On a recent trip to the UK, I was pleasantly surprised to find that renting a new Polestar cost less than a Vauxhall Corsa—around $45 per day.  In fact, the total cost of renting the Polestar for 10 days was notably cheaper than a single return train ticket from Heathrow to where I was staying (a 300km journey).
At the time, the ability to rent a $80,000 car for cheaper than a $20,000 car baffled me. But as the trip went on, my experience shed some light on this.

Around town driving

I was staying with family so I had easy access to trickle charge from a standard plug socket. This worked well for day to day driving.  However, if the property is on a fixed tariff (which many in the UK are as they don’t have solar) charging is relatively expensive; approx. 50 cents per kWh vs 30 cents in Australia.

This 50 cents can be reduced to 14 cents per kWh with some of the better UK EV tariffs, but that compares to 0-8 cents per kWh for some of the more innovative Australian tariffs, or basically free if your home has solar which approx. >50% of Australian EV drivers do.

However, even at 50 cents per kWh, the running costs of an EV are significantly lower than the vast majority of petrol and diesel vehicles, especially around town.

But what if you are staying in a property that doesn’t have access to a plug socket e.g. an apartment?

Destination Charging

First impressions are that if you can’t charge at home you’d have no issues as Destination Chargers are everywhere, certainly in Wales where I was staying. However, unlike in Australia where most Destination Chargers are free or low cost (approx. 30 cents per kWh), Destination Charging is expensive (the chargers I saw ranged from $1.00 to $1.40 per kWh).
This can put EVs closer to parity of the running costs of a more efficient petrol or diesel vehicle.

The other challenge is the plethora of apps you need to download for all the various brands of Destination Charger. And many chargers just don’t work; I spent more than 10 minutes battling with one, I received no power to the car but I did get x2 $60 charges to my credit card!

Motorway driving

At first glance, the UK's fast-charging network seems second to none. However, while the network is relatively large it didn’t operate smoothly for me.

Firstly, it’s expensive. Approx. $1.80 per kWh vs 50-70 cents per kWh for fast charging in Australia. This gives a cost of approx. $108 for 400km of motorway EV driving; which would likely eclipse many petrol and diesel vehicles.

My first experience was a service station that the car’s navigation system implied had multiple chargers. Only to find a single charger, which was in use, with the other chargers being on the other side of the motorway, a 15km detour to access. However there were half a dozen Tesla chargers sitting there completely unused (Tesla chargers are restricted to Tesla cars and wouldn’t work with the Polestar)!

Onward to the next service station, by which point my charge was running low, only to find another single charging station. But I was in luck and it was empty. However, despite advertising speeds of >100kw it only charged at approx. 25kw. Meaning a 45 minute stop only gave me 30% charge.

Another stop involved a queue of cars for two chargers so I carried on up the motorway to a nearby station of 12 fast chargers. There was no queue and they worked well. But the stations were in a dark corner of an industrial estate. For many, they would not feel safe stopped here, especially at night (which falls at 5pm in the UK in winter!). One also had to crawl through some bushes in the drizzle for a toilet break as there were no facilities!

My final stop was a Shell service station near Heathrow as I had to return the car with 80% charge to avoid punitive costs. You can imagine my joy when two of the four chargers were free. However, after batting with both neither would work. I had to wait 15 minutes for two heavy duty work vehicles to finish with the two working chargers. Then the speed of charging was topping out at 60kw (vs the advertised 170kw). By now I’m becoming quite anxious about getting to the airport on time.  If my family had been with me they probably would have had a sense of humour failure at this point.

So for five Fast Charger stops in my 10 days I didn’t have one easy experience. In Australia, I was able to jump in my car and drive to Melbourne and back without any advanced planning and without a single issue during the journey, granted this was primarily done using Tesla’s network.

On a positive note, in the UK, you could tap and go with your credit card at all the Fast Chargers I used.  This made life far easier than battling trying to download apps and set up accounts with multiple providers.

