Level 2 chargers at grocery stores seem pointless

[breeves002]

This is actually one of the best designs IMO. For people who don't have at-home L2 charging this can be exactly what they need. Make it free (or really reasonable rates) for the first hour. Then charge normal L2 rates after that. You can a lot of times charge enough to make up for your drive to and from the grocery store. Unless you just happen to live really far away from a grocery store. For me I'm about 1 mile away so I would well make up what I drove plus some.

This keeps L3 chargers from getting clogged up unnecessarily. If there is L2 most places you go at free or reasonable rates you can just plug in there instead. I'm usually against free chargers but if they want to make it free for 1-2 hours that probably is fine. The issue you run into if its 100% free is people will just park there all day clogging it because its free.

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[AhardFSU]

I'm for more L2 charging wherever you can get it, specifically for those drivers whom can't charge at their home for whatever reason.

 

[Glen Boise]

The English have a word for charging while you shop, work or play. It is "grazing". It reflects our getting away from our habits with ICE cars of filling our tank. With grazing you add more to your charge when you can as cheaply as you can. Making using relatively inexpensive L2 chargers the appropriate type of charger.
Some American city planners are beginning to describe those without home charging as "garage orphans". I am not sure that is an appropriate term. We will see if it sticks.

 

[JustBob]

Insert large sigh, and great big roll eyes here.
Of all the EV forums and all the threads on those forums about not enough charges. Now we are going to complain about where chargers are being installed and argue about why there.

Because complaining about the complainers is so much more beneficial. Thanks for contributing.

So are there really that many ev owners who can't charge at home? There's no way I could do that.

 

[TowPro]

our local hospitals have L2 chargers for visitors, but the Doctors feel they were personally put there for them (they think of it as a job perk) and they will bitch if someone else uses them.
Even going to my Ford dealer you will always find a car plugged in, its the sales manager's personal car.

But on the other hand the local Buffalo Wild wings has a charge point at the spot right next to the door. This charger has not worked for years, but nobody will park there.

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

I keep seeing new ev chargers at grocery stores, and all are level 2 chargers. Some are free for 2 or 3 hours max. But who shops that long? And that's really not adding much range. I know level 3 (dcfc) chargers cost a lot more. The level 2 chargers are rarely being used. How about movie theaters and golf courses. That would be somewhat useful for level 2 chargers.

Workers and neighbors for one, particularly those without home charging. Plus, for some folks the grocery store visit is a social event — they’re there a lot longer than you might think. In addition, most folks will use them for less than a full normal charge as they’re free or inexpensive meaning they don’t have to charge quite so much when they get home or go wherever their regular charging location is.

 

[azerik]

I 'used', the Volta ones at Whole Foods anytime over the summer with my FFE because I could leave it running and plugged in to keep it 'cool' when it was 115+ and I need to grab cold beer and other things.

But in the last 2 years Volta has fallen off ever taking care of these. They work very very few times I've gone in the last 2 years. And usually there's a M3 just parking there. I saw a new MME ower trying like hell to charge his car there until i finally just told him it probably doesn't work.

However Pullman airport saved my ass the last time I was in Flag. I didn't want to DCFC and only needed about 30%. My 110 charger would take 24+ hours. The ChargePoint (that's free) got me there in 4 hours. I just worked from my passenger seat via my phone tethering.

 

[kltye]

Because complaining about the complainers is so much more beneficial. Thanks for contributing.

So are there really that many ev owners who can't charge at home? There's no way I could do that.

Yes, because there's unfortunately a thing where people live in apartments or condos, and most people who run those things have no idea how electricity works (they think it'll cost a kidney, arm, leg, and their firstborn to install a single charger).

Some of us are also not as fortunate to have bought a home when homes cost approximately $2 ?.

 

[lwilliams0514]

Should work in colder climates for those that like to shop. Set a departure schedule, plug it in, and when you get back you and your batteries are toasty warm. Why not especially if it is free and for a while an empty spot.

I swear if this were Reddit I would give this reply a freaking Gold upvote. This is smart as hell! Thanks for sharing! I live in Cali so may never need this but way to use free charging to prep your departure. I guess could also remote start when heading to checkout also and come back to a warmed up ready to go car!

 

[21st Century Pony]

Installing Level 2 charging points is cheap, as is their power draw when used, compared to DC Fast charging points.

So, this sidesteps all the zoning pretzel-like problems often present when trying to site DC Fast charging points in developed neighborhoods.

IMHO a move in urban areas to install Level 2 stations on streets with paid street (curb) parking would really accelerate EV adoption... especially in dense urban neighborhoods where most people live in condos or apartments and where many many people also just plain work, shop or party.

The buildings around would not even notice the additional power draw, unlike with trying to site a DC Fast point.

I use the local grocery store Volta Level 2 charging stations every time I drive there... "grazing" is a great technique.

 

[leehinde]

our local shopping mall has 10 level 2 "free" chargers and yes there is a two hour limit but it more than makes up the electrons used to get to the mall and back.

Exactly.

 

[RickMachE]

I agree that they should be putting fast chargers in at grocery stores. I won't complain about any type of chargers, but I live in Michigan where NOTHING is walkable so I can't just park at a Meijer fast charger and walk somewhere for a few hours. A lot of Meijers are starting to put in fast chargers here which is nice. Being able to plug in and get up to 80% while I shop for 30 minutes is super nice, but the one closest to my house only has level 2s.

I believe most of the Meijer fast chargers have no free element to them.

 

[RickMachE]

Because complaining about the complainers is so much more beneficial. Thanks for contributing.

So are there really that many ev owners who can't charge at home? There's no way I could do that.

If you travel, at many fast chargers you'll find a number of locals. If you strike up a conversation, you'll here "I live in a apartment building" or "my HOA won't allow chargers" or "I get 2 free years so why put in a charger?"

 

[leehinde]

"I get 2 free years so why put in a charger?"

I sort of get that, but I've come to really appreciate the convenience of charging at home. It absolutely has a cost benefit to me, above the savings over gas.

 

[RickMachE]

I sort of get that, but I've come to really appreciate the convenience of charging at home. It absolutely has a cost benefit to me, above the savings over gas.

I'll take a stab that since you live in California, your income is higher than the average EV owner.

People are told by the salesman "FREE CHARGING FOR X YEARS". Nobody explains they're hogging the chargers, or that they shouldn't go past 80%, or that waking up to a full tank at home is great.

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