Give yourself an award...

[Footie]

I might take one of those award now.
I have just started my bit towards helping combat climate change.
Just taken my campervan off the road (safely in the back garden). For the next 3 months my only transport will be shanks-pony (walking) or the electric bike.
Wonder what the cost of fuel will be in 3 months time?

[Branwen]

Well done you, and in winter too.

I just wrote an article on my electric bike for a magazine I've been published in a few times before, and they said they would wait till spring to publish it, when people were feeling a bit braver about being out in all weathers (which ticked me off a little as the idea is to make a change that you can sustain year round).

I can definately recommend getting some decent base layer thermals, such as are sold in mountaineering or camping shops.

[Footie]

Well I've been 3 months without a motor vehicle. I have to say that I haven't missed it.
I just did some quick calculations and I estimate that not having to buy fuel (£40/month) and saying on road tax (£20/month) I am £60/month better off. When the van goes back on the road (April) I should have saved £300.
If I do the same next year I will have paid for the bike and be a further £150 up.
Just goes to show how electric bikes can pay for themselves in no time

"I thought of that while riding my bike."
Albert Einstein, on the theory of relativity.
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[Branwen]

Originally Posted by flecc

No need to be guilty Branwen, we're all on it.

The fact is that we've run our generating capacity so low that all available British sources are normally fully taken up all the time to maintain the grid, especially in Winter, so we all get green electricity. The final amount to make up our needs is by adjustment from the cross channel link of French mainly nuclear energy, varying between 3% and 10 % of our needs.
.

By the way. You were right about this, when I looked into it. I just dont want my money going to one of the suppliers that is making no effort to combat climate change is all, and this is the reason for choosing, not where the electric actually comes from, good source or bad.

[Branwen]

Even on the bus, I saved £400 a year. Getting rid of my car saved me the payments, insurance, tax, fuel, parking fees (and fines) and no method gets me around as fast as the bike, or takes me door to door, like the bike does. Mine paid for itself in two years, and since the Spark at my work fixed the battery, it looks like the trusty LAFree will last a bit longer than the 5 years I've already had it too.

[john]

Originally Posted by flecc

No need to be guilty Branwen, we're all on it.

The fact is that we've run our generating capacity so low that all available British sources are normally fully taken up all the time to maintain the grid, especially in Winter, so we all get green electricity. The final amount to make up our needs is by adjustment from the cross channel link of French mainly nuclear energy, varying between 3% and 10 % of our needs.
.

Such links will become more important as renewables increase, helping to even out the variability of supply and demand.

One study showed that (theoretically) Europe could supply all of its electricity needs from wind power and existing hydro installations alone. That won't happen of course, but it shows what is possible if the will is there.

[Footie]

Originally Posted by Footie

Well I've been 3 months without a motor vehicle. I have to say that I haven't missed it.
I just did some quick calculations and I estimate that not having to buy fuel (£40/month) and saying on road tax (£20/month) I am £60/month better off. When the van goes back on the road (April) I should have saved £300.
If I do the same next year I will have paid for the bike and be a further £150 up.
Just goes to show how electric bikes can pay for themselves in no time

"I thought of that while riding my bike."
Albert Einstein, on the theory of relativity.
.

Just got my road tax, so my campervan is back on the road.
It's been off the road for 6 months - so that's my small contribution to easing climate change.
Saved myself some money too as this time I only taxed it for 6 months £101 – saved £84 road tax.
I will still be using the electric bike especially when one considers the price of diesel
I think the next addition to the electric bike set-up will be a cargo trailer for shopping.
Looking forward to going away in the campervan but not looking forward to filling it up
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[essexman]

I'm thinking a trailer is the next step. I'm hoping the wife will get me one at xmas.

[Footie]

Had a flash of inspiration the other night. Thought I would air the idea as it’s so simple and saves money. I have two solar chargers keeping the leisure and main battery fully charged in my Campervan (these are chargers with over-charge cut-outs not the really low powered trickle chargers). I don't need transport for work so the van spends most of its time parked up in the back garden. It has been pointed out batteries like to be discharged and charged so I have come up with a way to achieve this, save money and also reduce my carbon footprint. As of now I am using the batteries in the van to recharge the many portable electrical items I have around the house, like; mobile phones, PDA, laptop, etc. I have also just ordered a battery charger (for rechargeable batteries - AA, AAA, C and D) that works from a 12-volt supply and I intend to recharge all our rechargeable batteries in this way. £0 cost and green all the way

PS: I wonder if that qualifies me for a second award?
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