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Well I've never heard of such a rule and rules are just rules! Even if it were PAYG it would be a friendly gesture between EV-pals!
Vehicle already on charge point
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One of the problems going forward is that many drivers won't know the charging rate and I have no doubt that many i3 and Tesla drivers will end up using the AC 'rapid' connector because they think it's faster. Certainly many of my friends buying these cars are non-technical.
IMO the only answer is more charging hardware
IMO the only answer is more charging hardware
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1,690 Posts
Someone planning to use a 7kw charger isn't likely to be in any sort of hurry, so it's not quite the same deal.
Who would disagree with these rules?
1. Rapids are for rapid charging and short stay parking only. If your car doesn't support it, or you don't NEED to rapid charge in order to make it to your destination, use a 7kw station.
2. If your car DOES support it, but you anticipate needing to park for more than 1hr, then why are you hogging a rapid? Come back and move your car.
3. People need to put their mobile numbers on dashboards.
(4. If you've got a REX fitted, go to a petrol station?)
It'll only work if we co-operate.
Personally, I stay with my car whilst rapid charging, leaving it for no more than 10 or so minutes at a time to use the loo or stock up on snacks. If I'm happy with my SOC for the next leg, and someone is queuing behind me, I'll stop charging and move on (this has happened twice already).
The i3 driver appeared to be treating the rapid bay as a normal parking space with the convenience of charging thrown in.... who knows how long they left their car for? It was certainly way longer than necessary and seemed to be down to ignorance, which cost the vlogger quite a bit of time.
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How does this work when the majority of 'rapid' charging locations have one charger?
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I was going purely on the example in the video.
At the Ecotricity locations where there is only one station, and only one EV can charge.... you have to wonder why someone with a non-rapid capable EV would want to carry out a journey with a 2+ hour potential charging stop?
The obvious solution is what you've already suggested - include an additional 7 or 22kw station in the install - and there were three of those available in the video situation, apparently...
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Very interesting, and I enjoyed the videos - but I took the above photo when I was blocked from charging by the same i3 the following day.
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So it's basically a question of the i3 owner grabbing the space nearest the exit door....?
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1,860 Posts
Sorry forgive the ignorance but why would the rapid be slower, I thought they were 40kw ish... most of the posts are 7kw with some 22kwOne of the problems going forward is that many drivers won't know the charging rate and I have no doubt that many i3 and Tesla drivers will end up using the AC 'rapid' connector because they think it's faster. Certainly many of my friends buying these cars are non-technical.
IMO the only answer is more charging hardware
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9,341 Posts
It is slower because the i3 can use the AC 43kW side of a rapid charger but it will only charge at 7kW as it cannot use AC for fast charging... only DC through CCS.
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ok I get that with the i3 what about the tesla, its limited to 11 or 22kw depending on 1 or 2 chargers fitted so why would it be slower on the rapid than a 22kw post ?
Surely it will draw 22kw from both if able ?
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1,093 Posts
(5. If you've got a Leaf, go and hire a real car?)
It's clear that the i3 driver here just doesn't know that they are slow charging - we need better signage.
Getting into debates about who deserves the power the most is going to end in tears.
A 3kW charge when you had planned for a 7kW charge can equally ruin your day. By the same 4 hours in fact.
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If its' a 22kW Model S then it can charge at 22kW regardless of whether it's the AC cable on a 'rapid' charger or a AC Charging Station.
My comment was more an observation about the new breed of non-geek EV owners many of whom will just plug in to the rapid charger blissfully unaware that they are charging at 7kW, 10kW or 22kW. Obviously, at locations with no other charging resources they have no choice but it's going to get ugly IMO when you're driving a Leaf or ZOE and end up waiting a couple of hours.
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1,860 Posts
I agree it has to be first in best dressed, however a way to contact the owner and ask if you could jump the queue is a good compromise.
Decent people would let someone jump in if it was the right thing to do
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Under the new 2nd round grant from OLEV the rapid chargers have to be triple headed with CHAdeMO, CCS and Fast AC so hopefully we will see these being dropped close to the existing chargers to solve alot of this issue. I know ABB CHAdeMO chargers can be retro fitted with the CCS but I am not sure about DBT. I can find out also if Elektrobay can be as well and maybe you could ask your local authority to spend some of there funding on upgrading chargers in the area.
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9,341 Posts
Totally agree and I would always offer to help anyone if they asked and it was convenient enough for me to do so.
For me it isn't about priority but if someone has a greater need than me and they don't demand it then I will always offer to help if I can and I am sure many EV drivers would feel the same as we have all been there.
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Very constructive, that.I'm done with this thread
If you're using a rapid then I have no issue with you grabbing a coffee, but you know how long it takes to reach 80% so the polite thing to do is to return at that time. Anyone waiting will see where you are in the charge cycle and know how long they have to wait. But if you decide to go and have a three course meal and saunter back twho hours later, expect an ear bashing
I read a new Leaf owner blog only yesterday where he had gone to Ikea:
I read a new Leaf owner blog only yesterday where he had gone to Ikea:
So that rapid was blocked for two hours when it could have been available. I don't doubt that it was a simple case of a new owner not knowing the issues but it can only gets worse.
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It only takes me 30min to get to 80% but some times i wait for a 100% takes about 1h 10min, but i leave early if some one turns up.
It was a post on a personal blog, not a forum
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