Free Charging Poll..

And that is one of the reasons I fled SoCal nearly 30 years ago and haven't missed it for a millisecond!

 

We have been "sheltering" at our Delaware beach home since February. Which easily beats being in DC traffic. The traffic out here is from the tourists (to the point where we avoid going out on weekends). In 2 weeks they hopefully all go home. And the weather will start to improve as well.

Most of the time when I need to go out on weekends, it is a trip to Home Depot or some such. And those places open at insanely early, so I can get stuff done while the tourists are still in bed.

 

So, getting back a bit closer to the topic of this thread: I wonder to what degree free charging infrastructure will keep up with the growing number of EVs on the road. The Volta stations I use in SF are always busy -- no more than a 50/50 chance at getting a charge, even though they have multiple plugs. I had an easier time with public free charging in downtown Monterey, but that may in part have been due to tourist business being reduced due to COVID, since they were located near major sightseeing areas. As new EV models proliferate -- Ford and VW imminent and many more to come from other companies -- will getting a free charge become more difficult?

 

Well, Volta has stated they are going to begin rolling out free DC fast chargers (as high as 300kw) in many places. So here's to hoping that does continue. Of course if EVpassport works out, $39 a month for unlimited charging may dramatically reduce the need for and use of free charging stations as well. Think about that, we did a road trip end of June across the country and back I our FORD Cmax Energi, so while gas was reasonable, it was definitely a lot more than $39. And I checked with a better route planner, we could have done our entire trip without any extra time stopping to charge over what we spent getting food, bathroom breaks, etc. Also wouldn't have needed an oil change in the middle of the trip, although that only took about 15 minutes. So, imagine over 5,000 miles only only $39.

You can see why I am both excited and skeptical for their business model.

 

In the wee hours of Sunday morning I went to my nearest Ikea for a DCFC charge, and I was surprised to find another driver there trying to charge his car. He had been trying both of the L3 machines, and both were not charging for him using the CCS hookup. I plugged in the CHAdeMO connector and began charging my Leaf right away, and he said he's seen that before: Because more cars use the CCS system, those charging connectors get more use and abuse -- especially at free charging stations. So they tend to break down more often.

Has anyone else noticed that where you are?

 

No, I didn't really look at the car, just which charger he was trying to use. Firmware is an reason I hadn't considered, but it makes sense....I had thought it might have been a physically weak connection point from people manhandling the equipment.

 

A lot of business models will be tested over the next few years. I would love to see Volta expand in my corner of the world, where EVs are plentiful (there are at least 2 others, a Tesla and a Leaf, that live within a block of my house). Their app lets you suggest locations, and I've taken the liberty of offering a couple ideas.

 

We have plenty of EVs within our neighborhood, at least 5 leafs, 3 bolts, 5 Teslas, our Kona and several PHEVs, including our CMAX Energi, probably more that I missed as well.

 

Just got an email that they installed what looks like a level 2 charger at our office. Now I just need a couple of things:

• A reason to actually go to the office (technically closed due to covid).
• Get my car out of the shop (currently won't charge at all after a software update that went bad).

Before this, I would need to go out of my way - make a special trip to EA and pay $$, or even more out of my way for a free 50kW ChargePoint.