Final word​

If you have access to home charging in the UK, EV ownership remains appealing due to the low cost of daily driving. However, for those without home charging or who frequently take long trips, the high costs of Destination and Fast Charging—along with unreliable infrastructure and long queues—can be significant obstacles.
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If the UK is to move to no new petrol or diesel sales by 2035, then it would appear that significant improvements are required. And perhaps Australia can learn from some of the UK’s shortcomings as it accelerates its own transition to electric transport.

For decades, gas has been the go-to energy source for heating and cooking in homes across the world. Many homeowners appreciate the reliability and immediate heat gas provides. However, recent studies are shedding light on the hidden dangers of gas heating and gas cooking—both to human health and the environment. As the world shifts toward cleaner, safer energy solutions, it’s important to understand why transitioning away from gas may be one of the smartest decisions you can make for your household.

1. Health Risks of Indoor Air Pollution
While gas appliances seem convenient, they can significantly impact the air quality inside your home. Gas heating and cooking systems emit harmful pollutants, including nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), and particulate matter. These gases and particulates are released directly into the air and can accumulate indoors, leading to poor air quality. Poor ventilation, especially in homes with sealed windows for energy efficiency, compounds the problem.

• Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂): Exposure to NO₂ from gas stoves has been linked to respiratory issues, particularly in children. Studies show that homes with gas stoves have 50% to 400% higher concentrations of NO₂ than those with electric stoves, increasing the risk of asthma and other respiratory illnesses.
• Carbon Monoxide (CO): Known as the "silent killer," carbon monoxide is colourless, odourless, and can be deadly. Even in small amounts, it can cause dizziness, headaches, and fatigue. High levels of CO exposure can be fatal, particularly in homes with poorly maintained gas heaters.
• Particulate Matter: The combustion of gas also produces fine particles that can irritate the lungs and exacerbate conditions like asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory disorders.

2. Fire Hazards and Explosions
Gas appliances pose a direct fire hazard, as leaks can go undetected until it's too late. Gas leaks from faulty appliances, aging pipes, or improper installation can lead to deadly explosions. Even a small leak can fill an enclosed space with highly flammable gas, turning a simple spark—such as flipping a light switch—into a dangerous situation. According to the US National Fire Protection Association, cooking is the leading cause of home fires, and gas stoves are a significant contributor to these statistics.

3. Environmental Impact of Gas
Gas is often touted as a cleaner fossil fuel compared to coal or oil. While it may burn more cleanly, the environmental impact is far from benign. Methane, the main component of gas, is a potent greenhouse gas, trapping heat in the atmosphere 25 times more effectively than carbon dioxide. Leaks from gas infrastructure—both during production and transportation—release vast amounts of methane, contributing significantly to global warming.
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In fact, the International Energy Agency estimates that methane emissions from the gas supply chain are responsible for nearly 30% of the rise in global temperatures. By continuing to use gas in homes for heating and cooking, we are perpetuating the demand for fossil fuels, delaying the transition to cleaner, renewable energy sources.

4. A Costly and Outdated Infrastructure
Many gas pipelines in older homes are reaching the end of their lifespans, leading to more frequent leaks and repairs. Maintaining and upgrading gas infrastructure is costly, and those costs are often passed on to consumers. In some cases, municipalities are facing mounting bills to replace aging pipelines. Transitioning to electric alternatives, such as heat pumps and induction stoves, not only eliminates the need for ongoing gas infrastructure maintenance but also supports a cleaner energy grid that can be powered by renewables.

5. Cleaner, Safer Alternatives: Time to Go Electric
Switching to electric appliances for heating and cooking offers numerous advantages. Today’s electric heat pumps are more energy-efficient than gas heaters, providing both heating and cooling from a single unit. Induction cooktops offer faster, more precise cooking while eliminating the risk of indoor air pollution from combustion. These modern alternatives also reduce your household's carbon footprint and improve overall safety.

