There is one factor that has a huge effect. Up front cost of adopting the options of energy use/gen.
Starting with cars, Which did a survey last year on EV ownership versus ICE for the same ( as near as dammit) cars. A Mini 1 was one such comparison. Cost of ownership and payback was measured. The EV took about 6 years more ( as near as I remember) for breakeven due to the much higher purchase cost mitigated by some smaller day to day savings. Great if you have the initial outlay as a private buyer.
Yes that was more than a bit dishonest of Which. Why did they not choose a direct comparison? The Mini EV is a Cooper spec vehicle, it is called the Mini Cooper SE. The ICE equivalent is the Mini Cooper S.
The SE is actually cheaper than the S to buy. The SE does around 4m/KWh and so costs in the region of 6p/mile to run if you pay £0.25p/unit for your electricity. The S does around 45mpg and with fuel at £1.40/litre costs around 14p/mile to run
So why does it take 6 years to 'break even' with a car that costs less to buy and less to run than its ICE equivalent?
