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#1 3rd party JKor

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Posted 06 February 2023 - 01:29 PM

We have so many threads relating to specific EVs/EV topics I figured might as well try to consolidate.

 

I heard on the recent InsideEVs podcast that they're expecting that Tesla will begin opening their fast charging network very soon.  I haven't seen anything official on it but the guys on the podcast have pretty good connections so they've probably been hearing things.  This is a huge gamechanger for non-Tesla EVs.  The Tesla Supercharger network is so far ahead of the other options it's ridiculous, particularly in less dense areas and where EVs haven't seen as much uptake.  Tesla just went ahead and put stations everywhere regardless of how well they might be utilized.  All of the public networks stuck to the most high volume areas and travel routes.

 

I really hope this happens because Tesla is the only convenient fast charging option for several of my typical trips.  I can still make it work without Tesla but it requires more planning.



#2 porter

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Posted 06 February 2023 - 01:50 PM

I'm still watching all this. As noted in another thread I've been kinda pre-shopping, as our 2011 Outback (165k) is showing its age. There's always some little thing with it. This weekend I replaced the HVAC blower. Easy 20 minute fix for $35 part, but it seems I'm fixing something like this monthly now (would be unaffordable to have a mechanic do things like this) and car repairs are not my favorite thing. Thinking most likely a PHEV but would love to get a BEV if it worked. I'm most interested in the Ioniq 5. Plenty of interior room, cargo room, and I actually like the styling, it's unique and cool. The EV6 is somewhat better looking, but cargo space not as useful and gratuitously costs substantially more for essentially the same vehicle. But, no tax credit for these.

 

I've contemplated getting a Bolt EUV just to take advantage of the tax credit, and it would serve OK for a few years since our kids are young (would run snow tires and have a set of chains in the trunk in winter) but would be a PITA for our road trips to the midwest a few times a year. Two one hour recharging stops. One could be done with lunch, but the other is an hour of wasted time. The charge times on the Ioniq 5 are very appealing (10-80% in 18 minutes), but I understand chargers that can take full advantage of that are rare. The Tesla superchargers aren't even that fast, but would help if available. It would take two recharges to get to KC, but if they're less than <30 minutes, NBD.

 

I've also looked at getting the Model Y, also to take advantage of the tax credit, Model Y is bigger and would better meet our needs, but I just think Teslas are so generic, don't like the interiors, just don't really want to own one. I guess could buy and then sell in 3 years.

 

Or hope the Outback soldiers on a few more years when interest rates have come down and vehicles/chargers are more readily available.



#3 Julius H Gardetto

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Posted 06 February 2023 - 02:15 PM

Does ur mom’s hitatchi count?

Not the OP. You. Your moms.

#4 davelew

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Posted 06 February 2023 - 02:45 PM

We have so many threads relating to specific EVs/EV topics I figured might as well try to consolidate.

 

I heard on the recent InsideEVs podcast that they're expecting that Tesla will begin opening their fast charging network very soon.  I haven't seen anything official on it but the guys on the podcast have pretty good connections so they've probably been hearing things.  This is a huge gamechanger for non-Tesla EVs.  The Tesla Supercharger network is so far ahead of the other options it's ridiculous, particularly in less dense areas and where EVs haven't seen as much uptake.  Tesla just went ahead and put stations everywhere regardless of how well they might be utilized.  All of the public networks stuck to the most high volume areas and travel routes.

 

I really hope this happens because Tesla is the only convenient fast charging option for several of my typical trips.  I can still make it work without Tesla but it requires more planning.

 

It would be great to be able to use the Tesla superchargers along I-93 in New Hampshire.  There are no CCS chargers on the 122 miles between Manchester, NH and St. Johnsbury, VT, but there are Tesla superchargers in Hooksett, Concord, Tilton, Ashland and Lincoln.  The longest gap is about 40 miles, a lot better than 122 miles. 

 

My issue is that driving to a hike 100 miles North of Manchester, there's a 200 mile round trip without chargers, or I can take a 40 mile detour to Vermont.  Opening up superchargers would help a lot with that gap-- worst case 80 mile gap is a LOT better than a 200 mile gap, because I could stay in the 10%-50% range where my car charges the fastest, and not have to deal with the 80%-100% range where charging is really slow.



#5 Augie1991

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Posted 06 February 2023 - 02:53 PM

I saw a Lucid ev the other day. We live down the street from a bank of 10 or so Tesla charging stations, I think that's why I keep seeing more EV's than most would?!

Edited by Augie1991, 06 February 2023 - 02:54 PM.


#6 Vagus

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Posted 06 February 2023 - 03:03 PM

Does ur mom’s hitatchi count?

Not the OP. You. Your moms.


POTY

#7 positiveContact

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Posted 06 February 2023 - 06:04 PM

It would be great to be able to use the Tesla superchargers along I-93 in New Hampshire. There are no CCS chargers on the 122 miles between Manchester, NH and St. Johnsbury, VT, but there are Tesla superchargers in Hooksett, Concord, Tilton, Ashland and Lincoln. The longest gap is about 40 miles, a lot better than 122 miles.

My issue is that driving to a hike 100 miles North of Manchester, there's a 200 mile round trip without chargers, or I can take a 40 mile detour to Vermont. Opening up superchargers would help a lot with that gap-- worst case 80 mile gap is a LOT better than a 200 mile gap, because I could stay in the 10%-50% range where my car charges the fastest, and not have to deal with the 80%-100% range where charging is really slow.


Some of the vw diesel gate money in NH is supposed to fund more charging stations.

