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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Carer charging electric bike? How much adding to bill?

111 replies

helpmakingahome · 26/12/2025 15:45

My aunt lives quite rurally and had a carer come in 3 times a day to help her get up etc. When the carer arrives, she immediately plugs in her electric bike into an extension lead in the outside lean to and leaves her bike charging there for an hour.

The carer keeps failing her driving test so can't get a car and relies on the electric bike to get her about. I understand that my aunt is quite remote and maybe the carer is worried about running out of battery in the middle of nowhere but it seems a bit off. I don't know how much this is adding to my aunt's electricity bill, she's on disability so quite a small fixed income. Any ideas how much it will be costing to charge? If it's a couple if quid then it's fine but I don't know. Is this normal now?

OP posts:
Mcdhotchoc · 26/12/2025 15:47

Google says 10-22p per hour. Hth
And good on the carer for cycling to her work

Aplstrudl · 26/12/2025 15:48

Depends on the tarriff your aunt is on.

modgepodge · 26/12/2025 15:49

Google AI says it costs between 5p and 22p to do a full charge (which for my bike takes 5 hours). So an hour is probably costing 1-4p. If she’s otherwise happy with the carer I’d let it go 😂

vanillalattes · 26/12/2025 15:50

Probably not even 5p. Honestly, let it go.

Clefable · 26/12/2025 15:51

They usually cost about 10-20p to fully charge from 0 on standard variable tariff (depending on battery size) so likely much less than that as it won’t be from empty.

ChaChaChaChanges · 26/12/2025 15:52

Honestly, I’m incredulous that this even crossed your mind.

Tiredofwhataboutery · 26/12/2025 15:53

I have one it holds just over 1.3 kWh so a full charge costs about 25p it takes five hours though so I imagine in an hour it’s about 5p.

Dinosweetpea · 26/12/2025 15:57

Good, reliable carers are like gold dust - it costs next to nothing to charge so just leave them be.

Ritasueandbobtoo9 · 26/12/2025 15:58

You are lucky to have a carer in a rural area. I wouldn’t dream of saying anything, particularly if she turns up 3 times per day.

Politicians247UnderwearExtinguishingService · 26/12/2025 16:05

She isn't charging it then in a deliberate attempt to steal somebody else's electricity; she's charging it then because it needs charging then, just like a phone.

You may as well say that, if she goes for a wee at the client's home, it's because she's deliberately saving money by not using her own water, paper and soap - when of course, the only reason she's actually having a wee there is because that's where she is when the wee is needed!

Politicians247UnderwearExtinguishingService · 26/12/2025 16:08

Ritasueandbobtoo9 · 26/12/2025 15:58

You are lucky to have a carer in a rural area. I wouldn’t dream of saying anything, particularly if she turns up 3 times per day.

Yes, this. Surely by complaining about her costing a few pence in electricity, the only result is that she'll have to withdraw from being able to provide the essential service altogether - and all for the sake of 5 or 10p a visit.

Twinkletoes127 · 26/12/2025 16:09

ChaChaChaChanges · 26/12/2025 15:52

Honestly, I’m incredulous that this even crossed your mind.

Im not. Not at all. Ive heard it all over the years. Familys complaining that a carer sat and had a cup of tea, and stole teabags and milk that left mummy short, fakilys complaining that carers had a wee and used loo roll. And those are only a few short examples.
Its wild what Familys complain about

Ritasueandbobtoo9 · 26/12/2025 16:11

A lot of carers only do towns because of the travel time, lack of access to toilets, dark and icy roads, isolated properties so if you have one that is willing to cycle to a property at 15mph then keep them.

ChaChaChaChanges · 26/12/2025 16:13

My parents have carers coming in during the week while I’m at work. I think they’re angels, honestly. In the summer they take my parents out on trips. Sometimes the carers get free entry and sometimes they don’t; if they don’t I’m more than happy to pay for their tickets. They care for my parents when can’t, and I’ll never be anything but in their debt for that.

couldthisbe2501 · 26/12/2025 16:16

is she a good carer? If so, and you’re still worried about her ‘stealing’ a few pence then you could always look after your aunt yourself?

mondaytosunday · 26/12/2025 16:21

you’re kidding. It’s a few pence.

Delphiniumandlupins · 26/12/2025 16:30

Even if it was £s (and it isn't) don't you think that is cheap for a regular carer, known to your aunt. In a rural area. Is she genuinely there for an hour, 3 times a day, because that is great as well. If your aunt is finding her fuel bills difficult then her supplier may be able to assist. Or you could maybe help by giving her cash or a bag of everyday staples for Christmas and her birthday.

Mydogisagentleman · 26/12/2025 16:32

I'm a carer. I live rurally and drive a big, old, diesel car.
If I were your aunt's carer and someone challenged me about the cost of charging my bike, you'd never see me again.
Get a grip

Ohcrap082024 · 26/12/2025 16:33

A regular, consistent carer is worth their weight in gold. Add in the rural location… I’d be doing whatever it takes to keep her.

pictoosh · 26/12/2025 16:34

It's not off, it's fine.

CurlewKate · 26/12/2025 16:35

Probably costs more to make a couple of cups of tea while she’s there!

XenoBitch · 26/12/2025 16:36

No wonder there is a shortage of carers when there is family about like you.

The carer is cycling there, in all weathers too.

TokyoSushi · 26/12/2025 16:37

Good grief.

Squirrelchops1 · 26/12/2025 16:37

Twinkletoes127 · 26/12/2025 16:09

Im not. Not at all. Ive heard it all over the years. Familys complaining that a carer sat and had a cup of tea, and stole teabags and milk that left mummy short, fakilys complaining that carers had a wee and used loo roll. And those are only a few short examples.
Its wild what Familys complain about

Show quote history

Some people are unreal
I say to my mums carers, please have a cup of tea and slice of toast etc whilst she is having hers.

MumChp · 26/12/2025 16:38

Try get another one living rural...

5-10p.

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