A quick stop in Bega

Quick stop for a wee in Bega. Last stop before our destination in Tuross Head.

Charging

The same white bearded guy in the old blue MG was here again. We waited for him last time we passed through, months ago. When we arrived, he said his charging had slowed (to about 12kW), which happens when the battery charge gets above 92%. He still doesn’t seem to follow the “when charging slows, move on if someone is waiting” etiquette. A few minutes later he came back and said “it’s all yours”.

Hat off to him for his persistence with his old EV. I think he said he only gets about 100km out of it (compared to over 300 or 500km of most modern EVs). He uses it to carry all sorts of farm supplies, including, I’ve heard, hay bails, soil and a pig!

We only charged for about 10 min, while we went to the toilet.

Just after we plugged in, another local showed up (I think in a BYD). He said that the white bearded guy says he can’t really charge at home because his solar doesn’t produce enough 🤔. Then we discussed the dilemma of the free charger from The NRMA: it’s great to get a free charge, but it can be often clogged by locals who will use it to save $10 charging at home.

Last time we came through here, a few months ago, this was the last fast charger before Sale, over 400km away. But now, there are several new ones, some of which we used along the way earlier today, at Sale and Orbost.

6 comments

Susan Hill via Facebook ↗ 10 Aug 2023

That is true about his limited solar at home. He was burnt out during the black summer fires and is still rebuilding- I met him a few weeks ago and he was on his way home to get the next instalment of panels. Rebuilds cost a lot more now with BAL- bushfire attack level restrictions. Another reminder why need to transition away from ICE cars ASAP and get serious about the changing climate.
But also agreed - don’t hog the one charger lol

Tesla Tripping eTripping.au 10 Aug 2023

Susan Hill Good to see you (via Facebook) again. For those watching, we met Susan when we were last at the Bega charger, earlier this year.

I assume he still has electricity at home, from the grid? Or is he off grid?

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1. Susan Hill via Facebook ↗ 11 Aug 2023
  
  Tesla Tripping yes good to see you too -
  he’s off grid. 😞
  Another lovley thing about small communities is we all know each other (and each others business lol). Bet I know who the local with the BYD is.
  
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Tesla Tripping eTripping.au 13 Aug 2023

Susan Hill Oh, now I just want to buy the poor guy some more solar panels, so he can charge at home. I wonder if he also has a home battery of some sort.

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Peter Kelly via Facebook ↗ 11 Aug 2023

A little unfair criticism there. He may be , like ourselves , off grid and in winter it wont keep up with our needs. Our car is also a slow charger. We have a 2022 MY Hyundai Electric. If we need to charge to 90% and sometimes 100% , though rarely , we will take some time to get from 80% as the car was designed to slow the input rate by the manufacturer. If you have to wait for us then so be it. We often wait for Tesla people charging at the Snowy Hydro centre they use to save 10 cents a kwh instead of going to the Tesla ONLY fast chargers at Coles. Really some of you members of the Elon Cult give others a bad name .... Have some consideration and respect that you demand of others ...

Robert Manser via Facebook ↗ 20 Aug 2023

There was a blue byd charging to 100% when I came through there, it was like at 86%, she came past to check whilst I was waiting. Told me she was a local and had to charge to 100% as her power was out at home.
Pretty infuriating, but I still had just enough to get to Narooma.

Charging

6 comments

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