iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

George Gowing @immigrschorschi.bsky.social · 09/07/2025

And all driven at (near) legal Vmax (car only does 185kmh for Germany), as witnessed by this French speeding ticket on A7 Route du Soleil near Marseille. 1kmh over limit €45!

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George Gowing @immigrschorschi.bsky.social · 08/07/2025

1300km Bavaria to Barcelona in small 65kW BEV, alone, 70 y.o. in 15 hrs, 12 of which were driving, charge about every 250-300km. Effortless

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George Gowing @immigrschorschi.bsky.social · 19/06/2025

3,381km Bavaria-Mallorca round-trip in BMW iX1 30 #BEV at legal Vmax. 20.2kWh/100km, charging losses (15%)=23.1kWh/100. 781kWh charged. Paid €222 using Renault Ionity €4.99/m sub. Ave €0.28/kW. 660km in Mallorca free at public chargers & @ home. Without those,€0.37/kW or €8.50/100km. ICE €12.50?

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George Gowing @immigrschorschi.bsky.social · 10/05/2025

Nice #PV weather 13:00 done one 40⁰C wash another 60⁰ now in while 1st load tumble dries. Swimming pool pump & heater on, house 300 litre water boiler heated to 60⁰C, dishwasher on & charging the car. Have still sold 12kWh to the grid. Even mini 800W Balcony PV working overtime.

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George Gowing @immigrschorschi.bsky.social · 06/05/2025

I have a Sonstige too. Got it out on Friday for the 1st time since October. She only turned 60 in March & is so still running in. Spot the marten! Luckily he doesn't seem to like John Deere-Lanz rubber.

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George Gowing @immigrschorschi.bsky.social · 06/05/2025

German BEV sales in April rose 53% over April 2024. Tesla lost 47% this April against 2024, only selling 885 cars & not even being in top 25 car makers. That despite Berlin Gigafactory & the new Model Y facelift having been available the whole month.

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George Gowing @immigrschorschi.bsky.social · 25/04/2025

Yesterday did 300km round-trip, for safety margin charged 17kW at my destination at Lidl for €0.29 while shopping & as had nearly expired €10 voucher charged another 17kW near home for €0.18 TOTAL cost. Charging car from PV today as need car tonight. Tomorrow can easily fully charge at home from PV.

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George Gowing @immigrschorschi.bsky.social · 25/04/2025

You're dumber than I thought possible. Today weather is poor, I've put 24kW in my car (over 100km) from PV. I charge myself €0.12kWh as that's what I get for feed in. Also already fed 5kWh into grid & currently recharging my 18kW of home battery to be full by evening. I'm feeding grid 40+kW per day.

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George Gowing @immigrschorschi.bsky.social · 21/04/2025

You really don't have a clue, do you? Heard of V2G, V2H & all other benefits EVs will have for the grid? And by the way, I charge my EV almost exclusively from the PV on my house roof, as do millions.

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George Gowing @immigrschorschi.bsky.social · 19/04/2025

18 April 2024 installed 2x400W Plug & Play 'Balkonkraftwerk' mobile #PV set costing €300 (now €240). Plug straight into normal house wall socket. Produced/saved 750kWh or €225. Payback 1½ years. Come with 10-30 years warranty. 800W max allowed in Germany for such mini PV systems.

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George Gowing @immigrschorschi.bsky.social · 13/04/2025

Wrong. Do some very simple research.

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George Gowing @immigrschorschi.bsky.social · 14/02/2025

Not true for EV brakes as they mainly brake using the electric motor to regenerate electricity. In fact, EVs are liable to failing technical checks because brake discs are rusted through lack of use.

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George Gowing @immigrschorschi.bsky.social · 09/02/2025

And even have chargers hanging on lamp posts. Curbside Power Points have already been made.

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George Gowing @immigrschorschi.bsky.social · 08/02/2025

Compared to January 2024, Germany new car sales were down by ⬇️2.8% but #BEV sales were up ⬆️53.5%. Tesla sales were down⬇️59.5%. Source: KBA - Germany's vehicle registration authority.

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George Gowing @immigrschorschi.bsky.social · 08/02/2025

Griaß di. Walked dog, charged car & got Döner. Call a win-win!

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George Gowing @immigrschorschi.bsky.social · 08/02/2025

Lovely day in Bavaria. #PV hammering out electricity despite it being early February. Even mobile 800W plug & play <€300 unit. It has produced over 600kWh in 295 days since installation, despite 2024 being terrible PV year. It will pay back within 18 months & can be set up anywhere with a house plug

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George Gowing @immigrschorschi.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

?sorry don't follow you. The Gigafactory Austin is Tesla.

