[ausev] Some additional thoughts regarding opportunity charging

[KensCircus at aol.com]

Regarding shopping center charging...

Before specific charging installations are implemented, we should all 
understand that only one vehicle can charge at a time.  If there are several outlets 
available at one store, assume they are all on one breaker.  It should not be 
hard to determine if an outlet is already in use.  The cord should be an easy 
clue.  It is just a matter of “look before you plug”.  The primary benefit to 
using existing 120VAC outlets is to help create a positive familiarity with EV
’s to the general business population.  Sort of getting their feet wet, 
comfortably, before they are confronted with installation requests.

When we do proceed to promote charging “station” installations.  I would 
recommend one outlet per breaker, even if that means only one charging outlet per 
shopping center.  That means no duplex outlets even for 120 VAC.  That 
eliminates the concern of an uncontrolled number of vehicles charging on one 
circuit.  A tripped breaker will create a negative concern for the business 
management.  

I don’t expect the EV population to be large enough that mass charging will 
be an issue for quite some time.  When EV charging becomes popular enough that 
more outlets are needed, the businesses will be eager to install them because 
the ordeal of installing the first one was not very painful and demonstrated a 
positive result.  A business would be disappointed if they install an 
elaborate multiple EV charging section, then only see one EV per week use the 
facility.

Regarding payment, I think a coin-operated outlet would be easy to implement, 
manage and use.  Much like the coin operated control of a car wash.  The “box”
 could have a number of outlet formats.  Just turn the knob to select the 
desired outlet, plug in, and inset the number of coins for the amount of time you 
expect to charge.  Only the outlet you select would be active.

Again, even an installation such as this would be a hard sell to any 
business, unless they are already accustomed to EV charging and can see the benefit 
from direct experience.  Once they have gained some painless experience of EV 
charging, we will then be “preaching to the choir”.  That is why I advocate a 
progression of small steps.  

Ken




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