Many countries and states are recognising the dangers of gas and have begun introducing policies to phase out gas appliances in new construction. In some places, there are even incentives available to help homeowners make the switch to all-electric homes, including rebates for heat pumps and induction cooktops.

Conclusion
​While gas heating and cooking have long been considered reliable, the risks associated with using gas in the home are becoming harder to ignore. From the health impacts of indoor air pollution to the environmental toll of methane emissions, gas appliances are no longer the best choice for modern, health-conscious, and environmentally aware households. Fortunately, electric alternatives offer a safer, more sustainable way forward, helping you protect your family's health while doing your part to address climate change.

Making the switch to electric is not just an investment in your home’s future—it's an investment in a healthier, more sustainable world.

Understanding the Duck Curve: The New Challenge for Renewable Energy
As renewable energy sources like solar power become more prevalent, the energy grid faces new challenges. One of the most prominent is known as the "duck curve"—a term that describes the unique way energy demand fluctuates when a significant portion of electricity comes from solar energy.
In this blog post, we’ll break down what the duck curve is, why it matters, and what can be done to address it.

What is the Duck Curve?
The duck curve illustrates the daily pattern of electricity demand on a power grid that incorporates a lot of solar power. The term comes from the shape of the graph, which, when charting electricity demand over the course of a day, looks like the silhouette of a duck.
Here’s how it works:

1. Morning Hours (Tail of the Duck): Before the sun rises, electricity demand is moderate because households and businesses are just starting their day. Power plants must supply most of the energy during this time.
2. Midday (Belly of the Duck): As the sun climbs, solar panels generate significant amounts of electricity. This reduces the need for traditional power sources, which causes a drop in the amount of energy that power plants need to generate. This dip in demand for grid power is the "belly" of the duck.

• Late Afternoon/Evening (Neck of the Duck): As the sun sets, solar power production drops sharply. However, electricity demand peaks in the late afternoon and early evening when people come home from work and turn on lights, appliances, and heating or cooling systems. This sharp increase in demand creates the "neck" of the duck, where the grid needs to ramp up traditional energy sources quickly to meet demand.
• Late Evening/Overnight (Beak of the Duck):  As households wind down for the night so does demand on the grid, and power plants scale back production.  However, without battery or other methods of storage power during this time is primarily generated from fossil fuels.  ​

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The price of electricity on the wholesale markets closely follows the Duck Curve as can be seen from the below image.

Why the Duck Curve is a Problem
​At first glance, the duck curve might not seem like a big deal. However, it presents a few key challenges for grid operators:

1. Sharp Demand Ramps: The steep increase in energy demand in the late afternoon is difficult for power plants to handle. Many power plants, especially those powered by fossil fuels, take time to ramp up production. The rapid increase in demand can strain these plants, leading to inefficiencies and potential reliability issues.
2. Overgeneration Risk: During midday, when solar generation is high, there can actually be too much electricity flowing into the grid. Without proper storage or distribution systems, this excess energy can lead to grid instability or waste, as the grid operators must find a way to balance supply and demand in real time.
3. Increased Carbon Emissions: The duck curve can paradoxically increase carbon emissions. While solar power reduces the need for fossil fuels during midday, the quick ramp-up of gas or coal plants in the evening can offset these benefits. Power plants that have to quickly adjust their output are often less efficient and may emit more CO2 than if they were running at a constant, optimised rate.

Cleaner power is cheaper power
​Like price, the carbon intensity of the grid closely follows the Duck Curve.  The cheapest times of the day to procure electricity from the grid also correlate to when the grid has the lowest carbon intensity.

