23 Mar UK’s first subscription-based home charging service offers electric vehicle drivers a new way to pay
New renewable energy brand Egg has launched the UK’s first subscription-based charging service for electric vehicles (EVs), offering drivers the means to charge their cars at home for just £30 per month.
The monthly fee includes standard installation of a best-in-class home charging unit and free maintenance call-outs within two working days. Drivers can set up their Egg subscription within a few clicks at www.crackingenergy.com after answering a few questions to confirm eligibility. Installation will require access to off-street parking such as a driveway or garage, for example.
The launch comes as the government’s Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS) draws to a close for many homeowners on 31st March 2022. The EVHS grant currently contributes up to 75% of the cost of installing a home charge point, capped at £350. Without EVHS, the average cost of hardware and installation for a fast home charge point is estimated to be in excess of £1,000 according to independent EV charging comparison site www.RightCharge.co.uk.
“The reality of buying an electric vehicle is that it involves a lot of research and a considerable upfront cost. EVs are an unknown entity to most drivers and the second-hand market is presently very small, though growing,” says Egg CEO Thomas Newby. “Installing a home charge point should be the most painless part of the process. Egg’s proposition is simple – one affordable, monthly cost that keeps your car moving and offers complete peace of mind.”
Egg’s monthly subscription ensures that EV owners and drivers can continue to access home-charging without a hefty upfront cost, even once the EVHS scheme ends. Paying monthly offers valuable flexibility for customers – especially those who might be considering a house move, or company car drivers who are personally responsible for the cost of installing a home charger if opting for an EV. The full maintenance cover offered by Egg also means that a specialist engineer will repair or replace a charger within two working days should anything go wrong.
Egg’s 7 kW fast charger is compatible with all makes and models of electric vehicles. It is weather protected and can be mounted on a garage or outdoor wall. A fast charger powers an EV more than three times quicker than a standard three-pin plug and typically provides around 20 to 30 miles of range for every hour the EV charges. Electric charging is already more economical than petrol or diesel, but Egg customers can also save by scheduling charging for times when energy is greener and cheaper – generally overnight.
Along with home chargers for electric vehicles, Egg offers other renewable energy solutions for homes and businesses including solar panels and battery storage. Solar energy generated on-site is the greenest form of energy consumers can use to power their EV. Any excess solar energy generated during the day can be stored in a battery and used later – including after sunset.
Egg was launched in February 2022 by Liberty Global Ventures, the investment arm of Liberty Global plc (“Liberty Global”) (NASDAQ: LBTYA, LBTYB and LBTYK). The launch of Egg follows Liberty Global Ventures’ acquisition of The Phoenix Works, a specialist sustainable energy solutions provider, in 2020.
