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If you’re app-y and you know it…

I’ve used this space before to praise the wonder of apps – I’m easily pleased – but recently my joy of these digital delights has reached new heights. Challen Towers now boasts an EV charger – a fantastic Ohme unit fitted by the good people at SRG Electrical – which comes with an app (doesn’t everything these days?) to help improve the ‘filling up’ process for everyone.

I quickly found out that with a few simple changes, I could not only save cash, but also charge greener (I told you I’m easily pleased!). The principle is simple – charge at a time when there’s less demand on the grid and you’re literally quids in. Plus, get the ‘right’ weather – and turn on the ‘Favour Green Energy’ setting and down goes your carbon footprint.

For those looking to move to EVs – I appreciate for many readers it’s preaching to the converted – benefits such as the above might not be the biggest motivators, but it all helps. I’ve never really been a fan of the whole ‘gamification’ thing, but if it helps save the planet, I’m all in.

For more reasons for – and examples of – transitioning to EVs, turn to page 13 to find out what the experts say. Time is ticking on and – if the 2030 dates and rules remain as they are – there’s not much time to gear up for the electric future.

With that in mind – and in less positive app-related news – I’ve also been frustrated with the charging process. Specifically, the false advertising of rapid chargers. Granted it’s not the fault of the apps (I’m a big Zap-Map fan and it’s helped me massively on numerous occasions), but when you think you’re going to be pulling 120kW from the grid, you can’t help but be disappointed with a mere 45/50kW. I’ve found myself in this situation a few times recently – even off the back of recommendations of where to catch a rapid charge. That scenario, plus the fact that so many charging stations seem to be permanently out of service or undergoing ‘issues’, takes some of the gloss off what is an otherwise very pleasant way to run a vehicle.

And that is the point – as I’ve said to a few people recently. None of the above is the car’s fault, although EV-sceptics – or even those on the fence – will use it to bemoan the battery-powered future. I’m not sure what the answer is to solve such problems, but I’m pretty sure it will eventually involve me parting with some of that hard-earned cash saved by charging at unsociable hours.

John Challen Editor