Diesel & petrol alternatives? Your thoughts please

KellyHenderson replied on 14/09/2017 14:26

KellyHenderson

Posted on 14/09/2017 14:26

Good Afternoon,

Hopefully you have now received your September Club Magazine and read the Ask Your Club article (see attached photo) regarding the future of caravanning post 2040.

Have you already changed your vehicle from diesel to petrol?

Is anyone already towing with a hybrid? Maybe a Tesla Model X?

Has the news affected your plans for your next towcar?

It will also be interesting to see how motorhomes evolve into hybrids and/or electric models, which alternative to diesel would you prefer to buy; Hybrid or electric?

Are you concerned about so few alternatives to diesel at the moment? Would you choose petrol instead if they were more widely available? There is now a VW T6 camper with a petrol engine available.

Has this news made you think about switching to a car and caravan? Equally would caravanners consider trading in their car and caravan to purchase a hybrid or electric motorhome?

From the questions above, we would love to have your feedback.

One thing is for sure, there will be some interesting times ahead.

Gallery

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593 replies

flatcoat replied on 05/10/2020 11:03

Member

flatcoat

Caravanner from West Yorkshire

Posted on 05/10/2020 11:03

I have had a smart meter since i bought my first house nearly 40 years ago.... It is called ‘my brain’. When i see something switched on that shouldn't be i switch it off, simples as they say. I dont need to see a meter to tell me if i switch on the kettle or a TV i am using more electricity and if i turn them off i use less....

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EmilysDad replied on 05/10/2020 11:15

Member

EmilysDad

Caravanner

Posted on 05/10/2020 11:15

Smart meters themselves don't save electricity/money, they just try to make you aware of the usage of various electrical appliances .... just a visual of what flatcoat has said.

JVB66 replied on 05/10/2020 11:21

Member

JVB66

Campervanner from Hertfordshire

Posted on 05/10/2020 09:37 by Rocky 2 buckets

I’ve been on a smart meter for around 5yrs JV in that time my monthly electric costs have gone down from around £40 p/mth to £35 p/mth currently.

PS-apologies my PA informs me we’ve had a smart meter for 7yrs not 5yrs.

Posted on 05/10/2020 11:21

Our energy company ,keep "Advising?" us to have a smart meter, as it will save us money?,

I send our meter readings in every month ,if we are home ,and when checking our usage even this year when we have not been away ,it shows a much lower usage than our neighbours.

Ps i have put our DD monthly up from £35 to £40 and that is for duel fuel gas and electric not each

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Navigateur replied on 05/10/2020 11:47

Member

Navigateur

Caravanner from Lanarkshire

Posted on 05/10/2020 11:47

What is really "smart" about these meters is how the suppliers are keeping quiet about how they can be remotely controlled by your supplier to turn you off should there be a shortage of electricity in your area. That does mean no lights, no heat or hot water (gas systems included as controls and pump are mains driven), no TV, no electric shower, no microwave, no hob/oven if not gas, etc.

So keep your caravan handy and move out there should your meter "go-smart" on you. Then you can have fun when you are allowed power again resetting all the clocks and time switches!

Oscarmax replied on 05/10/2020 12:35

Member

Oscarmax

Caravanner

Posted on 05/10/2020 10:58 by JVB66

Ther are two misubishi hybrids in our area one is a 2015 reg the other not sure as it has private plates,the owner of the 2015 reg would says it would not be any good as a tow car ,now as the engine (petrol) has not got the power needed(he had hopes they may make a diesel but not now)and the battery is not now lasting as in the past , he has to charge evey couple of days, where it could last a week,

And has had letters from the council (after complaints ?) because to charge from his house he needs to park on a green as he lives in a terraced house ,and cannot get near enough

Posted on 05/10/2020 12:35

We tow with the new 2020 Outlander PHEV, it use a 2.4 litre engine as opposed to the previous 2.0 litre, a bigger battery, upgrade in the motors and software, it tows no problem but you must use the charge button which fires up the engine.

As a towcar it is not as good as a diesel, I know as we have recently changed from a Ford Kuga, but it is a compromise and 90% it is as good, as an everyday car for use as we only do shortish journeys it is excellent and cheap to run.

Is it better for the environment I have no idea, everything in life has pro and cons, I just fancied on.

Oscarmax replied on 05/10/2020 12:43

Member

Oscarmax

Caravanner

Posted on 05/10/2020 11:47 by Navigateur

What is really "smart" about these meters is how the suppliers are keeping quiet about how they can be remotely controlled by your supplier to turn you off should there be a shortage of electricity in your area. That does mean no lights, no heat or hot water (gas systems included as controls and pump are mains driven), no TV, no electric shower, no microwave, no hob/oven if not gas, etc.

So keep your caravan handy and move out there should your meter "go-smart" on you. Then you can have fun when you are allowed power again resetting all the clocks and time switches!

Posted on 05/10/2020 12:43

Funny you should mention that, we are with Octopus Energy and on the OctopusGo tariff off peak £0.05kWh 0.30 - 4.30 am, but we are on the earlier SMET 1 meter.

We had an notification on my account 'due to high carbon etc it is a good time switch of you EV charger'

Our PHEV was not even plugged in?

EmilysDad replied on 05/10/2020 14:02

Member

EmilysDad

Caravanner

Posted on 05/10/2020 11:21 by JVB66

Our energy company ,keep "Advising?" us to have a smart meter, as it will save us money?,

I send our meter readings in every month ,if we are home ,and when checking our usage even this year when we have not been away ,it shows a much lower usage than our neighbours.

Ps i have put our DD monthly up from £35 to £40 and that is for duel fuel gas and electric not each

Posted on 05/10/2020 14:02

... for duel fuel

on guard! ⚔ 😏😏

brue replied on 05/10/2020 14:11

Member

brue

Motorhomer

Posted on 05/10/2020 14:11

Heard on the news that cars sales in general had dropped this year but EV sales had trebled.

Rocky 2 buckets replied on 05/10/2020 14:23

Rocky 2 buckets

Posted on 05/10/2020 11:47 by Navigateur

What is really "smart" about these meters is how the suppliers are keeping quiet about how they can be remotely controlled by your supplier to turn you off should there be a shortage of electricity in your area. That does mean no lights, no heat or hot water (gas systems included as controls and pump are mains driven), no TV, no electric shower, no microwave, no hob/oven if not gas, etc.

So keep your caravan handy and move out there should your meter "go-smart" on you. Then you can have fun when you are allowed power again resetting all the clocks and time switches!

Posted on 05/10/2020 14:23

I’ve been given 2 weeks notice due to repairs needed on the main frame but it wasn’t via my smart meter it was the whole village at once. Plus I thought they(power suppliers) needed to do ensure folk could cope re medical dependencies etc before cutting anyone off I doubt they’ll be willing to take life to save electricity. The Law tends to have a dim view on taking lives🤷🏻‍♂️🤔