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

[MachEUser]

I agree. The closed network is one reason I would never buy a TSLA. You are at their mercy, witness the the delete of radar. All those thousands of folks have no choice, there goes their radar. If they want the charge network they now drive a car more primitive that a 1991 BMW.

One thing EA demonstrated is that any reasonably organized group can built a charging network. So several groups have raised money to fill in the gaps to duplicate EA. As with all things TSLA, just give them time and they will screw their charge network folks. Their charge network hemorrhages money esp. as Mr Musk promised free charging for life to way too many folks. As with all other TSLA 'cost cutting' improvements, cost cutting will come to the charge network as well and its not going to go well. Right now it is coasting under benign neglect, while TSLA is hopelessly distracted with self driving.

If that EV charger bill is passed I wonder if TSLA will be forced to switch to CCS-1 and open their network in exchange for cash. Even DC politicians won't be dumb enough to give them free money for a proprietary network. If it is going to be money only for an open network I can see EA doubling and tripling in size to fill all the gaps the Federal round 1-5 charging corridor maps displayed so far.

The TSLA network is great if you don't have any competition and folks are willing to ignore the convenience of the gas station network. What is going to kill TSLA is that they never fleshed out the network to cover the 90% of of the population for local travel. Its a great network if you are blasting through town but not for much else.

I think Tesla will ultimately open its network via some Tesla to CCS adapter that it sells for like $1000. The adapter could connect via Bluetooth on an app on the phone maybe and enable charging / allow billing. We may actually see a CCS to Tesla adapter first to allow Tesla to use EA and other fast chargers.

I see Tesla chargers sitting empty all the time and if they can monetize it, I'm sure they will think hard about it once the Wall Street hype passes and they need more revenue and higher-margin businesses. Maybe they would even charge a higher kw/h rate for non-tesla users.

Govt EV Charger subsidies and retailers/businesses offering real estate may also require some openness in the future. These chargers have a high fixed capital expense and if they can get more revenue out of it I think they should think about how to open it up as long as it doesn't hurt their current customers and/or dilute their brand.

Ironically as there are more non-Tesla fast EV chargers, the appeal of Tesla superchargers will decline and exclusivity they seek to protect may not be all that important.

Sponsored

 

[PrimeFuture]

The confusing thing about EA charging stations is that each has 2 connectors, but only 1 can be used at a time. For whatever reason they put short cables on them so they have to put a connector on each side of the station so they can reach bot left and right ported cars. So, 8 cables still means only 4 chargers, unfrtunately

My guess is that a longer cord increases likelihood of the cord being damaged since it'll be lying on the ground.
At Volta chargers I rarely see the cord properly returned, it's usually laying on the ground.

 

[DeafGryphon1967]

No, it is definitely not ONLY Ford's problem, but it is A problem that will affect MME and other Ford BEV sales. Until it is addressed, it will infringe to some degree on Ford's BEV sales.


Which is why the suggestion that they should work together with other CCS-based BEV manufacturers here in the US like they did in Europe was a good one. The only caveat is that the coalition of OEM's would need to enforce a better service level agreement than is currently being offered by EA.

Alternatively Ford could leverage some of their strategically located dealerships to put in DCFC chargers. Those could then be "Ford vehicles only", or better yet make them publicly available but Ford vehicles get Tesla-level pricing and everyone else gets EA-level prices. They could also do something like GM is apparently doing with EVGo and invest in an existing charging company, but with the benefit that Ford BEV's will get a preferred rate and guaranteed level of service.

The point is that there are things they could do to improve the situation in their favor, but are not.

(Bawwks)
I LOVE the sound of this idea.... ^^. Let’s hope this gets to Ford somehow.

-Gryphon <><

 

[dbsb3233]

It looks like EA expects to have a busy 7 months coming. We're in Cycle 2 of their roll-out plan, defined as July 2019 to December 2021. The Cycle 2 plan is for 800 stations across the US.

https://www.electrifyamerica.com/our-plan/

A recent press release says they've made it to 600, and still planning to hit 800 by year-end. Adding WY, SD, VT, HI, and DC to the list.

https://media.electrifyamerica.com/en-us/releases/137

So potentially 200 new charger locations by year end. I suspect that will slip some (they already hedge a little with "early 2022" in some spots), but still, 200 more charger locations over the next year is impressive.

 

[EELinneman]

The quote is from Post # 1, from last year. I resurrected it because I just came back from my local Walmart store, and this popped up. 8 chargers total??

It still has a chain link fence around it, but I could see the Electrify America decal on the chargers.

I wonder how many of Walmart's 4,700 stores will have these?

