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If we try to overlay the EV network on the existing ICE model, yeah, charging will be difficult. But if we rethink the whole ordeal, it becomes much simpler, an

If we try to overlay the EV network on the existing ICE model, yeah, charging will be difficult. But if we rethink the whole ordeal, it becomes much simpler, and in fact, I think once EVs become dominant, you'll see fewer mom and pop charging station than you see gas stations, not because it will be more expensive and difficult to run, but because the need just won't be there. The majority of charging will be done at home, or maybe at work (I can see EV charging parking lots becoming a benefit). Long haul trips, depending on conditions, could be charged overnight at hotels, or quick-charged at restaurants. Cross-country EV trips are already viable, although they require some planning up front. And yes, quick charging produces more load on the grid than fueling up at the pump, but again, the majority of charging won't be done at a quick charger. It will be done cheaply, at home, at night.

YarickR2 4y ago
"The majority of charging will be done at home" ? With multifamily/apartment style homes, no way every parking place in the basement parking is getting a dedicated charger. "or maybe at work (I can see EV charging parking lots becoming a benefit)" - with work from home trend gaining traction ? "Quick-charged at restaurants" ? So, eating out for $50 per person and an hour to eat and quick-charge, instead of stopping for 5 minutes at the pump ? "It will be done cheaply, at home, at night" - no it won't. Majority of low pay workers won't be able to charge their EVs at home, even if they would be able to buy them. More "rich get richer, poor get poorer, and affected by running dirtier ICEs"
- theshrike79 4y ago
  "no way every parking place in the basement parking is getting a dedicated charger" Why not? Everyone in the nordics has done that for 50 years. A "dedicated charger" is just a normal outlet, it's not some high-tech piece of gear.
  - outworlder 4y ago
    Yeah, even a 120V outlet would be sufficient for the vast majority. Ideally we would have EVSEs everywhere, but I'll settle for a lowly outlet.
- ericbarrett 4y ago
  My prediction: Businesses will spring up which offer to install chargers at an approachable cost (or even free) in mom-and-pop apartment complexes, with no fuss for the landlord. In return they'll take a big cut from the rate charged to the end-user, which will be much higher than the power company. Variations on this model might charge the property owner a monthly fee instead, or even squeeze both sides; the important thing is it won't be something that smaller landlords have to manage directly, so even if it's a cost they might opt for it, to be competitive (should the rental market ever swing back) or to meet local regulations. There are already enterprises with this model in things like billing, direct management, maintenance, etc.
- thesuitonym 4y ago
  >no way every parking place in the basement parking is getting a dedicated charger. Why not? 50 years ago, the same probably would have been said about putting air conditioning in every unit in an apartment. 100 years ago it might have been bathrooms. Why can't we have a charging cable at every parking spot? >So, eating out for $50 per person and an hour to eat and quick-charge, instead of stopping for 5 minutes at the pump ? Did you miss most of my post? That was in regards to long distance road trips, where people are stopping to eat several times per day anyway.
theshrike79 4y ago
Non EV-owners always overestimate the need for quick chargers. I've had an EV for 2 years now and I've used a quick charger about 2-3 times per month during the summer and around 0 times during winter. All other charging is done either at home or at a slow charger at a mall or something.
- sliken 4y ago
  Heh, indeed, I think I've spent $50 in 2 years. But I can charge at home, although I spent 1 year at 120v. Many live in apartments and can't charge at home which changes the situation quite a bit.
5555624 4y ago
> The majority of charging will be done at home, or maybe at work We have a long way to go before most people can charge an EV at home. It's not just people living in apartments and condos. A lot of people park on the street and not in a home garage or driveway. There are 23 houses on my block and less than half have a driveway; so, people would have to run extension cords to the street. This is an old neighborhood, laid out over 120 years ago. If I look at the neighborhood I grew up in, in Arlington, VA, most of which was laid out post-WWII, while almost every house has a driveway, there are still many people parking on the street.
- outworlder 4y ago
  Cities manage to build things like parking meters even in old neighborhoods. It is doable, it's just a matter of priorities. Next time the street needs maintenance, lay some cable.
- andrewem 4y ago
  “while almost every house has a driveway, there are still many people parking on the street” Perhaps that’s because they pay no cost for privatizing a part of a public way.

YarickR2 4y ago

"The majority of charging will be done at home" ? With multifamily/apartment style homes, no way every parking place in the basement parking is getting a dedicated charger. "or maybe at work (I can see EV charging parking lots becoming a benefit)" - with work from home trend gaining traction ? "Quick-charged at restaurants" ? So, eating out for $50 per person and an hour to eat and quick-charge, instead of stopping for 5 minutes at the pump ? "It will be done cheaply, at home, at night" - no it won't. Majority of low pay workers won't be able to charge their EVs at home, even if they would be able to buy them. More "rich get richer, poor get poorer, and affected by running dirtier ICEs"

theshrike79 4y ago
"no way every parking place in the basement parking is getting a dedicated charger" Why not? Everyone in the nordics has done that for 50 years. A "dedicated charger" is just a normal outlet, it's not some high-tech piece of gear.
- outworlder 4y ago
  Yeah, even a 120V outlet would be sufficient for the vast majority. Ideally we would have EVSEs everywhere, but I'll settle for a lowly outlet.
ericbarrett 4y ago
My prediction: Businesses will spring up which offer to install chargers at an approachable cost (or even free) in mom-and-pop apartment complexes, with no fuss for the landlord. In return they'll take a big cut from the rate charged to the end-user, which will be much higher than the power company. Variations on this model might charge the property owner a monthly fee instead, or even squeeze both sides; the important thing is it won't be something that smaller landlords have to manage directly, so even if it's a cost they might opt for it, to be competitive (should the rental market ever swing back) or to meet local regulations. There are already enterprises with this model in things like billing, direct management, maintenance, etc.
thesuitonym 4y ago
>no way every parking place in the basement parking is getting a dedicated charger. Why not? 50 years ago, the same probably would have been said about putting air conditioning in every unit in an apartment. 100 years ago it might have been bathrooms. Why can't we have a charging cable at every parking spot? >So, eating out for $50 per person and an hour to eat and quick-charge, instead of stopping for 5 minutes at the pump ? Did you miss most of my post? That was in regards to long distance road trips, where people are stopping to eat several times per day anyway.

theshrike79 4y ago

Non EV-owners always overestimate the need for quick chargers. I've had an EV for 2 years now and I've used a quick charger about 2-3 times per month during the summer and around 0 times during winter. All other charging is done either at home or at a slow charger at a mall or something.

sliken 4y ago
Heh, indeed, I think I've spent $50 in 2 years. But I can charge at home, although I spent 1 year at 120v. Many live in apartments and can't charge at home which changes the situation quite a bit.

5555624 4y ago

> The majority of charging will be done at home, or maybe at work We have a long way to go before most people can charge an EV at home. It's not just people living in apartments and condos. A lot of people park on the street and not in a home garage or driveway. There are 23 houses on my block and less than half have a driveway; so, people would have to run extension cords to the street. This is an old neighborhood, laid out over 120 years ago. If I look at the neighborhood I grew up in, in Arlington, VA, most of which was laid out post-WWII, while almost every house has a driveway, there are still many people parking on the street.

outworlder 4y ago
Cities manage to build things like parking meters even in old neighborhoods. It is doable, it's just a matter of priorities. Next time the street needs maintenance, lay some cable.
andrewem 4y ago
“while almost every house has a driveway, there are still many people parking on the street” Perhaps that’s because they pay no cost for privatizing a part of a public way.