[tonyedgecombe]

>If we tried to swich half the cars to electric overnight

It's a good job nobody is suggesting that then.

>Has anyone estimated the cost and time of upgrading the power grid for electric cars?

I don't know about the US but in the UK we just need to take generation back to 2002 levels to cover the whole fleet moving to electric.

[Balero]

I think the biggest issue in the UK is how to get cars parked on street to be charged overnight. In towns and cities (and elsewhere too) it is very common to park your car on the street, potentially a good distance away from your home. Where exactly to build the charging infrastructure for people parking like this.

I guess if you only need to charge at the same frequency as you would refuel you could have chargers in super market parking lots. Cars charge whilst you do your weekly shop. Or at work, if they have space.

I also heard about one idea to have chargers at every street light, as they already have an input from the grid in them.

Hopefully this is an issue that can be solved without having to re-wire huge portions of the urban areas.

[Broken_Hippo]

I'm in a city in Norway. It is very common to park cars on the street: The city is expanding their curbside charging stations because of it, and spaces are reserved for electric cars. Most parking garages I've seen here have some charging stations and a number of workplaces do as well, though admittedly that infrastructure might be, in part, due to engine warmer things. Not all workplaces provide parking, but as mentioned, the spaces you pay for often have this as an option. A good number of gas stations and shopping centers have charging as well. I've only lived here 8 years and it has grown exponentially.

I'm pretty sure, however, that the government has taken some initiative to expand the infrastructure. After all, electric cars are pretty well subsidized and you get everyday driving perks (like being able to drive in the bus lane). When folks are buying new here, they are buying electric and they aren't worried about meeting their "all-electric" goals. And realistically, government involvement, organization, and action are going to be the things that make it more difficult in, say, the US or the UK (From what I can tell: I'm American and am not as intimate with UK politics)

[Balero]

In the UK things are improving slowly. A bit more infrastructure, a few more cars. Lots of talk from politicians, a lot less action sadly.

[rbanffy]

> Where exactly to build the charging infrastructure for people parking like this.

On the sidewalks. There are a number of chargers like that in the city I live that are more or less subscription based.

> Cars charge whilst you do your weekly shop. Or at work, if they have space.

That's one excellent solution. You can take the money that won't be spent with healthcare (because air pollution) and channel it as incentives to build out that infrastructure.

> I also heard about one idea to have chargers at every street light, as they already have an input from the grid in them.

That's another interesting idea, if the power is available. With the move to efficient lighting, the need for power has been reduced and I assume the cable gauges have reflected that.

> Hopefully this is an issue that can be solved without having to re-wire huge portions of the urban areas.

If the cars can recharge for hours, the need to rewire for higher currents is smaller.

[lttlrck]

I guess street chargers work great if you park on the street and can leave your EV in the same spot even after it is charged, like a regular parking spot. Otherwise it's just a chore to charge and move your EV to a non-charging spot when it's finished (of which there would be fewer)?

[greedo]

Are there any safety/vandalism concerns with leaving a car charging unattended?

[rbanffy]

It's not more or less susceptible than a parked car.

[kylegordon]

> I also heard about one idea to have chargers at every street light, as they already have an input from the grid in them.

This is already being done in London, and probably other areas.

https://www.ubitricity.com/charge-points/#lamppost

[throw0101a]

Fully Charged, based out of the UK, had episodes on street lamp plugs, and pop-up chargers:

* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKaEhBjt1ls

* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Frkw6aurVUY

Each area/street will probably have to examined individually to find the right solution for it.

[clouddrover]

> I think the biggest issue in the UK is how to get cars parked on street to be charged overnight.

Do it with wireless charging:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aq7SP18sPKw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IoPA0rq0yw