alozzy wrote:Tesla still isn't profitable and has been able to build out its charging infrastructure because they have raised about $5B since their IPO. Pretty hard for any business to compete on that basis. More power to Tesla for the crazy stupid money they are capable of raising, but IMHO their hugely negative cash flow is unsustainable. There's no way Chargepoint is going to be able to match Tesla's charging network, not even close.
specialgreen wrote:I have a Chargepoint card and use it for DCFC. What I find most lacking are regular, predictable charging points along major highways/freeways. Rather than enumerate specific roads, I’d suggest that ChargePoint approach the major truck stop chains:
- Pilot/Flying J
- TA / Petro
- Love’s/Country
You could drive across most of the US, and find one of these every 70 miles for most of your journey. There are over 750 Flying J stores alone. None of these truck stops are built “on the cheap”, and the owners are not afraid of investment. All are likely to have 480v 3ph power. All of them attempt to gain significant revenue from travellers lingering, eating in the restaurant and browsing in the store. A DCFC which keeps travelers in the store for a half hour per truck stop would be in keeping with their business model.
DCFCs placed at these locations could issue some kind of coupon, which is redeemable inside the store. This would help drive foot traffic, and would validate the business model to the truck stop chain. It would be practical to deploy first along highest-auto-volume freeways, near those metro areas with highest market penetration of electric vehicles; and then expand as the business model proves itself.
ChargePoint appears to be asking for recommendations of new locations, one at a time. I’d suggest that ChargePoint look instead for an expansion process which can begin with trial deployments, then gain financial validation, and finally run itself, for years of continuous growth.
specialgreen wrote:Rather than enumerate specific roads, I’d suggest that ChargePoint approach the major truck stop chains:
- Pilot/Flying J
- TA / Petro
- Love’s/Country
You could drive across most of the US, and find one of these every 70 miles for most of your journey. There are over 750 Flying J stores alone. None of these truck stops are built “on the cheap”, and the owners are not afraid of investment. All are likely to have 480v 3ph power. All of them attempt to gain significant revenue from travellers lingering, eating in the restaurant and browsing in the store. A DCFC which keeps travelers in the store for a half hour per truck stop would be in keeping with their business model.
TeamChargePoint wrote:We've received a few private requests to share discounts as they happen, so we're happy to share a new discount that's currently available, just in time for the holiday season.
Treat yourself to faster home charging with 15% off ChargePoint Home, until December 22nd: http://bit.ly/ChargePointHomeSale
Happy Thanksgiving everyone, and thank you for welcoming us here in the My Nissan Leaf community!
Evoforce wrote:Should many (and almost all) of the ChargePoint posts be moved to the seller area?
powersurge wrote:Evoforce wrote:Should many (and almost all) of the ChargePoint posts be moved to the seller area?
NO... At this point chargepoint is free most of the time, and is at a very nominal cost... I see them as a service rather than a business at this point.
Also, the previous posts about installing charging stations on highways at $5-10 per charge is ridiculous... I'll be damned if I pay that much for $1-2 of electricity.. That is like running my car on champagne... I would have nothing to do with it...