PHEV/EV Charging

£9 for an EV is fair and justified. 

£9 for a PHEV is nuts.

I have neither, but one could take the view that as it’s £9 for something you must have, as opposed to £9 for something you would like but don’t need, then it’s not unreasonable.

The law in England and Wales regarding the resale of electricity is clear and simple.  In my opinion CAMC was not breaking that law whilst they allowed members to charge their vehicles through their vans at no extra charge. Clearly though that is unfair on others and could be costly to CAMC.  However, charging a unquantified extra price for an unquantified amount of electricity, even if it is "through" the van is in my opinion quite possibly illegal.  No matter how it is dressed up they may be over or under charging for the power supplied.  It is a situation that needs to be tested.  

So there are very specific rules associated with reselling electricity for EV charging. I looked into this a couple of years back to see the implications for (what was then) the new charges for PHEV and EV charging on club sites, and it was OK. 

However - Ofgem published new guidelines last month (9/3/22).

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications/taking-charge-selling-electricity-electric-vehicle-drivers

It seems to me that the Caravan Club are operating as a "peer to peer" relationship with the site user. Scenario 6, section 70-78, Page 22-23. 

Section 77 is of very particular interest. Specifically - "But, if they use a standard plug and socket (in a domestic setting), it does apply. The MRP stops a reseller charging more for the electricity than they paid for it from their supplier."

This implies that the new charges for both EV and PHEV would be subject to the MRP cap. The EV _may_ be ok, if the user has sufficient time to charge. The PHEV user, almost certainly wont be ok, as the battery is simply not big enough to justify a price. 

A letter to the club is in order...

I have been charging my Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV on CC sites for the last 3 year using the trickle charger overnight, without any problems. Now to be charged £9 is extorsion, considering it only amounts to 98p at home to charge it up after 12pm.  My argument is  that there is ever increasing use of electrical devises used by caravaners, halogen heaters, electric bikes, mobility scooters, electric grills/BBQ why are they then not charged anything for excess use.  

I have written to both the Club and Ofgem on this for clarification. 

Hi, I can see why the site owner I spoke to said he will no longer allow charging, via the van/MH, of EVs.

We have a Mitsubishi PHEV and last year charged it on site for £2 a go which seemed fair to me.  To charge £9 for what is really about 20 miles seems very unfair when an EV would cost £9 to go many, many miles further.

In reality it will mean that we do not use the electric whilst away and will use very un-eco friendly petrol instead.  When away last year we hardly used any petrol once we arrived at our site so our emissions were very, very low.  That will not be the case if the Club stick to this unfair system.

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Consequently, the host is either acting only as a reseller of electricity or a reseller and seller of electricity. As the reselling takes place on the host’s property (or at their roadside chargepoint) they’re not supplying (licensed or exempt). If the host uses a dedicated EV chargepoint then the Maximum Resale Price (MRP) doesn’t apply.

As I read it maybe it’s this para that applies as “they” seems to be the club, the host, is not using a plug, you are from your outfit which is available to no one else,and maybe that makes it dedicated??

 

Yes, this needs explaining!

I would also point that users have to reduce the supply to their vans which is included in the pitch fee but not stated. I have read Choc Trees previous experience in towing with an EV and I seem to recall that the van supply was reduced to 8amps whilst charging.

I too would love to know how CAMC came to this decision and costing. 

I don't have much time for anyone who objects, we should be encouraging the use of non-polluting vehicles and discouraging EHU wastage.