The problem of EVs in SoCal ( [⚠️ Admin Warning: NO POLITICS]

[Chuck]

There are just too many EVs for the charging infrastructure. Fortunately, I charge in my garage and have only used a public charger 3 times in 3+ years.

Sponsored

 

[AKgrampy]

Just a comment/question but do people in SoCal make it a habit to charge daily at home? Just brainstorming here but with ranges of somewhere between 200 to 300 miles I would think most local drivers (except those without access to L2) would not need to clog up the L3 charging. Most people do not drive that distance daily. I guess the reality is there are so many EV’s, and I realize there are as I was there for two weeks this summer, that home charging just is not enough take up the slack. Obviously travelers have no other choice.

 

[Chuck]

Just a comment/question but do people in SoCal make it a habit to charge daily at home? Just brainstorming here but with ranges of somewhere between 200 to 300 miles I would think most local drivers (except those without access to L2) would not need to clog up the L3 charging. Most people do not drive that distance daily. I guess the reality is there are so many EV’s, and I realize there are as I was there for two weeks this summer, that home charging just is not enough take up the slack. Obviously travelers have no other choice.

It's the number of EVs vs chargers. More than 20% of all U.S. EVs are in SoCal.

 

[Mach-Lee]

To summarize the issues:

• A large number of people that can't charge at home have bought EVs due to government incentives
• The vast majority of people trying to use the chargers are locals
• When they finally get the charger, they charge to 100% which takes 1+ hour per car
• A large number of them have free charging that was included with purchase
• This disproportionally affects Electrify America stations
• A large percentage of stations are always broken or derated

The solution:

• Don't buy an EV if you can't charge at home or your apartment parking
• Don't include free charging with EV purchases
• Limit busy chargers to 85% SoC before they will stop
• Fix the broken chargers
• Build more chargers

Out of Spec were the only people at the charger on a road trip. All the rest were locals. Locals clogging up the charger is a common problem in some areas.

 

[AhardFSU]

I watched the video earlier today. First thing I thought was that the rideshare drivers taking most of the chargers in cities is just as bad as what they’re talking about in the video.

My next thought was, boy do we need more level 2 charging. If you’re a rideshare driver with an EV or you have an EV but you don’t have charging at your residence, you’d be better off finding a level 2 charger and using it to charge your vehicle.

 

[Jeff-NoVA]

Just a comment/question but do people in SoCal make it a habit to charge daily at home? Just brainstorming here but with ranges of somewhere between 200 to 300 miles I would think most local drivers (except those without access to L2) would not need to clog up the L3 charging. Most people do not drive that distance daily. I guess the reality is there are so many EV’s, and I realize there are as I was there for two weeks this summer, that home charging just is not enough take up the slack. Obviously travelers have no other choice.

Gas is crazy expensive in California. The state also provides generous EV incentives to buyers, on top of the federal incentives. Add in the mild climate and it's a perfect place for to own an EV. However, all those folks who don't have home charging--and there are a lot because houses are unobtainium for many in CA-- really puts a strain on the available public chargers.

 

[Space_Pony]

It's the number of EVs vs chargers. More than 20% of all U.S. EVs are in SoCal.

Why don't they charge at home?

 

[thekat03]

Why don't they charge at home?

See Mach-Lee's response above.
https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/the-problem-of-evs-in-socal.38330/post-840994

 

[Triggerhappy007]

Why don't they charge at home?

Probably because home prices are so high that most are not able to charge at home.

 

[phil]

Why don't they charge at home?

 

[Space_Pony]

When I considered buying an EV, I thought through the charging of it. The closest dcfc is about 40 miles away and if I couldn't install a L2 in my garage, I wouldn't buy an ev.
It sounds like people are buying EVs that haven't thought about charging it. Around here an efficient hybrid would be cheaper to fuel compared to dcfc charging.

 

[superdave80]

There needs to be a push to put lots of L2 chargers where people work. The car is just sitting there for 8 hours anyways, so it's the perfect time to charge it if you don't have a garage.

 

[Dear_OP]

So this is what non-Tesla charging life is....

I get stressed lining up at the Costco gas station. This sort of thing would end me.
Is queueing by honor system?

 

[Luna34]

We have 120V level 1 charging at home and I rarely use public fast charging unless I'm going on a trip the next morning. I think most people using the public chargers are people that live in apartments and don't have access to charging at home or people that get free/discounted charging like VW with electricify America. I avoid public charging at all costs unless I'm on a road trip. I live in so cal also, and there's always a line of cars to charge.

 

[Luna34]

So this is what non-Tesla charging life is....

I get stressed lining up at the Costco gas station. This sort of thing would end me.
Is queueing by honor system?

Yes queuing is by honor system. Most people are really chill about it. But I already ran into an incident when I was charing at the baker charging station and some douchebag driving a Mercedes EV decided to cut in front of someone.

Sponsored