In the driver's seat
With Anthony Hibbs, GeniePoint customer
We love speaking to our customers about what they love most about having an EV, so we wanted to create a place to share these stories, and help spread the word about how great EVs truly are.
For this post, we spoke to Anthony Hibbs. Anthony lives in Newcastle-Under-Lyme and is a retired Water Industry Technical Operator.
What EV do you drive and how long have you had it?
I have owned a Volkswagen e-Golf for nearly three years now. It’s my first electric car. And I absolutely love it!
Were there any pre-conceptions you had before you bought your EV, and how do you feel about that now?
I did a lot of research before buying electric, even playing “could I do this journey conveniently” by checking out charge points on my travels. My main preconception was that I would have to accept some level of inconvenience when charging. Either the charger would be broken, unavailable, in use, blocked or just wouldn’t activate. To this end I always plan longer journeys with a primary and backup charger. I have only actually been late once due to charger issues, on a notoriously unreliable old Ecotricity at a motorway services. What was I thinking even trying?
In reality, until quite recently, my first choice charger has nearly always been fine. Lately I do find chargers much busier. I generally don’t wait but move on to my backup. This situation I feel is temporary as the number of chargers, particularly at charging hubs and electric forecourts, is increasing rapidly.
What’s your favourite thing about driving an EV?
My favourite thing about my EV is the stress free relaxing drive. Quiet, smooth, efficient. I never arrive tired no matter how long the journey or how much traffic I encounter.
"It’s my first electric car. And I absolutely love it!"
What's your most important EV etiquette tip?
My most important EV etiquette tip is don’t leave your car past the point that it is fully charged. Plugging in and wandering off for a meal, destination visit or long shopping trip is a no no for me. I check the charging status on my car app and as my car rarely takes longer than 40 minutes to charge anyway I don’t go far.
What do you typically do whilst charging, when you charge on the go?
I usually only public charge on long journeys so it’s generally a trip to the loo and a coffee break whilst I charge.
What’s the most productive thing you’ve done whilst waiting for a charge?
As a retired person I confess to not being at all productive whilst charging. Coffee and a social media catch-up is usually the order of the day.
"My favourite thing about my EV is the stress free relaxing drive. Quiet, smooth, efficient."
Interested in being in the driver’s seat next? Get in touch with us on Twitter @GeniePointEV to share your story!