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by avidiax 685 days ago
It's both.

Some new cars have 800V architecture and will be able to benefit from high voltage chargers as they roll out.

There are also cars that can't charge at 350kW, but still take a 350kW charger.

Charging a 100kW car in the 350kW bay is fine, but these owners should be given some reason to prefer a 100kW or 150kW charger if it's available. I like the idea of using someone being queued for the charger to trigger an infrastructure charge if you are underutilizing the charger, just like we already do if you are simply parked there and not charging.

At the very least, require that drivers at least try to use the charger that best matches their car if it's available. Require that they plug in, or that they document a non-EV in the space before connecting to an over-spec charger.
2 comments
linotype 685 days ago
How about no. I’m not going to fill out a form to charge my car. I use the 150 kW chargers when available, 350 kW when not. I rarely DC fast charge anyway.

Edit: yeah feel free to downvote me. I believe in not just the rich being able to fast charge without issue.

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gruez 685 days ago
>I believe in not just the rich being able to fast charge without issue.

What about the competing interest of making charging fast and convenient, which surely would drive EV adoption? Is slowing the energy transition a worthwhile cost in the pursuit of equity?

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linotype 684 days ago
Most EVs now can charge at over 100 kW peak, and that means most EVs will be able to in five years. I don’t see how it’s that big of a deal to allow people with older, used EVs to charge at all stations. Even charging companies have this stance.
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avidiax 684 days ago
The base principle I want to see is that if you have a 100kW car, and 2 stations are available, 150kW & 350kW, you have to at least try the 150kW station first, and move to the 350kW if it's not working or available.
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linotype 684 days ago
People already do that.
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brewtide 684 days ago
Yes
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gruez 685 days ago
>Charging a 100kW car in the 350kW bay is fine, but these owners should be given some reason to prefer a 100kW or 150kW charger if it's available. I like the idea of using someone being queued for the charger to trigger an infrastructure charge if you are underutilizing the charger, just like we already do if you are simply parked there and not charging.

...or just charge a premium for using the fast chargers. That way you're not you're not checking your phone every 5 minutes to see whether you're racking up additional charges and whether you need to move your car or not.

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