The payback on the panels is obviously much shorter if you are generating electricity to replace petrol rather than just supplying your own electricity needs.
My logic in doing the panels, battery and charging point first is that at some point someone in government will realise how much revenue they stand to lose from fuel duty and will figure out a mechanism for taxing this and I would like to install a system before this happens.
Has anyone on TM been through a similar process ?
I went through a similar process 12 months ago, I had a 3.3kw array installed with a 2kw storage battery. I bought a 40kw Nissan Leaf and haven’t paid a penny for motoring ever since. The solar has halved my electricity bills (even using the car for 7000miles in the last year) I replaced a clk320 Merc which used to cost me at least £40 a month in petrol plus £285 road tax and fairly large maintenance and repair bills.
Yes the range on the leaf is a little bit limiting 160 miles approx per charge but as the charge is free we’ve managed with no problem and only Four or five public charges, only one of which cost me anything (£5).
My wife’s car is due for change in September and Until recently had a Hyundai Kona on order, unfortunately they were messing me about by putting the delivery date back and increasing the price without advsiing me, so I’ve cancelled that and ordered instead a Jaguar I pace which has a 300 mile range and can be delivered in early October. I think with both cars being electric I shall save another similar amount on petrol and a little less on maintenance and repair bills.
Overall I think I will cover the investment in about 6/7 years or possibly less.
I believe electric vehicles will become the “norm” in four or five years, particularly as fossil fuels cost more and more.
