The Trials And Tribulations of Being An Electric Vehicle Owner

Mar 09, 2023

The benefits of having an electric vehicle

In late 2020 I took the plunge and decided to buy an electric vehicle (EV), why not? Imagine never having to pay for petrol again (what a plus), imagine saving money (another plus) while I am helping the environment (super plus).

I guess what I didn’t know at the time are the many challenges an EV owner in Ireland will have to encounter.

The challenges of having an electric vehicle

To say the EV charging stations network is not fit for purpose is an understatement. There simply are not enough charging points to accommodate us all, and as car sales for EV continue to double every quarter, I often wonder where are we all going to charge our cars?

Story time

Let me tell you a short story.

I am travelling from Cork to Dublin and with 16Km left on the battery I decide to stop at a gas station in Tipperary. As so often happens, there is only 1 EV charging station set up and available. To add to this, there is a car parked at the only charging spot, not plugged in, simply taking a break.

Frustration

I first take the registration number of the car and enter the shop to ask them if they can announce that the car has to move as it is parked in the EV charging station. “We have no megaphone facilities or anyway to find the owner, you will have to wait”.

As time is running low to make my Dublin meeting I look at the charging station again and decide I can try tackle it from behind…. I get in the car and I mount the curb from the back of the charger.

No luck. Did you know that EV charging stations have the shortest cables ever invented? Unless you are positioned in the perfect space given by the station you don’t have any hope to connect your car.

30 minutes after my arrival to this station I decide to see what other “nearby” stations are available.

A sigh of relief

Score! There is on 14 Km away, I have 16 Km left. I’ll just crawl there then without turning on the heat to ensure I make it. Did you know that? Turning on the heating or the AC affects your battery so when range is low, it’s better to freeze….!

I just about make it to the next station and there is a free charger, AMAZING!! I plug in and head inside for a coffee and to de-stress after my ordeal.

Disappointment

20 minutes later I check the car and have only manage to increase my battery for an extra 20Km before it went and tripped….

Now I know I will be late for my meeting.

Now I know I will be hours getting home.

Now I know the trials and tribulations of owning an EV in Ireland.

And how about the biggest plus of owning an EV – Being good for the environment? Don’t get me started on this one, EV batteries are a complete environmental disaster. But that’s for another day’s conversation….

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Thank you for reading today.

The FSG Team.

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