Posted on 03/25/2022 7:48:47 AM PDT by Red Badger
Electrify America announced a new design vision for some of its future charging stations, with a set of enhancements to exceed customer expectations.
The network, which currently operates more than 730 stations in the U.S. (and over 2,400 CCS charging stalls, plus some CCS-CHAdeMO and AC Level 2), would like to improve the design of the stations, as well as introduce next-generation chargers, add solar awnings and more onsite battery energy storage systems.
The new vision - called "The Charging Station of the Future, Today" - was presented in a collection of images that highlight new design and comfort elements such as solar canopies and awnings, customer waiting areas, and other customer-focused services at select locations.
"The company plans to showcase this transition with installation in 2022 and 2023 in select new flagship charging facilities in Santa Barbara, San Francisco, San Diego and Beverly Hills, California and in New York within Manhattan and Brooklyn. Currently the company has flagship charging stations located in Baker, California and Santa Clara, California. "
A Customer-Centric Charging Experience
The new vision includes new features and bigger stations, with up to 20 individual chargers:
Customer lounges, electric vehicle showcase areas, dedicated event space
Overhead solar canopies to shield customers from the sun and inclement weather
On-site security cameras and additional lighting Charging stations located at select shopping locations may offer valet charging and curbside delivery option
Solar Awnings
The company announced that it is currently adding solar awnings to 400-500 individual chargers at 100 charging stations to provide shelter from the sun and weather elements as well as generate some additional electricity.
Solar canopies were already installed at the flagship charging stations in Baker and Santa Clara, California.
Next-Generation Charger
Interesting is the announcement about the next generation ultra-fast charger. According to the press release, the power level will still be up to 150 and 350 kW, but the charger's design was redesigned with functional and design features to simplify the customer experience.
The next-generation charger will also feature:
An all-new design that refines the look and reduces the footprint of the charger A recessed and brighter HMI (human-machine interface) screen to help reduce the glare from sunlight making it easier for customers to view the operational instructions and charging progress
A single connector cable with an all-new cable management system to ease the effort to plug in the cable no matter where the charging port resides on a customer’s EV
A reduced footprint of both the charger and power cabinets will allow installation of more equipment in space constrained, urban locations.
The company adds that it will keep the green glow "that customers have come to recognize and embrace, and continue to stand at an easily recognizable at 8 feet tall."
Battery Energy Storage Systems
The battery energy storage systems (BESS) were already used on a high scale by Electrify America. Before the end of 2021, the company installed ESS at 140 stations, achieving a combined output of 30 MW.
The plan is to increase the deployment of onsite battery energy storage systems to more than 150 additional BESS.
Giovanni Palazzo, president and CEO of Electrify America said:
“Electrify America will be reinventing the look and feel at many of our charging stations to meet and exceed the expectations of customers moving from a gas-powered vehicle to an electric lifestyle. These new designs will help elevate the charging experience for our customers, building on the foundation of our ultra-fast and reliable coast-to-coast network.”
NO PRICE TAGs in the whole article!
Read that a “standard” county-government-paid charging station in the county’s employee parking lot was 20,000.00. Each with installation fees, tax, tag, and title.
In other words "You're going to be here for a while." Sure they'll try to make it as pleasant as possible but the reality is charging takes time. Fast charging, super charging, etc. is more expensive and (probably) not so great for your batteries. I wouldn't make a habit of it.
As others have pointed out, also going to be a magnet for criminal activity. Gosh, a captive "audience" of people with generally more money than common sense. The "go green" libtard types likely to be driving them are also the least likely types to be armed. I know I know, there are conservatives who drive EVs. Heck, I would if their price, features, and performance met my needs (but they don't).
Overhead solar canopies to shield customers from the sun and inclement weather
Gosh, gas stations have had overhead canopies to shield customers since what, the 1950s??? You know they are stretching for positive PR points when they're advertising such trivialities.
As others have pointed out, all these cool features and such at the charging station are not free. You'll pay a premium over basic electrical costs for all this.
“So, who gets charged for the electricity when you use them. It’s definitely not going to be free.”
Oh, I’m sure there’s a place to “insert credit card” somewhere on that thing.
Gee, wasn’t it M$ who first used the word “experience” when touting the marvelously customer oriented features?
Of Vista?
When sales&marketing gush in such obfuscation, you know they are polishing a turd.
Yea trans training kindergarten classes, heroin injection centers, ballot boxes..
Yep
Where are they going to get the electricity to power these firetraps?
NO PRICE TAGs in the whole article!
Read that a “standard” county-government-paid charging station in the county’s employee parking lot was 20,000.00. Each with installation fees, tax, tag, and title.
NO PRICE TAGs in the whole article!
Read that a “standard” county-government-paid charging station in the county’s employee parking lot was 20,000.00. Each with installation fees, tax, tag, and title.
Trump should get with Elon and make it happen. It would be a heck of a campaign plank. Like the moon shot. Only far easier.
