Joining the Renewable Heating Hub forums is completely free and only takes a minute. By registering you’ll be able to ask questions, join discussions, follow topics you’re interested in, bookmark useful threads and receive notifications when someone replies. Non-registered members also do not have access to our AI features. When choosing your username, please note that it cannot be changed later, so we recommend avoiding brand or product names. Before registering, please take a moment to read the Forum Rules & Terms of Use so we can keep the community helpful, respectful and informative for everyone. Thanks for joining!
Being screwed over by Volkswagen Audi Group
If any of you have or are thinking of buying a VW (especially an EV) and either do or want to manage it via some form of home automation system (Home Assistant, OpenHAB, Domoticz, your own scripts etc.) you are likely to be disappointed.
As of a week or so ago, it seems the VW/Audi group decided to block access to the API their app uses unless it's accessed by an application whose developers have paid for the privilege. That means the VW Connect integration for Home Assistant and any other similar bits of software can no longer authenticate. Very cynical, mercenary and high-handed of VW/Audi, it also appears to be making significant noise on mainland Europe with a lot of people in questioning whether it may contravene the European Data Act.
Not a lot anyone here can do in the short term, but if intelligent integration of an electric vehicle into your wider smart home is any kind of priority for you and you're looking to purchase an EV to do so, I would suggest you avoid a Volkswagen, Audi, Seat, Cupra or Skoda.
105 m2 bungalow in South East England
Mitsubishi Ecodan 8.5 kW air source heat pump
18 x 360W solar panels
1 x 6 kW GroWatt battery and SPH5000 inverter
1 x Myenergi Zappi
1 x VW ID3
Raised beds for home-grown veg and chickens for eggs
"Semper in excretia; sumus solum profundum variat"
I will not EVER buy a car from VAG. Some years ago I had a Passat (diesel) that went in for its annual service the day prior to the end of it's 3 year new car warranty expired. The following morning, I started the car and didn't get more than 10 yards when it simply cut out. AA recovery to the dealer. Turns out that they had messed up the timing belt, which slipped, causing some considerable engine damage. I was assured by the dealer that it would be fixed under warranty and that I was lucky as it was the last day of said warranty. Later that day, I was contacted by VW UK to inform me that, as the car hadn't arrived at the dealer until after midday, the warranty had expired and any repairs would be at my expense. It's fair to say that the dealer was mortified and did the best they could, arguing my corner. Long and heated arguments followed over a couple of weeks, with VW UK coming up with different 'reasons' as to why my warranty claim was invalid. Their last 'reason' was that the car had been purchased in a leap year, so the warranty had expired a day earlier. They were eventually forced to cave and accept full responsibility. Hence, I immediately sold the car and will never, ever go near a VAG car again. Shameful behaviour. Also, remember the emissions scandal involving them. Charlatans.
Retrofitted 11.2kw Mitsubishi Ecodan to new radiators commissioned November 2021.
14 x 500w Monocrystalline solar panels.
2 ESS Smile G3 10.1 batteries.
ESS Smile G3 5kw inverter.
Currently viewing this topic 1 user ( Morgan ) and 2 guests.
Recently viewed by users: JamesPa 7 minutes ago, Toodles 34 minutes ago, IaAck 58 minutes ago, Majordennisbloodnok 54 minutes ago.
- 26 Forums
- 2,659 Topics
- 62.1 K Posts
- 689 Online
- 7,055 Members
Join Us!
Latest Posts
-
RE: Being screwed over by Volkswagen Audi Group
I will not EVER buy a car from VAG. Some years ago I h...
By Morgan , 1 hour ago
-
RE: Anyone concerned about GivEnergy?
Hmm...I really need to think this through. Another pote...
By KevH , 11 hours ago
-
This is an interesting post and a breakdown analysis of...
By Escapist , 13 hours ago
-
RE: A2A vs A2W: Which Heat Pump Would You Pick?
I tend to have a problem with absolutes, @deltona. Ye...
By Majordennisbloodnok , 17 hours ago
-
RE: Home automation and the cloud; is there a better way?
I totally agree, @wully, with your point about cloud/lo...
By Majordennisbloodnok , 17 hours ago
-
RE: Rural burning – I've had enough
@transparent, environmental protection emailed earlier ...
By Mars , 19 hours ago
-
RE: Cooling with with air to water heat pumps
@etchedpixels A few warmish days or a bit of snow an...
By Papahuhu , 21 hours ago
-
Good points @etchedpixels And it occurred to me that...
By springswood , 22 hours ago
-
Take a look at this link of what I did to encapsulate a...
By ASHP-BOBBA , 23 hours ago
-
RE: Help me keep the faith with my air source heat pump installation
Thanks and noted. I dont see Vaillant doing a general ...
By JamesPa , 23 hours ago
-
RE: Solar Power Output – Let’s Compare Generation Figures
Greetings my fellow heatwave sufferers! Over here, we n...
By MK4 , 23 hours ago
-
RE: Outdoor Battery Solutions?
We are on the same tariff, on 3.5p/kwh. So until early ...
By Batpred , 2 days ago
-
RE: Solar Yield vs Temperature.
@old_scientist Fair enough, that may be similar to t...
By Batpred , 2 days ago
-
RE: Lower electric tariffs for heat pump users
I suspect that would not be a difficult decision, if I ...
By Batpred , 2 days ago



