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Post by pharmadave on Nov 21, 2016 13:03:37 GMT 11
I've just been contacted by AGL as I've left an expression interest for their $1/day unlimited electric car charging plan. It seems to have gone live.
From what I gather, there is no change to my current electricity rates. A sub-metre is required to be installed (at no cost to me) which is dedicated to charging the electric car. It will be a flat rate of $1 per day regardless of how much I charge (or don't charge). 12 month commitment.
I charge my car up to 80% almost every day and consume more than $1 of electricity so this is actually in my favour financially. I don't have solar panels or home battery storage yet.
So over all a small win for me. I will read the product information and contract very carefully though and I do have a 10 day cooling down period if I do pick up anything strange about the arrangement.
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Post by EVangelist on Nov 21, 2016 13:35:15 GMT 11
The AGL offer is interesting but you have to do the maths. In my first 12 months of Leafdom I used $330 of electricity to charge my car, so $1/day would be more expensive (but we only drive average 9000 km per year). If you drive a lot more it might be worth it.
And I don't have offpeak rates, if I get a smart meter installed and go to offpeak rates my overnight charge would cost even less.
My big question is whether this offer covers multiple cars. Then it would be worth it, because Tesla Model 3 will more than double my EV charging consumption.
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Post by empowerrepower on Nov 21, 2016 13:50:29 GMT 11
Hi,
You said that you'd need a smart meter at extra expense to go to off-peak charging, so I gather you are talking about a time-of-use plan? How about doing off-peak as with off-peak hot water or pool pumps? That is what I've set up, but it is in Queensland. It brings the cost down to about 13c per kwH, although I do plug into another power point when I need to do daytime charging, which takes me up toe 27c per kwH.
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Post by pharmadave on Nov 21, 2016 14:51:22 GMT 11
I would do about 15,000Kms per year and so far in the Leaf this is tracking about the same (1200Kms in the past month). My cost of electricity will be slightly lowered (about $10-$15 per month) by signing up to the AGL plan.
I did look into Peak/Off-Peak plans but the hours of Peak/Off-Peak/Shoulder meant that overall my electricity bill would go up purely due to the times of the day the rest of the household would be using power and the cost of peak power.
I will be looking into solar panels with battery storage sometime down the track, but for the moment this will have to do as a cost effective option of keeping the Leaf charged for as cheap as possible.
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EVtricity
Half Charge
Posts: 66
LEAF OWNER?: Yes
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Post by EVtricity on Nov 21, 2016 15:48:44 GMT 11
I've just been contacted by AGL as I've left an expression interest for their $1/day unlimited electric car charging plan. It seems to have gone live. From what I gather, there is no change to my current electricity rates. A sub-metre is required to be installed (at no cost to me) which is dedicated to charging the electric car. It will be a flat rate of $1 per day regardless of how much I charge (or don't charge). 12 month commitment. I charge my car up to 80% almost every day and consume more than $1 of electricity so this is actually in my favour financially. I don't have solar panels or home battery storage yet. So over all a small win for me. I will read the product information and contract very carefully though and I do have a 10 day cooling down period if I do pick up anything strange about the arrangement. What's the plan called - are there details on their web site yet?
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Post by pharmadave on Nov 21, 2016 16:39:42 GMT 11
I can't seem to find it on the AGL website just yet. I was contacted by their electric vehicle team after leaving an expression of interest on of their webpages.
They are sending me a 'welcome pack' with the necessary information in it. I will post it up once i get it.
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Post by EVangelist on Nov 21, 2016 18:30:27 GMT 11
You said that you'd need a smart meter at extra expense to go to off-peak charging, so I gather you are talking about a time-of-use plan? How about doing off-peak as with off-peak hot water or pool pumps? If that comment was directed to moi, then yes, I would consider a time-of-use plan if I had the metering to allow it (I currently have old-school meters). However like pharmadave, that probably would not be in my favour unless I install solar and batteries, because the very high cost of daytime electricity under time-of-use would outweigh the savings overnight. If I do install solar and batteries, a time of use plan would be a no-brainer because I've calculated the solar would probably be enough to power the house during the day and do some battery charging, but I would not get though the night without the grid - especially with two BEVs charging. But then I'd be getting my overnight electrons at half the price I pay now. My electricity supplier (in Sydney) is allegedly going to upgrade their customers' meters to digital in 2017 at no cost. I would not pay with my own money just to get them sooner.
