Charging electric cars on Club sites.

I have just spent ages catching up with this thread.

As I see it, electric used at the moment on site is for DOMESTIC use. Same as the use of LPG in bottles we buy.

For electric cars to be charged on site away from dedicated bollards is abusing the system completely.

to use examples:

Diesel bought at a service station is legal. Diesel (Red)  obtained from a farm or similar, including boat yards is not legal.

LPG vehicles buying from a garage or similar is legal, although using domestic purchased LPG is avoiding taxes, same as LPG bought from boat yards.

so as you can see, there is right and wrong on purchase and use of fuels in this country.

The only way a fair way for EV cars to be charged on sites is to install rapid charge points similar to the ones available for cars NOT in a home environment.

I have to purchase and buy my fuel for my cars away from my pitch, in fact even site, so why should people with EV’s abuse the system and steal electric for the EV’s cars on a pitch???

Before anyone says about Disability carts being charged on site, they are for one person to enable them to continue a domestic lifestyle, NOT for them to hitch a caravan etc and go on holiday on stolen electric!

I do really think that it is the idea of getting 'free' car energy or fuel that people are basing their view on. People who quite happily use their full allowance on whatever balk at using the same on EVs

Not at all, certainly in my case. I have long been an advocate of metered electricity and I see the charging of Hybrids and pure EVs on site as being just another reason for the introduction of metering. Its a competitive market and what the Club does will much depend on what others do about it.  At the end of the day, as you say Corners, we all have a choice of where to go.

peedee

"I change from a 750W kettle to 2.5Kw "

This demonstrates the lack of understanding between "power" and "energy" use.

Whilst boiling a litre of water in a 750 W kettle takes a lot less power, it actually takes more energy the very thing the club pays for, than using the 2.5 kW kettle. More because taking longer to boil it radiates more wild heat whilst doing so.

I think brue has hit the nail on the head. No one now purchasing a new caravan balks at all the electrically dependent equipment now inbuilt, and most are more than happy paying whatever fees the Club sees fit to levy. The few EVs seen on sites are merely an extension of this move towards a different form of energy consumption, this time one either used for towing, or for getting around if MH is parked up. It matters not how the energy is consumed, the bottom line will be how much it costs the Club for an average pitch Night stay, and prices in the future will reflect this.

There are two main touring ethos, one is about getting away, enjoying all that is provided in the comfort, warmth and ease of a modern touring unit, without risk of any issues. Another is touring on a budget, either doing without some of the modern luxuries now available on sites, or adapting and modifying a unit so that it can be used on more basic pitches. (There are lots of folks who tour in between these two extremes) Nothing is wrong with either school of thought, it is what the individual prefers. But at some point, consumers will have to pay, and the Club is right at the moment not committing to one particular cost heavy change to electrical provision, until it sees what is going to be the take up. 

The dilemma for the majority of CLs will be rather different. Much as it is now. They are going to be asked to provide more facilities, in this instance possibly charging points or metered hook ups, but will they be able to recoup the outlay? Much the same dilemma as providing hard standings, toilet blocks and other perceived necessities. New CL providers can look at trends and decide where they want to pitch their market. Not quite so easy for those CLs established for decades, who are now looking to retrospectively add in more amenities without pricing out established returning customers.

The CMC has decreed that at the moment, customers with E/Vehicles can charge their cars at the CMC's expense while on the campsite.  

I don't blame anybody for taking advantage of this facility.

  Obviously at some time in the future the CMC may have to change their policy and at that time I'm sure that they will make their decision at management level.  Opinions mentioned on this forum will make absolutely no difference to that management decision. 

K 

As I see it, electric used at the moment on site is for DOMESTIC use. Same as the use of LPG in bottles we buy.

For electric cars to be charged on site away from dedicated bollards is abusing the system completely.

No abuse Vivien as the Club permit such usage

Actually, I have to agree K. Club pitch fees were as cheap as chips when we joined three decades ago. Modern outfits/owners require and consume a lot more nowadays, and the prices charged have been hiked to take account of this on most sites, and during most of the opening periods. The Club does still provide for budget touring for those that can/ want to take advantage of it, via no facility Sites, mid week discounts, cheap Winter stays.

I suspect most of us take advantage of electricity when it is included in price, I know we do, using an electric kettle instead of gas, and charging up devices, cooking occasionally with electric rather than gas etc....

So what you are saying, people who don’t have all singing and all dancing caravans, that tour alone on a budget have to be classed as second class club members, using sites with no facilities, sites that offer mid week discounts and cheap winter stays only??  That is creating a tiered system and as a member who pays the same inflated membership, should not have to discriminated!!

Next you will say I should pay a premium like hotels do, as I am on my own,

I do not use as much electric as a family, yet I still get charged the same.  Why can’t I be charged for what I use??  Bring back meters

This is starting to rival "Sunday Departures" 

I think that you are off topic Vivien. Maybe subject for another thread? 

The simple fact is that you, as a single caravanner, are not excluded at all. You are equally as entitled to use a CC site ad pay the same fees. 

TDA was simply saying that CC sites, as many others, are not 'cheap as chips' but that there were options for those wishing to use CC sites and pay less at the same time. Actually the cost for a single person is reasonable I feel without 'room supplement' so to speak.