Yes, Walter, FPL is doing pretty good in Florida. I live here, and as I say-pretty good.

ChargePoint is the most widespread DCFC network in western Colorado. Prices vary widely from $0.30/kWh to $0.50/kWh. A good number have been upgraded to the Express+ 200 kW units.

@plugandplayEV

26 күн бұрын

Great to hear and sounds like you're on the lower end of the price spectrum, especially compared to the Northeast. Thanks for the Rocky Mountain perspective ⚡

@ArtiePenguin1

14 күн бұрын

Wish we saw that expanded network in neighboring New Mexico. Still not a single Express+ unit and many standalone CPE-250 units that are limited to 62 kW (or even worse, software locked to 50 kW).

The biggest question for GM with the new Bolt is will they repeat the disastrous rollouts of the Lyriq and Blazer EV, or will they have sufficiently tested the software so it will seamlessly run all the new technology? A few gremlins will be acceptable for a first model year car, but if the cars qualify as Lemon Law candidates from spend weeks in the shop, it will cripple sales of all EVs.

@plugandplayEV

28 күн бұрын

I think any impact would be limited to GM's reputation but I do see Blazer EV sales supporting the idea that they'll get over that particular hump. The Equinox EV should show us whether or not they've learned enough to prevent a third Ultium model from experiencing production and/or software limitations. Personally, I think they'll knock this one out of the park if they can make enough to keep up.

@newscoulomb3705

28 күн бұрын

I don't really see that being a problem for the Bolt EV. By the time the next generation Bolt EV is ready for production, GM will already have several hundred thousand Ultium EVs under their belt, so any issues (software or otherwise) should be minimal.

I suspect there will be a time when the charging price will be near cost like gas pricing is now. I see this as one of the things Pilot Flying J is planning on long term. The real money is made in the store.

@plugandplayEV

26 күн бұрын

Exactly. In most cases the fuel is worth pennies to them. EV owners typically stay longer and spend more, according to studies last year, so it seems like keeping the cost per kWh low (or at least in line with competitors) would make sense so as not to lose that business.

@ArtiePenguin1

14 күн бұрын

@@plugandplayEV I hope so too and I think some of the price spikes for DC fast charging can be blamed on utilities charging excessive peak demand fees. The early Tesla Supercharger buildout was able to mitigate this by working at scale with utilities and likely asking for waivers/reductions on demand fees. Now as the DCFC market opens to more players it is no longer experimental in the eyes of utilities; many are charging normal demand charges they usually only levy on industrial customers.

I think we need more ~50-60kw chargers located in shopping centres and near restaurants, and they allow discount charging for shopping or having a meal.

@plugandplayEV

28 күн бұрын

That would match the dwell time very well. And the economic return would be clearer if they tie charging activity (discounts) to diners, shoppers etc. Whenever we have a sit down meal on a 150 kW in the Ioniq 5, I'm inevitably getting up during the meal to move the car.

@ArtiePenguin1

14 күн бұрын

@@plugandplayEV The only bad thing is the high capital expenditure will likely result in the typical marked up DCFC prices of 50 cents/kWh. EV drivers without home/work charging will likely rely on these chargers. However, this is where battery buffered stations could come in and help boost a 10-20 kW grid connection to 50-80 kW of power output.

Seabrook, NH, will be another Tesla V4 dispenser. NH otherwise has 4 NEVI sites planned.

@plugandplayEV

27 күн бұрын

Very excited to see them installed, especially the location planned for the White Mountain Visitor Center.

Well, as a lifetime Ford/Nissan customer, I took the plunge and test drove a 2024 Chevy Equinox 2LT AWD a few days ago to reward Chevy for their great range of Ultium vehicles now available and their good Q2 EV results. There was a bit of culture shock in terms of the controls, but the ride was smooth, quick, and sure-footed. They couldn't give a price or value my trades, as everything was in flux getting ready for holiday sales event. They are giving $3,000 off leases if you are Bolt owner. I need to learn more!

@plugandplayEV

28 күн бұрын

How did it feel in EV terms (regen, cabin noise, info displayed etc)? If they can balance the good EV aspect with "feels like a normal car", it would seem we're onto a winner.

@mikecarter2737

28 күн бұрын

@plugandplayEV Enjoyed the adjustable regen. Salesperson did not know difference between adaptive cruise controls and SuperCruise; road was rural curves so no SuperCruise though car had it. AC seemed weak but it was 109° and maybe not set properly. The advertised program lease prices are too good to be true ($128 not real).

@ArtiePenguin1

14 күн бұрын

It's too bad that both Ford and Nissan have stalled with their EV offerings. Both only have 2 EV models available (Lightning and Mach-e for Ford; Ariya and the venerable Leaf for Nissan) and neither company has a clear or ambitious plan to expand their lineup in the next few years. It seems like they've been sitting on the sidelines.