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I just don't see how any network can even compete with https://na.chargepoint.com/charge_point https://na.chargepoint.com/charge_point Are we saturated yet? De

I just don't see how any network can even compete with https://na.chargepoint.com/charge_point https://na.chargepoint.com/charge_point Are we saturated yet? Demand forecast? https://www.plugshare.com/ https://www.plugshare.com/ There seems to be a rather large number of charging stations in America already...

Analemma_ 6y ago
We're not even close to saturated. On the contrary, we're so far from being saturated that I'm having trouble taking this comment seriously. To take an example, just a couple days ago the Verge published their review of the Mustang Mach-E [0]; the bottom line was that the car is great but the chargers are impossible to find. [0]: https://www.theverge.com/22265570/mustang-mach-e-review-electric-ford-ev-photos-video https://www.theverge.com/22265570/mustang-mach-e-review-elec...
- hedora 6y ago
  I wish they’d focus on making a truck (or maybe an explorer, or even a.. mustang). It’s their core competency, and Tesla already cornered the SUV and sedan market. Also, trucks are gas guzzlers, so replacing one with and EV is comparable to replacing 2-3 sedans or compact SUVs. This release makes me think they’re too risk adverse to start with flagship models, and don’t really think this car will be read for the mass market. (Mustangs are their best selling car in California; F-150’s and Explorers are one and two across their whole market.)
gabereiser 6y ago
And soon they will be owned by oil companies. That’s the point. These large oil companies have so much money they just will buy the companies that run the networks. Throw a dart at any station on chargepoint.com and it could be owned by big oil.
- asdfasgasdgasdg 6y ago
  Does that matter? My objection to big oil, such as it is, is the carbon emission/fossil fuel stuff. I don't have a problem with the corporate structures inherently.
  - cortesoft 6y ago
    Unless the artificially keep prices high so as to keep gasoline as a cheaper fuel.
    - dmt0 6y ago
      Unless they artificially keep prices high. Full stop. It's not about gasoline, it's about control over energy in any form, concentrated in a small number of hands.
      - nindalf 6y ago
        Lot harder to concentrate when solar power is inherently distributed.
    - asdfasgasdgasdg 6y ago
      They've not managed to do that with gas. I expect that solar will be much the same.
- xiphias2 6y ago
  Good luck buying up Tesla.
  - gabereiser 6y ago
    There’s plenty of other charging station companies they could buy and corner Tesla.
freeone3000 6y ago
Compared to the number of gas stations, this is still rather low. Since you actually have a lot less throughput at a charge point versus a gasoline vendor, we'll actually need more charging stations than gas pumps.
- moocow01 6y ago
  I'd guess actually we'll need significantly less charging stations than gas stations at full electric conversion being that you can fill up at home and its most desirable to do so time and cost wise. I have an electric car and use a charging station about once every 3 months when on a long trip.
- cortesoft 6y ago
  Except most people charge at home, and most driving is local. You only need charging stations when traveling long distance.
  - sithadmin 6y ago
    Depends on the locale. Plenty of us city folks don't have a 'home' for our cars to charge in. Our cars live their whole lives on the road. And quite a few suburb-dwellers seem to park their vehicles on the streets as well.
    - moocow01 6y ago
      The thing is as adoption increases there will be less charging stations and just spots with EV charging whether its in a home, apartment or street parking. I think the idea of a station where you go to fill up with electricity or gas will become obsolete - it'll be ubiquitous as anywhere can effectively be a gas station for very little investment comparatively.
      - deleted 6y ago
        [deleted]
      - topkai22 6y ago
dokem 6y ago
There are regularly same chain gas stations on the same corner because people don't search for a station, they use one that doesn't require an extra left turn. I don't ever see an EV station and live in a large city. I think that map gives a false impression of density.
drfuchs 6y ago
Easy to compete with ChargePoint. Most of them are in expensive garages, and charge more on top of the parking fee (and more than gas would cost for the same mileage, to boot). And frequently they’re out of order, or in use, or the guy on the other side steals the cable while you’re charging. And it’s slow, but you’d better be back when charging is complete, or you’ll be charged an extra penalty. - A Dissatisfied Customer

