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

Logic and the Path to Electrification

April 2022, Using Tesla Public Supercharger Pilot Programme in France

Something I’ve realised over the years is that people do not actually apply logic in their daily lives. We are typically too busy to consider the full ramifications of each habit and it becomes simpler just to accept that the way we’ve grown accustomed to doing things as individuals or any other level such as society as a whole must just be normal.

Periodically, someone will come and challenge the status quo and offer a different view. This will usually trigger a whole bunch of hand flailing and complaints that the world is being ruined. Conversely, another group may realise our habits and therefore our inaction may be ruining the continued existence of our world.

What usually then happens is that people fall into tribal factions, where the concept of using logic is short-circuited by the efficiency of just confirming what the peers in their group also think, which is often set by vested interests, rather than based an actual net benefit to the community.

In order to further prevent change, conspiracy theories then begin to proliferate. Disinformation campaigns, even completely astroturfing campaigns arise, where paid imaginary people influence laws and public consciousness, either in town halls and legislative arenas or simply on your personal social media, such as Facebook or twitter.

Some issues are understandably difficult to determine where the facts lie, when the concepts underlying them cannot be broken down and misleading information is propagated. For example: it’s difficult to convince people as to how the climate is changing and assuming it is, whether or not any human activity could change that.

What to me is less difficult to understand is the direct impact on the air and water that we breathe from pollution. Additionally, the costs we pay for things like fuel can actually be calculated. These are not up for debate, but most people actually have zero idea how much anything costs until they see a monolithic bill come in the mail.

Right now, I believe we are at a golden moment of opportunity for moving away from fossil fuels, something consumers and investors both stand to benefit from. The only downsides are if you’ve invested heavily in fossil fuel industries.

My decade-old EV charging in Belgium, driven from London

I’ll be discussing my love of electric vehicles here in more detail later, I’ll explain what it’s like to own an EV, what it’s like to own an EV that’s even over 10 years old. If you’ve only read things in tabloids or seen a bunch of worrisome items, where you think, ‘that sounds right, did anyone think of x’, don’t worry—there’s probably an answer for it.

There are some people who will not benefit financially from an EV for now, but I would argue that’s an increasingly smaller minority of people, when you start objectively looking at the data for the air we breathe and the wallet in your pocket. 

You don’t even need to care whether or not the ocean might rise, everyone can understand getting asthma or seeing the Gulf of Mexico covered in crude oil are bad things. Saving hundreds or thousands a year in your bank account is also something that most people would objectively like as well. And if you’ve seen recent articles suggesting you won’t save money? Don’t worry, we’ll discuss that too!

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

Europe 2011: Part 10... Paris, France to Bath, England via Rail

This concludes the portion of my trip in France. Please enjoy the journey from Paris to Bath, UK!

RER in Gentilly

The Paris metro was running a series of posters regarding etiquette:

"The person who pushes 5 people when getting on the train will not get there any faster for his effort"

"When she is speaking at 86 decibels, a private call is no longer private"

And of course they had their own Borgia series competing with The Borgias from HBO.

Paid restroom in Paris train station (I think Gare du Nord):
Notice that you can use the urinal for €0.50, have a shower for €3.50, or get a private toilet stall for €2.30.

Eurostar terminal!

Riding TGV on Eurostar to England!

Time to enter the channel tunnel!!!!

First picture in the UK!

St. Pancras Station, London UK

British countryside speeding by!

Reserving accommodations!

Bath Spa station, Bath, England