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George Gowing @immigrschorschi.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

The brilliant Austrian electricity linesmen who packed their cars & took off to Ireland have now arrived in Cavan, taking up residence at Country Club my s-i-l works at. They are still without electricity at home.

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George Gowing @immigrschorschi.bsky.social · 27/01/2025

#MuckingOut #3 AND #FavouriteGermanWord JESUSLATSCHEN 'Jesus Slouchers' God (excuse pun) knows why I ever bought these. Despite being a flower power kid, I never wore them. Still hoping to find my flairs, cheesecloth shirts & Greek, knitted, beach bag✌️🙏

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George Gowing @immigrschorschi.bsky.social · 25/01/2025

....whoops- forgot figures title: Colonel Alistair McDuff. By the way the holes in the base are original, to represent a line of shots between redoutable Alistair's legs.

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George Gowing @immigrschorschi.bsky.social · 25/01/2025

#MuckingOut #2 1965 plastic #TrueBrit made by 🇺🇲Louis Marx & Co, famous for its toys & soldier figures. Given to me by my 🇩🇪Uncle Georg in Frankfurt in 60s, I guess he got it from 🇺🇲Army PX store there, as he had 🇺🇲friends/connections

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George Gowing @immigrschorschi.bsky.social · 25/01/2025

I just tested the spare which must be good 2 years old and it's still in good shape!

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George Gowing @immigrschorschi.bsky.social · 25/01/2025

Just doing some mucking out & came across this 1990 radio-controlled German clock. Given to me as a job leaving present by colleagues in December 1990. Battery lasts 2-3 years & only ever available in double pack, so 2nd one dead by the time it comes to be replaced. #GermanQuality

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George Gowing @immigrschorschi.bsky.social · 25/01/2025

Daughter in Co. Cavan, Ireland, still without power after 34 hours, no water or Internet, but at least WhatsApp now & still some humour. Just sent me this..

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George Gowing @immigrschorschi.bsky.social · 23/01/2025

Only a few hours ago, I was having thoughts of cancelling membership after 35 years. Felt like they really haven't been doing enough with EVs & certainly not on charging prices. Today's newsletter headlined 'EVs not that bad nowadays'!

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George Gowing @immigrschorschi.bsky.social · 23/01/2025

@electricfelix.bsky.social ADAC interesting comparison of ICE vs #EV costs for cars internal electric usage. 100Wh=0.1 litre petrol over 100km. (500km = ½litre) Assumes €1.70/l & €0.44/kWh.

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George Gowing @immigrschorschi.bsky.social · 23/01/2025

Swabia (Southern Germany) is doing well out of President Musk.

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George Gowing @immigrschorschi.bsky.social · 23/01/2025

😀I had it from 1972 till 75 & in that time did at least one roadtrip with then GF from Norwich to Munich w/o a problem! Her Mum persuaded me to go from sublime to ridiculous Saab 96 tank! I loved that too.

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George Gowing @immigrschorschi.bsky.social · 22/01/2025

Always forget that one can check IK registrations. Just did. Plate seemingly never reissued. 1956 & yellow.

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George Gowing @immigrschorschi.bsky.social · 22/01/2025

Enjoyed that. I started my 'EV' car life 1972 with a 6V Beach Buggy, changed for 12V fairly quickly as couldn't see at night & wanted new fangled 12V radio-cassette! 51 years later, got BMW iX1, still needs 12V but with a bit more power & extras.

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George Gowing @immigrschorschi.bsky.social · 20/01/2025

Bull! BMW have had Hydrogen cars on the road since 1989 & it's more than likely only thanks to Govt subsidies. They DO NOT see it as either/or. There is next to no infrastructure, in fact refuelling points have reduced of late.

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George Gowing @immigrschorschi.bsky.social · 18/01/2025

Again, a big paintbrush over an issue that is very wide. Lots of people like myself need to tow heavy trailers & like the baby BMW EV I drive, it's still a compromise. I need more towing. Plus at 70, I like sitting up/getting in high & not have to shoehorn myself into a low 'normal' car.

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George Gowing @immigrschorschi.bsky.social · 18/01/2025

I wonder if my family's beach hut at Mundesley Norfolk still exists. Photo must have been around 1920, Dad born 1913 with Mother, 3 of 4 elder sisters & Judy the lab. No hut number. They farmed at nearby Paston/Bacton, I think starting in the 1910s.