While I wait for my GT, I have no use for the chargers but am scouting locations. I went to the Wal Mart on Coal Mine in Littleton, CO and there is an identical set of chargers in the north part of the parking lot. Not being used at the time, but it makes sense to put these in locations where people can drop in for 15 to 20 min and get charged while they shop.

Plus, we have IREA here - better known as Intermountain Flash & Flicker and I will likely need a local DCFC site!

Let's remember, we are early in the whole conversion from ICE to BEV and this availability issue will improve. Now, I still have an idea about a fleet of trucks with 240v generators that can give people emergency charges to get you to the next station, much like the AAA trucks on the freeway here in Colorado who have gas cans, air compressors, and coolant for emergencies.

 

[AZBill]

My guess is that a longer cord increases likelihood of the cord being damaged since it'll be lying on the ground.
At Volta chargers I rarely see the cord properly returned, it's usually laying on the ground.

The cables are short because they have to carry up to 500 amps and are liquid cooled. They are also very heavy as is. They put two cables on each dispenser so that they can be used with either a front charging port or a rear port. Even with EVGO and Charge Point they have chargers with one CCS and one Chademo, but only one car can charge at a time.

 

[All Hat No Cattle]

While I wait for my GT, I have no use for the chargers but am scouting locations. I went to the Wal Mart on Coal Mine in Littleton, CO and there is an identical set of chargers in the north part of the parking lot. Not being used at the time, but it makes sense to put these in locations where people can drop in for 15 to 20 min and get charged while they shop.

Good to hear. If I had to choose a charger on a road trip I would head for a Walmart, not because they are a great store, but because they attract ancillary businesses all around them.

This parking lot has sit down food, fast food, and a large casino, all within easy walking distance, and just off I-515, in the background.

 

[dbsb3233]

The quote is from Post # 1, from last year. I resurrected it because I just came back from my local Walmart store, and this popped up. 8 chargers total??

It still has a chain link fence around it, but I could see the Electrify America decal on the chargers.

I wonder how many of Walmart's 4,700 stores will have these?

Is that the one across from Sunset Station?

There's 7 more new ones getting ready to open across Las Vegas. The Craig Road Sam's Club and the Neighborhood Walmart in Summerlin are already open.

 

[timbop]

Good to hear. If I had to choose a charger on a road trip I would head for a Walmart, not because they are a great store, but because they attract ancillary businesses all around them.

Yes, looking at many of the walmart-EA stations along the route I am planning in September many have at least some decent restaurant close enough to walk. Malls are better than Walmart IMHO since they often have "real" restaurants on the periphery and quick lunch places in the food courts. It's a nice place to stretch your legs inside when it is raining as well.

 

[dbsb3233]

Yes, looking at many of the walmart-EA stations along the route I am planning in September many have at least some decent restaurant close enough to walk. Malls are better than Walmart IMHO since they often have "real" restaurants on the periphery and quick lunch places in the food courts. It's a nice place to stretch your legs inside when it is raining as well.

One plus to Walmart over malls though is longer hours (usually). Many Walmarts are 24 hours, or at least longer morning and nighttime hours than malls tend to be. Nice to be able to get in to the bathroom, if nothing else.

 

[All Hat No Cattle]

Is that the one across from Sunset Station?

There's 7 more new ones getting ready to open across Las Vegas. The Craig Road Sam's Club and the Neighborhood Walmart in Summerlin are already open.

Bingo, we have a winner, LOL.

The Craig Road Sam's one must be hidden away, I was there 3 weeks ago, and did not spot it. Good barbecue restaurant right there, and another large casino (Cannery) right across the street, if you are so inclined.

Plus a few hundred yards off I-15.

 

[dbsb3233]

Bingo, we have a winner, LOL.

The Craig Road Sam's one must be hidden away, I was there 3 weeks ago, and did not spot it. Good barbecue restaurant right there, and another large casino (Cannery) right across the street, if you are so inclined.

Plus a few hundred yards off I-15.

Looks like the one at the Craig Road Sams just opened less than 2 weeks ago. Far east side by the drainage ditch, just north of the gas station.

We'll be out there next week. We drive out 4-5 times/yr. Leaving Friday, driving to Reno/Tahoe for a few days first then looping down on 395 this time.

We had played at the Cannery occasionally years ago, but it's not one of our biggies. We spend most of our time at Red Rock now, some at Silverton, and we always make our way to the Oyster Bar at Sunset Station once a trip. The pan roast is an indulgence.

We've probably stayed at 50% of the casinos in Vegas over the last 40 years. And been in 90% of them. We rarely go to the Strip anymore though. Mostly the suburban casinos (better video poker).

 

[DeafGryphon1967]

Truth. And a lot through NC when we go that route to the OBX.

(Bawwks)
My southern belle blonde wife is from Jacksonville, NC. Born at Camp Lejeun... love the south.

-Gryphon

Sponsored