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Post by pharmadave on Nov 22, 2016 13:52:40 GMT 11
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Post by pharmadave on Nov 22, 2016 13:54:37 GMT 11
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Post by pharmadave on Nov 22, 2016 14:05:32 GMT 11
You said that you'd need a smart meter at extra expense to go to off-peak charging, so I gather you are talking about a time-of-use plan? How about doing off-peak as with off-peak hot water or pool pumps? If that comment was directed to moi, then yes, I would consider a time-of-use plan if I had the metering to allow it (I currently have old-school meters). However like pharmadave, that probably would not be in my favour unless I install solar and batteries, because the very high cost of daytime electricity under time-of-use would outweigh the savings overnight. If I do install solar and batteries, a time of use plan would be a no-brainer because I've calculated the solar would probably be enough to power the house during the day and do some battery charging, but I would not get though the night without the grid - especially with two BEVs charging. But then I'd be getting my overnight electrons at half the price I pay now. My electricity supplier (in Sydney) is allegedly going to upgrade their customers' meters to digital in 2017 at no cost. I would not pay with my own money just to get them sooner. This was part of the media release: www.agl.com.au/about-agl/media-centre/article-list/2016/november/agl-launches-market-leading-$1-a-day-electric-car-energy-plan“If a customer has a basic meter and needs a digital meter installed at their home, AGL will also provide a standard installation of this meter for free.”
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Post by empowerrepower on Nov 22, 2016 14:42:57 GMT 11
You said that you'd need a smart meter at extra expense to go to off-peak charging, so I gather you are talking about a time-of-use plan? How about doing off-peak as with off-peak hot water or pool pumps? If that comment was directed to moi, then yes, I would consider a time-of-use plan if I had the metering to allow it (I currently have old-school meters). However like pharmadave, that probably would not be in my favour unless I install solar and batteries, because the very high cost of daytime electricity under time-of-use would outweigh the savings overnight. If I do install solar and batteries, a time of use plan would be a no-brainer because I've calculated the solar would probably be enough to power the house during the day and do some battery charging, but I would not get though the night without the grid - especially with two BEVs charging. But then I'd be getting my overnight electrons at half the price I pay now. My electricity supplier (in Sydney) is allegedly going to upgrade their customers' meters to digital in 2017 at no cost. I would not pay with my own money just to get them sooner. Hi Evangelist, I just re-read your post, and I think we have our wires crossed. I'm talking about charging a car more cheaply by using controlled load. AGL call it Y8, and charge just under 17 per kwH for it. www.agl.com.au/~/media/AGL/Residential/Documents/Plans%20and%20Pricing/2015/ECVIC%20Sept%2015/V_PPIS_R_E_OP_1FREEDOM_g0p00f0a0b0bt0dd0du2_TR.pdfI already had my hot water in Qld charging on controlled load at night, and had the EV power point wired up to use that tariff as well. As to time-of-use tariffs, there was talk about making them compulsory in Qld, but it seems to have gone quiet since the change of government. Time-of-use probably makes bills more expensive for most of us, as it isn't like you can cook your dinner in the middle of the day or do much other load shifting to avoid the peak times.
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Post by EVangelist on Nov 22, 2016 16:34:09 GMT 11
Ah that answers my question: In order to be eligible to receive the AGL Electric Car Plan:- you must not charge more than one vehicle from the EV charging station or circuit to which AGL Electric Car Plan applies;
It'll be interesting to see how many customers take it up, given there are barely 4000 electric cars (BEVs and PHEVs) in all of Australia.
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Post by 4wardthinking on Nov 22, 2016 17:00:23 GMT 11
I'm sitting this one out. How are they going to figure out how many cars have been charged on it?. Mits were playing with car Id over power to meter the cars consumption, but it failed. I'd be studying the standing charges more carefully, as it could be like myself, where 2/3 is non-consumed charges. I use less, and pay more.
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Post by pharmadave on Nov 22, 2016 17:43:35 GMT 11
I'm sitting this one out. How are they going to figure out how many cars have been charged on it?. Mits were playing with car Id over power to meter the cars consumption, but it failed. I'd be studying the standing charges more carefully, as it could be like myself, where 2/3 is non-consumed charges. I use less, and pay more. I've been assured that my electricity rates remain the same as what I am currently paying (I will make sure of this once I get the official rates table). In my particular situation, my EV's electricity needs costs more than $1 per day so I'm ahead by signing up. In regards to AGL knowing how many cars are being charged, the short answer is they don't. They did ask me what car I had and how many EVs I had. I told them i had one EV and it was a Nissan Leaf, the operator didn't seem to care, probably just filling in a box on the sign up form on their end. Secretly I think AGL itself doesn't know how well this plan is going to take off, I think they are using this as an information gathering exercise so they are more aware of the potential in the future once more people adopt EVs. I've noticed that this plan is only for 12 months, so who know what might happen after that. There aren't that many EVs in Australia overall at the moment, a small sub-set of EV owners will sign up to this plan so even if AGL run this plan at a financial 'loss' the information gathered will be valuable to help them restructure the plan after 12 months to ensure they won't run at a loss in the future. It's quite clever of them I think.
