Free electricity for my Tesla at my Apartment

meowsers on 01/06/2019 - 20:25
Last edited 03/06/2019 - 19:39

Okay bargain guys and gals, just wanted your input on this.

I bought a Telsa Model S (used) 3 months ago and live in a medium rise apartment with a carpark. In the carpark about every 2 car spaces is a standard (weatherproof version) power point. As of this point I haven't heard back from the Body Corporate in RE installing a Level 2 charger ( higher speed) at my own expense.

I have been charging every day (since I got it), with occasional trips to the supercharger when necessary but mostly using the 240 consumer grade power point by my carpark with no issues (caretaker even commented how cool it was). These powerpoints are def not metered to my individual apartment. It charges very slowly with the powerpoint but is enough to get me back and forth commuting.

If I was to charge from empty to full would probably take forever with a 85 kilowatt hour battery.

Should I feel any ethical quandaries about this? Is anyone else doing the same? I took the caretakers assent as tacit approval lol.

Update: Anyone else from Sydney have any tips for dealing with this? How did you go about it?

UPDATE 3/6:

So I called the BC / Mgmt company today, and they haven't responded because of admin issues or something like that. BUT they did tell me some good news, they have been actually studying adding electric chargers anyways.

So good news is this, next month or so, they will be installing 2 generic three phase chargers, in two of the visitors bays ( have 10 in total) (they are never all in use anyways) with priority for residents who have EV. Those bays will be painted green to encourage people not to park there.

Apparently they will not be charging ( all pun intended) for this as it covered by some type of grant or something, and the electricity will remain free of charge for the time being for users. Not sure if anyone else has an EV but I haven't seen them.

I guess the good thing is if those bays are occupied somehow I still have my slow fallback charger.

Automotive

Comments

  • Hybroid on 01/06/2019 - 20:27
    +17

    Check with your strata. Someone pays the electricity bill and your additional usage..

    • HeWhoKnows on 02/06/2019 - 13:25
      -2

      Yes. The owners. So technically its STEALING FUEL/POWER!

      • poboy on 02/06/2019 - 14:21
        +45

        If he's drawing from an accessible point in a common area, that's not stealing. It's just that the strata may not have ruled on such activity yet.

        If I was in your block I'd be very annoyed about subsidising you.

        • Scrooge McDuck on 03/06/2019 - 02:06
          +17

          If you don't ask, they can't say "no" — words to live by.

        • Zonty on 04/06/2019 - 00:15
          -4

          It's not stealing but he will get higher owner corporation bill then others, most likely they will bring to attention in general meeting or complain corporation manager. They will compare past month bills and any extra bill will be charge to that unit owner who have electric car.

          • ninjawarrior on 04/06/2019 - 00:49

            @Zonty: This is absolutely not the case…

            Impossible to justify that extra costs were for this reason alone and BC companies would not (and probably could not) tailor their systems to charge more or less to specific apartments on this basis

            • Zonty on 04/06/2019 - 09:14
              -4

              @ninjawarrior: They were charging different for my smaller apartment. But this decide in general meeting so better you go in that meeting.

              • ninjawarrior on 04/06/2019 - 21:03

                @Zonty: Well yes, every owner will of course pay different amounts based on number of bedrooms or the sqm of the apartment.

                Are you saying that in your general meetings people vote to change the strata contributions for individual apartments? Because I would pay good money to observe that meeting with some popcorn in hand…

                • Zonty on 06/06/2019 - 09:37

                  @ninjawarrior: Nope I am saying any cost connected particular unit pays by that owner. In my case I had not front footpath garden so I was paying less. In his case he using extra electricity so he would pay little more,

                  • ninjawarrior on 06/06/2019 - 22:24

                    @Zonty: It is difficult to tell without more information, but that sounds like a specific item you do not have access to. If I lived in an apartment block and could not use the pool or the gym, for example, I would also insist that I pay a smaller strata contribution.

                    OP's is a different situation with a common power point which anyone living in the block can access. How much of the power being used by that one power point should be paid by OP? 10%, 50%, 90%? Impossible to allocate.

        • supersabroso on 04/06/2019 - 20:43
          -1

          That's the definition of strata! You pay for other people's problems and usage. In return, they pay for your problems and usage, why do you think most people dislike strata? It only benefits the unlucky, the irresponsible and the selfish.

      • meowsers on 02/06/2019 - 15:24
        +32

        Technically I am still paying so should be entitled to a certain percentage of common power.

        • jaimex2 on 02/06/2019 - 19:09
          +3

          I think so. It's no different to plugging in to use an electric garden tool or pressure washer.