Solutions to the Duck Curve Problem
Addressing the challenges posed by the duck curve is crucial for maximising the potential of renewable energy. Here are a few strategies that can help:

1. Energy Storage: The most promising solution is large-scale energy storage, particularly in the form of batteries. By storing excess solar energy during the day, batteries can release that energy when demand spikes in the evening. This smooths out the curve and reduces the need for power plants to ramp up quickly.
2. Demand Response: Encouraging consumers to shift their electricity usage can help flatten the duck curve. Incentives like time-of-use pricing encourage people to use electricity during off-peak hours (e.g., midday) and reduce usage during peak hours (e.g., evening).
3. Diverse Energy Sources: Expanding beyond solar power to include other renewables like wind, geothermal, or hydroelectric energy can help smooth out the energy supply. Wind, for instance, often generates more power in the evening, complementing solar energy production.
4. Grid Modernisation: Smart grid technologies, which use sensors and automated controls, can help balance supply and demand more effectively. These technologies can direct power where it’s needed most and make the grid more responsive to fluctuations in demand and generation.
   
   

The Path Forward
The duck curve is a natural consequence of our transition to cleaner energy, and it highlights the importance of creating a more flexible and resilient energy grid. By investing in energy storage, modernising infrastructure, and diversifying energy sources, we can overcome the challenges posed by the duck curve and accelerate the shift toward a more sustainable future.
As more regions adopt renewable energy on a larger scale, managing the duck curve will become increasingly vital to ensuring that our energy systems remain reliable, affordable, and green.

Are you tired of shivering through chilly Australian winters? Look no further. Our brand new guide is here to help you harness the power of reverse cycle air conditioning for optimal home heating.

Discover tips on:

• Choosing the right system: Understand your home's needs and find the perfect match.
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• Maintenance and care: Keep your unit running smoothly and efficiently.
• Energy-saving hacks: Reduce your heating costs without compromising comfort.

Stay warm, cozy, and save money this winter. Download our free guide today.

My Energy Guide is proud to launch our Home Batteries 101 Guide.  This comprehensive guide is packed with valuable information to help you save money and reduce your carbon footprint.   

​Whether you're looking to become more energy-independent, lower your carbon footprint, or simply save on utility costs, this guide will help you understand the basics of Home Battery storage.  

My Energy Guide is excited to announce the launch of our Hot Water 101 Guide. This comprehensive guide is packed with valuable information to help you save energy and money at home. Download your free copy today and unlock a more sustainable future!

We are nearing the 24-month mark since we purchased our Tesla Model Y, during which we have driven 26,137 kilometres. Below is a direct cost and CO2 comparison between the Model Y and my previous vehicle, a Kia, over the first 24 months of ownership. Most of the driving consists of short town trips in hilly terrain, along with some road trips primarily for leisure.

The main cost difference arises from fuel expenses: covering 26,137 km in the Kia cost $9,775, whereas the same distance in the Model Y cost only $297. The Model Y is mainly charged at home using excess solar power. During road trips, charging is often free at the final destination using a standard 240v plug socket.

The Model Y requires no servicing, sparing the annual cost that comes with an ICE vehicle.  $940 was spent on servicing in the first 24 months for the Kia.

However, tyres can wear quicker in an EV than an ICE vehicle.  This is due to the instant torque delivered by the electric motor and the slightly heavier weight of the vehicle.  Recently, at 25,900 km, we replaced all four tyres on the Model Y for $1,744, which constitutes the majority of the costs for the first 24 months of ownership. In contrast, we replaced two tyres on the Kia during the first two years at a cost of $520, with post-COVID inflation possibly contributing to some of the price difference.

​The CO2 savings from EV ownership are substantial, even exceeding the cost savings. Our Kia would have emitted 13.8 tons of CO2 over 26,137 km, whereas the Model Y, primarily charged using excess solar power or during midday when the grid is 50-70% renewable, has significantly lower emissions at only 0.15 tons.

We look forward to the coming years of EV ownership where the price and CO2 savings will grow even further. ​

The Innes family From Sydney transitioned to an EV a year ago. Their vehicle of choice was a Hyundai Ioniq 5. It's their go-to car for local errands, but they've also used it for several road trips, even carrying four bikes!  They have covered 9,180 kilometres so far.

