Why electric cars?

[begreen]

Range really is not as big an issue as people (including yours truly) thought. Most people charge at home and/or work. They do not need long range for the daily use of the car. For trips, the real issue is charging infrastructure, especially in the West where towns are farther apart. This is compounded by multiple charging plug styles and standards, poor locations, and copper theft. The good news is that we are moving toward one standard, NACS, for the charging port and Tesla opening up its chargers to other makes. More charging options makes charging more practical on a long trips and no one has matched Tesla for a well-done charging infrastructure.

Another wrinkle is that battery tech and cars are in a period of transition. That means charging infrastructure has to be updated to keep up with these changes. Many are slow as they try to amortize their investements but it is happening. In some areas, self-driving cars will eventually remove the need for some to worry about charging.

 

[woodgeek]

Agree 100%. Would add that in addition to DCFC plugs and standards, one issue is DC port location on the car. If it is driver's side rear or passenger side front, then it is compatible with most (i.e. Tesla) DCFCs. Several legacy makers (notably GM AND Ford) have gotten access to superchargers, but have a port location that makes using them awkward at best, or impossible at high traffic periods.

After 3 GM EVs in a row, port location is what got me to switch to another maker.

 

[gthomas785]

Agree 100%. Would add that in addition to DCFC plugs and standards, one issue is DC port location on the car. If it is driver's side rear or passenger side front, then it is compatible with most (i.e. Tesla) DCFCs. Several legacy makers (notably GM AND Ford) have gotten access to superchargers, but have a port location that makes using them awkward at best, or impossible at high traffic periods.

After 3 GM EVs in a row, port location is what got me to switch to another maker.

I believe that issue stems more from the design of the DCFC, not the car. Just a slightly longer cable (yes, more cost /engineering challenges I know) would eliminate the problem completely and make the charger inclusive to any EV. Gas fill location has never been standardized on ICE vehicles and people manage ok due to being able to pull through from either direction. Be nice if it were standardized, but I don't see it happening.

What if I'm pulling a trailer or cargo rack and my port is on the rear left? I'm either screwed, or have to drop the loaded trailer somewhere which is a major pain, or pull in sideways and block several chargers. A combination of longer cables and multiple approach options would be really helpful no matter the port location, and I'm glad that we're starting to see some of the newer DCFC sites designed with these things in mind.

 

[EbS-P]

I believe that issue stems more from the design of the DCFC, not the car. Just a slightly longer cable (yes, more cost /engineering challenges I know) would eliminate the problem completely and make the charger inclusive to any EV. Gas fill location has never been standardized on ICE vehicles and people manage ok due to being able to pull through from either direction. Be nice if it were standardized, but I don't see it happening.

What if I'm pulling a trailer or cargo rack and my port is on the rear left? I'm either screwed, or have to drop the loaded trailer somewhere which is a major pain, or pull in sideways and block several chargers. A combination of longer cables and multiple approach options would be really helpful no matter the port location, and I'm glad that we're starting to see some of the newer DCFC sites designed with these things in mind.

Tesla has a few pull through chargers. Hooking and unhooking probably adds 8 minutes less if you have an electric jack or on you can operate with an electrIc drill. Working on the farm there would be days where we were hooking and unhooking every hour or less all day long. They were fun days but when you had to move stuff it’s just the only way.

 

[woodgeek]

I believe that issue stems more from the design of the DCFC, not the car. Just a slightly longer cable (yes, more cost /engineering challenges I know) would eliminate the problem completely and make the charger inclusive to any EV. Gas fill location has never been standardized on ICE vehicles and people manage ok due to being able to pull through from either direction. Be nice if it were standardized, but I don't see it happening.

What if I'm pulling a trailer or cargo rack and my port is on the rear left? I'm either screwed, or have to drop the loaded trailer somewhere which is a major pain, or pull in sideways and block several chargers. A combination of longer cables and multiple approach options would be really helpful no matter the port location, and I'm glad that we're starting to see some of the newer DCFC sites designed with these things in mind.

I hear you. But the hose on gas pump is MUCH cheaper per foot, and less of a maintenance and theft issue than a DCFC cable with huge conductors and a water cooled jacket. Pull through chargers are already a thing.

Most DCFCs I have seen out of service were due to a fault with the connector cable, usually the cooling loop.