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I don't think you have a good handle on how the distribution system is sized. Single, large loads like EVs at 10-30 kW were on nobody's radar even as recently a

I don't think you have a good handle on how the distribution system is sized. Single, large loads like EVs at 10-30 kW were on nobody's radar even as recently as the 2010s. yes, infrastructure was designed for rising demand but not the sudden addition of 7 kW+ of capacity in multiple homes. A typical EV charger draws anywhere from 7 kW to 25 kW. That is the total connected load of more than one typical North American house. And typical pole-mounted transformers are around 50 -200 kVA. Two EVs added to the regular mix is all it takes to upset the balance.

bryanlarsen 5y ago
An AC unit uses 3.5 kW and there are times everybody on the block is using them. The grid doesn't fall over. Also, where the heck do you find 25 kW home chargers? I've heard of 60A ones (13.2 kW), but ours is 7.2kW and is probably about twice as much as we need.
- nradov 5y ago
  The grid in California falls over when everyone turns on the AC. Rolling blackouts are still a problem. Our state government and the electric utilities (especially PG&E) have terribly mismanaged the system through a mix of greed, incompetence, and caving in to special interests.
- m463 5y ago
  I think the tesla ones can do ~20 kw: https://www.tesla.com/sites/default/files/pdfs/wall-connector-eu/tesla-80a-wall-connector-installation-manua-en-v1.pdf https://www.tesla.com/sites/default/files/pdfs/wall-connecto... Early tesla vehicles could actually charge from two home chargers simultaneously (though I'm uncertain how many amps total). and of course, there are homes with more than one car.
rsynnott 5y ago
Starting in the early 90s, here in Ireland, instant heating electric showers, generally about 10kW, became very popular (they’re actually beginning to die out; many new homes have PV as part of meeting govt energy efficiency targets, so get tanked hot water ‘for free’). And 90s Ireland wasn’t winning any prizes for electrical infrastructure. I’m sure the US can manage some car chargers.

bryanlarsen 5y ago

An AC unit uses 3.5 kW and there are times everybody on the block is using them. The grid doesn't fall over. Also, where the heck do you find 25 kW home chargers? I've heard of 60A ones (13.2 kW), but ours is 7.2kW and is probably about twice as much as we need.

nradov 5y ago
The grid in California falls over when everyone turns on the AC. Rolling blackouts are still a problem. Our state government and the electric utilities (especially PG&E) have terribly mismanaged the system through a mix of greed, incompetence, and caving in to special interests.
m463 5y ago
I think the tesla ones can do ~20 kw: https://www.tesla.com/sites/default/files/pdfs/wall-connector-eu/tesla-80a-wall-connector-installation-manua-en-v1.pdf https://www.tesla.com/sites/default/files/pdfs/wall-connecto... Early tesla vehicles could actually charge from two home chargers simultaneously (though I'm uncertain how many amps total). and of course, there are homes with more than one car.

rsynnott 5y ago

Starting in the early 90s, here in Ireland, instant heating electric showers, generally about 10kW, became very popular (they’re actually beginning to die out; many new homes have PV as part of meeting govt energy efficiency targets, so get tanked hot water ‘for free’). And 90s Ireland wasn’t winning any prizes for electrical infrastructure. I’m sure the US can manage some car chargers.