First time charging question

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BuffaloBillsfan

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 16, 2018
Messages
67
Location
Buffalo, NY
Picking up my leaf tomorrow. When I go to charge for the first time, do I need an account set up with someone to activate the charger? I'm in the Buffalo, NY area if that helps.
 
You don't need anything for a non-networked charger.

I haven't personally used a paid or free networked charger so I have zero first hand knowledge but my understanding is yes you need to authorize the charger to turn on if it is networked.
 
BuffaloBillsfan said:
Picking up my leaf tomorrow. When I go to charge for the first time, do I need an account set up with someone to activate the charger? I'm in the Buffalo, NY area if that helps.

Err... Depends on the charger (if fast charger or DCQC) or charging station (aka L2). Note that fast charging uses an external charger, and normal charging uses the charger in the car, so is more correctly a charging station.


Some chargers, such as some EVGO locations, take credit cards.

https://www.plugshare.com/location/99689

Some charging stations are non-networked, and you just plug in. On the house.

https://www.plugshare.com/location/58256

Sometimes you might need to ask or pay, even with a non-networked location. If in doubt, ask.

https://www.plugshare.com/location/11838

A very few stations are free, but you need a network card to activate. I used to have an example of this, but the charging station was replaced this summer. I think that the ChargePoint stations here are that way, but have not tried in years:

https://www.plugshare.com/location/2694

Many stations and chargers are on networks, and you often but not always can call a number and turn on the charger or station by giving them a credit card. Best to have an account, as you get a cheaper rate, and the network card or a cell phone app for the network. The DCQC or fast charger at this location is that way, but the L2 stations are non-networked and free.

https://www.plugshare.com/location/53959
 
Oh, and for charging at home you just need an outlet. 120V 15 Amps (LEAF will draw 12 Amps) will get you 3-4 miles per hour. 240V 50 Amps (LEAF draws about 27.5 Amps) will get you 18 to 20 miles per hour.

Also applies at campgrounds and other places with outlets.
 
OP: where were you planning to charge in general ?

--
As an aside, some Nissan dealerships have charging facilities. I doubt Buffalo but who knows
 
They have level 2 chargers pretty much everywhere in the western NY area, and they just opened a welcome center in Grand Island, NY. I live about 1/10th mile away from it and it has 3 DC/ level 2 chargers and it's non-networked. I plan on charging there mostly. Before jumping in the EV world I would be in my car in the parking lot at work killing time eating and watching tv shows in my car for about an hour or more before I have to go in, so what's the difference if I'm sitting at a charger or at work? There is a garage I have that's rolled into my rent and has a 120 plug, but I don't see myself using it when I have a level 2 and DC charger right next to the complex. I do plan on parking the leaf in the garage as much as possible though. According to the evgo map, there are no evgo compatible chargers anywhere near me.
 
BuffaloBillsfan said:
They have level 2 chargers pretty much everywhere in the western NY area, and they just opened a welcome center in Grand Island, NY. I live about 1/10th mile away from it and it has 3 DC/ level 2 chargers and it's non-networked. I plan on charging there mostly.

Are these free? If so, be prepared for them to be very popular.
 
Yes the quick charger is free all the way around. No card needed, just plug it in. There are 2 dark greyed out bars at the top of the charge time battery screen. Does that mean I lost range already??!!
 
BuffaloBillsfan said:
There are 2 dark greyed out bars at the top of the charge time battery screen. Does that mean I lost range already??!!
You discharged a bit. That screen (Charge Time Est.) tells you the amount of charge left (blue bars) on your battery, and estimated time it takes to charge to specific levels (100%, 75, 50, etc) based on the shown charge rate (see boxed kW value on the right of the screen).
 
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