EV Ownership: Divided by a Common Language (US vs UK)

Before I go into ownership experience and costs, I thought it would be helpful to lay some groundwork for terminology.

Browsing facebook, forums, youtube, twitter, etc. one begins to see that there is a general confusion between people who DO understand the subject matter, simply because they live in different countries. I want to address this before diving into helping those who have no background in EVs understand the concepts and to provide a reference generally.

The biggest points of confusion? What is 'fast charging' and what do we call various levels (or speeds) or AC charging. 

Additionally, it's worth pointing out that in North America, all chargers come WITH a tethered cable. In Europe, AC chargers may come with or without, leading to tethered (with cable) and untethered (without cable, bring your own) options. DC charging in Europe always has the cable tethered to the charger, same as in North America.

Here's a handy chart that I've created as a basic explanation. The specifics do vary slightly by country.

I've also ignored Tesla entirely: for the simple reason that they aren't consistent globally and are an exception to the rest of the industry. Tesla use a proprietary plug in North America, but use a modified Type 2 plug on older vehicles in Europe, shifting to CCS2 for newer Model 3/7 vehicles. As a result, there are 3 different types of plugs that Tesla may use for AC or DC charging and there may be more than one implementation within a market. Furthermore Tesla use a single wire can (SWCAN) communication protocol, rather than J1772, CHAdeMO, or CCS (Homeplug Green Phy, aka Powerline Ethernet), although their AC chargers can (if configured correctly) fall back onto J1772.

So let's get started here: portable charging:

North America

• 120 volts AC 60 hz
• 8-15 amps
• up to 2 kW
• This cable probably came with your car and can be plugged into an ordinary wall socket/receptacle. 
• J1772 connector (Type 1)
• Known as 'Level 1' 

United Kingdom

• 230 volts AC +/- 15% (realistically 240-245v) 50 hz 
•  8-10 amps (if you use a wall socket at 13 amps, prepare to melt your plug)
• 1.8-3 kW
• Connector
• Usually Type 2 Connector (with equivalent to J1772 signalling)
• Sometimes J1772 connector (Type 1)
• Known as a 'Granny Cable'

You'll notice that using a granny cable in the UK is not dissimilar from Level 2 speeds in North America. That's why there is a continual debate as to whether or not people should just charge off a wall socket for convenience and cost, or if a dedicated hard-wired charger is a safety requirement.

Moving on to AC charging with fixed, wall or post mounted chargers:

North America

• 220 volts 60 hz
• 16-80 amps
• Single phase
• J1772 connector (Type 1)
• 3-20 kW
• Known as 'Level 2'

United Kingdom 

AC charging in the UK is more complicated, because several vehicles can use 3-phase charging. This includes Tesla, Renault, Vauxhaul, etc. When this happens, more power can be delivered with lower amps, which is why when we get to our higher speed charging, there will be an AC option alongside DC.

•  230 volts AC +/- 15% (realistically 240-245v) 50 hz
• 16-32 amps (it's unusual to have a considerably higher amp rating... usually 11kW+ is 3 phase)
• Single or Three Phase AC
• Connector
• Usually Type 2 Connector (with equivalent to J1772 signalling)
• Sometimes J1772 connector (Type 1)
• Known as 'Slow Charging' if less than 6 kW (typically below 25 amps), 'Fast charging if 7kW or faster (26-32 kW)

The fastest, most rapid charging speeds:

North America

• 350-1000+ volts DC
• 25-500+ amps (can vary by standard)
• CCS1 or CHAdeMO
• Known as 'Fast charging', 'DCFC', 'DC Fast Charging', or 'Level 3'

United Kingdom 

There's a slight AC exception in this category, that essentially caters to 1 vehicle: Renault Zoe.

• 230 volts AC +/- 15% (realistically 240-245v) 50 hz
• Three phase
• 64 amps
• 43 kW
• Type-2 Connector
• Known as 'Rapid AC Charging'

Most people would use a DC option, however!

• 350-1000+ volts DC
• 25-500+ amps (can vary by standard)
• CCS2 or CHAdeMO
• Known as 'Rapid Charging', 'Ultra Rapid Charging' (if over 100kW), 'DC charging'

Bonus terms!

• A place to stop at the side of a motorway or highway
• North America: Rest Stop
• United Kingdom: Motorway Services Area (MSA)
• A physical brake to keep car from moving when parked
• North America: Emergency Brake
• United Kingdom: Hand Brake

It's been way too long!

Hello friends of the blog!

It's been over 8 years since my last update. Shocking.

A lot has happened during this time and much is still to come.

I'm going to look to re-organise the content here and focus on the viewpoints that I've come to thanks to the life experience I've gained during the intervening time.

In addition to traditional blogging, which hopefully I will start up again soon, I'm looking to launch a website focused on being a repository of useful, actionable information that can help you be more successful in your projects. This will cover fashion (obviously), but also travel, green energy, technology, immigration, and other topics that may or may not be niche but should serve to help you enrich your life.

Additionally, I am going to be launching a website to unofficially represent Maryland interests in the United Kingdom--this site will contain information about recipes that are designed with ingredients and measurements appropriate to the UK to create Maryland favourites, information on commonly asked questions, as well as resources designed to enhance collaboration in both tourism and trade for both private individuals and businesses. If you have ideas and suggestions for this project, please submit them here!

In short, whilst the last several years with the pandemic have been a bit chaotic, now is the time to really gear up and start launching our potential going forward.

I hope you'll join me in these adventures and I look forward to being in touch with all of you!

