GM should make INCLUDED charge cord work for 120/240v

[ahaer]

Since the EVSE is basically a glorified relay and the charger in the car already works with either 120 or 240 volts why don't they design the EVSE to work with 120/240V too?

All they need to do is
1) make the power supply for the logic in the EVSE be universal (accept 120-240v like a laptop)
2) use a dual poll relay two switch both legs of AC (might do this already)
3) create 120 and 240 v plug ends

This way you would get 240V advantages for the cost of a simple 240V plug...

This is what they do for the Tesla Model S - see http://www.teslamotors.com/models/charging#/outlet

[vdiv]

I'm sure someone will come with excuses/reasons.

I second this. EV competition is heating up and the $50k Model S will take away potential $46K Volt owners. No time to rest.

[awm]

Fully agree!

[Henry_FL]

The current design can't be simply modified, the internal supply already is good for 240v, but the testing logic, and how the units test for ground fault, current and cord to car diagnostics only work with single phase and won't work with split-phase 240V. I've taken one apart and reversed engineered about 95% of it as a science project a few months ago.

In the US its a regulatory concern/gray area that the car manufacture don't want to deal with NEC/UL having a 240V charge cord being removable. There are now some third party vendors selling removable cord 240V units, I don't know off hand which codes are the trip point, but the car manufactures are playing it safe, as they have too.

[12V]

EV competition is heating up and the $50k Model S will take away potential $46K Volt owners. No time to rest.

Model S is NOT $4K more than Volt.

Model S BASE PRICE is $57.4K + $2K dest = $59.4K and you will pay sticker price.

LOADED Volt is $42.9K + $850 dest = $43.8K and you can get at least $1.5K off that.

Difference is >$17K.

[KyleH]

It's just tricky marketing for the Model S as $50k*. The * = base price less $7,500 fed tax incentives without local taxes.

Using that same formula, people can get their base volt $39.9k - $7,500 for $32.5k.

After the tricks, I do not think the competitions is even lukewarm.

I think those that want to compare the Model S should try to compare it to the Cadillac ELR. Where there may be a smaller price gap by %. Although, I bet one will be more of a "hard" sports car and the other will be a luxury car--which may not be good comparisons.

-KyleH

Model S is NOT $4K more than Volt.

Model S BASE PRICE is $57.4K + $2K dest = $59.4K and you will pay sticker price.

LOADED Volt is $42.9K + $850 dest = $43.8K and you can get at least $1.5K off that.

Difference is >$17K.

[DonC]

Getting back on point, it's an absolutely great idea to have the included EVSE be both 120v and 240v compatible. The current EVSE won't work because the components aren't sufficiently rugged but with very little additional work this should not be a big deal. I think GM is a little freaky about electrical fires but as time goes on that should go away.

[jomo25]

Getting back on point, it's an absolutely great idea to have the included EVSE be both 120v and 240v compatible. The current EVSE won't work because the components aren't sufficiently rugged but with very little additional work this should not be a big deal. I think GM is a little freaky about electrical fires but as time goes on that should go away.

Yeah, I have the upgraded Leaf EVSE and use it on both 110 and 240. It works great, and the flexibility it offers is outstanding. GM (and others) should make this the standard in the future. Tesla's for the Model S will support both.

I'm sure this was answered, but I forget - what is the EVSE for the Ampera like? Since 240 is the standard in Europe. Since it would be rated "safe" for 240, it would mean the fears of the higher voltage shouldn't be a concern any more.

[Cord]

ALSO -- many had asked for the 12 inch cord and plug end of the charger to be longer but that TOO is called out in the NEC ( national Electrical code)

Just the cable and plug from the EVSE cost $150 - I hope we see cheaper charger kits soon but non are UL approved at this time.

If I had 220 Volts ac any where near my car I would get one of the kits.

[an_outsider]

In the US its a regulatory concern/gray area that the car manufacture don't want to deal with NEC/UL having a 240V charge cord being removable. There are now some third party vendors selling removable cord 240V units, I don't know off hand which codes are the trip point, but the car manufactures are playing it safe, as they have too.

At my job, we used a product called Meltric as accessory on some specific projects. They combined disconnect switch & plug but they cost real money. However, I have never investigated about EVSE compliance (not our kind of business).