today's charging infrastructure looks pathetic [article]

[fromport]

"With 200+ mile range affordable electric cars just around the corner, today's charging infrastructure looks pathetic"

Imho fast charging is the future for EV's

http://www.longtailpipe.com/2015/01/with-200-mile-range-affordable-electric.html

 

[geo]

Yeah, it is kind of pathetic, but such is the world of early adopters. I remember when a J1772s were hard to find.

The good thing is that, with a 200 mile range, you can have fewer stations. Tesla covered the country with a few hundred chargers. If all GM did was place 2-3 fast chargers at every dealer, they'd be very close to a nationwide network.

BTW - That new Chevy Bolt looks decent. If it delivers as promised, it may just replace the RAV4 EV in 2017.

 

[smkettner]

I think the person is missing the point that most charging is at home.
Does not say if he even owns an EV :|

 

[fromport]

I think the person is missing the point that most charging is at home.
Does not say if he even owns an EV :|

To make an EV "compatible" with ICE you wouldn't need to worry about "is my car charged enough to drive xx miles" like I am doing today. I had a possible meeting which would take about 96 miles round trip, but already had done 45 miles today. Given a normal charge last night, I couldn't make it without _hours_ of charging (I also only have 24 amps charge capacity in my rental available). In such a case a fast charge would be the way to go. You wouldn't have to worry.

That is how I interpreted the story. ;-)

 

[miimura]

DCFC is not only important for the "out of the ordinary" trip beyond your normal routine or a road trip, but it also enables people to drive electric cars that do not have the ability to install charging at or near their home. Even someone that has sufficient charging available at work still needs to charge on the weekends for anything more than routine errands. DCFC in the city at places you would normally stop can make an electric car viable for more people. Tesla's Supercharging network is already starting to address this in-city need in places like Hong Kong, Shanghai, and London. Of course, for the Bolt or other future cars with a range of 150+ miles to be viable for road trips, there must be DCFC's properly placed for inter-city travel.

 

[Michael Bornstein]

Although I have limited experience with public charging, some thoughts come to mind. I recently drove from Bakersfield to Carson Toyota, a RT distance of 280 miles with stops at the Northridge Fashion Mall to recharge. It was a long day, 5:30 am to midnight, and most of the time was spent charging. Thanks to Tony, this summer I will have a JdeMO port and my recharge time will be decreased. The problem is the location of the CHAdeMO stations. For instance, if I was going to LAX, I could charge at CSU Northridge on the way down, but if my flight returns near midnight, will I really want to sit in an empty parking lot for 30 minutes to charge on the way back? Many chargers (other than the Nissan dealers) are located in back lots of DWP, City Hall, etc. Not places you want to be in the wee hours. TESLA has nicely placed their VERY WELL LIT Supercharger stations next to places one would feel safe going to at midnight. Before EV's become mainstream, the DCFC's will have to be similar to gas stations with the chargers well lit, up front, and adjacent to Starbucks, AM-PMs or 7-11's. Tony is apparently building a bank of DCFC's with an adjacent Starbucks. I just hope it is somewhere I would want to drive to.

 

[fromport]

For instance, if I was going to LAX, I could charge at CSU Northridge on the way down, but if my flight returns near midnight, will I really want to sit in an empty parking lot for 30 minutes to charge on the way back?

Makes you kind of wonder why they don't have Tesla superchargers AND Chademo chargers at LAX.
The business there is 24/7 and would make a lot of sense.

We should design/build our own supercharger technology with plugs for everything:

Chademo,
Frankenstein
Tony's new plug ;-)

and set up a chain of those sponsored by state/government if possible.