Mobile Electric charging point

Honest John Back Room » Motoring discussion
View Threaded
Tue 5 Feb 2019 11:06
Mobile Electric charging point - Cris_on_the_gas

Could this be a good business ?

Have a van/ small lorry with a diesel generator and offer to charge up electric cars. With more electric cars about and owners worried about range or company car owners who just want electric to save on tax.

Reckon with at least a 150kVA generator and car having charging capacity to take 100kW could charge a car up in about 45 minutes. Just looked up Jaguar I pace.

On a legal basis would it be permissible to run the genny on red diesel as it would not be directly used for propulsion ?

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 5 Feb 2019 11:17
Mobile Electric charging point - craig-pd130

Ha! It's an interesting idea :-)

However, I've been on the SpeakEV forums for a couple of years, and while there are plenty of posts talking about how owners just managed to reach a charging point with zero miles of range remaining, I don't recall seeing any from owners that have actually been left stranded by the roadside.

I'm not sure it would be viable as a business, unfortunately :-|

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 5 Feb 2019 12:45
Mobile Electric charging point - bathtub tom
On a legal basis would it be permissible to run the genny on red diesel as it would not be directly used for propulsion ?

I raised this question a while ago, except suggesting a generator could be towed behind an EV in a trailer (any EVs with tow bars?)

The opinion seemed to be it would be perfectly acceptable to use red diesel while the outfit was stationary, but not whilst moving. Although no legal precedent had been set it could be an interesting test case.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 5 Feb 2019 14:35
Mobile Electric charging point - kiss (keep it simple)

Have the AA, RAC, (other recovery services are available) got this setup yet?

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 5 Feb 2019 15:25
Mobile Electric charging point - Cris_on_the_gas

Have the AA, RAC, (other recovery services are available) got this setup yet?

Just checked the AA website and it states "If your battery's run down, we'll tow you to the closest charging point or your destination – whichever's nearer."

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 5 Feb 2019 15:13
Mobile Electric charging point - colinh

Possible market with people living in flats, houses without off-street parking - there again having a generator going for 45 minutes wouldn't be popular with the neighbours

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 5 Feb 2019 15:43
Mobile Electric charging point - kiss (keep it simple)

Rent a genny from the local film and TV location lighting company. Nice and quiet, name your power (at a price).

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 5 Feb 2019 20:05
Mobile Electric charging point - focussed

I think all EV's should have a built-in genny, a bit like a smaller version of an aircraft APU.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 5 Feb 2019 20:15
Mobile Electric charging point - mcb100
They’re called hybrids. More specifically, range extenders.

I have worked on launch events for EV’s when there has been a requirement for a mobile charging point. And, as per the OP, it has been a truck with a generator onboard. So it’s not unexplored territory.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 5 Feb 2019 20:17
Mobile Electric charging point - badbusdriver

The BMW i3 range extender for you then?.

There was also the ill fated Vauxhall Ampera, the engine on which did not power the wheels, only charge up the battery.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 6 Feb 2019 08:06
Mobile Electric charging point - craig-pd130

I think all EV's should have a built-in genny, a bit like a smaller version of an aircraft APU.

Agree 100% - it's a real shame that Jaguar's concept car which used a Bladon mini gas-turbine was never taken further. Turbines would be ideal for this sort of application because they run at high rpm (for good electricity output from a generator) and because it would be running at fixed rpm with no need for warm-up enrichment etc, it can burn the fuel very cleanly.

Good for packaging too as there's no need for a cooling system.

Basically, I want a jet car :)

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 5 Feb 2019 21:14
Mobile Electric charging point - Metropolis.
People drive round cities in Canada in pickup trucks with generators on the back, charge a small fee to start people’s cars in the cold weather; normally office workers! I think your idea has merit, albeit for a limited period of time before charging points become more commonplace.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link

From economical vans to those that have the largest payloads, we have a shortlist for everyone - click to find out which will suit your needs.

Undecided on which van to buy? Our Top 10 shortlists can help...