Europe 2011: Part 12, Harington's Hotel, Review

I've stayed a good many places in Bath, England as I have the tendency not to plan my trips ahead of time. I often book the rooms the same day because I haven't made up my mind if I want to go visit another part of the country or stay in place. As a result, I usually end up paying more than the rooms should cost, but not hugely (I've usually gotten rooms for £70-140/night in doing this). I also find that I end up being unable to book more than 2-3 nights in one place, which means during a week I have managed to stay in as many as 3-4 different hotels and guest homes.

Thanks to this experience, I feel I can somewhat authoritatively discuss the pros and cons of different establishments. Over the next few years I will attempt to review all of the places I have stayed, in order for you to get a better picture of what is available in the city.

Entrance to Harrington's Hotel, as seen on Google's street-view.

Harrington's Hotel is a really cute place which stands out because of its good service, chic decor, and good location. Depending on the price in a given week, I would say that you will be getting a very well rewarded experience from the very friendly concierge, included amenities, and walkable nature of its location in central Bath. On average, however, I expect this place to run more expensive than some less-featured establishments, but they do run sales and promotions through the VisitBath website, which is how I booked it for two nights.

This hotel is conveniently located near:

• Vintage shop (scarletvintage, across the street as of 2011)
• Dry Cleaners/Laundry
• Jane Austen Centre (3 minute walk)
• Bookshop (Paragon Books)
• Food (5 minute walk to Sainsbury and restaurants in every direction)
• Bath Spa Railway Station (10 minute walk... unfortunately it is uphill, like everything else in the city from the railway station)
• Circus and Royal Crescent
• Theatre Royal (2 minute walk)
• Shopping (literally a block away from Milsom Street!)
• Pump Room and Roman Baths (3 minute walk)

Click to see enlarged map of location

Sitting at a small table in the bar area enjoying some quiet in the afternoon.

The hotel also offers wifi, which as you can see is extremely convenient!

The bar area has a very elegant, modern, and cozy feel to it. I have not sampled the drinks, but the convenience of an on-premise bar is something that not all places share in Bath. Should you wish to go out, there are plenty of walkable options nearby!

View from the bar looking into a lounge room that opens into the reception and concierge area.

Dining Room

Breakfast is served in the dining room which has vibrantly colored walls and modern leather seating. My recollection is that the food was quite enjoyable and the menu had most of the traditional breakfast items on it, British and otherwise. If you sit in the front room, you will find yourself looking at a cute vintage shop across the street (As of September 2011). Unfortunately, I did not have time to visit Scarlet Vintage during their store hours, but the display was certainly quite enticing!

scarletvintage shop in Bath, England

I believe my original room was upgraded when I arrived, because the room I received was much larger than I had expected. However, I anticipate that all the rooms are of similar elegance and refinement.

Bed with seat in front of it. Highly convenient setup.

More accessories, including chairs, dresser, and vanity.

This window opens out to the following view, which is a fairly quiet street removed from traffic:

Bathroom includes a heated towel rack radiator.

Also included,  bathtub with separate shower head on detachable hose.

In conclusions, I have no real complaints as I do not happen to be a demanding hotel guest and the hotel more than satisfied my needs when I was in residence. Neither the price nor the experience is exactly cheap, but I feel you will not be disappointed.

Europe 2011: Part 11, Jane Austen Festival #1

The Jane Austen Festival in Bath, England is one of the most fun events I've been able to be a part of. It's hard to explain, but the combination of pretty fashions, interesting lectures, dancing, and company of friends makes for lovely memories!

This post is mostly going to be me sharing pictures, because honestly, that's the next best thing to being in Bath!

You know it's a Jane Austen Festival when there are bonnets on the wall!

Meeting up with Jane Austen Book club friends the night I arrived!

And then on to day 2:

Lunch with the majority of the International Jane Austen Book Club! :D

Dolinde, Viktoria, and Aurora!

I decided to have a small tasty snack at the Jane Austen Centre and check emails! :)

I believe this is Queen Square

Jane Austen Centre! :D

And I also worked on some panoramic shots:

Royal Crescent

Royal Crescent, different version

In the evening, we had musical entertainment at the Masonic Lodge, which was the old Theatre Royal.

The ceiling is quite interesting

I sadly had to leave early to join friends watching the first episode of Downton Abbey's season 2! Yes, that's right, I saw the season premiere as it aired in the UK last year! :D

Queen's Diamond Jubilee Party

This is the first in a series of themed parties that I have hosted lately. I will add the others soon to my blog!

I wanted to celebrate Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee despite not being in the United Kingdom. To this effect, I hosted my own Diamond Jubilee celebration this summer. As it turns out, my party was a small affair with a few good friends, but it was nevertheless fun!

Here are a few pictures:

Friends enjoying party, also notice the red and blue lighting

British themed summer fruit punch, Queen's Royal Standard and portrait in background

British flags, Diamond Jubilee poster, and picture of Queen's Speech in Parliament

Ajouter une légende

Historic colonial Maryland flag, with blue lighting... I had red lighting under the cabinets, with the goal of having blue white and red lighting, in keeping with the British theme.

Table of British themed paraphernalia, also Queen's portrait in right corner.

We watched the Diamond Jubilee concert on television

Another shot of the concert

God Save the Queen, may He bless her with many more years!

Travel!

Some of you may be wondering why I haven't written anything lately... The answer is simple. I'm currently traveling in Europe and have been really busy and subsequently really tired, such that I haven't really done much in the way of writing.

However, I'm doing and seeing so many interesting and fun things that you can be certain that there will be more posts in the near future!