EV (electric vehicle) News & Discussion

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meow
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#3101565 8-Jul-2023 21:39

Some BP chargers are older 50kv ex-openloop chargers that are not connected to any network so just plug and play. They’re slowly going through them and installing their own 75kw chargers though and putting them on their own app.

I’ve used that charger a few times going to and from Auckland. It is supposed to be limited to 30mins but have often seen people (as per all free EV chargers) attempting to charge to 100%. You’re lucky to get a charge 😊

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Dingbatt

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#3101596 9-Jul-2023 07:09

michaelmurfy:

I’ve used that charger a few times going to and from Auckland. It is supposed to be limited to 30mins but have often seen people (as per all free EV chargers) attempting to charge to 100%. You’re lucky to get a charge 😊

It’s like the free Vector chargers at the Auckland Airport shopping centre. Always busy, always Taxis plugged in and queuing. Anyone who thinks they may be able to pick up a few kWhs while they wait for a flight to arrive will be sadly mistaken.

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everettpsycho

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#3101642 9-Jul-2023 12:14

Dingbatt:
michaelmurfy:

I’ve used that charger a few times going to and from Auckland. It is supposed to be limited to 30mins but have often seen people (as per all free EV chargers) attempting to charge to 100%. You’re lucky to get a charge 😊

It’s like the free Vector chargers at the Auckland Airport shopping centre. Always busy, always Taxis plugged in and queuing. Anyone who thinks they may be able to pick up a few kWhs while they wait for a flight to arrive will be sadly mistaken.

Rolleston warehouse is the same, there's always something plugged in and the volume of use means they break all the time. Unfortunately as they are free there's no punishment for just sitting on them for hours on end. Doesn't help those ones are only 25kw units so when anything bigger than a leaf plugs in they can be in there at least an hour and still not be full. Not complaining as free is free, just a perfect storm of factors makes them somethibg you absolutely can't rely on.

Dingbatt

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#3101657 9-Jul-2023 13:00

To me the fact taxis are hogging the charger, for essentially commercial use, is against the spirit of Vector providing a free public charger.

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Obraik

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#3102024 10-Jul-2023 10:58

Dingbatt:

To me the fact taxis are hogging the charger, for essentially commercial use, is against the spirit of Vector providing a free public charger.

Vector used to have a "no commercial use" policy but they've since removed that and don't care that they're used in that way now. It's a bit of dick move by Vector at this point because it hampers the other charging networks from setting up their chargers nearby since no one will use those when there's a free one nearby - people would rather waste their time queueing up for a free charge.

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Dingbatt

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#3102042 10-Jul-2023 11:31

I wonder if charging stations can identify a particular vehicle? Would be pretty easy to put a usage limit on if that were the case.

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michaelmurfy

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#3102047 10-Jul-2023 11:42

Dingbatt:

I wonder if charging stations can identify a particular vehicle? Would be pretty easy to put a usage limit on if that were the case.

They totally can. Vector just don't have theirs connected to any management I don't think. I hate free charging stations with a passion as it brings out the worst in people.

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richms

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#3102056 10-Jul-2023 11:53

michaelmurfy:

Dingbatt:

I wonder if charging stations can identify a particular vehicle? Would be pretty easy to put a usage limit on if that were the case.

They totally can. Vector just don't have theirs connected to any management I don't think. I hate free charging stations with a passion as it brings out the worst in people.

They could eliminate 80% of the ferals at the free ones by dropping the chademo plug from it.

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#3102060 10-Jul-2023 12:04

richms: They could eliminate 80% of the ferals at the free ones by dropping the chademo plug from it.

To be fair the Leaf owners are the ones who need it most. I'd be happy them dropping CCS as then the Taxis won't clog them up (means I can't clog it up either but then Leafs can get a charge!)

Obraik

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#3102142 10-Jul-2023 14:03

With Vector looking to sell their charging network, here's hoping someone buys it off them soon and adds charging fees

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RunningMan

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#3105704 18-Jul-2023 18:34

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/494012/ev-charging-networks-team-up-for-single-app-to-cover-multiple-providers

ChargeNet, Openloop & Z chargers all to be available in the ChargeNet app next year.

HarmLessSolutions

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#3105706 18-Jul-2023 18:49

RunningMan:

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/494012/ev-charging-networks-team-up-for-single-app-to-cover-multiple-providers

ChargeNet, Openloop & Z chargers all to be available in the ChargeNet app next year.

Good to see that they've learnt from the clusterf*ck that the myriad of suppliers and apps has caused in the UK. Only issue I can see is that unless the cost structure of the various platforms is standardised there will be some billing surprises cropping up.

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everettpsycho

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#3105719 18-Jul-2023 20:07

Thank god for that, having so many apps is a pain. Hopefully they can get Meridian and BP to jump on board as well to cover all the main players. Still think adding paywave would be beneficial so you don't need to make an account for a one off top up at some charger you'll likely not go to again.

HarmLessSolutions

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#3105725 18-Jul-2023 20:23

everettpsycho: Thank god for that, having so many apps is a pain. Hopefully they can get Meridian and BP to jump on board as well to cover all the main players. Still think adding paywave would be beneficial so you don't need to make an account for a one off top up at some charger you'll likely not go to again.

Some sort of EFTPOS system would be the best solution and so much simpler for those renting EVs as a one off experience but I suspect the bank charges for the typically low value transactions involved would be a real problem for the charging companies.

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Obraik

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#3105740 18-Jul-2023 20:44

I don't understand why charging networks are reinventing the wheel. Paywave is already a simple way to activate a charger, is something that nearly everyone carries around, is tourist friendly and isn't tied to one network. Two of the charging networks (BP and Z) are multi-billion dollar companies and already put paywave at their petrol pumps - they have the means to do so with their chargers too. If my local dairy can accept paywave for a can of Coke, I'm sure a charging network can for their charging transactions too.

I do wish the government would do what Europe, the UK, Norway and even the USA has done and require paywave at the charger if networks wish to receive government funding.

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