The major weakness of the MME (and all non-Tesla EVs) -- reliable, robust charging network doesn't exist

[Tampamike]

That might have worked 7 years ago. Not now. They waited too long to let others use it and everyone else ran with the other standard.

But, but, …. We have the NORTH AMERICAN CHARGING STANDARD!

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[dbsb3233]

But, but, …. We have the NORTH AMERICAN CHARGING STANDARD!

I caught that self-naming attempt too. Kinda like self-naming something the Inflation Reduction Act. ?

Which not coincidentally, is likely the reason they're doing this now. Much of it's taxpayer funding for charging stations has a requirement of "serving more than one auto manufacture". So if Tesla can convince even just one other automaker to switch to their connector, they qualify for $billions in taxpayer money.

 

[voxel]

I caught that self-naming attempt too. Kinda like self-naming something the Inflation Reduction Act. ?

Which not coincidentally, is likely the reason they're doing this now. Much of it's taxpayer funding for charging stations has a requirement of "serving more than one auto manufacture". So if Tesla can convince even just one other automaker to switch to their connector, they qualify for $billions in taxpayer money.

They did. Aptera is using the NACS standard

 

[Garbone]

There is a solution now

https://www.tesla.com/blog/opening-north-american-charging-standard

A dongle would be nice. Surprised we have yet to see one.

 

[voxel]

A dongle would be nice. Surprised we have yet to see one.

Technically challenging and expensive. CHAdeMO to Tesla cable exists because they both use CAN bus. It’s is no longer manufactured though.

I can see Chinese EV makers adopt Tesla NCAS for the US market because GB/T is supposed to be similar (like CHAdeMO). They could add CCS port too. I recall an EV with multiple charge ports.

 

[Tampamike]

They did. Aptera is using the NACS standard

But does that really count - a solar powered car? I mean, isn’t the whole point of that to NOT plug in?

 

[Ming]

I don't feel that way (living in Boston). My regular routes are to Burlington, VT and Lincoln, NH. The best option on the way to Burlington is a Walmart EA station in West Lebanon that I've never seen more than 50% operational (four total stalls). It's bad enough that I plan my trips to only stop there at low-traffic times. Meanwhile, NH is a charging wasteland, plain and simple. I honestly don't think it's safe to plan a ski trip to any ski resort in NH in the MME.

I'm in Boston area too. For those trips I drive my Tesla. Plenty of reliable superchargers. But for trips to NYC direction I drive MME

 

[kennethjk]

As others on here have said and as I’ve heard it said recently on the Insideevs Podcast, dc fast charging seems to vary by region. In Florida I seem to do very well with EvGo…..the autocharge is great. I’ve had bad luck with the EA station in north Tampa bc there is typically 2 charges that aren’t working at that location. Fortunately, I don’t have to charge there in order to make it home, but I want to use the free credits.

According to Kyle Conner and Tom M from Insideevs pod, the Signet charger tend be more reliable than the ABB charges, which is what EA installed. The new charges that EA is installing aren’t ABB and at the EVGO I use at Normandy station in Jacksonville, the charges are Signet.

i do use plugshare just to see what people have to say about stations along my route.

Are u talking about the EA stations at “ Walk at Highwoods Preserve”.

the rating on PlugShare was 8.6 , not great but decent.

I plan on using them when visiting Family in Lutz (Driving from Boca)

 

[RickMachE]

There is a solution now

https://www.tesla.com/blog/opening-north-american-charging-standard

Not a solution. Exactly the opposite of a solution. They won't get a dime of Federal funds if they don't put CCS cords/adapters in place.

This is Elon being Elon.

 

[voxel]

Not a solution. Exactly the opposite of a solution. They won't get a dime of Federal funds if they don't put CCS cords/adapters in place.

This is Elon being Elon.

