Q: Best Public EV Charging unit and/or Company?

[Codyozz]

RE: Installing a Charging unit for customers, which is the best?

One of my clients owns a Cafe/Restaurant in Long Island City, NY. They are one of the few businesses in the area that have an actual parking area for customers. I think they are an ideal candidate for a charging station. Along with this parking area they have espresso, coffee, snacks, meals and have WiFi!

What is your opinion of the network run stations? (?Blink?, Charge point, what others are there?)
Or, would the business be better off installing their own with more control? (free for customers, etc)
How do business owners keep these units from getting stolen overnight?
Do federal incentives cover non-EV owning businesses who don't go through chargepoint, etc?

thanks for any and all information.

Cody800px-Chevrolet-Volt-DC.jpg

[DonC]

I'm a Blink charger guy. That's what we have where I am. However, the Blink chargers seem to go offline a lot. They go into some endless loop until you reset them. ChargePoint doesn't seem to have nearly as many problems.

You can do a little research. Go on ChargePoint and check out the chargers. See how many are offline. Then do the same for Blink. I think you'll see a difference.

[Codyozz]

I'm a Blink charger guy. That's what we have where I am. However, the Blink chargers seem to go offline a lot. They go into some endless loop until you reset them. ChargePoint doesn't seem to have nearly as many problems.

You can do a little research. Go on ChargePoint and check out the chargers. See how many are offline. Then do the same for Blink. I think you'll see a difference.

Don, thanx 4 the info! I have done a bit of research and found plenty of facts and marketing speak, but I hadn't thought of your approach.
I was looking for opinion and fact... perfect answer, thank you!

Hey! We finally got a volt at our Local Chevy dealer here in Hilo Hawaii. I think it's been here for a week or so. I don't think they are promoting it whatsoever?? I may have to go talk to them... see what the story is.

[barry252]

As a year long user, I have two favorites: ChargePoint and SemaConnect. I've used both with ZERO issues at all. I've also used Blink Chargers with no technical issues, but they have just announced a customer pricing plan that a lot of users have expressed some grief over, so the Jury's still out on those folks. Maryland's MTA is using the ChargePoint Chargers and BWI Airport has the SemaConnects. I don't think you would go wrong in choosing either provider.

Volt 63

[Henry_FL]

I'm really at a loss why all the current crop of units are called chargers, they are nothing more than an electronic switch with a cord on one end.

[bjhorton2005]

electronics switch with a cord on the end PLUS a GFCI!

Hehe oh and advise them that unless they are paying ridiculous rates for electricity they shouldn't really have any issue with power being "stolen" overnight. No matter what they install they should be eligible for a tax break for sure. I kind of get annoyed with the chargers that require some sort of account, as I do not have any in my area and so I do not subscribe to any of them. So any time I go into a city they have a different company with a different RFID card or something and it leaves me staring at a Level 2 charging station for my car that I cannot use. (Extremely frustrating.) If they find it a problem someday in the future they can add a 220 timer to the circuit from inside or something and turn it off at night. Night time is a great time to charge and if people park there while they are closed they may feel an obligation to come back during business.

[Rusty]

I'm really at a loss why all the current crop of units are called chargers, they are nothing more than an electronic switch with a cord on one end.

And they aren't chargers. The charger is in the car, and converts AC power to the DC voltage the battery wants to charge with.

They're called EVSEs, or (if you must) Charge Stations. They aren't chargers.

[Codyozz]

electronics switch with a cord on the end PLUS a GFCI!

Hehe oh and advise them that unless they are paying ridiculous rates for electricity they shouldn't really have any issue with power being "stolen" overnight. No matter what they install they should be eligible for a tax break for sure. I kind of get annoyed with the chargers that require some sort of account, as I do not have any in my area and so I do not subscribe to any of them. So any time I go into a city they have a different company with a different RFID card or something and it leaves me staring at a Level 2 charging station for my car that I cannot use. (Extremely frustrating.) If they find it a problem someday in the future they can add a 220 timer to the circuit from inside or something and turn it off at night. Night time is a great time to charge and if people park there while they are closed they may feel an obligation to come back during business.

Thank you for your input on these input branded units BJ! I tend to agree, I would rather not pay the middle man.. or jump through his hoops. However, if the barrier to entry is too high we may have to go that route.
It's too bad I didn't get more info out of you guys. I thought for sure one of you would have experience installing a unit at a place of business and giving or selling the "juice".
Oh, and I'm not really worried about Joule thieves, more just worried about vandalism. In the outer boro's of NYC anything not welded down gets jacked. I suppose we could put a cage around it??
Thanks again!

[WVhybrid]

The only public charger I've used is an Blink. I didn't get any power out of it, but I did get a Check Engine Light !! LOL.

Here are two potential options:

1) Why not put in either an SPX, it will be the cheapest purchase, and probably the cheapest installation. Put a disconnect inside if you are worried about folks "stealing" power, and only turn it on when a customer asks.

2) Just put in a 110 outlet with GFI. Folks can plug in their car using their own EVSE or they can even plug in their electric bicycle. Either way your friend will be helping with a charge, but the power cost to him will be two or three or nickels an hour. Your outdoor socket might cost $30, compared to $500 minimum for a 240 volt J-plug. And installing a 15 amp, 110 v circuit will be less for wiring the 240 v circuit. If someone complains that it is only 110 v, your friend can always shrug and say, "It's free... whadda want?"

WVhybrid

[Prius2Volt]

I would advise the business owner NOT to go with one of the overpriced networked charging stations that will require additional licensing and maintenance fees in the future and instead just call up Home Depot or Lowes and install a sub-$1k weatherproof charger that can be easily replaced if damaged or vandalized.

No licensing fees, no contracts, lower-installation costs by using your own electrician, etc. The limited use it will get, the limited electric cost it will generate, will pale in comparison to the increased business from EV vehicle owners which are one of the highest-income demographics in the country.

Home Depot has two good indoor/outdoor rated units:
- Legrand Electric Vehicle Level 2 Charging Station $749
- GE Electric Vehicle (EV) Level 2 WattStation with Plug $999

Lowes carries the GE unit:
- GE Electric Vehicle (EV) Level 2 WattStation with Plug $999