http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1100804_electric-car-drivers-will-pay-for-dc-fast-charging-12-to-1-over-level-2 Electric-Car Drivers Will Pay For DC Fast-Charging 12-To-1 Over Level 2 Nov 9, 2015 Stephen Edelstein
[images http://images.thecarconnection.com/lrg/nrg-evgo-freedom-station-at-whole-foods-market-fremont-california_100532828_l.jpg NRG eVgo Freedom Station at Whole Foods Market, Fremont, California http://images.thecarconnection.com/lrg/nrg-evgo-electric-car-charging-station_100499146_l.jpg NRG eVgo electric-car charging station http://images.thecarconnection.com/lrg/nissan-leaf-at-evgo-freedom-station-daly-city-california_100439325_l.jpg Nissan Leaf at eVgo Freedom Station Daly City, California ] A growing fleet of electric cars will need a comprehensive network of public charging stations, but those who build and maintain those stations have some choices to make. They have to provide charging infrastructure that will be useful to the public, but is also financially sustainable. Level 2 AC charging stations are relatively inexpensive and straightforward to install, but require cars to stay put for a fairly long time, usually at least a few hours. DC fast-charging stations allow much quicker charges, but are more expensive and place greater demands on electricity infrastructure. Now a survey of driver habits in one region with high electric-car adoption shows that DC fast-charging may be the better way to attract patronage. Network operator NRG eVgo recently surveyed a handful of its stations in the San Francisco Bay Area, and found that drivers vastly preferred DC fast charging. It analyzed 10 of its Freedom Station sites--which offer both Level 2 AC and DC fast charging--sited at Whole Foods stores in the region. When comparing the number of DC fast-charging sessions to Level 2 sessions, it found drivers preferred fast charging 12 to 1. In September 2015, there were 6,900 DC fast-charging sessions at those stations, NRG eVgo said. For drivers, the speed of DC fast charging is obviously a plus. Stations can charge most electric-car battery packs to 80-percent capacity in around 30 minutes, compared to hours for Level 2 AC charging. That means they can fit a fast-charging session in while running a quick errand, while Level 2 charging requires a greater time commitment. But the extra time required for Level 2 charging means drivers linger longer at the businesses hosting stations, arguably letting them spend more money there. That's often the only way they can make money off of electric-car charging, as many sites--both Level 2 and DC fast-charging--are currently free for customers to use. Over time, advocates suggest, some businesses may simply decide that Level 2 charging is an amenity they can afford to provide for free. That means Level 2 charging may become like WiFi service in hotels: free in some, where it becomes an expected amenity, but with a fee at others where the market supports it. Over time, though, a sustainable business model will have to be developed for public DC fast charging. Businesses will have to weigh the extra initial costs and operating expenses of providing DC fast charging against their potential to draw in new customers. Expect more studies. [© 2015 Green Car Reports] http://gas2.org/2015/11/10/ev-drivers-prefer-dc-fast-charger-12-to-1/ EV Drivers Prefer DC Fast Charger 12 to 1 Over L2 November 10th, 2015 Steve Hanley [image / eVgo http://gas2.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/EVgo-charging-station.jpg eVgo DC fast charger station ] A new study by NRG’s EVgo division finds that EV drivers who use a public charger while away from home prefer a DC fast charger 12 to 1 over a Level 2 charger. According to Electric Car Reports, EVgo came to that conclusion after monitoring usage at its charging stations in the San Francisco area. Most of its public charging stations offer a choice of either a Level 2 or a DC fast charger. The fast charger won out more than 90% of of the time. The findings are important. Going forward, governments and business need to find the right combination of speed and cost to construct the public recharging facilities of the future. But first, let’s explore the different kinds of charging equipment available today and how people use them. Let’s begin by saying that all EV batteries use direct current. That means there must be a device known as an inverter either in the charger or in the car itself to convert AC to DC power. Every time a conversion takes place, about 3% of the available electricity is lost to heat and other factors. The majority of EV owners charge their cars overnight at home. If they drive relatively short distances during the day, they may be able to use a Level 1 charger to replenish their battery. A Level 1 charger is equivalent to plugging an extension cord into a standard wall outlet. It uses 110 volt alternating current to get the job done, albeit slowly. Recharging a fully depleted battery can take 20 hours or more. Level 1 chargers are inexpensive and easy to install. Level 2 chargers also use alternating current but supplied as 240 volts. That’s the same as most heavy duty household appliances such as dryers and electric water heaters use. Level 2 chargers cost more to buy and more to install, but they can recharge a depleted battery in 4 to 6 hours. That makes them ideal for workplaces, where employees expect to be inside working while there cars are being recharged. DC fast chargers operate on 480 volts of direct current. They cost 4 to 5 times as much to buy and install. If there area many of them in one area, the local utility may have to upgrade its power lines to handle the load. But they can restore a depleted battery to an 80% charge in about 30 minutes, making them ideal for locations where shoppers expect to be away from their cars for only a short time. The EVgo study shows that people are willing to pay for convenience. It makes no sense to install Level 2 chargers someplace where drivers will only be parked for a short time. It also make no sense to install DC fast chargers near places where drivers will be away from their cars for 6 hours or more. Companies who want to make money installing public charging systems will need to choose the right equipment for each location in order to be profitable. 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