The truth about Electrify America's progress and Traveling with the Mach E

[JamieGeek]

From what I've gathered the CCS cables are heavy and the Bolt's connector port was not strong enough to support the weight, which is why you have to lift up on the CCs handle.

Huh? This is news to me? The cable plugged in nicely to my Bolt? (Granted this is a 50kW station):

Note that given how the plugs are setup: Large long pins you cannot lift up or down when connecting or disconnecting. You have to push or pull straight in or out as they are a good 2" deep and with very tight tolerances. (That goes for the Level-1/Level-2 connection as well.)

Sadly I don't have a pic of the other side here, this is also a 50kW charger (the only 2 times I've fast charged my Bolt LOL).

I do have a little bit more experience with fast charging Bolts--just not mine. Before picking it up I Turo'd(rented) one in San Francisco and fast charged that one a few times as well. Don't remember any issues with the car not being able to hold the cable there either (sadly no pics there--yeah I'm taking pics all the time of everything just not that time LOL).

Edit 2: After watching that video I really have to say "what?" Haven't had an issue at all and I never knew about the "holding it up" part (it isn't in the Bolt's owner's manual). I just did what I usually do: plug the cable in and press a bit at the end to ensure that everything is latched--do that regardless of Level 1/2 or DCFC.

The video doesn't imply that the connector is not strong enough; it implies that the latching mechanism needs some help latching to the cable.

 

[EVer]

Seems like it would be the spring-release latch on top that would be the crucial part for keeping the handle in tightly and avoid angling down and out from a heavy cable.

It is. In fact, the IEC standard requires latch strength to be verified by test.

16.9 With the latching mechanism in place, the mating accessory shall be pulled with a force equal to the weight of the accessory and a length of the maximum size cable or cable assembly used with the accessory, as specified in Table 9. The latch shall not release. ​

​

From that video, it appears the latching on the Bolt is sufficient, but that on at least some Bolts, the inlet is marginal with heavy / long cables before the latch engages.

It does appear that they're using a thin rib to react the weight of the cable, versus most vehicles which use a big solid chunk. Example:

 

[dbsb3233]

Found this...

https://www.torquenews.com/8861/chevrolet-bolt-ev-and-spark-ev-charging-port-issues-and-corrections

 

[ChasingCoral]

Found this...

https://www.torquenews.com/8861/chevrolet-bolt-ev-and-spark-ev-charging-port-issues-and-corrections

Hopefully not an issue in the Mach E.

Has anyone encountered problems in their FFEs?

 

[silverelan]

Electrify America's October progress report:

Date mm/dd, yy - live; in progress
October 1, 2020 - 460; 121
October 5, 2020 - 462; 120
October 7, 2020 - 462; 136
October 9, 2020 - 464; 135
October 12, 2020 - 466; 176
October 15, 2020 - 470; 172
October 19, 2020 - 470; 173
October 21, 2020 - 480; 163
October 23, 2020 - 481; 162
October 29, 2020 - 485; 177
October 31, 2020 - 490; 172

Was over at Northgate mall's Bed, Bath & Beyond yesterday for a curbside pickup and saw a lady charging this beauty at 150kW. Not a Mach-E but man, sexy nonetheless!

 

[dbsb3233]

Electrify America's October progress report:

Date mm/dd, yy - live; in progress
October 1, 2020 - 460; 121
October 5, 2020 - 462; 120
October 7, 2020 - 462; 136
October 9, 2020 - 464; 135
October 12, 2020 - 466; 176
October 15, 2020 - 470; 172
October 19, 2020 - 470; 173
October 21, 2020 - 480; 163
October 23, 2020 - 481; 162
October 29, 2020 - 485; 177
October 31, 2020 - 490; 172

Was over at Northgate mall's Bed, Bath & Beyond yesterday for a curbside pickup and saw a lady charging this beauty at 150kW. Not a Mach-E but man, sexy nonetheless!

What is that?? Not sure I like the "whitewall" look. Or that door indentation that looks like a really bad fit (although no doubt it's an intentional "design feature").

 

[dbsb3233]

Electrify America's October progress report:

Date mm/dd, yy - live; in progress
October 1, 2020 - 460; 121
October 5, 2020 - 462; 120
October 7, 2020 - 462; 136
October 9, 2020 - 464; 135
October 12, 2020 - 466; 176
October 15, 2020 - 470; 172
October 19, 2020 - 470; 173
October 21, 2020 - 480; 163
October 23, 2020 - 481; 162
October 29, 2020 - 485; 177
October 31, 2020 - 490; 172

They've been busy, especially in Denver and Las Vegas (the route I happen to check the most). 2 additional ones open now in the Denver area (making 8) with a whopping 10 more coming soon. And 4 more coming soon in Vegas.

 

[dbsb3233]

It's right below the "Locate a Charger" map on the EA website.

 

[Billyk24]

Last July I had predicted 500 locations the second week of September. Not there yet. Still holes in nationwide coverage.

 

[dbsb3233]

Last July I had predicted 500 locations the second week of September. Not there yet. Still holes in nationwide coverage.

Oh yeah, still a LONG way from nationwide coverage. But more interstates are filling in.

 

[EVer]

What is that?? Not sure I like the "whitewall" look. Or that door indentation that looks like a really bad fit (although no doubt it's an intentional "design feature").

There is one in town with the same wheels. It looks pretty neat when the vehicle is in motion, but not so much parked.

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