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Post by 4wardthinking on Nov 22, 2016 18:11:18 GMT 11
So true. In all fairness, it's good to note that someone is looking ahead, and acting accordingly. One thing I'd consider is the 12 month plan. Hypothetically. Let's say you wanted to ditch them, what would happen to the EVSE installed, and costs thereof?.
A facet of country finance is the revenue from transport, even more-so here. If(and I wait) EV transport is 'allowed' to become mainstream, somewhere, the revenue missed by an EV owner will be clawed/gouged out. They can't slaughter the EV, or all the hooting about enviro-Aus will be a mockery, the 'insurance' would be hard to justify massive increases, so the only way is to figure out a way for distance, or use, and be seen to be correct. Now one of the ways to gouge the cash is per unit of power supplied, but that falls foul when people charge from solar panels, be they fully owned, or subsidised ones. They looked at a electronic serial identifier per EV, but I proved it was easy to work around it. I think that they shot their mouths off, and missed the inevitable, and it's OK doing a Baird-turn locally, but in the rest of the world, not such a good idea. So just how will the revenue be collected?.
It's seemingly apparent that AGL have decided to appeal to the EV owner. We all know that the first in, gets the market share weighted their way. Now when I close my power supply contract(yep, silly of me), I'm very likely to consider this option. Overall costs are important, but, let's hope that they now take the next logical step in putting public charge points in, to fully embrace the future. That WOULD sway me toward them. I'd be more than happy to have a mildly elevated price if it was used wisely. Have you asked if they are likely to take the next step?. It would be good to see profits being used to further the cause, and not just share-holders wallets.
A lot of the EV movement really depends on the asphyxiation being applied by the Government, and how long they can maintain such a vice grip.
Remember that where there's a scheme....
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Post by pharmadave on Dec 7, 2016 17:08:39 GMT 11
Just received confirmation that a sub-metre will be installed next week with a dedicated circuit to charge the Leaf. I am not buying an extra EVSE as I am happy with the charge cable supplied with the Leaf so they will simply put a switched 15Amp plug on the wall.
I will not have any out of pocket expense for this installation.
The circuit will have the capacity to support up to 30Amps so if we do upgrade to another EV in the future with a higher speed charger, we can always revisit the wall-mount EVSE situation later on.
The electrician who came out to survey the property and write up a quote for AGL said I was one of the first retail customers he has attended. The 2 previous homes he went to were all AGL employees.
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Post by Phoebe on Dec 7, 2016 18:29:38 GMT 11
Good luck with that, Dave. It's no advantage to me as my system with solar panels and battery back up, it usually costs me nothing to charge my LEAF, so a $1 offer is of no benefit.
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Post by 4wardthinking on Dec 8, 2016 7:09:52 GMT 11
I'm interested in this subject. The costs are foremost indicators to me. The meter. What is the standing charges list when you get bill number one. Our power ratio is 1/3 actual usage, & 2/3 costs we cannot reduce. Any real idea of the figures you are to have?.
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Post by stewartm on Dec 8, 2016 11:19:10 GMT 11
I inquired, would lose my 52c solar in tariff as a new plan has to be enacted. No dice
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Post by pharmadave on Dec 8, 2016 12:04:39 GMT 11
Good luck with that, Dave. It's no advantage to me as my system with solar panels and battery back up, it usually costs me nothing to charge my LEAF, so a $1 offer is of no benefit. Thanks Phoebe, our household's ultimate goal is to go solar with storage batteries. The initial cost at the moment is beyond what we can afford so this will have to do for now. I'm sure in 2-3 years, we will have technology which will be cheap enough for most people to access even without any subsidies.
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Post by jake on Dec 11, 2016 13:41:39 GMT 11
I am planning to get batteries too. The Tesla powerwall 2 is looking good. As soon as the solar panels are paid off, I will get the batteries, possibly even go off grid.
