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The author is using a NEMA plug, which provides level 2 charging. That's not suitable for road trips. When we talk about infrastructure for charging we are almo
by kccqzy 3y ago
The author is using a NEMA plug, which provides level 2 charging. That's not suitable for road trips. When we talk about infrastructure for charging we are almost always talking about level 3 charging like those 350kW stations at Electrify America.
That said, even if we restrict our discussion to just level 2 (sometimes called destination chargers, for a reason), the main cost of installation is to run new lines to the parking lot or wherever they are located. The main cost is not the EVSE. Tesla sells one for $500 for example, and no-name brands sell it for half as much. If a property is already upgrading their infrastructure to run multiple 50A NEMA outlets, the incremental cost of equipping them with an EVSE is tiny.
- sokoloff 3y agoIf we're talking about infrastructure for road trip charging, I agree with you. I'd estimate that well over 90% of my total car annual milage is for "not road trips" and so when I'm talking about "what infrastructure for charging would we need to electrify half the US fleet?", I'm definitely going to include Level 2 charging at home, offices, and commercial spaces. (I'd even include Level 1 charging at home, but since that's a really short conversation, it rightly doesn't get talked about much.)
- Sohcahtoa82 3y agoFor people in cold climates, level 1 charging won't even charge the car at all. If the battery is too cold, it can't take on a charge, and the 1800 watts it gets won't be enough to warm the battery.
- sokoloff 3y agoI live in Boston and have had a LEAF as my year 'round daily driver for almost 9 years. I've never had a problem charging it and only have Level 1 (1440W) charging at home. Boston isn't the most extreme cold climate, but it's plenty cold for long stretches and my cheapest of the lot EV has been fine.