GM to install chargers in rural US

[NMflyfish]

https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/07/business/gm-chargers

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[mkg3]

Yes but its at Level 2 AC, and not DC fast charging unfortunately.
https://insideevs.com/news/625356/general-motors-flo-dealers-community/

 

[atebit]

More charging infrastructure (even L2) is better than none. Some of these areas may not have enough grid capacity (at least today) to make it possible or worthwhile to install L3.

I’d much rather see governments (foreign and domestic) making “infrastructure” edicts to be in place by a certain year vs first mandating EVs-only by a certain year. Right now IMHO they’re putting the cart before the horse. Pun intended? Not sure if.

 

[Inkedsphynx]

More EV charging options, PARTICULARLY in rural/underserved areas is only a boon for us all. Not only does it make it easier for those of us who have already converted to road trip around the country, it increases exposure to the biggest bastion of electrification holdouts in the country. As is true for all fear responses, exposure will help dampen and eventually destroy whatever fears keep so many from embracing our electrified future (that's coming whether they get on board or not).

 

[atebit]

Agreed, but I think the “reasonable” component of those fears largely stems from lack of infrastructure in place. “Rural areas” are certainly a big part of it, but people that park in the street/live in high-rises or other places where a three-car garage isn’t the norm are right there, too.
Today, nearly no one has a fuel pump in their yard (maybe if they’re a large contractor). Having your own EVSE(s) shouldn’t be a requirement, albeit even if it’s more convenient for those that can.

 

[mkg3]

More EV charging options, PARTICULARLY in rural/underserved areas is only a boon for us all. Not only does it make it easier for those of us who have already converted to road trip around the country, it increases exposure to the biggest bastion of electrification holdouts in the country. As is true for all fear responses, exposure will help dampen and eventually destroy whatever fears keep so many from embracing our electrified future (that's coming whether they get on board or not).

L2 charging speed is not viable for "road trip around the country."

The charge rate is so slow that it can only be used as an gap to get to the L3 charger or overnight.

Once, I almost ran out of charge and the only option was the L2 AC charger, where I added few miles while taking an hour, so that I can get to a L3 DC fast charger on a road trip.

It sounds great but in practice, not all that useful. In the right direction I suppose, but not great.

 

[Inkedsphynx]

L2 charging speed is not viable for "road trip around the country."

The charge rate is so slow that it can only be used as an gap to get to the L3 charger or overnight.

Once, I almost ran out of charge and the only option was the L2 AC charger, where I added few miles while taking an hour, so that I can get to a L3 DC fast charger on a road trip.

It sounds great but in practice, not all that useful. In the right direction I suppose, but not great.

I suppose that depends on what you define as road tripping across the country. If you want to get somewhere as fast as possible, probably not. But if you are only driving a few hours between small towns and staying the night, it would work perfectly fine.

It's not perfect, no, but it's significantly better than no or only L1 charging being available.

Even if this were entirely useless for road trippers it would still be a big benefit and a step in the right direction.

 

[Inkedsphynx]

Agreed, but I think the “reasonable” component of those fears largely stems from lack of infrastructure in place. “Rural areas” are certainly a big part of it, but people that park in the street/live in high-rises or other places where a three-car garage isn’t the norm are right there, too.
Today, nearly no one has a fuel pump in their yard (maybe if they’re a large contractor). Having your own EVSE(s) shouldn’t be a requirement, albeit even if it’s more convenient for those that can.

Obviously not all or enough, but many modern high rises have L2 chargers built into the garages. The one I just moved out of had 4 of them, and allowed you to plug into wall outlets in every space for L1 charging. That was a 3 year old building tho, so relatively new. Also my being in Seattle was a huge factor there.

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