Recently a friend told me that they had heard that at some point GivEnergy will start making an annual charge for using the software in their batteries - perhaps once the warranty expires. Is anyone aware of this and can they point me at some official statement to this effect?
Buy a Pi and have a free HA install
SaulBH17 Recently a friend told me that they had heard that at some point GivEnergy will start making an annual charge for using the software in their batteries
Not sure about using the software (firmware) in the batteries. Perhaps upgrades, though ?
Or maybe use of the cloud / api ? One of their videos a few weeks back (or was it EVM channel ?) was talking about the polar brand, which is missing some features from the more expensive givenergy line. I'm sure one of those differences was that you didn't get access to their API. (Not sure if it was also missing modbus.)
On those grounds, we've paid for use of the API already. But I guess it is an ongoing cost to run a cloud service, and it's paid for out of sales of new kit.
SaulBH17 not heard of that, is your friend perhaps confusing Givenergy with their "economy" brand Polar-ESS (which uses essentially the same inverters and software but in a different box) which does have an ongoing subscription cost?
https://polar-ess.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Polar-ESS-App-User-Guide.pdf
Given the warranty conditions say the inverter must stay connected to the GE cloud they'll have a VERY hard time charging for that. Warranties don't work that way.
After the warranty? Not bothered at that stage, happy to disconnect.
I had read that Ford were getting upset with the server costs and data transmission and storage costs WRT their EVs and chargers, and that people who had bought second hand cars had never actually entered into a contract with Ford. Fords view was this IT overhead was included in the purchase price for their customers, but not when sold on. I think they had said they were going to charge
SteveCook that's mad. If they built it into the purchase price and someone keeps the car for twenty years, they've built it into the purchase price!
If they sell it halfway, e.g. after ten years, then it's not like two customers are using their services at the same time. No extra demand. 🤦🤣
TX200
I agree.
It was an article I read. I think the conclusion was Ford - as a car company - had underestimated the IT costs (servers, storage and data movement) and are trying to recover it some way
SteveCook Stop data slurping everything the car/driver does then would be an appropriate first step... oh wait I'm dreaming again, sorry peeps 😃
This is why i stick with my 1975 Stratos replica. No servos, no power steering, no traction control etc. No one knows where I am or what speed I am doing
SteveCook No number plates then 😉
Vestas Not sure if this is legal, as I have driven into Sainsbury car park and their ANPR thinks my reg is some sort of anagram of Chardonnet (not the wine. he was a French car importer)
SteveCook Its not legal but we've all probably seen much worse on our travels.
Not exactly a car you're going to clone anyway 😃
SteveCook ...no one knows where I am or what speed I am doing
Well, it certainly blends into the background and doesn't draw any attention to itself..... ;-)