Choice between level 1 and level 2 chargers at purchase

[Hi-Voltage]

I would have loved to have had the choice between level 1 and level 2 chargers at purchase . I have done electrical work all of my life and it would have not been an issue to wire it up in the garage. And I'm sure others wouldn't mind paying an electrician to do it. I can understand an upgrade in price and I would have payed it, but I could have applied the savings from level 1 charger towards it.

[Henry_FL]

Ebay the L1 charger, take the proceeds and apply to the L2 unit

[saghost]

I would have loved to have had the choice between level 1 and level 2 chargers at purchase . I have done electrical work all of my life and it would have not been an issue to wire it up in the garage. And I'm sure others wouldn't mind paying an electrician to do it. I can understand an upgrade in price and I would have payed it, but I could have applied the savings from level 1 charger towards it.

If we're in the realm of "I wish," what I'd rather have is something like the Model S ships with - a compact portable charger that comes with both normal 110V and 14-50 (trailer park 50 amp 220V) plugs, with options for almost anything else common (including the 14-30 dryer plug in my garage,) and able to support 10kW if the plug can take it (autoswitching I believe based on the plug you connect it to.)

There's no real need for anything else to charge the car, unless you need 62 miles per charging hour (special high power system.)

[Steverino]

If we're in the realm of "I wish," what I'd rather have is something like the Model S ships with - a compact portable charger that comes with both normal 110V and 14-50 (trailer park 50 amp 220V) plugs, with options for almost anything else common (including the 14-30 dryer plug in my garage,) and able to support 10kW if the plug can take it (autoswitching I believe based on the plug you connect it to.)

There's no real need for anything else to charge the car, unless you need 62 miles per charging hour (special high power system.)

That does sound nice.

[Gary Norton]

I think the 110 that comes with the car is intended to be a portable unit that you keep in the car so that you will always have with you the ability to recharge. Generally when you visit relatives or stop at a motel 110 will be all that might be available. What you do at home where you park your car is up to you.

My only quibble is that it should be an option you can buy and roll into the price at the time of purchase in those areas where there are no special deals. I did it by talking the dealer into selling me the SPX Xpress that was plugged into an outlet at the dealership. It was rolled into the purchase and I just paid an electrician $125 to install a plug in my garage.

[drbruns]

If I had to pick between a L2 EVSE or a 7kw onboard charger, I think I would probably opt for the 7kw charger so that I could get 2 hour full recharges at any of the 150+ L2 charging stations in my town.

I agree 100% John.

[Fulgerite]

If I had to pick between a L2 EVSE or a 7kw onboard charger, I think I would probably opt for the 7kw charger so that I could get 2 hour full recharges at any of the 150+ L2 charging stations in my town.

Having a 7kw onboard charger would make paying for an L2 station at home worthwhile. Paying for an L2 station installed at home to only get 3.3kw is marginal.

The difference between L1 and L2 on the Volt is 8-12 hours vs 3-4 hours. I would hardly call a 100% increase in charge speed "marginal".

[mtndrew1]

A full L2 on-board charger in the Volt would make Walgreens' asinine charger pricing competitive with gasoline. Fingers crossed for 2015 when my lease is up!

-Drew

[Fulgerite]

I just wish GM would educate dealers about charging options and SPX. I asked my dealer if they knew where I could get a charger installed and they just gave me a blank stare. My dealer did not even know an L2 charger was available for the Volt. I don't think a dealer should be allowed to sell a Volt without some basic understanding of where to direct a customer to order a charger and have it installed.

[adric22]

We've had similar discussions over on the Leaf forums. If GM and Nissan would include an auto-sensing 120V / 240V EVSE that would really help a lot. Many people would not need to spend the money for a second EVSE. At least with the Volt I consider 240V charging to be a luxury, due to the nature of the vehicle being range-extended. However, with a Leaf it is a necessity for most people.

Ironically, since my wife bought the Volt 2 months ago, I've been downgraded to charging my Leaf on 120V so she can have the 240V charger. This is primarily because I drive 10 miles per day and she drives 40. And I'm using the Volt's L1 unit to charge my Leaf since it mounts nicely on the wall compared to the Panasonic unit provided by Nissan.