Dear EVDL, (This is UK specific so if you don't live in the UK please feel free to ignore it)
I received the following email from Chargemaster this morning. It was a bit of a surprise, to say the least. Perhaps it is an April Fools joke. My reply is at the bottom. I would welcome comments. MW From: Chargemaster <[email protected]> Subject: Polar Network Card Renewal Date: 15 March 2014 08:15:13 GMT To: Martin Winlow <[email protected]> Dear Martin, As you will be aware, all POLAR cards are due for renewal with effect from 1st April 2014. In line with the end of the Plugged In Places schemes and the industry in general, usage charges for charging points will be introduced on some sites. Charging rates will be shown on our web site www.chargemasterplc.com Please see below the two subscription tariffs available. POLAR Tariff from 1st April 2014 With effect from 1st April 2014, Chargemaster POLAR sites may be accessed easily by a choice of two different subscription card schemes. In addition a mobile smartphone PAYG scheme will be available from early April. 1. POLAR Economy Plus Tariff: Monthly subscription paid by direct debit of £12 per month to include: • 20 hours of free 13 amp socket charging (one charging credit per hour), or • 13.3 hours Type 2 socket charging (1.5 charging credits per hour), or • 2 x 30 minute sessions of triplex rapid chargers (10 charging credits per half hour), or • Any combination of the above to a total of 20 charging credits. • Sites marked free on the Chargemaster web site will not result in credits being used. Charging over the free usage on chargeable sites is charged at: • £0.95 per hour for 13 amp chargers (part hours charge pro rata). • £1.45 per hour for Type 2 chargers (part hours charged pro rata). • £6 for 30 minutes for triplex rapid chargers (minimum 30 minutes then pro rata). 2. POLAR Standard Tariff: Annual subscription of £20 plus: • £1.00 per hour for 13 amp socket chargers (minimum charge one hour and then pro rata). • £1.50 per hour for Type 2 chargers (minimum charge one hour and then pro rata). • £7 for 30 minutes for triplex rapid chargers (minimum 30 minutes then pro-rata). • Sites marked free on the Chargemaster web site will not result in usage charges being incurred. Charges are payable by direct debit. All rates include VAT. In order to receive your new POLAR card please: • Select the tariff you wish to enroll to. • Print out complete and sign the direct debit mandate attached herewith. • Print out and complete the initial payment form covering a debit or credit card payment for the first payment due under either scheme. This is £12 for the Economy Plus Tariff and £20 for the Standard Tariff Note: Your credit card will be only be used for the first payment whilst your direct debit is set up. • Return both of these forms to us by mail. To: Chargemaster Plc, Mulberry House, 750 Capability Green, Luton, LU1 3LU. • Your new card will normally be sent to you within 48 hours of receipt of the completed forms and credit card processing. • Each month you will receive a detailed bill showing your usage. Whilst writing I would like to remind you that you are eligible to apply for a free Homecharge Unit either for yourself or for friends or relatives if the house has not already had a unit installed under the scheme. This offer applies to private individuals only with off street parking. Conditions apply. Please seehttp://www.chargemasterplc.com/index.php/free_homecharge_offer/. If you are interested in this offer please mark the initial payment form appropriately and we will be in touch to arrange a survey and installation. If you wish to refer this offer to a friend or relative please e-mail us on: [email protected]. Thank you, David Martell Chief Executive Chargemaster Plc Attachments Direct Debit Instruction Form (http://bit.ly/OrmOXQ) Polar Subscription Agreement (http://bit.ly/1iabk5s) Dear Mr Martell, As a sole EV user of some 3 years or so I am, frankly, rather shocked to receive your email. You say "As you will be aware.."... no I wasn't aware. I was rather under the impression that fees for using public EVSEs would be something that would happen eventually, of course - particularly as electricity costs inevitably rise, but a/ not until EVs are at least *a thousand times* more common than they currently are and b/ done on a power-use basis. What you appear to saying is that I'm going to be paying the same to charge my electric motorcycle as someone else would who drives a big car! What on earth does "In line with the end of the Plugged In Places schemes *and the industry in general*..." mean? Will those public EVSEs which will attract a fee to use also have parking charges attached, separately? As you know, most public EV charging facilities do not currently charge a fee for the electricity used and motorcycles are generally free to park. Is one going to pay whilst still connected put not charging? I have a POLAR EVSE installed at my home. Am I going to be charged to use it? I simply cannot think of a better way to kill off any hope of EVs taking over form ICEVs. Regards, Martin Winlow. _______________________________________________ UNSUBSCRIBE: http://www.evdl.org/help/index.html#usub http://lists.evdl.org/listinfo.cgi/ev-evdl.org For EV drag racing discussion, please use NEDRA (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEDRA)