          You car is probably costing them around $40 a month - chump change.

          Is there any solar on the complex?

          • Dr-StrangeLove on 03/06/2019 - 10:17
            -1

            @jaimex2: Just to confirm and out of curiosity - are you saying that a 85 kilowatt hour battery costs $40 to charge in peak-time from zero to full in a normal 220/240v output?

            • jaimex2 on 03/06/2019 - 12:03

              @Dr-StrangeLove: Nope, I was saying thats what the car would probably be drawing in a month guessing it does 3-4 full charges.

        • QW3RTY on 03/06/2019 - 09:12

          But if the manager is somewhat competent (and if so, could you please send me their details?), they will identify the notable increase in the electricity account and may need to adjust the administrative rate contribution payable by lot owners as a result.

          Which I suppose is still a bargain — paying a percentage of the electricity usage increase for your car. Just an awful deal for everybody else in the building.

          • Jackson on 07/06/2019 - 22:08

            @QW3RTY: There is no way that it would get picked up, and even if it did they would not know why or suspect an EV to be causing the problem. Even if they did, they couldnt prove it, and getting someone to prove it would be nigh impossible.

            Any competent manager would ignore the rise on electricity and move on. It sounds like OP is in a high rise with underground car park with dozens of spots.

            Also keep in mind the maximum draw from a 10A power point is 2400W. Thats equivalent to your average electric heater. If theres more than 20 units, which it sounds like there is if 2 whole spots are going to be dedicated to EVs, then no way there is less than 20 units, more like 60 to 100. Its a complete non issue.

        • Zonty on 04/06/2019 - 00:17

          as far no one will complain or bring extension to owner corporation meeting you will be fine. But if they find out then be prepare pay extra bill by corporation bill,

        • Zonty on 06/06/2019 - 09:40

          Yes you entitled for it. It can be solved in general meeting only where all owner must agree. Well you also owner so you bettter go that meeting if happen and you can oppose too. It's like little parliament lol and owners are ministers 😂😂😂

      • Enjj0y on 03/06/2019 - 12:06

        if electricity included in rent then I shouldn't worry.
        but if you are paying your own electricity then check with strata otherwise it can be as getting electricity from neighbour without their knowledge.

      • berry580 on 05/06/2019 - 13:18

        He is partially a free rider. But if strata is fine with it in principle, then that's not stealing.

        I didn't neg you btw, i do see where you're coming from.

  • brendanm on 01/06/2019 - 20:27
    +16

    Humble brag? Body corporate will be paying for it no doubt.

    • meowsers on 01/06/2019 - 20:28
      +3

      I have emailed them multiple times (it is a huge management agency) and they dont reply. I will go to the next general meeting and ask to install a quick charger at my expense….

      • brendanm on 01/06/2019 - 20:30
        +57

        Just keep charging slowly for free if you don't need to do full charges. It's obviously not bothering them, and 1 person out of 200? in the building would barely be a blip on the radar cost wise, especially if you aren't going far. May as well get something out of your body corp fees.

        • qwerty on 01/06/2019 - 21:02
          -2

          Yeah an grand extra in electricity costs per year wont be noticed or passed on to other residents lol

          • brendanm on 01/06/2019 - 21:18
            -1

            @qwerty: Where did you get that number?

            • qwerty on 01/06/2019 - 22:03
              -4

              @brendanm: https://www.ergon.com.au/network/smarter-energy/electric-veh…

              But even if its a lower amount of $300-400 per year any brain functioning body corporate manager will still notice

              • brendanm on 01/06/2019 - 22:20
                +25

                @qwerty: Op has tried to let them know and they don't seem to care. He has offered to pay. What else can he do.

                So you really think they would notice a 3-400 a year increase in electricity over the entire site? Powering lights, lifts etc 24/7, $400 will be a drop in the ocean.

                • qwerty on 01/06/2019 - 23:22

                  @brendanm: Midrise is 5-7 floors lets assume 10 units on each floor

                  I bet each person would be happy to pay an increase in $10-$20 extra year to pay for his travel

                  Plus elevators and exterior lights will be a similar amount per year

              • Never Pay RRP on 02/06/2019 - 12:59
                +23

                @qwerty:

                But even if its a lower amount of $300-400 per year any brain functioning body corporate manager will still notice

                Well they didn't seem to notice an email sent directly to them about it…

          • Donaldhump on 01/06/2019 - 22:59
            +9

            @qwerty: Of course it’s passed in to the other residents, who do you think pays the electricity Santa clause?

