Update on CEC DCFC Stations in Tehachapi, Mojave, and Inyokern, Calfornia

[danrjones]

Checked out the Brady's location and added photos to plugshare. Definitely under construction. Looks like one DC fast charger but some extra pipes so maybe a lvl 2 as well.
Not really an ideal level 2 location but as emergency backup if the DC charger is down, I guess its nice to have.

Someone also added a plugshare pin in Boron for 2 DC units under construction. Nice to see the map expanding.

What is the current cost for a 50 kW charger and install?

[danrjones]

Quick Update:

Nothing much to report. I checked Brady's again a couple days ago and it seems to be the same as my last update on plugshare. Appears to be waiting for the transformer. I haven't been through Mojave for awhile but might be in the next couple weeks and will check. I'm actually a bit surprised no one has updated the mojave plugshare given how many travel through there. Somebody must have checked it since Paul?

My guess is not too many people will try the new DC fast charger at the mojave spaceport once the four Chargepoint chargers come online at Mojave Denny's. Maybe only when you are visiting the spaceport. Mojave is going to be well covered with 3 brands of Lvl 3 plus Lvl 2s.

DESIRED:

I'd like now to see someone put in a Lvl 3 in Ridgecrest and then somewhere in Kernville.
Then Lone Pine and Big Pine and a second set in Bishop and several sets in Mammoth. I like backups in key locations.

For Ridgecrest, I think there a couple good locations but I have no idea how to encourage them.
1) We have two museums now next to each other where a 50 kW charger would make sense. Check out the museums, get info on Death Valley or China Lake, Bathrooms.
2) Put it in the Stater Bros Shopping Center. Food, Bathrooms, etc.
3) Put it in the upcoming Native american Casino. Gaming, Food, Bathrooms.
4) Put it at the Park. Bathrooms, Shade.

[paulgipe]

Dan,

Media and Plugshare reports some of the Caltrans 30-30 stations are operating here and on I-5. There's supposedly one at the park and ride at 58 and Weedpatch Highway (of Grapes of Wrath fame). I've used that park and ride and it's a rough area. I'll get out there this weekend to check it out.

Agree with your recommendations. Is anyone listening?

Paul

[danrjones]

Agree with your recommendations. Is anyone listening?

Paul

Good question. What does is cost these days to install a 50 kW charger? Is it something a business can even afford?
Are there grants for business or government agencies? I don't know.

If I owned my own business (I do not), it might be something I'd consider, but my guess is that a charger is absurdly expensive.
Lvl2 aren't bad at all, and you don't need special transformers. But even the 50 kW installs we are watching require a lot more equipment.

You probably know more than I do Paul. Is there a system set up for matching grant money or similar for business or government agencies wanting to install chargers? Or does Chargepoint or any other charger companies have any programs to split costs?

[paulgipe]

Agree with your recommendations. Is anyone listening?

Paul

Good question. What does is cost these days to install a 50 kW charger? Is it something a business can even afford?
Are there grants for business or government agencies? I don't know.

If I owned my own business (I do not), it might be something I'd consider, but my guess is that a charger is absurdly expensive.
Lvl2 aren't bad at all, and you don't need special transformers. But even the 50 kW installs we are watching require a lot more equipment.

You probably know more than I do Paul. Is there a system set up for matching grant money or similar for business or government agencies wanting to install chargers? Or does Chargepoint or any other charger companies have any programs to split costs?

Kern County can apply for CEC grants. Contact Linda Urata at KernCOG.

CalTrans chargers on the 99, I-5 corridors and Hwy 58 in Bakersfield are a dream to use and they're putting in at least two per station. What's up with District 9?

Paul

[cwerdna]

Good question. What does is cost these days to install a 50 kW charger? Is it something a business can even afford?
Are there grants for business or government agencies? I don't know.

If I owned my own business (I do not), it might be something I'd consider, but my guess is that a charger is absurdly expensive.
Lvl2 aren't bad at all, and you don't need special transformers. But even the 50 kW installs we are watching require a lot more equipment.

If there isn't one already, I've been meaning to start an equivalent thread to http://www.mychevysparkev.com/forum/vie ... f=7&t=3753 here.

The RMI link is dead but there's a copy at https://web.archive.org/web/20140715052 ... tion_costs.

https://www.uppermichiganssource.com/20 ... -michigan/ has a data point. Discussion was at https://teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/threads ... ut.202609/.

[danrjones]

Good question. What does is cost these days to install a 50 kW charger? Is it something a business can even afford?
Are there grants for business or government agencies? I don't know.

If I owned my own business (I do not), it might be something I'd consider, but my guess is that a charger is absurdly expensive.
Lvl2 aren't bad at all, and you don't need special transformers. But even the 50 kW installs we are watching require a lot more equipment.

If there isn't one already, I've been meaning to start an equivalent thread to http://www.mychevysparkev.com/forum/vie ... f=7&t=3753 here.

The RMI link is dead but there's a copy at https://web.archive.org/web/20140715052 ... tion_costs.

https://www.uppermichiganssource.com/20 ... -michigan/ has a data point. Discussion was at https://teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/threads ... ut.202609/.

Apologies, was out hiking Sunday and then been busy this week. If I am reading some of those links correctly, I'm seeing somewhere between 20 to 70k? I don't know what kind of budget stores have but I'm thinking that's probably cost prohibitive for most businesses,

[cwerdna]

RMI suggests $50K to $100K w/unspecified power level. That Michigan example was $77K.

I don't think $20K would be enough for cover the hardware and installation of a 50 kW DC charger. My wild guess is that $50K to $100K in total is about right. I suspect that if multiple DC FCs were installed at a single location, the cost per unit would go down somewhat.

https://www.chevybolt.org/threads/where ... ost-573537 has some example prices on 24 to 25 kW DC chargers for the unit only.

[danrjones]

Quick Update on Mojave:

I drove through Monday, and fences were still up around the four stations at Denny's.
Did not appear to me to have much if any progress.

[danrjones]

I drove through Mojave again today, this time in my leaf coming back from service in Palmdale.

I charged at EA Mojave for a few minutes while eating lunch that I picked up in Palmdale. No problems.

Checked the install at the airport.
Will be pretty nice. Double EV connect lvl 2 along with the older double chargepoint lvl 2. The new DC charger is still not online. I do think its strange the EV connect will be free while chargepoint is not. Why undercut chargepoint like that?

Checked Dennys. Looks like a transformer is still missing from a pad. I did notice a poll for what I think is a dual headed lvl 2. I added photos to plugshare and added the lvl2.

I agree that Mojave might have a bit much and spreading it around would have advantages. BUT that Dennys site is going to be great. Except for the route to Vegas, I can't think of any other eastern Sierra stop that looks as promising as the Mojave chargepoint. Four DC chargers plus level 2s in a spot with restaurants. Even EA with better speed doesn't match that at any eastern Sierra site I've seen. Maybe that just shows how sheltered / behind we are out here.

I also used a chargepoint in Palmdale near best buy / panda express. Not sure if that was also a CEC site. I've used it before and it's a good spot. Plus used the free DC chargepoint at the Honda dealer.

Only place I didn't check in was inyokern. Didn't need it.