Electric Car Ownership - Any Experiences?

[Belen]

I never owned one myself (for a start, I lack the corresponding house...), but aren't these things supposed to be protected by a PIN (or other means of authentication)?

He ended up having an lock enclosure built, but someone broke into it.

Finally, he had to replace it with both a lock and a new smart charger where he could set charging times. He also added a camera but someone smashed it.

It was a journey but cost him a lot of additional time and money.

 

[prabe]

The bit about other people using your charging station seems to be a fairly common one. Why save a dollar, when you can save EVERYTHING? There seem to be lock boxes that you can get, so that you can secure your charging port, for this very reason.

Ours is inside our garage, which seems to cover this.

 

[schneeland]

He ended up having an lock enclosure built, but someone broke into it.

Finally, he had to replace it with both a lock and a new smart charger where he could set charging times. He also added a camera but someone smashed it.

Man, that sounds really rough! Sorry to hear it was free riders who ruined the experience for him.

 

[Ryujin]

I think that my solution, to the charging thieves issue, would be a master switch that just kills it when not in use.

 

[tomBitonti]

Wow! My charging unit was originally mounted outside .. and unsecured. I never considered that someone might park in my driveway and steal charge. I moved to a new house and now have the unit inside my garage.

Actually, with a minimum of tools, I’m thinking the whole unit could have been detached and stolen. Costing upwards of $500, it would have been easy money.

Tomb

 

[payn]

I think that my solution, to the charging thieves issue, would be a master switch that just kills it when not in use.

Reverse polarity and blow out their electrical system.

 

[Ryujin]

Reverse polarity and blow out their electrical system.

Well in keeping with your avatar.

 

[payn]

Well in keeping with your avatar.

I mean, they would have a lot of fun explaining why they shorted out everything in their car.

"you see, I followed this free charging website. When I got there, somebody mistakenly put a lock box on the charger. So, I went ahead and used a bolt cutters to remove said mistakenly placed lock. Then, the system shorted out my car costing thousands in damages. Im pretty sure im entitled to the homeowner to pay for it..."

 

[Ryujin]

I mean, they would have a lot of fun explaining why they shorted out everything in their car.

"you see, I followed this free charging website. When I got there, somebody mistakenly put a lock box on the charger. So, I went ahead and used a bolt cutters to remove said mistakenly placed lock. Then, the system shorted out my car costing thousands in damages. Im pretty sure im entitled to the homeowner to pay for it..."

And if they were dumb enough to hang around and not call a tow truck, they'd be arrested for theft and trespass.

 

[Umbran]

That seems an overly complicated way to handle it. The last time that I had a car totalled out it was inspected in the towing yard, by the adjuster. He deemed it a total loss. I signed my ownership over to the insurance company, in exchange for the pay out. After that it was their vehicle to do with as they pleased. I didn't need to be involved in anything.

Well, you were luckier than we were, then. Congrats.