They have a 15-kw solar system and also a retail plan that offers free access to the grid during the middle of the day on weekends.
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Mr. Innes is keeping close track of all their charging costs to see how much money they're saving with the EV.

Cost of power
However, while charging at home accounts for 80% of the power used it only accounts for 30% of the total costs spent.  This is primarily due to taking advantage of excess solar energy and free grid charging on weekends.

Supercharging, while only accounting for 12% of power consumed, accounts for 70% of the total costs incurred!  

Comparison to ICE vehicle
So how does this compare to the Innes family’s previous Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicle?

The ICE vehicle would have cost over $2,000 in fuel compared to the $192 for the EV, a staggering 12.1x uplift.

​However, when the cost and kilometres associated with supercharging are excluded, this difference between the EV and the ICE vehicle increases to a 42.2x difference!

The above analysis does not take into account maintenance and servicing costs which would increase the cost gap between the EV and ICE vehicle even further.  EV’s have around 20 moving parts compared to over 2,000 for a petrol vehicle resulting in far lower service and maintenance costs.

Final word
The average passenger vehicle in Australia travels just 33.2 km per day meaning the vast majority of charging could conveniently happen at home.  So the experience of the Innes family is likely to be one that could replicated by many households around the country, even those without solar who can now take advantage of retail plans offering free access to the grid for charging during certain times of the day. 

When you use power matters.

If you use power from the grid in NSW outside of 9am to 3pm then, no matter what claims your retailer may make about carbon neutrality, it is predominantly power generated from coal which has a high carbon footprint. 

If you have a solar system without battery storage then chances are you still use a significant amount of power from the grid outside of the hours of 9am to 3pm, and therefore you are generating a significant amount of CO2 emissions.

You may generate excess solar over and above what your home uses that you claim as an “offset” against power drawn from the grid.  However, this may not always be the case as there are instances where rooftop solar is displacing large scale solar and wind as opposed to fossil fuels.

The QLD, VIC and WA grids largely mimic NSW, while SA and TAS have a cleaner profile with higher amounts of renewable energy through the daily cycle. 

Enter the home battery
Home battery storage lets you capture excess energy from your solar system, or charge from the grid when the grid is clean and cheap.  This green, cheap energy is then used to power your home through the evening peak when the grid has it’s highest CO2 emissions and highest prices.

If you have excess energy in your home battery then some retailers also let you export this to the grid to the evening peak to maximise your income or minimise your power bill. 

The NSW Government has launched a new rebate program to make installing a home battery even more affordable. This is a fantastic opportunity to boost your energy independence, save on bills, and contribute to a cleaner energy future.

Here's the rundown on the NSW Home Battery Rebate:

• Rebates: You can get between $1,600 and $2,400 off the upfront cost of a home battery, depending on the size of the battery.
• Eligibility: This program is for existing solar panel owners. If you're looking to install both solar and a battery, the rebate will be factored into the quote you receive from installers.
• Virtual Power Plant Bonus: There's an additional incentive of $250 to $400 for connecting your battery to a Virtual Power Plant (VPP). VPPs create a network of household batteries that can be used to help manage the electricity grid.
• Start Date: The program kicks off on November 1, 2024.

Why should you consider a home battery?
Home batteries allow you to store excess solar energy generated during the day and use it at night or during peak demand periods. This can significantly reduce your reliance on the grid and bring down your electricity bills.  Additionally, batteries provide backup power in case of outages, keeping your lights and essential appliances on.

Taking advantage of the rebate
The rebate will be accessible through approved suppliers who will be accredited in the coming months. Keep an eye out on the NSW Government website for updates on accredited suppliers.

