A First Plug-In: Electric Driving

There’s a first time for everything. For me today, it was plugging in my brand-new car for the very first time.

When we renovated our house, I knew I wanted to future-proof it. Solar panels went on the roof, and while I didn’t yet own an electric vehicle, I made sure to include a charger in the plans. I had a strong feeling that the day would come when an EV was part of my lifestyle. That day has now arrived, and the experience is as exciting as I imagined.

The car I’ve chosen is a hybrid ute. It can run on fuel when needed, but being able to connect it to my charger and draw power straight from the sun feels incredible. The energy captured on my roof is now directly powering my driving. Clean, renewable, and cost-free once the system is in place — this is sustainable living in action!!!

Lessons Learned Along the Way - Renovations and new builds should be about thinking ahead, and energy solutions are no different. Here are three tips I’d share with anyone who wants to prepare their home for the future:

1. Add a charger with your solar panels, even if you don’t have an Electric Vehicle yet...

Future-proofing is about being ready when the time comes. Including a car charger while the electricians are already on-site saves both time and money later. It also means you’ll be ready the day you bring home your EV.

2. Consider a battery for storing the energy you create...

Solar panels work best during the day, but most households also need power in the evenings, heating or cooling a home for example. A battery allows you to store the energy you’ve created and use it when the sun has gone down, reducing your reliance on the grid.

3. Ask those who’ve already done it...

Word of mouth is still the best kind of advertising. Speak with friends, neighbours, or colleagues who’ve installed solar systems, chargers, or batteries. They’ll share honest feedback on what worked, what didn’t, and which products or installers they’d recommend.

For those who like to know the details, here’s what I installed in my own home: Solar panels: LONGI solar panels, GOODWE Inverter and EV Charger, all installed by a trusted team from Freedom Solar and Batteries. This combination has proven reliable and efficient for our household. Every home is different, but hearing real examples can help you make informed decisions, so don't be shy and ask around, family and friends and especially those that live in your area for the most relevant advice.

Plugging in my car for the first time wasn’t just about topping up a battery, it was about seeing a plan come together,

one that started years earlier when we started thinking about solar. It’s a reminder that good design is about more than good looks, it’s also about setting ourselves up for smarter, more sustainable living. Thinking forward ;)

James Treble is an ambassador for Planet Ark and firmly believes in sensible purchasing, recycling and creative re-purposing. James has three decades of accumulated experience in the Building Industry, Real Estate and Interior Design and regularly shares his knowledge and experience in adding value to properties through effective design & styling. Watch his free videos on YouTube, and follow him on Facebook and Instagram for more free information. Learn more from James' knowledge via his FREE online shows James Bought A House (a renovation) and James Bought A Guest House (a brand new build).