Author Topic: ChargePoint EVSE Network  (Read 940 times)

akohekohe

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ChargePoint EVSE Network
« on: May 22, 2011, 05:18:55 PM »
I also posted this on the electric motorcycle forum but thought it would be of interest here as well. ChargePoint, which is associated with Coulomb technologies, is establishing a charging network. You can get to their website at ChargePoint I had a chance to use one of their charges a few days ago to charge my Nissan Leaf using the Level 2 J1772 plug and was pleasantly surprised to see that the EVSE supported both level 1 and level 2. The level 1 EVSE uses a standard 120V 20 amp outlet (NEMA 5-20) so it could be used you charge a Brammo no problem. The one I used (the only on one O'ahu where I live) was free to use but you need to have a ChargePoint card to use it. ChargePoint usually charges $4.95 for the card but I got mine for free during an Earthday promotion. They are currently giving people a free card for helping with beta testing their smart phone app. With the App you will be able to search for a charger and even reserve time. This network is rapidly expanding which should help alleviate the range anxiety a bit.
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FreepZ

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Re: ChargePoint EVSE Network
« Reply #1 on: May 22, 2011, 06:15:16 PM »
It's great to hear that EVs are being supported by having places to plug in. I just wonder how useful that will turn out to be for a bike like the Empulse. The specs say 10 hours to charge the bike to travel 100 miles, so we can approximate and say 1 hour per 10 miles. 10 miles per hour is pretty slow! I would hate to find myself in a situation where I would have to hang around somewhere for a few hours, waiting for my battery to charge. Heck, it would almost be faster to walk. :(

Then again, perhaps I'm still thinking like a gas guzzler! As an EV user, I would need to do just a little bit of planning. I.e. if I can make the trip on one charge, then no worries. If not, I just need to find some place near my destination where I can plug in. And if I can't (or don't want to) wait to charge up, I would need to consider taking a different vehicle.

Being able to use a level 2 charger would make a huge difference, as it would halve the time I would have to wait. Alas, no level 2 charger for the Empulse. In truth, I suspect that most of the time I would be able to make the trip on one charge, so the issue would rarely come up. :)
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Brammofan

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Re: ChargePoint EVSE Network
« Reply #2 on: May 22, 2011, 07:01:19 PM »
It is, indeed, all about the planning, Freepz. 
I have one of those ChargePoint cards and have a couple of occasions to use it in Kansas City -- both times I used them during an EV event.
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