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Ecotricity Price Increase

4K views 12 replies 8 participants last post by  bimjim 
#1 ·
Ecotricity have announced prices going up to 39p/kWh

So now we are expected to pay more for non working chargers....what a business model Dale is running :lol: :lol:
 
#3 ·
Makes Instavolt look cheap!

This (from their email explaining the increases) may go somewhat to mitigate the costs. All the electricity companies have raised their prices this year. Some more than once. This is the first raise in their tariffs in a year.

Work to improve the network has already begun. In the next month or so, we will begin rolling out new rapid chargers to modernise our existing 50kW pumps. We will start with a focus on those that have proven the least reliable - expect to see new pumps fully operational at five locations in November - with more to follow.

Our preparations for ultra high speed charging pumps (350kW) also continue. We've now submitted over 50 applications to secure additional grid capacity from power network operators, with further applications submitted on a monthly basis.


I'd like to see more than one CCS pump per site though.
 
#4 ·
Here's the letter in full for the benefit of anyone who didn't get it....

Hi there,

Thank you for using the Electric Highway - Britain's first nationwide EV charging network. Since the turn of the year, we've seen an increase of more than 50% in the zero emission miles we're powering each month. We now have over 70,000 EV drivers regularly on the road with us - powering longer journeys with renewable energy from the wind and sun.

We recognise the need to make improvements to our network, so we can keep apace with the fast-evolving and growing EV sector. We were the first network, so as a result of this - some of our pumps were installed way back in 2012 - before the CCS charging standard even existed and before contactless technology was available. It's our intention to upgrade our entire network to include both CCS and contactless using the latest technology over the next couple of years.

To support this next phase of our development and fund significant financial investment in the network, we will be increasing the unit cost of our energy from 4th October - 30 days from this notice.

Charging on the Electric Highway will now cost 39p per kWh - up from 30p. Ecotricity customers can benefit from a reduced rate of 19p, by choosing the Fully Charged tariff.

Even at this new rate the Electric Highway will continue to be loss making, this is fundamentally due to the lack of EVs on the road relative to the costs of running a network (and this is on an operational costs basis only, excluding or writing off the capital cost of equipment). This new rate will however allow us to make further investments to keep pace with the needs of EV drivers and maintain the push to widespread EV adoption. There is no government support available for this unfortunately.

Work to improve the network has already begun. In the next month or so, we will begin rolling out new rapid chargers to modernise our existing 50kW pumps. We will start with a focus on those that have proven the least reliable - expect to see new pumps fully operational at five locations in November - with more to follow.

Our preparations for ultra high speed charging pumps (350kW) also continue. We've now submitted over 50 applications to secure additional grid capacity from power network operators, with further applications submitted on a monthly basis.

Thanks for your continued support.

Dale.
 
#5 ·
Could be good news? I've seen price increases as a prelude to selling the business. "Last year we sold 1M units at 50p, but now the price is 99p that would be twice that wouldn't it?" Presumably depends how gullible / desperate the New Buyer is :roll: but moving the Ecotricity MSA sites to a new owner might well be a good thing ...
 
#6 ·
If it gets us closer to a comprehensive network of ultra high speed chargers on our motorways, I suppose o can swallow it. But I can't help feeling that these kind of prices will slow adoption.

I know some people will say that it won't because most charging is done at home. But you only really get that after you own an EV. For those making the switch I can see it being more of an obstacle. £68 for 450-500 miles of range is very ICE like. Doesn't worry me because I know how often I charge on the go. But not everyone is buying an £80k EV. Some are very budget conscious and those are the people that need to be won over if mass adoption is truly going to happen. Especially when you take into account the perceived impression of convenience of charging vs filling up with petrol or diesel.
 
#7 ·
TeslaDriver said:
Could be good news? I've seen price increases as a prelude to selling the business. "Last year we sold 1M units at 50p, but now the price is 99p that would be twice that wouldn't it?" Presumably depends how gullible / desperate the New Buyer is :roll: but moving the Ecotricity MSA sites to a new owner might well be a good thing ...
Yes that would probably be a good move for us, more investment is certainly needed to increase the number of chargers per site, more charging capacity and upgrade of all the old chargers at least.
 
#10 ·
pedro1664 said:
When i am away from home, i just need it to work, price is almost secondary... if i have a choice of two working fast chargers then price will come into it!!
Agreed on reliability.

On pricing then IF they replace the old chargers quickly and IF the new ones are ultra-charge and IF they are tap to pay then they are marginally cheaper than BP Polar at 40p kWH. I then assume on an Ecotricity home tariff you'd get cheaper still. Conversely, given the choice I'd use the Polar as I'm a subscriber, for 20p.

I do however have much greater faith in BP's rollout than EcoIFitry's though. Not including InstaVolt here only as not heard of them getting near Motorway services anytime soon. BP Polar, then Ionity seem to be the ones to hope for.
 
#11 ·
Had a nice free charge at Stamford Services (A1) today. It was one of the newer Ecotricity chargers so I 'filled up' so to speak.
I did a splash and dash a bit earlier at Baldock Extra. Newer charger. zero issues and still at the old price!

Apparently, the Stamford Chargers (2 of them) have both been on free vend for a while.
You didn't hear it from me folks!
 
#12 ·
SammyD said:
Had a nice free charge at Stamford Services (A1) today. It was one of the newer Ecotricity chargers so I 'filled up' so to speak.
I did a splash and dash a bit earlier at Baldock Extra. Newer charger. zero issues and still at the old price!

Apparently, the Stamford Chargers (2 of them) have both been on free vend for a while.
You didn't hear it from me folks!
Hmm, both good to know. I've never actually come across a newer charger. Stamford might be useful for me. Baldock is close enough that I might just use it as an excuse for a drive in the name of science :lol:
 
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