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So while I won't quibble with the assertion that Tesla's network is better (it's most definitely larger), I think that the assertion that other networks (partic
by MostlyStable 3y ago
So while I won't quibble with the assertion that Tesla's network is better (it's most definitely larger), I think that the assertion that other networks (particularly EA since it's the next largest) are so bad is, I'm pretty sure, overblown. The bad experiences are real, but I think we get the same issue with many reviews where the people who have bad experiences are the only ones who say anything. I've done multiple 10+ hours road trips using the EA network and run into an issue exactly one time. Now, yes, one time is certainly less than ideal. But the solution was that I just went to a nearby charging station (non EA) and charged there.
Again, to be clear, being unable to charge once out of 50ish times is pretty bad relative to gas stations and probably Teslas network, and it's something that needs to get better, but I'm not sure I agree with characterizing it as horrible either. It caused me about 15 minutes delay. And of course, the fact that nearly every manufacturer is going to be supporting NACS soon renders these differences moot in the mid-term anyway. Which brings me to my second thing:
I'm curious about your assertion that a Lucid would cap out at 50kW at a Tesla supecharger. My understanding is that some Superchargers go up to 250, and that, other than the connector being a different shape, that Teslas network is already using the same charging specs as the other networks, which is part of why the migration to NACS seems to be happening so fast. My understanding is that once Tesla actually opens their network up, that it will basically work identically to other chargers with just the addition of basically a plug adapter. I believe it's even already using the same communication protocol.
Am I misunderstanding something, or why should the Lucid be capped at such a slow charging rate?
- rtkwe 3y agoMy understanding of the DC fast charging is it bypasses the car's internal battery charging circuitry for the AC/DC conversion so if the battery is higher voltage than the DC fast charger is built for it won't be able to charge the battery.
- drewg123 3y agoIts not quite that simple, as the voltage supplied by Tesla superchargers is quite a bit lower than CCS. Tesla superchargers use a 400v system, and Lucid has an 800v architecture. I've read that Lucid is capped at a max of 50Kw when charging with a 400v system. See https://lucidowners.com/threads/tesla-charging-on-lucid.4369/ https://lucidowners.com/threads/tesla-charging-on-lucid.4369...
- bryanlarsen 3y agoTo oversimplify, P = V^2 / R. Lucid wants 924 volts, but when the charger only supplies 400 volts then it's less than 1/4 of the power.
- turtlebits 3y agoElectricy America issues aren't overblown. I'm in Seattle. Almost every other time I've fast charged, there has been an issue, either failing to start, failing after starting (I have at least 20 charging sessions billed at $0.00 or under $1 due to these partial failures). I'd say 80% of the time there is at least 1 station out of service.
- MostlyStable 3y agoLike I said, I completely believe you. But it's also not universal. I've driven from Portland to Central CA multiple times, and had nearly none of the issues you describe.