Analemma_ 6y ago

We're not even close to saturated. On the contrary, we're so far from being saturated that I'm having trouble taking this comment seriously. To take an example, just a couple days ago the Verge published their review of the Mustang Mach-E [0]; the bottom line was that the car is great but the chargers are impossible to find. [0]: https://www.theverge.com/22265570/mustang-mach-e-review-electric-ford-ev-photos-video https://www.theverge.com/22265570/mustang-mach-e-review-elec...

hedora 6y ago
I wish they’d focus on making a truck (or maybe an explorer, or even a.. mustang). It’s their core competency, and Tesla already cornered the SUV and sedan market. Also, trucks are gas guzzlers, so replacing one with and EV is comparable to replacing 2-3 sedans or compact SUVs. This release makes me think they’re too risk adverse to start with flagship models, and don’t really think this car will be read for the mass market. (Mustangs are their best selling car in California; F-150’s and Explorers are one and two across their whole market.)

gabereiser 6y ago

And soon they will be owned by oil companies. That’s the point. These large oil companies have so much money they just will buy the companies that run the networks. Throw a dart at any station on chargepoint.com and it could be owned by big oil.

asdfasgasdgasdg 6y ago
Does that matter? My objection to big oil, such as it is, is the carbon emission/fossil fuel stuff. I don't have a problem with the corporate structures inherently.
- cortesoft 6y ago
  Unless the artificially keep prices high so as to keep gasoline as a cheaper fuel.
  - dmt0 6y ago
    Unless they artificially keep prices high. Full stop. It's not about gasoline, it's about control over energy in any form, concentrated in a small number of hands.
    - nindalf 6y ago
      Lot harder to concentrate when solar power is inherently distributed.
  - asdfasgasdgasdg 6y ago
    They've not managed to do that with gas. I expect that solar will be much the same.
xiphias2 6y ago
Good luck buying up Tesla.
- gabereiser 6y ago
  There’s plenty of other charging station companies they could buy and corner Tesla.

freeone3000 6y ago

Compared to the number of gas stations, this is still rather low. Since you actually have a lot less throughput at a charge point versus a gasoline vendor, we'll actually need more charging stations than gas pumps.

moocow01 6y ago
I'd guess actually we'll need significantly less charging stations than gas stations at full electric conversion being that you can fill up at home and its most desirable to do so time and cost wise. I have an electric car and use a charging station about once every 3 months when on a long trip.
cortesoft 6y ago
Except most people charge at home, and most driving is local. You only need charging stations when traveling long distance.
- sithadmin 6y ago
  Depends on the locale. Plenty of us city folks don't have a 'home' for our cars to charge in. Our cars live their whole lives on the road. And quite a few suburb-dwellers seem to park their vehicles on the streets as well.
  - moocow01 6y ago
    The thing is as adoption increases there will be less charging stations and just spots with EV charging whether its in a home, apartment or street parking. I think the idea of a station where you go to fill up with electricity or gas will become obsolete - it'll be ubiquitous as anywhere can effectively be a gas station for very little investment comparatively.
    - deleted 6y ago
      [deleted]
    - topkai22 6y ago

dokem 6y ago

There are regularly same chain gas stations on the same corner because people don't search for a station, they use one that doesn't require an extra left turn. I don't ever see an EV station and live in a large city. I think that map gives a false impression of density.

drfuchs 6y ago

Easy to compete with ChargePoint. Most of them are in expensive garages, and charge more on top of the parking fee (and more than gas would cost for the same mileage, to boot). And frequently they’re out of order, or in use, or the guy on the other side steals the cable while you’re charging. And it’s slow, but you’d better be back when charging is complete, or you’ll be charged an extra penalty. - A Dissatisfied Customer