Q: QC

[Peter Joseph]

Counted 5 in Dallas and 11 in the Houston metro.   Chargepoint map.  We have none so far.  

Wrote to eVgo and Austin Energy but did not receive any useful responses.    Anybody know of other charging networks or anything in the works?

Thanks,

Peter

[Michael Chamberlain]

Hello, 

There are quite a few more in Houston and DFW.  A couple of us are working on the following plan between large metro areas.

http://www.bantamgis.com/QC/

Thanks,

Michael

[Peter Joseph]

Michael,  That is a comprehensive plan.    Similar to the plan for I-5 on the west coast.

How will it come to fruition?    Funding is obviously a big issue.   Are Federal grants or loans available for a project such as this?    Much bigger loans have been made to companies such as Tesla, Solyndra (ahem!), Coulomb & ECOtality

A business case and private investors are harder to envision because EV adoption has been slow thus far.   But all new businesses have these type of uncertainties.

Thanks,
Peter

[Don Shin]

I've been in correspondence with Austin Energy about charging stations, and whenever I've brought up the topic of DC QC, there's been silence. My take is that with the SAE combo charger, no one wants to invest in the wrong technology and be a political target 3 years later if they've chosen incorrectly. I'm aware that there are combo DC QC units that support both Chademo and the SAE combo plug, but I think the conflict between the two (or three if you count the Tesla Supercharger) simply underscores the immaturity of the EV standards in their eyes- and causes hesitation. It's sad... my DC QC port on my LEAF has gotten no love since I got the car...

Don

[Michael Chamberlain]

Peter,

There are opportunities for grants related to lowering vehicle emissions along the corridors and near the large metro areas. Not sure where it will lead but it's been fun so far.

Thanks,
Michael

[Michael Chamberlain]

Don,

Yes, that's still an issue for some. In my opinion there isn't a controversy until someone builds a car with the combo plug. And it seems like Nissan is beginning to entertain the idea of level 3 chargers at dealerships. We will have to see what happens.

Thanks,
Michael