150kWh vs 350kWh charging rates, charger status on PlugShare

[TheIglu]

New to EV's, so apologies if this is common knowledge.

Getting my R1T later this week, and have a trip 1 week later where I'll be towing and will need to charge on the trip in upstate NY (first charge near Albany).

ABRP gives me a few options for charging, mostly all EA chargers.

There is a selection of 150kWh and 350kWh chargers, but a mixed bag on PlugShare on ones that are actually functional or not.

I've watched countless videos of people charging. It seems to me that most people max out around 150kWh. Shouldn't this be doable on a 150kWh charger? Has anyone actually seen faster charge speeds than that on a 350kWh charger?

Should I bother seeking out a 350kWh charger vs slower chargers while on the road?


Also, how accurate is ABRP/PlugShare for status of chargers? I'm worried that I'll get there with low SoC and find all the chargers aren't working. See lack of info on the actual station I'm planning on using here: https://www.plugshare.com/location/321620

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[DaveA]

For the R1T, it only stays above 200 kw for a few minutes before tapering off, and that’s if you are at 30-40% state of charge. Use 350 kw if available, but 150 kw only cost you a few minutes in my opinion and work fine.

 

[Riviot]

I've ridden 212kW from 35-50% using 350kW charger...

 

[jjswan33]

Same as others. I used a 350kW station in Hood River yesterday and got up to 209kW. It’s a mixed bag but a 150kW charger is more than sufficient to get you going If 350kW is not available. In fact when I was in Cali I skipped some EVGO 350kW chargers in favor of 150kW EA chargers because they were cheaper.

Edit: For some additional info, here is my charging curve from that station yesterday. It spiked at 209kW but then dropped down to 180-190kW for the most of the 15 min charge session.

 

[Riviot]

For the R1T, it only stays above 200 kw for a few minutes before tapering off, and that’s if you are at 30-40% state of charge. Use 350 kw if available, but 150 kw only cost you a few minutes in my opinion and work fine.

So I've never done the math before, but 212kW vs 150kW from 10%-50% saves you 6 minutes. So yes it's faster, but 150kW is plenty fast, especially if it tapers at 50-60% and doesn't mean much difference after that.

 

[Denver_Paulie]

I have had charging sessions where I hit 170kW on an Electrify America 150kW cabinet, so don't be afraid to not use a 150kW charger over a 350kW unit. A few minutes of extra charging will not kill you.

Disclaimer: This maybe because my car has an 800v charging architecture. I have yet to see anyone post on this forum details of exceeding the listed charing speed on a 150kW Electrify America cabinet with their Rivian, so curious to see if it doable.

 

[jjswan33]

I have had charging sessions where I hit 170kW on an Electrify America 150kW cabinet, so don't be afraid to not use a 150kW charger over a 350kW unit. A few minutes of extra charging will not kill you.

Disclaimer: This maybe because my car has an 800v charging architecture. I have yet to see anyone post on this forum details of exceeding the listed charing speed on a 150kW Electrify America cabinet with their Rivian, so curious to see if it doable.

Ive seen up to 165kW on a 150kW EA station with my R1T.

 

[ajdelange]

People get all excited about charging curves. Most cars (and there are exceptions) seem to charge at an overall average rate of 1C if you stay out of the high SoC region. Thus expect to spend half an hour adding 50% charge. Of course you can't expect that from a 50 kW charger.

 

[Gshenderson]

If you’re in a state where EA has to charge by the minute vs. kW, using the 350kW charger can also save you money in addition to time. For that portion of the charge curve where you’re at or above 200kW, it’s 25% cheaper for the same amount of juice vs 150kW charger. .

 

[Riviot]

If you’re in a state where EA has to charge by the minute vs. kW, using the 350kW charger can also save you money in addition to time. For that portion of the charge curve where you’re at or above 200kW, it’s 25% cheaper for the same amount of juice vs 150kW charger. .

While I agree $/kWh is more fair than $/minute, the $.03/kWh I got in Montana doing 212kW was . $31/kW seems a bit steep, but a lot better than the $5/gallon I'm seeing around here.

 

[Dark-Fx]

If it adds more than 10 minutes of driving to get to a 350 vs a 150 station, don't bother. If the 150kW station is significantly cheaper (read: free) and cost matters to you, then go with the 150kW every time.

 

[bigbop41]

Same as others. I used a 350kW station in Hood River yesterday and got up to 209kW. It’s a mixed bag but a 150kW charger is more than sufficient to get you going If 350kW is not available. In fact when I was in Cali I skipped some EVGO 350kW chargers in favor of 150kW EA chargers because they were cheaper.

Edit: For some additional info, here is my charging curve from that station yesterday. It spiked at 209kW but then dropped down to 180-190kW for the most of the 15 min charge session.

The Hood River fast chargers are working? Have to use them next week, but Plugshare shows them offline and under repair

 

[jjswan33]

The Hood River fast chargers are working? Have to use them next week, but Plugshare shows them offline and under repair

As far as I could tell yesterday 3 of 4 were online. Check the EA app for real time data, looks like 2 of them are in use as I type this.

 

[Gshenderson]

While I agree $/kWh is more fair than $/minute, the $.03/kWh I got in Montana doing 212kW was . $31/kW seems a bit steep, but a lot better than the $5/gallon I'm seeing around here.

In many states it’s illegal to resell electricity. So charging by the minute is the only option they have. I’m sure EA would prefer to sell per kWh transferred everywhere since that more closely matches their costs. But they can’t.

 

[AllInev]

While I agree $/kWh is more fair than $/minute, the $.03/kWh I got in Montana doing 212kW was . $31/kW seems a bit steep, but a lot better than the $5/gallon I'm seeing around here.

I’m paying over $6.60/gallon here in SF Bay Area. —home to Chevron and many, many oil refineries.

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