SoylentNews is people
SoylentNews
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?
(Score: 2) by sjames on Thursday June 22 2017, @12:02PM
The problem is that the rich white demographic (the people who mostly have their own chargers now) are quite generous and giving among themselves, but aren't so good at sharing with other demographics. The rich white fop who just took off in the A.M. assuming the battery would hold because he has money will get all the help in the world at the country club. The lower middle class working stiff who planned carefully but had to take an extra emergency trip will be deemed to have planned poorly assuming he would get a (hand-out/entitlement/welfare/curse you Obama thingy) later from the better off.