How much load-shedding affects EV users

Daniel Puchert

Daniel Puchert

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South Africa's favourite electric car lie

Contrary to what many South Africans think, it is easy to keep an electric vehicle (EV) charged for regular use when load-shedding is in effect.

One of the most common questions people have asked MyBroadband while we've tested several EVs in recent years is how long they take to charge.
 
But because we can hardly keep the lights on at the best of times we've been told not to be power-hungry citizens of the 21st century - or else.

We're being punished for daring to use our grid even without having EVs. So what now?
 
nicroets said:
If you are charging your EV when there is load shedding somewhere in SA, you are taking electricity from someone else who really needs it. You are part of the problem and not the solution.

There are only a few rare exceptions such as someone with an overspeced solar installation.
Click to expand...
Stupid take:
  • If you are watching TV when there is load shedding somewhere in SA, you are taking electricity from someone else who really needs it.
  • If you are gaming when there is load shedding somewhere in SA, you are taking electricity from someone else who really needs it.
  • If you are cooking food when there is load shedding somewhere in SA, you are taking electricity from someone else who really needs it (use gas or braai).
  • If you are heating water when there is load shedding somewhere in SA, you are taking electricity from someone else who really needs it (take a cold shower).
  • If you have lights on when there is load shedding somewhere in SA, you are taking electricity from someone else who really needs it.
 
nicroets said:
If you are charging your EV when there is load shedding somewhere in SA, you are taking electricity from someone else who really needs it. You are part of the problem and not the solution.

There are only a few rare exceptions such as someone with an overspeced solar installation.
Click to expand...

That's not how electricity or Load Shedding works.

Their load shedding schedule isn't magically altered because of someone else's usage and more so if the electricity is produced it must be used otherwise it simply gets pissed away.
 
But what if I want to drive from Joburg to Cape Town and back during Stage 12 load shedding on one battery charge without stopping? Can’t do that with an EV. Checkmate EV lobbyists!
 
mypetcow said:
But what if I want to drive from Joburg to Cape Town and back during Stage 12 load shedding on one battery charge without stopping? Can’t do that with an EV. Checkmate EV lobbyists!
Click to expand...
Well considering there is no stage 12 as 8 would already be 12 hours off a day
 
Syphonx said:
Stupid take:
  • If you are watching TV when there is load shedding somewhere in SA, you are taking electricity from someone else who really needs it.
  • If you are gaming when there is load shedding somewhere in SA, you are taking electricity from someone else who really needs it.
  • If you are cooking food when there is load shedding somewhere in SA, you are taking electricity from someone else who really needs it (use gas or braai).
  • If you are heating water when there is load shedding somewhere in SA, you are taking electricity from someone else who really needs it (take a cold shower).
  • If you have lights on when there is load shedding somewhere in SA, you are taking electricity from someone else who really needs it.
Click to expand...
An EV that's used for the daily commute and grocery run uses far more electricity than any other household item.

And sticking to normal petrol cars are no sacrifice really. Cheaper in the short term and long run.
 
SauRoNZA said:
That's not how electricity or Load Shedding works.

Their load shedding schedule isn't magically altered because of someone else's usage and more so if the electricity is produced it must be used otherwise it simply gets pissed away.
Click to expand...
When someone plugs in an EV, the schedule isn't immediately changed.

But that electricity has to come from somewhere: Grid connected batteries, pumped storage, open cycle turbines etc. It all adds up.

At some point the reserves are too low and Eskom adds another stage.

Please don't add the last straw that breaks breaks the camel's back.
 
mypetcow said:
But what if I want to drive from Joburg to Cape Town and back during Stage 12 load shedding on one battery charge without stopping? Can’t do that with an EV. Checkmate EV lobbyists!
Click to expand...
You'd still want to fill up with Dino juice at some point. And the pumps run on electrickery.......
 
I will care about charging an electric car in South Africa when the price comes down about 50% to match their international price relative to ICE models.
 
Syphonx said:
Stupid take:
  • If you are watching TV when there is load shedding somewhere in SA, you are taking electricity from someone else who really needs it.
  • If you are gaming when there is load shedding somewhere in SA, you are taking electricity from someone else who really needs it.
  • If you are cooking food when there is load shedding somewhere in SA, you are taking electricity from someone else who really needs it (use gas or braai).
  • If you are heating water when there is load shedding somewhere in SA, you are taking electricity from someone else who really needs it (take a cold shower).
  • If you have lights on when there is load shedding somewhere in SA, you are taking electricity from someone else who really needs it.
Click to expand...
Exactly - we need to be more considerate.
 
Wow, so many people who have happily bought in to Eskom's "there is too much demand" narrative and conveniently forgetting that they have utterly failed in ensuring proper maintenance and building new supply.
 
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