I DC Fast charged for the first time today

Joined
Oct 7, 2012
Messages
5,850
Location
Staten Island, NY
Didn't even catch on fire 👌
I know the Bolt doesn't really Fast charge (50kw), but I slacked on L2 overnight charging during the week, and I was afraid I wouldn't make it through the day
Not wanting to have to tell supervisor about my own stupidity and receive requisite EV slander, I sought to get enough charge to make it through the work day
I got away with it, with miles to spare, on my coffee break ☕

These 180kW microgrid chargers popped up near the office, so I pulled in to take a look
1000000614.jpg

Scanned the QR code with my phone, ~60 seconds later I had my credit card info loaded and account registered
There's 4 CCS bays, and no one else was around, if I would've pulled in straight the cord would've been less balky
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It was uneventful, but I'm not used to seeing the mileage range climb that fast
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That's pretty speedy...
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That should get me through the day with range to spare 👍
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Let's see what this cost me 🤔
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My coffee cost more than that 🙄
TBH, I probably could've made it through the day without charging, but I thought I could make this a learning experience
I've never emergency charged under duress before, a dry run if you will
This car spends it's nights in a yard, with L2 chargers, it never has to see public charging infrastructure
This car is ~3 years old, I've put almost 10k on it, and this is probably the first time it's been connected to a DCFC station
That CCS-1 connector is quite chunky, and needs a firm grip to insert and remove, but I don't think it's a major issue

I'll be more attentive to overnight charging, but it's good to know (in work vehicle or other EV) that I've got a safety net to fall back on
 
So that's $3.85 for 31 miles added range?
Quickly and under duress, yes
For strictly comparisons sake, the gas station ⛽ across the street is getting $3.5x a gallon for regular
My gas engined peers in Jeep Patriot/Compass or a Vortec V8 GM Vans struggle to crack double digit MPG
The newer 3.7 V6 Transit's get ~15 if you try
The old cube van Transit Connects are diabolical to drive, I refuse ❌
Not as efficient as it should be
But I'm still ahead 🤔
 
Last time I used a DC fast charger I gained 7kwh in about 18 minutes.
That's the equivalent of 28 miles of range, assuming best case 50mph scenario. A gas pump could pump that much range into a hybrid car in about 18 seconds.
To get 28mpg in my wife's hybrid I have to be doing about 90mph with the A/C on.
 
This is akin to neglecting the fuel level in a gasser or HEV and having to add fuel in a high cost area.
That this DC fast charger was available proved to be very valuable, if only for peace of mind in assuring you that you'd make it home.
 
I think for some reason we focus too much on cost of re-charging EVs.
It's the fault of both EV lovers and EV haters. I never see people comparing costs of purchasing the cars or what is best for a particular use and lifestyle. They are both vehicles but for some reason EVs are not treated the same as others. SOME of this might be the taxpayers fault for giving money to car companies to sell EVs.

Bottom line it will aways cost less to fuel an EV. IN this case the OP broke about even in a last minute top off but over all they save a boat load on fuel. It's whatever makes us happy.
IN defense of the OP, doesnt have to justify it by comparing his other vehicles because that is when someone like me can say my wife's Mazda 3 is larger, more convenient (for us) and gets the same or better mileage cost for fuel than the Bolt in this one case. Our gas price here, just yesterday was $2.89 a gallon and the Mazda gets the same or slightly better than the 30 MPG sometimes 33+. Used to laugh that it gets close to the Harley Road Kings 44 Mpg

However I do love the thought of an EV to replace my wife's car, which is our second car. We Like the Bolt EUV but of course GM dropped the ball, discontinued and now will start up again. It would save us money and like the idea of experiencing an EV before I expire one day. The cost to purchase is a turn off though considering the size of the vehicle. Quite possibly the cost to insure also a turn off.

Ok, back to saving money, our electric rate 24 hours a day at our house is 10 cents a kWh that is big compared to NY of which Long Island was my home for decades which is at least 100% more cost for electric. I guess we are just waiting until forced to make a decision. Could be next year, the year after or next week. The Mazda still going strong and looks very respectable as it is rarely driven. I'll be curious on what GM does with the new Bolt SUV to come out. It would be a home run if it was a little larger like the Trailblazer which my wife likes. She also likes the Bolt EUV but I know her first choice is the look of the Trailblazer.
Just this morning I was looking at the ads for a new VW Taos with 2k off this weekend in this area.
Early summer the ID4 but price was more than we wanted ... no rush... past that point in our lives. Our key vehicle is our Chevy Traverse with factory tow package. Very comfortable and one of a few in the price range that can tow a 5,000 boat

SO who cares what it cost for fuel? EVs and Gas as well as Diesel fill a use for intended purpose. Individual choice.
The OP post was very informative to some here including me. Thanks!
 
