Check out The Average EV channel here: www.youtube.com/@theaverageev and watch Tyler's first Supercharger session with his Equinox EV here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Z53ngg4jF2U.html
Eric has a good point about 150 kW NEVI requirement and Kempower chargers. Perhaps Kempower can use Tesla's strategy of guaranteeing 150 kW minimum for some of the stalls at a site, and collecting NEVI funds for only those stalls. Just need a software update to do this.
I can see their system would require an explanation on NEVI applications, but I don't think it would be a dealbreaker. We've seen ABB installations using 180kW hardware at Circle K that were tweaked to remove a port, installing 4 dispensers where CK would normally do 2 and share the power. Then there's Tesla, as you highlight, who don't strictly meet NEVI guidance but have managed to win the second-highest number of NEVI awards. KEMPOWER could easily take either of these approaches, software locking four posts at 150kW or simply installing more posts (already a small footprint) and guaranteeing a set power level per post. It loses some of the power sharing value but you have more dispensers, so there's a reasonable trade-off there.
Honestly don't understand the claim that Superchargers cost more than EA. Last night we got $.29/kWh at Elk Grove charging our Ford with a Tesla membership, which paid for itself in one session. You CAN pay more than EA, especially if you let Ford Pass manage the Supercharger session ($.73/kWh once!). Just don't blindly plug in.
Seems to be highly variable. Those Sacramento area Superchargers are surprisingly inexpensive, but hit I-5 from Woodland up and I'm seeing a base price of $0.60/kWh. Not sure exactly what the membership brings that down to but it's surely at or above the EA Pass+ rates of $0.48-0.56/kWh?
Yes, both locations I used in Northern California were $0.60 per kWh. I checked Susanville and Alturas as well, and as I recall, the former was $0.60 per kWh and the latter was $0.56 per kWh. I know there's variability, but I guess I'll have to doublecheck each site first.
@newscoulomb3705 One thing I enjoy about this channel is the diversity of experiences. We just sold our Leaf; the tear-out of key CHAdeMO units was getting stressful. Now looking at GM leases; the Google built-in is very attractive compared to the 1X/year Ford map updates. SMUD must be keeping their rates down compared to Piggee.
After a dozen or so Supercharger sessions with our Ford, I have noticed a recurring problem even when charging to the right of the rightmost dispenser - Tesla drivers simply do not recognize that you are charging and will back up to the charger you are using, even sticking their hand into the empty NACS port to see what happened to the cable!
Sorry to miss you guys live again. I am very happy for Tesla to open their Superchargers. I drive a Taycan and am hoping it will alleviate the queues at EA. 😅 Then someday when Tesla supports 1000VDC at least for their Cybertruck to not overheat cable/plug. I think it will be 3 years to get 50% of those installed across the country at best.
We didn't get into this (sorry, Steve, I was already blabbing too much), but based on what we saw with the Cybertruck at "V3.5" Superchargers, it looks as though Tesla is still prioritizing current over voltage. Perhaps true V4 will actually support 1000 V, but so far, it looks like you're stuck at lower voltages on the Superchargers.
Happy to hear it! Also aligns with my experience across 20+ states. Occasionally an older dispenser offline but primarily available and delivering full power at the stations I used.
@@plugandplayEV Perhaps this is a topic of discussion for another livestream, but in my experience (especially if you plan your travel times), most charging locations outside of major cities are rarely crowded. California might be the one exception to that, but even then, drive I-5 on a Tuesday through Thursday, and you'll likely only be sharing a charging site with a tumbleweed.
Agree with Eric that a solution of 20cents/kWh more going over 85%; however, that wouldn’t work for folks with free charging. Actually I think a 10cents/min after 45min. But that can be gamed also by unplug-replug. Sigh…
Yes, I think that's a better alternative to hard locking people at 85%. As I noted, most of these sites appear to be urban locations that aren't used for travel, but that shouldn't exclude people from the option of charging to 100%.
