charging network question (will sound like newbie)

[abirozy]

Good afternoon all

In Socal with an R1T. I previously had / still have a Tesla model S. When i got my Tesla in 2017, I had free supercharging for life, had level 2 chargers where I park at work, and due to how my house is laid out did not install a lvl 2 charger at home. They would have to redo my electrical panel and trench due to where my panel is (price quotes at around 6k), and since I can plug in at work for 8-10 hours every day, there was no need.

However, I have been told that our parking is moving and I will no longer have my free charging, nor will any charging be available at the new parking spot, so I am likely going to have to start using DCFS on a regular basis or bite the bullet and install lvl 2 charging at home. I am unfamiliar with any of the charging networks other than Tesla.

1). Do any of the networks offer an "annual or monthly" plan where you can charge unlimited? I drive about 85+ miles a day roundtrip.

2). If not, do any of the networks offer discounts for using app or enrolling?

Thanks

Adam

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[jjswan33]

EA offers a discount for $4/month which changes your rate from .43/kWh to .31/kWh in states that charge by the kWh.

My advice is install a charger at home, rates will be much lower.

 

[Marchin_MTB]

Can’t speak much to charging accounts except that you get a pretty good discount per kWh with an EA account. However, from the point of view of significant convenience for you, the longevity of your battery, and of supporting the EV community by decongesting the DC chargers, springing for the home L2 is definitely the way to go. Most states offer incentives to install L2 and these can be normally applied to the cost of the prep work (trenching) as well as the hardware itself.

 

[COdogman]

I don’t have a charger at home other than a regular 120v outlet or at work. I plan to just hit my local EA station twice a month and also enroll in their discount plan. That’s only because I am currently a renter.

If you plan to stay in the same house long term it’s probably worth getting the new panel and a charger Installed. Think of it as future proofing your home.

 

[Cosmacelf]

You are going to hate charging all the time at DC fast chargers. I highly recommend installing something at your home. Can you give us more details on your home situation. $6K sounds like way too much. Do you just have the one panel, no subpanels? No dryer outlet near the garage?

 

[Riviot]

Bite the bullet, upgrade your electrical setup. You get tax credit for it.

Run it by your tax specialist, but I certainly think this qualifies as a "necessary upgrade to install EV charger." If so, your entire install/upgrade qualifies towards the lesser of 30%/$1000. I thought only the EV charger would qualify for me, but it turns out I wouldn't have been able to install the charger on my old panel, ergo full panel replacement is deductible.

 

[Craigins]

How long is your daily commute? I can usually get 30-40 miles a day charging on the 120v. All depends if the truck has bugged out and is consuming all the power for "accessories".

My commute round trip is 8 miles so the 20 mi i get charging cover that. I just have to double check to ensure it is charging properly.

 

[MIG]

Even at the discounted EA rate of 31 cents/kWh it's still three times my utility's rate. Adds up over time (for the 135kWh battery it's $28/full charge - which I know doesn't happen, just using it for comparison purposes). I paid $700 to pull a 50-amp line and $450 for the charger, so if I used the full battery capacity weekly I break even in a little over 40 weeks (L2 at home vs L3 at EA).

 

[hayduke]

Run it by your tax specialist, but I certainly think this qualifies as a "necessary upgrade to install EV charger." If so, your entire install/upgrade qualifies towards the lesser of 30%/$1000.

you might want to check but i think that credit expired 12/31 except for low income / rural.

there are some new tax incentives in the IRA for replacement of electrical panel ($600) and you may have other state or local credits.

ask yourself how much your time is worth. $6k seems like a fine price to pay to never have to go drive to and from and wait at a dcfc ever again.

price of electricity and charging is probably the wrong variable to optimize around.

 

[norivian]

Good afternoon all

In Socal with an R1T. I previously had / still have a Tesla model S. When i got my Tesla in 2017, I had free supercharging for life, had level 2 chargers where I park at work, and due to how my house is laid out did not install a lvl 2 charger at home. They would have to redo my electrical panel and trench due to where my panel is (price quotes at around 6k), and since I can plug in at work for 8-10 hours every day, there was no need.

However, I have been told that our parking is moving and I will no longer have my free charging, nor will any charging be available at the new parking spot, so I am likely going to have to start using DCFS on a regular basis or bite the bullet and install lvl 2 charging at home. I am unfamiliar with any of the charging networks other than Tesla.

1). Do any of the networks offer an "annual or monthly" plan where you can charge unlimited? I drive about 85+ miles a day roundtrip.

2). If not, do any of the networks offer discounts for using app or enrolling?

Thanks

Adam

If you own that house, just spend that 6k. Get more quotes; possibly cheaper now. It will pay for itself quickly.

 

[virgnia_rivian]

Also, keep in mind DCFC is harder on the battery pack than Level2 charging.

It will be an investment, but upgrading your home electrical and installing a home charger will be a better long term investment. Depending on the charger you select, on a 60amp breaker, you should get about 11kWh charging on the R1.

Regarding your home power, when you say re-do your home panel do you need a heavy up? Or do you have enough power, just not enough space in your panel. Consult an electrician, but a sub panel may be an option. If you need a heavy up, you don’t have enough electricity, which could explain the $6k price.

 

[Whyz]

See what the quote is if you dig the trench yourself. Usually electricians hate having to do that type of stuff. Digging it yourself could save a few thousand.

 

[PowerBugs]

I don’t have a charger at home other than a regular 120v outlet or at work. I plan to just hit my local EA station twice a month and also enroll in their discount plan. That’s only because I am currently a renter.

If you plan to stay in the same house long term it’s probably worth getting the new panel and a charger Installed. Think of it as future proofing your home.

Same here. I used to have Evgo membership to get lower rates but despite being a member, the lowest rate they offer is only available at 12 midnight to 8am.
What kills it is that all their chargers Timed-out after 1 hour so if you are really low and want to charge over 85%, you will be frustrated. You have to unplug and plug it back again and start a new session.
so now I only use EA and it has been good to me so far.

 

[COdogman]

Same here. I used to have Evgo membership to get lower rates but despite being a member, the lowest rate they offer is only available at 12 midnight to 8am.
What kills it is that all their chargers Timed-out after 1 hour so if you are really low and want to charge over 85%, you will be frustrated. You have to unplug and plug it back again and start a new session.
so now I only use EA and it has been good to me so far.

That would be annoying! EVgo doesn’t have much of a presence around here. I know they have some chargers in Denver but not much outside of that. Hopefully Rivian keeps building out their RAN and waypoint networks. I would still choose those even when they eventually cost $.

 

[abirozy]

You are going to hate charging all the time at DC fast chargers. I highly recommend installing something at your home. Can you give us more details on your home situation. $6K sounds like way too much. Do you just have the one panel, no subpanels? No dryer outlet near the garage?

it is two story with the second story above the garage. There is no attic space above the living room and the panel is on the far side of living room.

I had not thought of the dryer plug. I do have one. I would need to test if live. How much charge do you get out of that?

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