General Motors has announced AeroVironment's EVSE-RS wall unit as the official home charger for the upcoming all-electric Bolt, promising a charge around five times faster than the regular wall plug.
California-based AeroVironment specializes in unmanned aircraft and electric vehicle charging systems, having worked with Nissan on the home charging station for the Leaf EV.
The EVSE-RS will be an official GM part, and buyers will be able to order it through their local Chevrolet dealership. The 32-amp Level 2 unit should be able to charge the Bolt around five times faster than the regular wall plug, which takes approximately 9 hours. The unit can also be used inside or outside, opening it up to EV owners who don't have a fully enclosed garages.
(Score: 4, Funny) by Ethanol-fueled on Saturday December 10 2016, @05:00PM
My uncle has a Volt (although not a Bolt) and fucking loves the thing. It has a "sport mode" for sprinting, although it is a compromise on battery life. And Chevys are American, but who knows where they're actually made?
And finally, I have to thank those drivers of Volts and Bolts (and Leafs, for that matter) for not getting Priuses. Goddamn, Prius drivers are not only obnoxious drivers, but obnoxious people as well. They have Apple stickers on their rear window and are the people who voted for Hillary and all for illegal immigration because they live in gated communities far-removed from it. Prius drivers make me wanna shit, and not the pleasant hard knurled kind - but the wet, messy kind.
(Score: 4, Insightful) by Nerdfest on Saturday December 10 2016, @08:59PM
I think without the Hillary and immigration stuff you'd be at +5 by now. They really are douchemobiles.
(Score: -1, Troll) by Ethanol-fueled on Saturday December 10 2016, @09:22PM
I fight for truth, not your amusement. Unfortunately, truth pisses a lot off.
(Score: 2) by Nuke on Saturday December 10 2016, @05:02PM
The 32-amp Level 2 unit should be able to charge the Bolt around five times faster than the regular wall plug,
So regular wall plugs in the USA can only provide 6.4 amps? And you are on only 120 volts aren't you?
(Score: 3, Informative) by Whoever on Saturday December 10 2016, @05:34PM
This will be a 220V unit.
Houses in the USA take in +110V, Neutral and -110V (it's AC of course, so + and - just mean opposing phases). High demand devices are wired by tapping between the two 110V phases, providing a 220V circuit.
Domestic 110V outlets are typically rated at 15A. There are multiple plug/socket styles for 220V, with slightly differing output ratings. This device will probably be wired into the breaker box.
(Score: 3, Informative) by KilroySmith on Saturday December 10 2016, @06:25PM
Normal charging is probably 12A @ 120V = 1.4KW.
This charger will be 32A @ 240V = 7.6 KW.
7.6KW / 1.4KW = 5.4
(Score: 2, Redundant) by Whoever on Saturday December 10 2016, @05:38PM
So what?
The leval2 charging plug and system is standardized. There are lots of level2 chargers you can choose from already, including chargers that are rated for outdoor installation.
Most likely, this will be the most expensive way to buy a charger for dumb people who don't shop around.
(Score: 2) by richtopia on Saturday December 10 2016, @06:06PM
True, but for most people a car is supposed to be an appliance. So here GM is making an easy certified decision for them.
For someone like you, there is no vendor lock-in thanks to following the SAE J1772 standard. Also in the future if Chevy stops selling the chargers you won't be screwed. Compared to the Bolt's largest competitor you are stuck using Tesla's equipment for charging.
(Score: 2) by Whoever on Saturday December 10 2016, @06:13PM
Easy decision? Maybe.
This unit requires installation and in many cities, that requires an electrician and permits, etc..
(Score: 2) by KilroySmith on Saturday December 10 2016, @06:32PM
Considering Tesla will sell 100,000 cars this year, calling it the "largest competitor" of an unavailable vehicle capped at 30,000 built a year seems a bit backwards.
And I believe the equivalent charger needed for a Tesla is a NEMA 14-50 outlet (known colloquially as an "Electric Dryer outlet"). Costs about $20 at the local Home Depot (installation costs extra).
(Score: 1) by Scruffy Beard 2 on Saturday December 10 2016, @07:02PM
Um, dryer outlets are 30amps. You are talking about the stove outlet.
(Score: 1) by Scruffy Beard 2 on Saturday December 10 2016, @07:04PM
um, Scruffy, I think stove outlets are only 40 amps...
(Score: 2) by KilroySmith on Saturday December 10 2016, @08:00PM
You're right that the 14-50 outlet is used for Electric Stove/Oven outlets, and not dryers. My bad.
(Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday December 10 2016, @06:12PM
> Most likely, this will be the most expensive way to buy a charger for dumb people who don't shop around.
More like this will enable the cost of the charger to be included in the car loan. That is for sure not an option if you buy one independently.
(Score: 2) by Username on Saturday December 10 2016, @08:42PM
We’ve had wall mounted battery chargers for decades. I have no idea why they constantly need to change the connector from the usual Anderson Power or standard euro two prong connectors to some weird ass proprietary one for each car.
(Score: 3, Informative) by Whoever on Saturday December 10 2016, @09:13PM
1. This is a level 2 connector, which has standardized on the J1772 system on all recent non-Tesla electric vehicles. Tesla provides and adapter so that a J1772 connector can be used.
2. It's not just a matter of providing power. EVs negotiate turning on the power. The connectors make a low voltage connection first and only turn on the high voltage power when the electric vehicle is ready to accept it. This provides both flexibility in charging and safety.