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Didn't even catch on fire 👌
I know the Bolt doesn't really Fast charge (50kw), but I slacked on L2 overnight charging during the week, and I was afraid I wouldn't make it through the day
Not wanting to have to tell supervisor about my own stupidity and receive requisite EV slander, I sought to get enough charge to make it through the work day
I got away with it, with miles to spare, on my coffee break ☕

These 180kW microgrid chargers popped up near the office, so I pulled in to take a look
View attachment 237944
Scanned the QR code with my phone, ~60 seconds later I had my credit card info loaded and account registered
There's 4 CCS bays, and no one else was around, if I would've pulled in straight the cord would've been less balky
View attachment 237945
It was uneventful, but I'm not used to seeing the mileage range climb that fast
View attachment 237947
That's pretty speedy...
View attachment 237949
That should get me through the day with range to spare 👍
View attachment 237948
Let's see what this cost me 🤔
View attachment 237950
My coffee cost more than that 🙄
TBH, I probably could've made it through the day without charging, but I thought I could make this a learning experience
I've never emergency charged under duress before, a dry run if you will
This car spends it's nights in a yard, with L2 chargers, it never has to see public charging infrastructure
This car is ~3 years old, I've put almost 10k on it, and this is probably the first time it's been connected to a DCFC station
That CCS-1 connector is quite chunky, and needs a firm grip to insert and remove, but I don't think it's a major issue

I'll be more attentive to overnight charging, but it's good to know (in work vehicle or other EV) that I've got a safety net to fall back on
If you want cutting it real close drive a Fiat 500e. Torquey and quick but the 88 mile range gives you mega anxiety if you have to go anywhere not around town. Then add in only one guy (named Luigi, no joke) and is originally from Rome can repair or update the software at one Fiat dealership in all of Colorado. I worked for an independent dealership and he kept purchasing these from California.
 
Bottom line it will aways cost less to fuel an EV. IN this case the OP broke about even in a last minute top off but over all they save a boat load on fuel. It's whatever makes us happy.

It depends on where you live, when and where you charge , what EV you have, and what the comparison ICE vehicle is.

It's not always the case the EV will be cheaper to drive.
 
Nice looking chargers!

The Electrify America station in Eau Claire Wisconsin I’ve used a few times charges by the minute. My last charge there was $9.03 for 43.7kWh. So about 140 miles for $9.03. At home, off peak, is about 1/3 that price. I’ve calculated around $5.70 for the rated 279 miles using my off-peak rates (6.7¢/kWh).

IMG_1255.webp
 
It depends on where you live, when and where you charge , what EV you have, and what the comparison ICE vehicle is.

It's not always the case the EV will be cheaper to drive.
At one point I was looking into an EV. If charging at home is always available the EV is almost guaranteed to be cheaper to fuel. But CPM (cost per mile) is composed of a lot more than just the cost of fueling. Tires are another significant factor (heavier vehicles eat more rubber) and insurance which at least then, in Texas, was higher for an EV. But oil changes are much less expensive for the EV. If someone has to charge at pay stations all the time they'll almost assuredly lose money on an EV.
 
At one point I was looking into an EV. If charging at home is always available the EV is almost guaranteed to be cheaper to fuel. But CPM (cost per mile) is composed of a lot more than just the cost of fueling. Tires are another significant factor (heavier vehicles eat more rubber) and insurance which at least then, in Texas, was higher for an EV. But oil changes are much less expensive for the EV. If someone has to charge at pay stations all the time they'll almost assuredly lose money on an EV.

I wouldn't tell anyone in California an EV is "almost guaranteed" to be cheaper to fuel even charging at home.

Agreed cost per mile has many variables factored in.
 
It depends on where you live, when and where you charge , what EV you have, and what the comparison ICE vehicle is.

It's not always the case the EV will be cheaper to drive.
I’m not so sure that would be correct in comparing the same size electric vehicle to a gasoline vehicle.
The only vehicles that I ever saw surpass that an electric vehicle was a limited amount of hybrids as tested and compared on the specific conditions by Consumer Reports, it was really an in-depth study again on the specific conditions, even including purchase price.

Of course I do agree where you live and how you charge. My post was meant in response to the person who charged at a station one time and typically charges at Home.
They are very few states with electric as high as California

By the way, with this thread in mind, we took my wife’s Mazda to Costco today and I filled up with gas and had to just snap a picture because I know it’s hard to believe for people on the West Coast. This picture was taken today at about 4 PM at the Costco gas station in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Of course we then have to compare the gas price to My Home electric which is $.10 cents a kilowatt hour. I mean, gasoline products and electricity is cheap. The difference in cost is the taxes and surcharges people vote for.
IMG_9740.jpeg
 
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Of course I do agree where you live and how you charge. My post was meant in response to the person who charged at a station one time and typically charges at Home.
They are very few states with electric as high as California
Wow!
I gassed up our trusty Tundra the other day at Costco; prices shot up again to $4.29 for 87*. I think I paid $3.79 or $3.89 last time...

Of course I pay next to nothing (maybe $10 per month last year after annual true up) to run the house and Tesla on electricity thanks to 330+ days of sunshine...
 
Wow!
I gassed up our trusty Tundra the other day at Costco; prices shot up again to $4.29 for 87*. I think I paid $3.79 or $3.89 last time...

Of course I pay next to nothing (maybe $10 per month last year after annual true up) to run the house and Tesla on electricity thanks to 330+ days of sunshine...
And I gassed up the Rubicon the other day at the local Sunoco station and paid $2.99 for regular. CA wants you guys driving EVs a lot more than NY wants us driving them I guess. ;)
 
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