            • qwerty on 01/06/2019 - 23:23
              +1

              @Donaldhump: Thats what i was saying - body corp will notice especially in a midrise and pass the cost on

              • Donaldhump on 01/06/2019 - 23:58
                +1

                @qwerty: Sorry missed your sarcasm

              • brendanm on 02/06/2019 - 09:27
                +7

                @qwerty: If body corp are so worried, they would have replied to OPs attempts to contact them.

                • Jackson on 07/06/2019 - 22:17

                  @brendanm: What you havr to consider is OP contacts the strata manager, not the owners corporation. The manager has 50 properties to manage and only pays the bill with someome else's money.

            • Tuukmaak on 03/06/2019 - 08:53
              +2

              @Donaldhump: Depends on which Clause…

        • Donaldhump on 02/06/2019 - 00:00
          +6

          Why not take an electric razor down and shave down there

          • Ozpit on 02/06/2019 - 12:00
            +1

            @Donaldhump: … while you’re there, your electric toothbrush too.

          • Ti-au on 02/06/2019 - 17:52
            +2

            @Donaldhump: Because its too cold to shave my legs! And also BC complained about the hair I was leaving down there… clogging all the grates.

          • smartazz104 on 02/06/2019 - 20:32
            +3

            @Donaldhump: I mean, we had a member here who would cook his meals at the local park's electric bbq, so it isn't outside the realms of possibility to shave using your own building's communal powerpoints.

          • Scrooge McDuck on 03/06/2019 - 02:14
            +2

            @Donaldhump:

            Why not take an electric razor down and shave down there

            Electric razors are too cumbersome for shaving down there.

          • brendanm on 02/06/2019 - 13:33
            +19

            @HeWhoKnows: Reading not your strong suit? Op has tried to pay for the power, noone replies to him about it. The people saying to bring the shaver down are joking. This is not the bargains section, it's the forum. That should just about cover everything.

            • HeWhoKnows on 02/06/2019 - 13:44
              -2

              @brendanm: Thanks for your reply. Im responding to YOUR post and the 10 votes you got for it. (HERE)
              And no need to insult other people.

              • brendanm on 02/06/2019 - 13:46
                +5

                @HeWhoKnows: Perhaps have a look at ops post, that mine was a reply to. Perhaps if they notice the power bill has gone up they'll actually reply to him. No insult, you obviously haven't read properly.

                  • brendanm on 02/06/2019 - 13:49
                    +13

                    @HeWhoKnows: Its hardly theft if op has paid body corp fees. He has also said he will happily pay, but they don't reply to him. So until they do he will keep using the power. He has tried to do everything correctly, not his fault from here in.

                    Also the outlets are there for residents to use, I have no doubt that in the bylaws, it does not state anywhere that electric cars can't be charged from them.

                    • Seedy seed on 02/06/2019 - 16:47
                      +3

                      @brendanm: To charge him they have to install a sep meter for that point. Thats why it womt get charged. Soon as op wants a fast charger they will make him pay for a meter also.

                    • HeWhoKnows on 08/06/2019 - 09:29

                      @brendanm: Theft thefy theft theft theft

            • poboy on 02/06/2019 - 14:25
              +1

              @brendanm: The management agency doesn't incur additional cost. So they don't care.

          • Ti-au on 02/06/2019 - 17:53
            +2

            @HeWhoKnows: Well technically it is a Bargain, you can't get better than X% off! (based on how many units in the building).

            • WhyAmICommenting on 02/06/2019 - 20:16

              @Ti-au: Unless you can access a completely free one somewhere, but cost of current setup for op is negligible

          • Jackson on 07/06/2019 - 22:23

            @HeWhoKnows: Technically the building designers/developer has provided these power points to future proof the building, otherwise there wouldnt be one between two spots as OP described. What they likely havent done is wire them to individual meters as that would have been much more expensive, and required a power point for each unit. He is just using them like anyone else. He doesnt even have to ask permission.

            • HeWhoKnows on 08/06/2019 - 09:31

              @Jackson: If they were put there to recharge ecars then the appropriate power points would be there. Not a concentional one.
              Therein lies your answer!

              • Jackson on 08/06/2019 - 10:50

                @HeWhoKnows: Thats not true, every EV charges off 10A as thats the most common power in the world. If the building is pre 2014, and lets face it the likelihood that is the case is very high, then no one would have known what the standard was going to be. In actual fact there still is no standard, so even today if I was designing a building the best powerpoint to have available is a standard socket because it can still provide 10A units but has the capacity to legally provide up to 32A depeneding on how its wired.

