All excellent points, and I do believe that the build-up is going to come quicker than most think. While working in Long Beach, I went to a mall, and there were 25 Tesla chargers, all in a row with about 10 open for use.We had a discussion today about the 'Charging Infrastructure' which is what is basically limiting the public from buying an EV easily - until we can 'go anywhere at anytime' like we do now, things will not drastically change.
Those of us on the forefront of the EV adoption are willing to take the risk, and the aggravation, and the time to make it work for us, but the public is not that forgiving. They can' change their life to accommodate an EV, even though they actually may like the idea - it's just not logistically feasible for most.
What do we need? That's a good question, but with some experience, most of us current and former EV owners can attest to the need for RELIABLE, and EASY Fast Chargers, spaced within 50 MILES from each other, in ANY direction, and with SEVERAL at each location, with SPACE to park between each charger, and with at least one 'Pull Thru/Next to' charge port. ( oh, and add another - LENGTHY charge cables - we don't need to be restricted by a 4' reach cord )
I have towed my camper this week, and can tell you that only ONE charger I've seen has any ability to easily allow an EV towing a trailer to pull up effortlessly. I'm a confident drive, and have driven brand new 45' large motorhomes across the country from the factories to dealers, and have owned and driven my own motorhome for many years, but the 'parking' infrastructure for EVs will HAVE to change. When you see most with painted signage on the parking space saying 'Compact EV Parking ONLY', you know that we have not contemplated EV Trucks, and especially those towing anything.
I would like to see:
All Hotels have rows of Level 2 chargers.
All cities have at least one or two Fast Chargers at several large format GAS STATIONS, on the outer limits of the parking lot. I have seen only a very few do this, and it works great. You really do NEED a convenience store when you charge. Unless your are towing your camper, you don't have a bathroom with you.
All interstates have a Fast Charger or two at every other Exit. Better yet, ROWS of chargers, and COVERED, and SPACED OUT, with 'pull beside' options.
We can look to Mr Musk for setting the bar very high. Until someone follows that lead, this is going to be a long hard road...no pun intended, but happily accepted : )
Hello from Balto MD, Engineer that works on BEV safety
Hi All
My 150 Lariat is scheduled for a build next week and will hopefully deliver by the end of Sept. I work as an OSHA safety trainer and teach electrical safety classes, now teaching electrical safety to OEMs that build eclectic vehicles. I travel around the country teaching classes and many times drive vs. flying, so a bit concerned about range and charging. My current F150 has a 36 gal tank, so 700 miles to a fill-up is my norm.
I have not seen enough charging connections at hotels. Hopefully, this will improve next year. I plan on keeping my 2018 F150 along with the new truck, as winter is also a concern for range. If Tesla opens its charge stations next year, that should be a big help for long-distance trips.
Seen some great threads here and look forward to learning more.
My 150 Lariat is scheduled for a build next week and will hopefully deliver by the end of Sept. I work as an OSHA safety trainer and teach electrical safety classes, now teaching electrical safety to OEMs that build eclectic vehicles. I travel around the country teaching classes and many times drive vs. flying, so a bit concerned about range and charging. My current F150 has a 36 gal tank, so 700 miles to a fill-up is my norm.
I have not seen enough charging connections at hotels. Hopefully, this will improve next year. I plan on keeping my 2018 F150 along with the new truck, as winter is also a concern for range. If Tesla opens its charge stations next year, that should be a big help for long-distance trips.
Seen some great threads here and look forward to learning more.
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All excellent points, and I do believe that the build-up is going to come quicker than most think. While working in Long Beach, I went to a mall, and there were 25 Tesla chargers, all in a row with about 10 open for use.
I have noticed that the major chains such as Mariott have not invested in on-site charging capabilities. For me, this is a problem as I stay 100% at Mariott hotels. I have even looked into purchasing extended battery packs that are now becoming available for emergency charging. Like the Zipcharge.
You are correct about demand charges, but there are rate schedules that need to be accounted for. Demand is calculated with 15 min back-to-back peaks and at different schedule rates. Most of this can be offset by time of use and utility rate purchase. The real problem that will be coming is Harmonic distortion due to the nature of PWM charging which all BEV use in onboard chargers.Okay, time to rain on this happy parade.
The level 3 build out is not sustainable, mainly due to peak demand power charges. Private businesses are not going to adopt building the infrastructure when they literally could lose money if too many folks are drawing 150 kW or more. That issue needs to be fixed; I have no idea how to do that, however. And to fill in all the gaps, it must be driven by the private sector.
Okay, tell me why I'm wrong. (I want to be wrong, but I know someone who just put in a level 3 in Brookings, SD, paid with VW settlement money (ie would not have happened otherwise) who told me even though his charger can do super high speeds, he maxed it at 62.5 kW due to demand charge issues. The NEVI plan for SD also pointed out demand charges being the biggest problem for sustainability and even getting bids.)
As the BEV market grows there will be Power Quality issue that will need to be addressed.
1 - 4 of 19 Posts
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