I'll agree (and disagree) with Arg
1) It's safer than a non-interlocked Commando, not that they are generally consider dangerous, even in environments like marinas. However depending on the failure more of an EVSE (welded shut Contactor ) there is very little benefit over a mechanical interlock commando which doesn't suffer this problem.
2) For sure. I'm 110% on side with this. There is still a long way to go though IMHO. I've struggled getting numerous Type-2's to work with a Tesla, they all seem to have been tested with Leafs/Zoes. The main Rolec/PodPoint/Polr ones are fine, but it's still far from perfect. I've had failed sessions now on public ones, portable ones, and even my v. expensive Etrel one which I'm still helping them with compatibility issues on
(Besides my gut feel is we are going to see lots of lobbying for even more Rapids first as the low range BEVs from VW/BMW/Audi push for their provision. Proper power managed EVSE sites are probably a few years off, and more tied in to us long range guys staying at hotels and airports for long dwell times, though that's a whole other debate
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I too have found a 10A 3pin EVSE and it saved me. I didn't so much mis-plan, rather get home and the snow prevented me getting up my drive to my charger! I went to a neighbour's house (with a flat driveway) that had an EVSE installed under the grant before the rules changed, and guess what: it didn't work! (At least the cowboys who installed it got their OLEV money :cursing: ) In the end I used a humble 13A outdoor socket to keep the car from being sat for days on a low charge.
One thing that is also worth bearing in mind is Best Westerns are generally Zero Carbon World sites, and they started off rolling out 32A commandos, they are nowhere near complete rolling out Type-2s.
I ended up leaving my Tesla at home once when flying out of Stansted because I didn't have a commando adapter (there is a ZCW commando at the Raddison, but no Type-2s), there's no Supercharging anywhere near en route, and at 150 miles from home I really couldn't face sat hanging around at a Ecotricity point after being cooped up on a plane.... I took the petrol car.
So the portable units definitely give you flexibility. There is absolutely nothing stopping you installing a commando, using the UMC to start with, then connecting a "fixed to the wall" type-2 EVSE with a commando plug if you find you are using it a lot.
It might cost you £100 more, but for me the benefits are well worth it.
The final thing that's sold this approach to me is it's definitely worth looking at how Tesla are running their own Service Centres... (Clue there are lot's of commando sockets on the walls, with UMCs plugged in
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P.S. Roy one thing about charging at work is it's not a BIK if available for all staff with an EV
(Even if that's just you, so better off your P+L and VAT bill than out of after tax earnings
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