Stories
Slash Boxes
Comments

SoylentNews is people

posted by n1 on Wednesday June 21 2017, @12:37PM   Printer-friendly
from the thousands-of-hamsters-in-wheels dept.

When I wrote about Tesla's rapid expansion of its supercharger network, I was equally surprised by the extent of its less publicly touted network of "destination chargers"—slower, "Level 2" chargers that it is distributing to hotels, malls, restaurants and other locations so folks can charge while they shop/eat/sleep, and thus relieve some pressure from the faster superchargers which folks use for longer distance road tripping.

It got me thinking about another network of charging infrastructure which folks often don't talk about: The Level 2 chargers which most of us electric vehicle drivers install in our homes and—sometimes—places of business. These chargers don't just enable our own electrified driving, but they also provide some peace of mind to any friends and relatives who may consider driving electric, and who can now be sure of a charge if they come for a visit.

In fact, I've noticed several private charging station owners—especially businesses—in my region are publicly listing their charging stations on the various apps that are available for locating charging spots. Interestingly, this isn't just limited to restaurants or shops offering charging as a perk for your business: We have real estate companies and industrial operations simply offering up their charge points as a free service to the electric vehicle community. (Often, they'll stipulate—quite reasonably—that their own vehicles get first dibs.)

Is a network of free- or metered Tier 2 charging stations the solution to EV range anxiety?


Original Submission

 
This discussion has been archived. No new comments can be posted.
Display Options Threshold/Breakthrough Mark All as Read Mark All as Unread
The Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not responsible for them in any way.
  • (Score: 4, Informative) by cellocgw on Wednesday June 21 2017, @07:29PM

    by cellocgw (4190) on Wednesday June 21 2017, @07:29PM (#529160)

    Tesla has the software in place to handle a wide variety of voltages, and makes a set of cable connector adapters part of the standard toolset. I can charge from Tesla units, J1772, ChaDEMO, NEMA14, house (120VAC); I can buy adapters for the plugs used with laundry dryers and with arc welding machines.

    --
    Physicist, cellist, former OTTer (1190) resume: https://app.box.com/witthoftresume
    Starting Score:    1  point
    Moderation   +2  
       Informative=2, Total=2
    Extra 'Informative' Modifier   0  
    Karma-Bonus Modifier   +1  

    Total Score:   4