In the driver's seat with David Haswell

Welcome back to our In the Driver's Seat series, featuring our very own GeniePoint customer!

In the driver's seat
With David Haswell, GeniePoint customer

David Haswell

 

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 David Haswell. David lives in Chester-Le-Street, Durham and works as a Senior Support Technician.

 

What EV do you drive and how long have you had it?

I I own a Citroen eC4 and have had it for 8 months.

 

Were there any pre-conceptions you had before you bought your EV, and how do you feel about that now?

To be honest, no. Back in 2011 my work got hold of a Peugeot iOn from a local garage and I was lucky (unlucky?) enough to be given it to test drive for a month.

Since then I’ve been watching YouTube videos like Fully Charged about EVs and all things electric.  So I kind of knew what I was getting into and was excited. For those wondering, the iOn was fun for the novelty of being electric and silent, but as a car it was awful.

 

What’s your favourite thing about driving an EV?

Despite the eC4 not being the fastest EV in the world, I still love being able to put my foot down and leave the surprised looking fossil burners behind me. All without making a sound.

"Since then I’ve been watching YouTube videos like Fully Charged about EVs and all things electric. So I kind of knew what I was getting into and was excited."
— David Haswell

What's your most important EV etiquette tip?

There’s so many! I wish I could have more than one but here you go.

When you’re at a rapid charger don’t wait until you get to 100% charge. Just put as much in as you need and move on because almost all EV’s charging rate drops off a cliff at around 80%. Mine does it at about 84%. If you stay until 100% you’ll end up blocking a charger that someone else needs for well over an hour while you trickle the last 20% into a battery that doesn’t really want it.

 

What do you typically do whilst charging, when you charge on the go?

Have a coffee or something to eat. Or both.

 

What’s the most productive thing you’ve done whilst waiting for a charge?

Went shopping for an emergency sewing kit to fix someone-who-shall-remain-nameless’s ripped clothing whilst in Wales... (!)

"When you’re at a rapid charger don’t wait until you get to 100% charge."
— David Haswell

Interested in being in the driver’s seat next? Get in touch with us on Twitter @GeniePointEV to share your story!

 

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