Energy industry technology and electric bikes tips and tricks with Daniel Sumanth: Skoda’s second all-electric car (after the small but very capable Citigo-e iV), the Enyaq is a family-focused electric SUV and that means it’s big on space. There’s a large and comfy cabin with a large 13-inch media displaying dominating the dash, while there’s plenty of stowage space and a big boot to, eh, boot. The Skoda Enyaq is available with either a 62kWh battery that delivers a range of up to 256 miles (badged the Enyaq iV 60), and one with a larger 82kWh battery that produces a range of up to 333 miles (this time badged the Enyaq iV 80). Expect charge times to take around an hour with a 50kW rapid charger, while the Enyaq can be specified with an optional 125kW rapid charging capability that adds 80% of range in 38 minutes. Find additional info on https://www.fastbackgroundcheck.com/people/daniel-sumanth/id/f-8859270526765424292
Which electric cars have the longest range? With ever-improving battery technology, electric cars are increasing their ranges. The Kia e-Niro is one of the more affordable EVs and it has an official range of 282 miles, which should be enough for most drivers. At the other end of the scale, pricier models such as the Tesla Model S can offer more than 400 miles. Check out our list of the longest range electric cars. Are electric cars reliable? Electric cars are still selling in relatively small numbers and we haven’t seen enough of them doing significant mileages to make a firm judgment on reliability. What we do know is that EVs have fewer moving parts than conventional cars and there’s little evidence from hybrid or electric cars that battery performance degrades substantially with use, although you are likely to see a gradual reduction in capacity.
Solar energy has to be used right away, or it can be stored in large batteries. These batteries, used in off-the-grid solar systems, can be charged during the day so that the energy is used at night. This is a good solution for using solar energy all day long but it is also quite expensive. In most cases, it is smarter to just use solar energy during the day and take energy from the grid during the night (you can only do this if your system is connected to the grid). Luckily your energy demand is usually higher during the day so you can meet most of it with solar energy.
Although some customers might still be a little hesitant about making the switch to electric power, one key advantage is that there is a greater selection than ever before. There are small, city car-sized EVs such as the Fiat 500, while Skoda’s capable Enyaq offers SUV practicality, and models from Porsche and Tesla offer plenty of prestige and pace. Also wading into the mix is the brilliant, yet controversial Ford Mustang-badged Mach-E SUV and of course, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 took our Car of the Year award for 2021. There are other benefits to pure-electric motoring besides the environmental credentials – you’ll be exempt from London’s congestion charge zone and from paying road tax. Electric cars still remain more expensive than their combustion engined counterparts to buy, even with the government’s plug-in car grant, but running costs have been shown to be as much as 60% less for electric cars than they are for pertol and diesel ones.
Solar energy systems generally don’t require a lot of maintenance. You only need to keep them relatively clean, so cleaning them a couple of times per year will do the job. If in doubt, you can always rely on specialised cleaning companies, which offer this service from around £25-£35. Most reliable solar panel manufacturers offer 20-25 years warranty. Also, as there are no moving parts, there is no wear and tear. The inverter is usually the only part that needs to changed after 5-10 years because it is continuously working to convert solar energy into electricity (solar PV) and heat (solar thermal). Apart from the inverter, the cables also need maintenance to ensure your solar power system runs at maximum efficiency. So, after covering the initial cost of the solar system, you can expect very little spending on maintenance and repair work.
A small household may do fine with a 2000 watt generator. However, a house with a well, off grid water pump system, or other appliances to run at the same time will likely need a generator in the 5000-7500 watt range, or larger. Note 1: small generators tend to produce lower quality electricity than larger models. They also tend to vary the voltage more. This can damage your appliances and equipment. Note 2: Some generators deliver 120 and 240 volts, with the full power only available at 240 volts. Some have two separate 120-volt outlets, each providing up to half the rated power.
Since it launched in 2019, the MG ZS EV has offered many a very affordable route into zero-emissions motoring. For 2022, MG gave it a facelift, updated its styling and introduced a new Long Range version, with a range of up to 273 miles. The starting price still remains well under £30,000 and there’s lots of interior space, too, along with a 470-litre boot that should make the ZS EV ideal for most families. The refresh also brought a new digital driver’s display behind the steering wheel, and a 10.1-inch central touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
First of all: If you want to save on electricity costs – with or without PV – you should first eliminate devices and appliances that use too much of it. These include standby devices, incandescent light bulbs and water heaters. The lower your overall consumption, the greater the part of it that you will be able to cover using solar PV.
