US Gains 11,300 Ultra-Fast Chargers in Bet to Lure More EV Drivers(www.bloomberg.com)
1 pointby toomuchtodo5 hours ago2 comments
  • 1970-01-015 hours ago
    The problem with these is they aren't all 800V. It's good but not great news for adoption. People will accidentally use the wrong (800V) charger when they can only take 400V. All things considered, that's a minor problem.
    • al_borland5 hours ago
      Wouldn't the problem be if the car can take 800V and they go to a 400V charger? This would make charging take longer and be a bad experience. Assuming the car is smart enough to not set itself on fire from trying to charge faster than it's capable, using a faster charger shouldn't be an issue at all.

      I'd rather have all chargers be faster than the cars, so we don't need to upgrade the infrastructure as often and people who have cars capable of fast charging don't have to hunt for a charger that supports it.

      • 1970-01-015 hours ago
        That's what I tried to say. The chance for a 400V EV taking an 800V by mistake is getting out of control. As more EVs are built this ratio of 400V EVs to 800V stations will only grow. More 800V today is needed. We should not maintain the same ratio of 400V to 800V stations.
        • mekdoonggi5 hours ago
          Even if a 400v car takes a 800v charger is that a problem at all? The charger just adjusts the output.
          • 1970-01-014 hours ago
            Its not a safety issue, it is an inconvenience issue. You are severely increasing the amount of time it takes to recharge while someone else receives no benefit whatsoever.
            • al_borland4 hours ago
              Is the issue you're seeing that a 400V car is taking up the space that an 800V car could use, so the 800V car has to wait longer for the 400V car to finish?

              If all chargers are 800V+ that would become a moot point to a degree.

              We also need to keep in mind that most people will ideally be charging at home. So these public chargers would be for people taking a trip or for people with parking situations that can't accommodate home charging.

              • 1970-01-014 hours ago
                Yes, that is a summary of my entire point; We completely agree here.
    • mekdoonggi5 hours ago
      How is this not great news for adoption?
      • 1970-01-015 hours ago
        The problem with these is they aren't all 800V. People will accidentally use the wrong (800V) charger when they can only take 400V. All things considered, that's a minor problem.
        • toomuchtodo5 hours ago
          Considering the slow adoption rate of EVs in the US, I don’t think it’s a problem. It’ll all be replaced in five years with state of the art from China.