Word of caution
While the NSW Government's home battery rebate starts in November, there's an opportunity to get a good deal right now.  Due to the five-month delay between the policy announcement and implementation, demand for batteries is currently low, meaning steeper discounts might be available.
However, with a surge in demand expected come November, there's a chance of installation delays and price increases due to limited workers and materials. This could mean the full rebate amount might not translate directly to savings for you.
So, if you're considering a home battery don't wait.  You could potentially save more by shopping around now and enjoying immediate energy bill savings for the next six months.

Charged up and ready to role.  So how do you fuel your EV dream financially? Read our guide to explore the different financing options to get you on your journey to low cost, low emission motoring.

One of the biggest myths surrounding EVs is that their battery packs will need frequent replacement.  This is simply not true!!

At the recent Everything Electric expo in Sydney, Robert Llewellyn caught up with Nigel Raynard of Byron Bay Luxury Tesla.

Nigel has driven over 700,000 kilometres in his 2017 Tesla Model S. 

• He had no issues with the battery until the car reached 666,666 kilometres.
• The brake pads were first changed at 460,000 kilometres.
• The car has only been serviced 5 times.

​The average Australian motorist covers 12,000 km per annum, which at this rate would give them a whopping 55 years’ worth of battery life!!

The much-anticipated Tesla Powerwall 3 has just been released in the US.  The Powerwall 3 is the latest version of Tesla’s home battery system.

This sleek, powerful battery system lets you store solar energy, gain independence from the power grid, and even provide power to your home during outages.

What are the key similarities and differences to the Powerwall 2?

Power storage and power output
Both the Powerwall 2 and Powerwall 3 have 13.5 kWh of storage capacity.  However, the power output of the Powerwall 3 is improved significantly increasing from 5 kW to 11.5 kW.  While big loads will soon drain the battery, this does however mean you will avoid hitting the grid if you run multiple appliances concurrently e.g. the kettle, toaster and oven.

Charging of the Powerwall 3 is limited to 5 kW like the Powerwall 2.

In-built solar inverter
Perhaps the biggest game changer with the Powerwall 3 is the integrated solar inverter allowing solar to be connected directly for high efficiency. 

The in-built inverter is rated at 11 kW meaning it can convert up to 11.5 kW of solar energy from your panels into usable electricity for your home.  As the battery can also charge at 5 kW, the system has a total capacity of 16.5 kW. 

Under the Clean Energy Council rules in Australia, which state that panel capacity cannot exceed inverter capacity by more than 33%, the Powerwall 3 could potentially support up to 20 kW of solar panel capacity without the need to purchase a separate inverter.

Price
The Powerwall 3 is not yet available in Australia, however in the US it is priced similar to the Powerwall 2.  This in effect represents a significant value add for the consumer given the built in inverter which could save thousands of dollars on the cost of an overall system. 

Compatibility
Be aware, Tesla Powerwall 3 is not compatible with the Powerwall 2.  As at the date of this article, Tesla has made no announcement to phase out the Powerwall 2.  But if you are a Powerwall 2 owner and want to add more capacity then you should monitor any such announcements closely.  

Imagine going on a road trip and before your return journey you stop to fill up with petrol. Now instead of paying $2 per litre someone pays you for the petrol you put in your car, and this petrol burns clean emitting no carbon dioxide or carcinogenic compounds.

That’s the power of an EV combined with solar and Amber Electric.

After arriving at a hotel I plugged my car in to charge at an Exploren charger, costing $0.33 per kWh. At the same time my solar and battery system is exporting power at an average rate of $0.46 per kWh.

I set my car to charge at the same rate that my solar/battery exports; so green electrons are going into the grid at the same rate and same time that I am taking them out.  So I’m in effect being paid to charge my car and the energy being used for driving is still 100% renewable.

Even on a road trip you can still achieve no cost and 100% renewable driving 🙌​

​🚘 Congratulations on joining the EV Revolution!  Here are some top tips to help you smoothly transition to your new vehicle: