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Gale Hawkins
Super Member
- Joined
- Sep 20, 2009
- Messages
- 8,265
- Location
- Murray, KY
- Tractor
- 1948 Allis Chambers Model B 1976 265 MF / 1983 JD 310B Backhoe / 1966 Ford 3000 Diesel / 1980 3600 Diesel
The difference is that I don't. Generally when the gauge gets to 1/2, I'm looking for a station.
You will be good with an EV if you are looking for a charging station when half of your range is gone. Keep in mind the battery charger is mounted in the car typically near the DC to AC inverter/motor so you will always have it with you. What some call the charger is nothing more than an expense AC power cord that has communication with the car and its charger.
The older Nissan Leafs ship with a 120 AC power cord in the trunk so all you need to do is to find a regular 15 amp 120 volt outlet. Now it may take 12-24 hours to fully charge the battery using 120 volt AC. The first 50% goes relative fast. The 70 to 100% part takes forever just like with a regular 12 volt battery charger does.
Go on the web and look for charging points along the 200 mile drive. Some people list the connection that they offer free. It could be anywhere from a 220 volt 30 amp EV connection point to just a regular 120 outlet on the side of the house, shop, etc. If you know there is a regular EV charging option 10 miles up the road just use the 120 outlet with your charging cord in your trunk to make sure you are good for 20 miles, etc. I know the Ford and Nissan area dealers have free 220 volt connections and I expect that is the case with most dealerships that sell Plug In EV's. The hotels are installing EV chargers and I have been told the local Cracker Barrel is doing the same.
An EV with a range of 200 miles is golden when it comes to finding chargers in many areas. Cars that can handle the fast DC charging options can go from zero to 70 per cent in like 30 minutes and with new technology that will be down to 3-5 minutes in a few years. The more EV's sold today the more chargers that will be installed.