Quote:
Originally Posted by clyde
If the context of the argument is that, eventually, plug in EVs will be the norm.
Short term, proprietary charging networks are a needless barrier to entry and a consumer resistance point. The idea that this will not be standardized some day is nearly unthinkable.
It always seems like there's an assumption that everyone will charge their cars at home every night, so charging stations will only be an occasional need, like on road trips. That works for people with dedicated or exclusive parking areas that can be equipped to charge. And that probably covers over 95% of current plug in EV owner use cases. But you all are in a bubble.
Where do people that do not have exclusive parking areas fit in? When, where and how do they charge? Those charging stations are going to be their primary method. They're not going to be willing to drive to the other side of town to spend an hour charging up. They're going to want/demand a charging station on every other corner where they can plug in for a few minutes to give them enough juice to run a few errands, make a commute cycle or two, and then do it again.
Electricity is a commodity as much as gas or salt. Getting the electricity from the generation facility into the car's battery is the same trick no matter what the manufacturer. Is it a good idea for industry to reinvent a massive infrastructure wheel 30 times over (or however many manufacturers there are) at billions or more each time around? Are consumers going to willingly pay for that?
Fortunately, we don't have to worry about Porsche charging more for Porsche Brand electricity than Chevy charges for their electricity because if history has taught us one lesson over and over again, it's that businesses always operates in the consumer's best interest and never tries to force consumers to pay inflated prices when they are locked in without choices.
So, free market, laissez faire, woo hoo, whatever. I don't think you make it to the tipping point without standards. It's better for the industry, it's better for consumers, it's probably better for governments.
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Well, part of what's going on here is that the lack of standard (generally) applies to Level 3, DC fast charging--not Level 1 or Level 2 charging. DC fast charging is both a lot of more expensive and a lot more cumbersome than "normal" chargers, but it's also only really for trips--there's no need to plug your car into a fast charger if you're at work all day, or in a parking garage all night.
So I don't think the problem is as big as you think. But what would be the alternative? A government mandate that requires standard outlets? How do you deal with the 80,000 cars that Tesla just sold last quarter that comply with Tesla's standard? How do you incentivize other companies to build their own charging networks, if building the network doesn't help them sell cars? Are you literally going to prohibit Porsche from building an 800V fast charging network because they think it gives them a competitive advantage?