Honestly wasn’t expecting many states to grant NEVI funds to Tesla anyhow (and likewise doesn’t seem to factor heavily into their plans either) and the White House CCS Supercharger leak was a pure PR move. Lots of posturing on both sides. As I’ve said before, folks should be happy with what they have. I don’t know why folks want to pray to the Church of Elon for access to SCs.

 

[kennethjk]

Honestly wasn’t expecting many states to grant NEVI funds to Tesla anyhow (and likewise doesn’t seem to factor heavily into their plans either) and the White House CCS Supercharger leak was a pure PR move. Lots of posturing on both sides. As I’ve said before, folks should be happy with what they have. I don’t know why folks want to pray to the Church of Elon for access to SCs.

Folks would be happy with what they have if the existing structure worked almost flawlessly . If opening up all Tesla stations for our cars, works, great. I don’t believe that’s going to happen but who knows where it will be years from now.

It’s not a matter of praying to Elon it’s a matter of making it easier to charge on the road

I am retired and don’t mind the extra work but if I was working and traveling for business or with kids and family, time and ease of use would be much more of a factor

No way my wife is going to deal with charging on the road. It’s just not for everyone at this point in time

On a side note not so thrilled about charging for 30 minutes up North when it’s zero degrees at a DC station and that’s for all EVs

 

[dbsb3233]

I don’t know why folks want to pray to the Church of Elon for access to SCs.

Not sure they do. As drivers, they just want way more DCFC coverage. Who owns/runs it is irrelevant to them (or at least way down the priority list) compared it to existing where they need it, being dependable, and fairly priced. Even if they just want it as a backup to EA which is how I'll probably treat it when it's CCS capable.

Seeing the SC network just sitting there and working is an easy thing for CCS drivers to drool over.

 

[PA Bob]

I’m on our first road trip with the Mach E. Not as far as some folks here, but still need to charge a few times. We did about 400 miles one-way, plus local driving. Finding a fast charger on the way down was fine; though it was a couple miles off the highway. But our final destination is a touristy area, otherwise in the middle of no where. There are a few L2 chargers around, but no dcfc close by…except the Tesla Supercharger.

Our hotel has one L2, and of course when I got here there was a PHEV using it. His car was done charging around 8pm, but he stayed plugged in till morning. I did leave him a note and he plugged me in the next morning. He and I have been doing a bit of a dance with the charger since then, and texting about its availability.

This is all to say this is possible…but I couldn’t imagine my parents, or worse, my EV-hating in-laws actually doing this.

What was your trip? I have been surprised how few charging stations there are at the NJ shore. That said, I can charge at my father's place with an L2 when at the shore. When we drive to OH, we take the ICE b/c central PA has few and far between fast chargers. When I mapped that trip on the app, it was a bizarre set of stops that I didn't want to risk.

 

[RickMachE]

Not sure they do. As drivers, they just want way more DCFC coverage. Who owns/runs it is irrelevant to them (or at least way down the priority list) compared it to existing where they need it, being dependable, and fairly priced. Even if they just want it as a backup to EA which is how I'll probably treat it when it's CCS capable.

Seeing the SC network just sitting there and working is an easy thing for CCS drivers to drool over.

I can tell you from my perspective, who owns/runs something is not irrelevant. There are companies that I try not to do business with because of their business practices, beliefs, and/or who runs them.

Unless I had no choice, I would never use a Tesla charger unless it was during some free trial or huge discount period where they were losing money on my charge. I won't list other companies because some might take them as political, and they might be right on some.

A company I worked for in the past also owned some huge consumer brands - water, produce, etc. They are a huge advertiser, and in every grocery store. We never buy any of their brands, and I make sure all my friends know of the business practices of the owners.

 

[kennethjk]

Unless I had no choice, I would never use a Tesla charger

I think that’s the point.

I agree, I try to avoid some brands for a variety of reasons but when you don’t have a choice (desperate) having SC as backup is great and will ease a lot of people’s minds about using EVs for long distance driving.

if I were stuck and even if I hated Musk more than anything , I would hold my nose and charge the car to make it to my destination.

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