NO PRICE TAGs in the whole article!
Read that a “standard” county-government-paid charging station in the county’s employee parking lot was 20,000.00. Each with installation fees, tax, tag, and title.
Well in China they are building 100s of coal fired power plants.
In the US, it’s more like wishin and hopin.
Simply building the charging stations without either the grid infrastructure to handle the loads, or or the fast-charging capabilities built into the vehicles, is a further exercise in futility. And by the time these problems are solved, technology may very well have outstripped and moved on beyond this niche of the industry.
The only real probability for success of vehicles driven with electrical traction power is to have an on-board generation system, much like the first hybrid internal combustion engine and electrical drive capability, an idea developed and promoted not nearly enough. In this headlong rush to do away with “fossil fuels” (a misnomer, by the way, as most hydrocarbon fuels are produced by abiotic means, and are NOT “dinosaur soup”), the fact is overlooked that only the CHEAPER alternative to an existing technology gains market preference. That was why steam locomotives were replaced with Diesel-electric locomotives, because they were cheaper to operate, both in terms of fuel consumed and overall efficiency in converting that energy stored in the fuel into real work performed.
The current reliance on the hydrocarbon fuels will not materially decrease until a cleaner and more sustainable energy source is found and put into use. We have found both the sources, and have proven their sustainability over and over again, with nuclear power supplemented with hydroelectric power generation and natural gas-fired power generation plants. The stark fact is that until we go almost entirely to some form of electrical generation grids powered at their baseline with nuclear, either uranium-fueled or thorium-fueled atomic reactors, we shall have to use the hydrocarbon fuels as our crutch. We have the technology, and it has been tried out in various places with remarkably good results, in terms of “bang for the buck”, and on environmental grounds.
We may, or we may not, someday develop fusion power, perhaps one of the most “green” technologies we can now visualize, but that is still going to take years. Meanwhile, we have this huge storehouse of energy in the form of hydrocarbon fuels, to bridge the gap until these other forms may be put in wider use.
T’would be a pity if the world did not use that widely available and efficient source of energy for now.
I’ve checked on some electric-powered vehicles - notably motorcycles because I think an electric motorcycle would be a great stealth machine. They take hours to charge. You’re supposed to charge them, for example, at the charging pod while you’re at the office. By the time you leave work maybe it will be charged. Or overnight. Or bring an extra battery. That also takes about 8 hours to charge.
“Ultrafast” probably means 3-4 hours. I’m not an expert, however. Probably one will come along shortly and set us straight.
This just recently posted from the Wyoming Dept of Vehicles. I’m thinking I should invest in a truck with a diesel powered generator in the back. Mobil charging when you run out of power in the middle of Wyoming. My new retirement plan. :)
Wyoming will soon receive National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) formula funds to use to facilitate electric vehicle infrastructure development, especially charging stations, around the state.
The funding is part of the Federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), signed by President Biden in November 2021. The Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) is allocated $3.9 million this year and expects $5 million each year for the next four years for a total of $23.96 million for EV infrastructure over five years.
In preparation to execute NEVI funding and other program incentives, the state has developed a Zero Emission Vehicle Strategy and will circulate the strategy over the next month to allow the public and interested parties to provide comments and feedback.
“These stations will not only be powered by Wyoming energy, but will help facilitate tourism around the state,” said Director Luke Reiner. “We want drivers who choose EVs to have safe and reliable ways to charge their vehicles as they drive in our state. This has been an inter-agency effort to maximize available resources for our residents and visitors.”
Wyoming’s interstates have been designated as “Alternative Fuel Corridors” and under the NEVI program must have infrastructure installed first. Corridor infrastructure must adhere to guidelines set by the NEVI Program Joint Office for charger efficiency, location, and accessibility. Once the interstate corridors are complete, remaining funding can be spent along other key routes to popular destinations like Yellowstone National Park and Devil’s Tower National Monument.
No state funds will be used to build, maintain or operate EV charging infrastructure through the NEVI program. Instead, the company who bids on the corridor will pay the required match amount to the Federal funds.
In addition to the NEVI funding, the BIL outlined $2.5 billion in discretionary grants available to eligible applicants, including state and local governments, special purpose districts, tribes and other groups or entities. The state also has VW settlement funds that will be used to provide additional funding for EV infrastructure development in areas not along the alternative fuel corridors.
WYDOT and other state officials have scheduled public meetings around the state in early April to gather public input as well as feedback from potential bidders and other interested parties. Each meeting is expected to have a virtual component so viewers can attend any meeting and see the proposed plan and make comments.
The schedule is as follows:
Why are you disrespecting Swisher Sweets....?
You sure you don't want to say that a fifth time?
Then again, the irrationality of the "climate change/global warming" fanatics who, in support of their basic religious tenet of eliminating "greenhouse gases" should be -- but are vocally not -- strong proponents of nuclear power, will prevent application of most all sources of electrical energy.
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