Electric Vehicle drivers in Minnesota will soon enjoy appropriate electrical rates for EV recharging, thanks to a new law that’s due to go into effect in 2015. The law requires the electric utility companies in Minnesota to set up rates for EV recharging, to support off-peak rates, and offer customers…
The Japanese automakers have just announced a joint venture on charging infrastructure that points in a very good direction. The JV, Nippon Charge Service, LLC, is tasked with promoting “the installation of chargers for electric-powered vehicles (PHVs, PHEVs, EVs)” and “the installation of chargers, for the good of society and to…
Normally I cover Lord Drayson on ElectricRaceNews, because his company is developing an electric race car, but their electric race car program is meant to explore electric vehicle technology, including wireless charging technology. Their idea is for race tracks to have wireless charging pads scattered around the track, with electric…
While it’s understood electric car owners gain range confidence after a couple months of EV ownership, a question still lingers how an EV owner handles longer trips. The easy alternatives are to either rent a gasoline powered car, buy a plug-in hybrid (like the Volt), or use a fast charging…
Is the best way to regain control over charging electric cars the DIY charging station? The do-it-yourself is about individuals exercising skills to do things ourselves, rather than surrender all power to the megacorporations. For better or for worse, the powers-that-be decided electric cars must be charged through a charging…
Berkeley CA has been curiously devoid of electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The city’s residents are famously green, but somehow there have been only two public charging stations in Berkeley for a long time, and those were in a parking garage with limited hours of operation. That changes now with the…
In late 2013, Nissan started funding CHAdeMO charger installation across the US as part of a larger plan to rapidly expand CHAdeMO infrastructure. Nissan, and the Japanese automakers, are continuing to press forward on CHAdeMO adoption despite the fact that the SAE and European automakers have chosen the SAE Combo…
At the risk of some he-said-she-said reporting let me return to the story of Kaveh Kamooneh, and his supposed “theft” of a little bit of electricity. He has returned to the media to tell his side of the story, after the Police told their side of the story, after his…
Is rogue plugging into a 120 volt outlet a “theft”? The news this week is full of shock over a man arrested for “stealing” 5 cents worth of electricity from his school. As electric car owners we might be looking for any opportunity to plug in and charge, and an…
Google provides an amazing amount of charging infrastructure for their employees What kind of charging infrastructure do employees need at their workplace? Most electric car driving employees will require access to a charger during the work day. In some cases it will be a matter of convenience, but depending on…
Palo Alto took a step closer on Tuesday to requiring that new housing include a 50 amp circuit for electric car charging outlets. The City Council Policy and Services Committee unanimously recommended that the City Council adopt the proposal. However, Palo Alto Online slams the move saying “a new law…
I’m taking a medium-length trip with my electric Karmann Ghia, and need to charge twice on the outbound leg, and charge twice on the return leg. The first charging spot, at the Gilroy Outlet Malls, let me see two things. First, is to experience “Pay With PlugShare” to pay for…
The objective was to show just how simple an Electric Car Charging station is; essentially 3 components. The completed units can charge all current and future electric cars as you can choose what connectivity. This Portable EVSE will allow an Electric Car driver to connect to ‘normal’ electrical outlets found…
Last night we drove a fair way to visit with some relatives who are in town. It was far enough that I wanted to do a bit of recharging to ensure enough safety margin in the battery pack to make it home. According to the EV charging station map in…
A few days ago I wrote about possible business models for free public charging. It’s an intriguing idea, but there is a risk of abuse with this model because many people will take advantage of free stuff. Standing in front of me is a Nissan Leaf owned by someone…