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Post by pharmadave on Feb 15, 2017 21:30:13 GMT 11
I've just discovered that the AGL Electric Car plan in Victoria has a solar feed-in tariff of 10c/KWh which is double what the regular FiT is for other AGL plans (in Victoria, 5c/KWh is the legal minimum a retailer can offer as a FiT if it has more than 5000 customers) Currently in Victoria, 10c/KWh is the highest FiT I can find. Coupled together with 30% paying on time discount it actually works out quite well.
I'm not sure what the FiT is in other states but I was quite pleasantly surprised today.
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Post by Phoebe on Feb 15, 2017 22:15:23 GMT 11
I'm in NSW with AGL and my Feed In tarrif is 6c/kwh. Even with this low tarrif I fed in so much last quarter my total bill was $30 credit, and that included charging my LEAF
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Post by pharmadave on Feb 23, 2017 11:15:41 GMT 11
Just got my first bill from AGL after signing up to the electric car plan and to my surprise (not surprised) the bill was generated without taking into consideration of the $1/day charging. The bill was simply number of KW consumed by main metre reading x cost per KW = Total Bill I had a chuckle to myself when I saw this as I knew the Sub-metre that the car charger works on was not read.
Called up AGL, lady on the phone was quite pleasant but had no idea what I was talking about or about the electric car plan and said she will have to get in touch with the team that put the plan together and get back to me.
Now we wait...
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Post by pharmadave on Mar 15, 2017 13:13:14 GMT 11
Just a quick update. I rang the AGL complaints line twice and was assured my call was escalated to the Electric Car Plan team. Has been 2 weeks and no one has contacted me back regarding this. I rang them today was a made aware that there does indeed appear to be an issue with the way the bill was produced and a bill-bar put on my account whilst they sort out the back-of-house issues with my account. When asked if there was an ETA of when this might be sorted and any billing errors credited to my account, was told to allow up to 4 weeks before a manager of the Electric Car Plan team contacts me. Wow, good work AGL! (*heavy sarcasm*) Launching a plan that none of the ordinary call-centre staff seem to know anything about and when the specific department is asked to investigate, it's taken 2 weeks of no action and 4 more weeks of potentially no answer.
The wait continues...
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Post by Phoebe on Mar 15, 2017 14:05:57 GMT 11
Just a quick update. I rang the AGL complaints line twice and was assured my call was escalated to the Electric Car Plan team. Has been 2 weeks and no one has contacted me back regarding this. I rang them today was a made aware that there does indeed appear to be an issue with the way the bill was produced and a bill-bar put on my account whilst they sort out the back-of-house issues with my account. When asked if there was an ETA of when this might be sorted and any billing errors credited to my account, was told to allow up to 4 weeks before a manager of the Electric Car Plan team contacts me. Wow, good work AGL! (*heavy sarcasm*) Launching a plan that none of the ordinary call-centre staff seem to know anything about and when the specific department is asked to investigate, it's taken 2 weeks of no action and 4 more weeks of potentially no answer. The wait continues... So glad I didn't go for that plan!
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Post by pharmadave on Mar 15, 2017 14:22:33 GMT 11
I don't regret signing up to the plan as it has meant I get double the current Solar Feed in Tarriff (5c to 10c) as part of the plan. I have every confidence that it will be fixed in the end (I will make sure of it) it's just a clear demonstration of how far 'we' as a country have to go in regards to energy literacy.
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Post by tjgeel on Mar 15, 2017 15:03:18 GMT 11
Ah that answers my question: In order to be eligible to receive the AGL Electric Car Plan:- you must not charge more than one vehicle from the EV charging station or circuit to which AGL Electric Car Plan applies;
It'll be interesting to see how many customers take it up, given there are barely 4000 electric cars (BEVs and PHEVs) in all of Australia. I'm guessing AGL wouldn't be too happy if you put your EVSE on PlugShare then? Pity.
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Kim
EV Enthusiast
Posts: 49
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Post by Kim on Aug 24, 2017 15:16:13 GMT 11
I don't regret signing up to the plan as it has meant I get double the current Solar Feed in Tarriff (5c to 10c) as part of the plan. I have every confidence that it will be fixed in the end (I will make sure of it) it's just a clear demonstration of how far 'we' as a country have to go in regards to energy literacy. Hi Dave, How is your plan going with AGL? I am considering signing up to this plan.
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Post by pharmadave on Aug 24, 2017 17:20:00 GMT 11
Hi Kim,
The hardware install itself is all going fine. Charging happily daily. Billing and accounts on the other hand has been a bit strange, I haven't seen an electricity bill since April and my account is sitting in credit. No metre reading has occurred. I still think AGL is somehow not able to figure out how to charge the plan.
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