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Numbers can solely take you thus far. It’s simple to match numbers and specs in a desk, crunch them in a spreadsheet, and inform those that about one thing. However, in the actual world, there’s a distinction between data and knowledge. Info and figures may give you some data, however you possibly can solely achieve knowledge via expertise.
That is principally what I skilled lately on the first operational EV charging station from GM’s partnership with Pilot/Flying J truck stops and EVgo to put in 2,000 charging stalls at 500 places throughout the USA. I made a decision to make use of one simply outdoors of Knoxville, Tennessee alongside I-40.
Don’t get me mistaken, although. The specs are nice at these new stations.
On high of tons of in planning, development, or completion, the websites supply speeds of as much as 350 kW for automobiles that may pull that a lot energy from them. That alone means both quick charging of smaller batteries or affordable charging occasions for large batteries like we’re seeing within the vans and SUVs with the most important batteries now.
One other massive factor these stations have going for them is the structure. They’re all underneath canopies, giving each the stations and the individuals utilizing them safety from the solar and the rain. Most, however not all, of them are laid out with pull-through areas, so it’s simple to cost up and get going once more with out having to hook up a trailer or problem with looking for a technique to pull up with out unhooking.
Maybe extra importantly, the station has a pleasant, lengthy cable that may attain EVs of any plug configuration/place, and hooked as much as a trailer or not. This alone was massively handy in comparison with older Electrify America and most Tesla stations.
The stations themselves, run by EVgo, are able to plug and cost. Even my Bolt EUV was configured for that, so I solely wanted to plug the automobile in to cost. Utilizing an app or a bank card isn’t an enormous deal generally, however this additional little bit of comfort is sweet.
One other massive factor was the facilities. On the station itself, there have been squeegees and fluid, similar to at a gasoline station. So, I used to be in a position to clear off my windshield without having to go over to the gasoline station facet. That may look like a small factor, however when you think about that Pilot/Flying J truck stops have clear bogs, showers, meals, and a wide range of drinks, it’s a nicer place to spend a couple of minutes than a Walmart parking zone or some random procuring middle in an enormous metropolis that isn’t near the freeway.
Between all of these items, it was a station that I can actually say was the very best one on my 1800-mile journey. Every little thing was simple, easy, snug, and hassle-free.
About the one draw back to the station was the price of utilizing it. EVgo costs are excessive in comparison with most different EV charging stations, and even with a reduction I get from having a Lyft driver account it was 57 cents per kWh! However, the significantly better charging surroundings makes it value a number of additional bucks to make use of.
Pictures by Jennifer Sensiba.
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