                • HeWhoKnows on 08/06/2019 - 10:51

                  @Jackson: Fair call
                  But the intention would not have been there to charge EVs.
                  If that was the case they would have installed an appropriate EV charging station

        • Zonty on 06/06/2019 - 09:49

          U saying people will not notice ? Well full charge cost $20.00 for 500 to 600 km well depend how many km he does do per year I bet there will be $500 extra electricity bill for coming year and it will be compare by electricity company says u paid same time that much last year. So manager of strata will notice. That bill goes to starta and In meeting they budget and devide cost to owner, so it's not 200 persons it number of units Will bear that cost.

      • Never Pay RRP on 02/06/2019 - 12:55
        +1

        If you actually want a response try calling them on the phone rather than emailing. That way they can't ignore you, and you can get the closure you seek

        • brendanm on 02/06/2019 - 13:33
          +11

          Not a good idea. With things like this, getting it in writing is the only way to go.

          • Ti-au on 02/06/2019 - 17:53

            @brendanm: Yeah, get it in writing.

          • HeWhoKnows on 08/06/2019 - 09:33
            -1

            @brendanm: A phone call with a diary note containing the time and person OP spoke to is acceoptable evidence

      • matt-ozb on 03/06/2019 - 00:20
        +1

        dont do multiple emails … just one email .. keep a record of the email .. then keep taking the elec for free.

        any issues, pull out the old email with no response.

    • meowsers on 01/06/2019 - 20:28
      +30

      I pay common area fees.

      • Donaldhump on 01/06/2019 - 20:32
        +20

        You pay a percentage of the elec.

        How would you feel if someone else did it and your body Corp fees went up to cover it,
        How would you feel if u had s flatmate and they did it, would you go halves

        I think it’s fair to use to say vacuum your car, but not to the extent you are

        But given they don’t reply I’m inclined to say do it anyway.

        P.s. the caretaker plays no role in this, they don’t pay the electric nor give a shit

        • serpserpserp on 01/06/2019 - 21:02
          +2

          How do you know someone else isn't charging all their power tools/ipads/latops/etc. down in their car parking spot? ;)

          Besides at a wall outlet kind of level, how much power is he really draining into his car?

          • Donaldhump on 01/06/2019 - 21:17
            +11

            @serpserpserp: They could indeed, but they would get stolen, if it’s an open car park eventually.

            I doubt anyone with an ounce of Morals or pride would do this, I would have assumed chargin a car all night is more,draining than an iPad anyway. I think you would have to be a poor **** to charge portable items on your b.c. Power points. Where are we headed here, it’s akin to the tight ass who wheeled his kitchen shit to the public bbq to save money, or the gronk who drove from Adelaide to Sydney with his air con off.

            But given this guys b.c. Has failed to reply and that the item isn’t portable, they deserve it anyway, as he has requested to install a power point metered to him

            • serpserpserp on 02/06/2019 - 07:50
              +4

              @Donaldhump:

              it’s an open car park

              It is a car park in an apartment building. A lot of these generally have cages built into them, particularly if you are assigned two car parks for your apartment (one becomes the "garage").

              I doubt anyone with an ounce of Morals or pride would do this,

              I have seen countless threads on this site about people taking their electronics to work to charge them for use at home, one thread was about one guy have a Ryobi/Ortiz charger under his desk or something like that. People are massive tight arses in this world. Even when proven that all the charging at the office isn't really going to save you a lot of money (although, power tool & power bank capacity batteries are getting bigger by the day…)

              akin to the tight ass who wheeled his kitchen shit to the public bbq to save money

              My favourite troll thread of all time on this site.

              • Donaldhump on 02/06/2019 - 08:07
                +1

                @serpserpserp: Someone taking their ryobi charger to work is shameful.

                What’s next going to soup kitchens.

              • downbythecreek on 03/06/2019 - 16:48

                @serpserpserp: Hahahaha I forgot about that, and he was running an extension cord to his neighbours place to power his blender or something. Thanks for the laugh.

          • endotherm on 01/06/2019 - 21:43
            +7

            @serpserpserp: A domestic outlet can supply 10A comfortably. That's 2400 watts, 2.4kW. Do that for an hour (2.4kWh) at a cost of say 20c/kWh, that's nearly 50c. 24 hrs a day = $12. That's $84/week. Not an unsubstantial amount.

            • brendanm on 01/06/2019 - 22:25
              +6

              @endotherm: If op was charging his car 24 hours a day, he'd only need to charge it once wouldn't he.

