- Joined
- Oct 31, 2019
- Threads
- 7
- Messages
- 348
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- 207
- Location
- Fremont, CA
- Vehicles
- Chevrolet Volt, Ford Expedition
- Occupation
- Electronics Engineer
- Banned
- #16
Range anxiety is an EV issue not just a Mach-e issue.
Home owners can install a 220V EVSE ( electric vehicle supply equipment ). The actual charger is in the car. The EVSE is for safety and provides information to the car charger about how much current is available for the circuit it is connected to. It will not turn on the 220V for charging if a fault condition is detected. The cabling is heavy because the currents are high.
Renters may or may not have an EVSE available at their rental property. I see a lot of Nissan Leafs and Chevrolet Bolts charging at a level 3 DC fast charger facility at a local grocery store every day. That facility is always busy. Given the cost of doing this, these people must be renters because anybody that can have an EVSE would avoid the cost of level 3.
This is a consideration when buying an EV and no doubt is the reason why I occasionally see a very late model EV for sale. Level 1 charging which is at 110V is only usable if you drive less than 25 to 30 miles a day. Then you will have time to replace the miles that had been expended while parked at night.
I actually know someone who was zealous and bought an early Bolt without first installing level 2. Though the car has about a 230 mile range, the miles driven were not completely replaced each day and by the end of the week range anxiety was high. He got a level 2 EVSE and plugged it into the dryer outlet at night and he stopped complaining after that. Not sure what he did about convenience issue with sharing the dryer 220V outlet, but I bet he got a dedicated circuit installed as he says he will not go back to ICE. He is an integrated circuit designer and so he likes electrical things.
Don't buy an EV if you don't have an adequate way to charge it.
Home owners can install a 220V EVSE ( electric vehicle supply equipment ). The actual charger is in the car. The EVSE is for safety and provides information to the car charger about how much current is available for the circuit it is connected to. It will not turn on the 220V for charging if a fault condition is detected. The cabling is heavy because the currents are high.
Renters may or may not have an EVSE available at their rental property. I see a lot of Nissan Leafs and Chevrolet Bolts charging at a level 3 DC fast charger facility at a local grocery store every day. That facility is always busy. Given the cost of doing this, these people must be renters because anybody that can have an EVSE would avoid the cost of level 3.
This is a consideration when buying an EV and no doubt is the reason why I occasionally see a very late model EV for sale. Level 1 charging which is at 110V is only usable if you drive less than 25 to 30 miles a day. Then you will have time to replace the miles that had been expended while parked at night.
I actually know someone who was zealous and bought an early Bolt without first installing level 2. Though the car has about a 230 mile range, the miles driven were not completely replaced each day and by the end of the week range anxiety was high. He got a level 2 EVSE and plugged it into the dryer outlet at night and he stopped complaining after that. Not sure what he did about convenience issue with sharing the dryer 220V outlet, but I bet he got a dedicated circuit installed as he says he will not go back to ICE. He is an integrated circuit designer and so he likes electrical things.
Don't buy an EV if you don't have an adequate way to charge it.
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