Plug-In Road Rage: It begins

All plugin should have equal opportunity to plug.

Well, except the ladies are first. If both owners are dudes, first comes first served.

Giving higher priority to BEV, should be a courtesy.

 

No way 8-hrs work days?...but I agree totally re: philosphy (age has it's advantages...not many, but some)

 

Special charger you got there.

 

If you're talking about the former Yahoo in the Mercury News article, I personally know him (but I've never worked at Yahoo.) He was a former Leafer but has an ActiveE now. I'm guessing he had an ActiveE at the time of that "incident".

FWIW, at my work L2 charging is free and even though our ratio is ~4:1 (of plug-in vehicles vs. L2 EVSEs), we're actually VERY well behaved and self-managing with respect to charging, freeing up spaces when asked, plugging in waiting cars, etc.

During the time I've been there, the only thing even remotely close to charge rage that comes to mind is when (IIRC) a Volt driver accidentally unplugged another Volt that wasn't done and closed their charging door) but forgot to ping the "victim" as an FYI.

 

Well good catch.
I meant 1.25 kw x 8h = 10 kwh, (but 1.125 kw or 9kwh) is still enough to cover best selling PHEVs
Not sure if that is what you are talking about, or if you are doubting 1.25kw plug-to-batt for 110v

 

I passed a free L2 charger in Hermosa Beach since I really didn't need it and figured I'd be a good person and leave it for a BEV in need. Turns out I accidentally parked next to a car in a motorcycle spot recently converted from a regular space without realizing since it was dark and got slapped with a $48 ticket... Last time I ever turn down an open charging space...

Two things. One, it amazes me these chargers don't lock to your car while you're charging and unlock when you're full. Two, it would be nice if there was a standard on colors and lights to tell when a car is charging versus full. Sure you can deduce it, but it'd be nice to have a standard.

 

I haven't seen any evidence to suggest that is true of the i3, unless your home is near the summit of the local mountain. The i3 range extender can put out 25 kW and it probably takes 15 kW or less to drive it at 55 mph on a flat highway.

 

My back-of-envelope calc suggests that 25 kw will move a car up a 5% grade at around 40 - 45 mph.

 

Sure, substantial hills are likely to be a problem on the range extender with an "empty'" battery.

 

Blame the lousy engine!

 

Hope no PiP driver here did this to this Volt driver: Volt owner shares negative experience at a public charging station - Torque News.

If you want to skip ahead, just read the paragraph before and after the picture of the PiP.

 

PiP had a wheel over a cord.
Volt owner couldn't charge, decided to swap and did realize that the 2nd cable couldn't plug the PiP anymore.
Volt slot is near driver door, it had enough length as far as I see...

edit: "as far as I see"...
My bad, the Volt is parked at the left...

It raises a question: can anyone simply unplug other's car?

 

I agree and wouldn't consider anything else more fair or reasonable. That would surely take the fun out of owning a pure EV for sure, and will probably deter me. As with most things in my life, I'll make my own way and not count on others for fairness regarding anything I can't control.

 

Presumably, the PiP driver parked on the charge cord unintentionally. I think the Volt driver was wrong to unplug the PiP while it was still charging. I can't imagine a good reason for doing that in order to plug in another car with a range extender.

I have unplugged other cars in order to plug in my Volt but only at locations with free parking and charging, after waiting 30 minutes beyond the end of charging, and when they had overstayed their garage parking privilege (for example, a general 3 hour parking limit). I didn't feel obligated to let them hog a free parking and charging space all day long.

 

Frankly speaking, it was just a matter of time from happening. We see EV ownership growing at a faster pace than the chargers. I would put few extra chargers in the parking lot if I was an:

A. Restaurant owners
B. Shop owner
C. Mall parking lots
D. Grocery shopping store
E. Office building owner
F. Gas station (looks like a no brainer, but why most gas stations don't have chargers yet?)

 

It makes no difference because wireless is embedded on the ground. it is still a charging spot.
The Rage will be even worse as it has nothing to unplug and may resort to vandalism.

 

Wireless charging would be excellent solution.

 

Unfortunately, CA is spending money on expanding L2 and completely ignoring L1. The linked article below shows that even at L1, a Leaf could get by just fine with a 120 mile commute.
Plugs and Cars: Why One LEAF-Driving Cop Can't Drive Straight Home After Work Anymore



iPhone ?

 

Not sure about California, I have heard that many of these l2 chargers have a second 110V plug.

 

Entitlement - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary
THIS IS THE PROBLEM.

The fact I see is that different segments within this group can not and will not agree on the rules based solely on the naive belief that courtesy of human nature will solve these problems. Definitive laws, or rules when it applies, must be placed with known standard priorities, fees and consequences before this will work and before "public" charging will work for all as the market share of said vehicles increases. There must be consistency, just like all things proper in society.