Look! EV journalist does math! (or at least a little research)

[malcolm]

The ol' 10 minute recharge chestnut.

http://blog.wired.com/cars/2007/11/altair-demonstr.html

 

[Kardax]

He's totally correct about the problem getting enough juice for a 10-minute, especially if there's a continuous flow of customers (ruling out longer-term buildup in flywheels or other batteries).

The good thing is that there doesn't need to be very many of these facilities... most people will charge up at home, only needing quick charges on road trips. So they'd be along highways only.

-Ryan

 

[tonybelding]

"Even so, stable batteries for rapid recharging are a requisite for electric cars."

Requisite? Does he mean that fast charging is a requisite before electric cars can be viable? I think not.

Tesla's charging station is a compromise, and I think a good one. It's substantially better than simply using a 220v drier outlet or, heaven forbid, 110v home outlets. At the same time it's relatively inexpensive and easy to deploy within the limits of today's power grid, in comparison with some sort of "fast charge" station.

 

[TEG]

It's substantially better than simply using a 220v drier outlet

If you subscribe to the idea that all you need is to plug in while you sleep, a dryer outlet is perfectly adequate to get you fully charged each morning.

 

[tonybelding]

If you subscribe to the idea that all you need is to plug in while you sleep, a dryer outlet is perfectly adequate to get you fully charged each morning.

Yes, but. . .

The Tesla charging station is more sophisticated and safer than a simple plug.

There will be some times when charging away from home will make sense, and recharge time will matter.

If battery storage continues increasing, after a few years we could easily find a situation where you can't get a full charge overnight from a standard 220v outlet.