#8 Genesee Ted

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Posted 06 February 2023 - 06:45 PM

Hitachi has an office here in Pittsburgh. I’ve got my wife half convinced that that office is just to manage the massager orders

#9 davelew

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Posted 07 February 2023 - 04:18 AM

Some of the vw diesel gate money in NH is supposed to fund more charging stations.


I think that’s true across the country, but it’s taking longer in NH to get chargers compared to the rest of the country.

#10 Brian72

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Posted 07 February 2023 - 05:56 AM

Does ur mom’s hitatchi count?

Not the OP. You. Your moms.

:rolf:  :spray:



#11 3rd party JKor

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Posted 07 February 2023 - 10:57 AM

It would be great to be able to use the Tesla superchargers along I-93 in New Hampshire.  There are no CCS chargers on the 122 miles between Manchester, NH and St. Johnsbury, VT, but there are Tesla superchargers in Hooksett, Concord, Tilton, Ashland and Lincoln.  The longest gap is about 40 miles, a lot better than 122 miles. 

 

My issue is that driving to a hike 100 miles North of Manchester, there's a 200 mile round trip without chargers, or I can take a 40 mile detour to Vermont.  Opening up superchargers would help a lot with that gap-- worst case 80 mile gap is a LOT better than a 200 mile gap, because I could stay in the 10%-50% range where my car charges the fastest, and not have to deal with the 80%-100% range where charging is really slow.

 

Yeah, the problem is all of the fast chargers are well out of the way for people going up to the NH Whites (which is a lot of people).  I would never go to St. Johnsbury (or Gorham) to make a trip hiking.  Depending where you are it might not be terribly inconvenient but most places in The Whites it would be at least a two hour detour considering the deadhead miles and time to recover them.  I planned out a version of one of my trips using the Gorham Chevy 50kW charger and it was a huge amount of extra time.  I ended up plugging into a 120V outlet at the hotel we were staying at in Conway, it only got me 10% overnight but that was enough buffer (turns out didn't need it anyway).  If I had trekked to Gorham it would have been 1:20 of driving and 1hr of charging just to add ~10% by the time I was back at the hotel.  120V was all well and good for an overnight trip but that doesn't work on a day trip.  I'd take a different vehicle or go somewhere that I can slow charge while hiking.  Several of the trailheads have Level 2 chargers now but you are very limited to where you can hike if you stick to those.



#12 Genesee Ted

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Posted 07 February 2023 - 12:58 PM

I have a question regarding extension cords. I had been using an old extension cord to reach the outlets. I just use regular electric. My boss is bringing in an extra charger he has at home, but in the short term, I had an extra extension cord to get to the outlet here at work. That got extremely hot today and it might have started to melt the insulation.

The cord that was provided isn't very long. Maybe 20 feet. I guess I didn't realize that extension cords were a no no. That being said, it seems like that isn't 100% true. Can you guys give me some guidance on cords? I would rather not spend a few hundred if I can help it. Other cords I have used have gotten warm. Pretty normal I thought. I just want to be safe and charge my car so I don't have to buy gas to get around town.

#13 positiveContact

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Posted 07 February 2023 - 01:05 PM

Do you know how many watts you are charging at?


How long does the extension cord need to be?

Edited by postSingularityHumanoid, 07 February 2023 - 01:06 PM.


#14 HVB

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Posted 07 February 2023 - 01:07 PM

I have a question regarding extension cords. I had been using an old extension cord to reach the outlets. I just use regular electric. My boss is bringing in an extra charger he has at home, but in the short term, I had an extra extension cord to get to the outlet here at work. That got extremely hot today and it might have started to melt the insulation.

The cord that was provided isn't very long. Maybe 20 feet. I guess I didn't realize that extension cords were a no no. That being said, it seems like that isn't 100% true. Can you guys give me some guidance on cords? I would rather not spend a few hundred if I can help it. Other cords I have used have gotten warm. Pretty normal I thought. I just want to be safe and charge my car so I don't have to buy gas to get around town.

What gauge was the wire in the extension cord?  Should say on the insulation.  I assume you are going to what at least a 12 gauge extension cord.



#15 Genesee Ted

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Posted 07 February 2023 - 01:49 PM

I have no idea what the gauge was. I couldn't find anything on the insulation. As far as length, I don't need that much length. I actually just pulled my car into the brewery and got close enough to a plug that my OG one is enough. I guess I will keep doing this but I want to get one that will have some length to it just in case I need it

#16 3rd party JKor

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Posted 07 February 2023 - 02:09 PM

I assume this is a normal outlet, correct?  An extension cord is fine if it's sufficiently rated.  Get one rated for 20 amps.  Also, probably best not to coil up the extra length so it doesn't gather heat.  



#17 davelew

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Posted 07 February 2023 - 02:31 PM

 I would never go to St. Johnsbury (or Gorham) to make a trip hiking. 

 

Yeah, the time for that detour makes it a real problem.  I've been there once to charge after climbing Mt. Cabot, and there's a good pizza place next door tot he chargers, but it's not the most efficient place to go.



#18 Genesee Ted

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Posted 07 February 2023 - 06:01 PM

I assume this is a normal outlet, correct? An extension cord is fine if it's sufficiently rated. Get one rated for 20 amps. Also, probably best not to coil up the extra length so it doesn't gather heat.

Ding ding ding!

Yup this cord was rolled up in a reel

#19 positiveContact

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Posted 07 February 2023 - 06:02 PM

Ding ding ding!

Yup this cord was rolled up in a reel


That's just an extra thing. That extension cord might also not be thicc enough for those sexy ass electrons.

#20 DieselGopher

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Posted 07 February 2023 - 07:18 PM

Saw my first Lucid in the wild in Phoenix this weekend. Really good looking car. Too bad:

-I’ll likely never afford one
-Seems likely they won’t make it in the long run.


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