Beach hut at Mundesley Norfolk around 1920. Mother, three daughters, son and Labrador Judy. Appears to be B&W photo, subsequently coloured by hand.

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George Gowing @immigrschorschi.bsky.social · 17/01/2025

In good Catholic Bavaria, it's fish on Friday. And as it's gone 13:00, (1pm Brits) it's the weekend in Bavaria too. Have a good one, Tweeps ...ugh Blueskypsters

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George Gowing @immigrschorschi.bsky.social · 14/01/2025

#EVs catch fire? #ICE internal combustion engines catch fire far more often, but to beat them all, the good old horse caught fire about every 8 weeks.

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George Gowing @immigrschorschi.bsky.social · 14/01/2025

Can't put off the morning dog walk any longer. I am just going outside and may be some time.

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George Gowing @immigrschorschi.bsky.social · 09/01/2025

Reminder email just in for headcount for Tierseuchenkassenbeitragsveranlagung 2025. (Wonder how that gets translated.) Germans do do charity, but also lots of taxes. €3.20 cattle €2.40 horse €1.20 sheep €0.70 pig €0.55 turkey €0.05 chicken Per annum, min €9 so don't need to be accurate with 30x🐔 2x🐴

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George Gowing @immigrschorschi.bsky.social · 08/01/2025

Never enjoyed driving so much, since my first car in 1972, when I got BMW iX1 BEV in June 2023. Work out your driving/travel needs very carefully and honestly (not 'I may want to drive 1000km non-stop to Granny 1 a year') and find battery & interior size that fits. All EVs are a joy to drive.

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George Gowing @immigrschorschi.bsky.social · 08/01/2025

Rehlein and Holz vor der Hütte. They love the bramble leaves at this time of year. Shooting is still allowed until 15th January in Bavaria, when Winter pause starts, but it's pretty safe near our house, deer often grazing with our horses in summer. Dog barking doesn't worry them.

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George Gowing @immigrschorschi.bsky.social · 04/01/2025

Same picture here. We don't get ice rain too often. I can't remember the last time. But 23 years ago when we moved here, had literally week or two with max -10⁰ daytime & min -20⁰ night. Haven't had that either for probably over 10 years.

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George Gowing @immigrschorschi.bsky.social · 04/01/2025

Guadn moang. Have a safe one folks in Northern Europe. Unterallgäu, Bavaria 09:00 -9⁰C

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George Gowing @immigrschorschi.bsky.social · 01/01/2025

Allgäu Bavaria - Cow bells instead of Bangers. 20, 21. 24, 45, 50 y.o. killed by fireworks. 70 y.o. died in fire. 2, 11, 14, 18 y.o. seriously injured in Bavaria alone. Countless emergency workers shot at & injured. €200 million pulverised in minutes. How much longer?

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George Gowing @immigrschorschi.bsky.social · 31/12/2024

Blimey it's cold but stars are incredible. Naturally with mobile phone camera, pic not great😁

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George Gowing @immigrschorschi.bsky.social · 28/12/2024

I guess ideal conditions for practise jumps today at Oberstdorf, before 1st leg of 'Five Hills' ski jumping tournament in 🇩🇪&🇦🇹 tomorrow. It's really cold -5.5⁰C at 16:45 for this video. Inversion weather will probably make it warmer higher up.

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George Gowing @immigrschorschi.bsky.social · 26/12/2024

🇺🇲1965 Sound of Music Film unknown in Germany & Austria. Just seen on Bavarian TV last seconds of 🇩🇪1956 Trapp Family Film which is being followed by 🇩🇪1958 Trapp Family in America Film! Had no idea of their existence, despite living here for 35 years. I'm a SoM fan even have 1965 LP to this day.

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George Gowing @immigrschorschi.bsky.social · 25/12/2024

🎵Baby it's cold outside🎵 You have to be ancient, like me, to know the connection. 04:00 Bavarian Swabia. As nothing yet under the Christmas tree🎄, have to assume Rudolph skidded off the road.

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George Gowing @immigrschorschi.bsky.social · 25/12/2024

For a few years now, all the horse carriages taking tourists up to Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria - the Disney & Chitty Chitty Bang Bang one - have had EV motors fitted.

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George Gowing @immigrschorschi.bsky.social · 24/12/2024

I understand PHEV argument, but it really is worst of both worlds. Humping around two technologies & thus double potential problems. I have smallest BMW SUV BEV,the iX1, AWD, 300hp, 500Nm torque, 0-62 5.6sec but not sold in USA!

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