Electric car recharging stations

[nickyboy]

The Leaf is 7kw "fast", and about double that super fast.

I have 15 panels, about half of one side of a modest sized bungalows roof. That does 5kW here in the UK. 50kW for a Tesla (not that you see many, with what they cost - they'll never be mainstream) would theoretically the require 10 times my panels, which in a land as vast as the outback is of no concern whatsoever to a country that is willing to tear up land equivalent to the Isle of Wight for strip mining.

But then the sunshine lasts longer and is stronger, so 5 times would probably be more realistic. That would still comfortably fit on the roof of my modest bungalow. That really is very easily achievable, and still far cheaper than a diesel generator that size.

I wouldn't suggest battery to battery for high current applications like this, and thus introducing considerable inefficiencies. Its unnecessary, anyway. Plug the car in, let the sun do the work...unless its night time, but then you wouldn't want an industrial generator running at night either.

Fundamentally though, the average Australian couldn't care less. For them the electric car is an inconvenience, not a step forward, and precious few will understand the irony of using diesel in this way, and most of those that do would probably chuckle at how clever they are.

Looking at this logically, they have installed a diesel generator to guarantee fast charging. I can't imagine a motorist would be massively happy to turn up at the only charging point for 100km and find that cos it's raining (it does occasionally rain on the Nullabor) he's got to slow charge

Disagree with you re Australians. Do a lot of business there and know a lot of them. Very environmentally conscious. Only reason for slow takeup of EVs is the size of the country. Try googling the growth in EV charging points over past three years. You may be surprised

 

[Brains]

Are they free to use?

Nope.

They have a CQ code on the socket, so I guess there is an app you download to your phone to activate the socket.

Having said which, it's easy enough to open up the innards of a lamp post, so I expect once electric cars become the norm in the more financially challenged areas of the Borough, 'hot wiring' lamp posts will become a skill acquired by your average 15 year old, just like their fathers learnt to hot wire a Ford Escort in the 1990's

 

[Slow But Determined]

Around our way (Royal Borough of Greenwich) they are fitting a car charging port to every lamp post.
My road is now done, about 10 lamp posts, no electric cars (......yet)

Probably double yellow lines though!!

 

[Andy in Germany]

Probably double yellow lines though!!

Gosh, do some drivers still actually take any notice of those?

 

[classic33]

Gosh, do some drivers still actually take any notice of those?

Only when parking enforcement are around.

 

[Lozz360]

Surely in that environment solar would be eminently practical? I have 5kW solar here in murky Blighty, and that's getting on enough to fast charge many models, and more than enough to do a slow charge. Youd think the sunny old dessert of Oz would be ideal, and likely cheaper to buy, install and run.

Not great for overnight charging though.

 

[Andy in Germany]

Intriguing. How does that work, conventional 3 pin sockets for ebikes?

Here they are. One bay being blocked repurposed by Tinybug for an impromptu picnic. That's a standard European socket as far as I can see. Car charging ports are behind.

They are implying that the power comes from solar panels but interestingly the words don't state this categorically.

 

[fossyant]

I've been tempted to get one, but only for commuting use as I have free electric at work for charging. That said there are only a few electric cars among the staff - there were a few Zoe's but they've all probably gone back via lease. We've got an i3 and one of those Mitsubishi plug in SUV's and a leaf, that's it. As we've a caravan, I could just about get the car there on a charge, but there is no infrastructure around Prestatyn to charge it to get back, and it can't be charged off a caravan electrics as they are fairly 'limited' with the RCD's

 

[Bonefish Blues]

Plenty charging on the A55 just South though?

 

[fossyant]

Plenty charging on the A55 just South though?

It's not exactly close - 20 minute plus drive to charge. I'd of expected charging points in Prestatyn town centre (big shopping area)

 

[Bonefish Blues]

It's not exactly close - 20 minute plus drive to charge. I'd of expected charging points in Prestatyn town centre (big shopping area)

It's Prestatyn

(I have relatives there, BTW!)

 

[fossyant]

It's Prestatyn

(I have relatives there, BTW!)

The map shows about 3 or 4 points, but nothing actually close to the "resorts" - all on A55, nearest being near St Asaph

 

[Bonefish Blues]

I know - I'm sure it will infill in due course, but tbh Rhyl & Prestatyn isn't prime electric car territory.

 

[Donger]

Can't imagine too many owners of EVs even thinking of setting off to cross Australia in one. I would have thought the future of long distance car travel might be some form of cheap motorail with charging facilities on board. That said, I was recently surprised to see a Nissan Leaf on Bealach na Ba on the Applecross peninsula.

 

[Deleted member 26715]

I would have thought the future of long distance car travel might be some form of cheap motorail with charging facilities on board.

I have a faint recollection of seeing cars on a train, just like a huge car transporter, I certainly had a Hornby one on my model railway, to me it seems a logical thing we need to resurrect. I also remember going on holiday in Cornwall on the motorbike at the end of the 70's we rode the bike to Sheffield, put it in the guards van & then got back off at Plymouth to ride to Cornwall. The railways should be doing far more of this.