Cutout fuse size

[securespark]

The longest mileage I believe you can get from a PHEV at the moment is the new MG HS PHEV.

It has a 24.7 kWh battery, 75 miles range and a charging time via a 7kW EVSE of 4.5 hours.

It won "Plug-In Hybrid of the Year" at the 2025 What Car? Car of the Year Awards.

Unfortunately, unlike a BEV, using beefier EVSE will not charge faster as the HS is not equipped to do so.

From reading some PHEV road reports, some models' mpg figures plummet when the battery depletes (the MG HS PHEV charges from the ICE, according to owners), so being able to charge up super rapidly on long journeys (just like BEVs) would be a bonus.

 

[Risteard]

Its range rover evoque with a 15kw battery. It takes 6 hours to charge off a 3 pin plug which is fine when we leave it on overnight, but less so if we want to charge it at other times.

Good point about the charging rate. I have no idea how quickly it will charge off a bigger charger.

15kWh

 

[securespark]

What is 15kWh?

 

[securespark]

How quickly a PHEV will charge is governed by their onboard charging circuitry.

In the example I gave, the MG HS will charge in 4.5 hours using a 7kW unit. Using anything bigger will not decrease the charging time as the car limits the charging speed.

 

[Lower]

15 kWh / 2 kW = 7.5 hours, but I know across the road from me, his Kango Van could only charge at 3 kW what ever charge it was plugged into, so step one is read the manual.

12.1kw useable apparently, hence the 6 hour charge time. Presumably, because it's a PHEV, the control never lets you fully deplete the battery so it never needs the full 15kwh replenishing.

 

[Lower]

Consumer unit photo below:

Interestingly, it appears that someone has soldered the earth to the incoming supply. I assume that is not normal.

 

[Murdochcat]

That CU is not suitable to add an EV charger to it

 

[Lower]

As above - what PHEV make and model is it?
You may not benefit from a 7.4 kW evse point install as the vehicle on board charger will limit what can be put into the battery and current taken from a 240V (nominal 230) supply.
What does the vehicle handbook/spec say?

"Future-proofing" by over-installing now may not be all that wise as evse support changes.

The car will charge in 2hrs 12 mins on a 7kw home charger so potentially worth it.

 

[Lower]

That CU is not suitable to add an EV charger to it

Can i ask why?

 

[Murdochcat]

Your CU may have spare ways but an EV needs a dedicated RCD or RCBO

Post #2

 

[ericmark]

That CU is not suitable to add an EV charger to it

Beat me to it.

The car will charge in 2hrs 12 mins on a 7kw home charger so potentially worth it.

I would be looking to be charged in 5 hours, as that is how long off-peak last for with many EV tariffs. There are charge leads where the rate can be selected. "Choice of 5 charging speeds: 6A, 8A, 10A, 16A, 20A, 24A & 32A" for example with this lead.

I don't like the leads, I see some potential dangers in using them, but I know my father-in-law had a 16 amp commando socket for his caravan, and at 16 amp, 15 kWh / 3.68 kW = 4 hours approx, so it would re-charge within the 5 hours, and you could lie and tell an electrician the socket is for a welding set, so he could fit it, however the rules are for your safety, so ignoring the rules puts you and anyone else who could touch the car at risk, and you have not answered the big question can your car be charged at higher rates anyway?

 

[Lower]

Beat me to it.

I would be looking to be charged in 5 hours, as that is how long off-peak last for with many EV tariffs. There are charge leads where the rate can be selected. "Choice of 5 charging speeds: 6A, 8A, 10A, 16A, 20A, 24A & 32A" for example with this lead. View attachment 388547 I don't like the leads, I see some potential dangers in using them, but I know my father-in-law had a 16 amp commando socket for his caravan, and at 16 amp, 15 kWh / 3.68 kW = 4 hours approx, so it would re-charge within the 5 hours, and you could lie and tell an electrician the socket is for a welding set, so he could fit it, however the rules are for your safety, so ignoring the rules puts you and anyone else who could touch the car at risk, and you have not answered the big question can your car be charged at higher rates anyway?

The car will charge in 2hrs 12 mins on a 7kw home charger so potentially worth it.

 

[Lower]

Post #2

Would the whole consumer unit need replacing, or can an additional unit be installed?

 

[Murdochcat]

Would the whole consumer unit need replacing, or can an additional unit be installed?

Without looking at it on site it’s not possible to say either way but bear in mind your CU is very old ….

 

[Lower]

Without looking at it on site it’s not possible to say either way but bear in mind your CU is very old ….

Is it? I'm looking at it thinking its pretty modern! That being said, our previous house had the old wylex rewireable fuses....