              If op drives 20km round trip (probably quite high if he is near the cbd CBD), at an approximate rate of 5km per kWh, that is 4kkh. So about 80c at your rate of 20c per kWh. $300 per year if op drives every single day.

              • endotherm on 02/06/2019 - 00:32

                @brendanm: It was more in response to the potential power used if someone (presumably a tradie or similar) used it for charging power tools and laptops etc., and the quantity a power point could supply.

                • brendanm on 02/06/2019 - 13:36
                  +1

                  @endotherm: Are they constantly swapping and using batteries 24/7? Also to use 10 amps at 240v constantly they are going to need to have a lot of batteries charging at once It's a silly point, there is basically nothing that will use 2400 watts constantly, except maybe a bar heater with no thermostat.

                  • abb on 03/06/2019 - 11:56
                    -1

                    @brendanm:

                    Also to use 10 amps at 240v constantly they are going to need to have a lot of batteries charging at once

                    You mean kinda like an electric car?

                    The charger will do pretty close 10A, it's meant to charge the car as quickly as practical. It won't be running at that rate 24/7 though, as OP will be driving the car sometimes (and/or the battery will get full).

                    • brendanm on 03/06/2019 - 12:20
                      -1

                      @abb: Congratulations, you've restated what I stated earlier, and proved my point. It will not be running 24/7, as the car won't be there to charge.

                      Also, if you'd like to read the post I was replying to, you'd see the poster was talking about charging tools/laptops etc.

              • munecito on 02/06/2019 - 11:07
                +6

                @brendanm:

                If op drives 20km round trip (probably quite high if he is near the cbd CBD)

                Op shouldn't be driving stoned. That is also illegal

                [/Sarcasm]

                • OzJD on 02/06/2019 - 19:07
                  +5

                  @munecito: @munecito it's the THC that gets you stoned, not the CBD.

                  • munecito on 03/06/2019 - 09:45

                    @OzJD: High on THC in the CBD…

                    And that is how my rapper's career started…

              • Ti-au on 02/06/2019 - 17:55

                @brendanm: hashtagMath or is it hashtagMaths ???? :/

            • serpserpserp on 02/06/2019 - 07:51
              +1

              @endotherm: Maybe he should get his Telsa buddies to come over and use the guest parking slots to charge their cars for $50 a week ;)

        • morebunnings on 03/06/2019 - 08:27

          Its the common area though. The same point could be made of:

          How would you feel if someone else used the elevator more than you and your body Corp fees went up to cover it?

          How would you feel if someone else used the swimming pool more than you and your body Corp fees went up to cover it?

          I think hes done the correct thing though. If they make a big stink about it he at least has the paper trail to say he tried to contact them about it

      • JIMB0 on 02/06/2019 - 00:01
        +4

        Should be able to find a tap somewhere in the common area and use it to fill buckets for running a bath and your washing machine.

        • Donaldhump on 02/06/2019 - 00:34
          +2

          Use the common toilet by the pool if there is one and shower.

          • WhyAmICommenting on 02/06/2019 - 20:33
            +2

            @Donaldhump: Use the common toilet by the pool if there is one and otherwise pee in the shower (and dump in the garden)

        • ninjawarrior on 02/06/2019 - 21:53

          Seems like a lot of effort given that a lot of the time building water usage is also shared between all apartments, and the default position is that the landlords pay for water usage…

      • idonotknowwhy on 02/06/2019 - 15:25

        If I were your neighbor, would you mind if I ran some mining rigs out of my boot 24/7 to fund my retirement? I also pay for the common area anyway…

        • smartazz104 on 02/06/2019 - 20:34

          Depends, how much power do your mining rigs suck and how many cents per week do you make for yourself?

        • serpserpserp on 02/06/2019 - 20:35

          This isn't a bad idea!

        • Never Pay RRP on 03/06/2019 - 16:29

          Your example is completely different. If someone deliberately moved items to where they didn't belong in order to access a public power point, that is unethical.

          Here the OP is parking his own car in his own car parking spot. There is no other available option for them to charge their car, and they have tried to be upfront and check if it is ok.

          Do you complain anytime anyone uses anything in the common area? Technically they are all "stealing" your money!

          • idonotknowwhy on 03/06/2019 - 18:57
            +1

            @Never Pay RRP:

            Do you complain anytime anyone uses anything in the common area? Technically they are all "stealing" your money!

            Nah, I rent so couldn't give a shit.

            Here the OP is parking his own car in his own car parking spot.

            What if my car is just where I happen to have my mining rigs installed, (using the car battery as a UPS) and there just happens to be a powerpoint nearby?

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