Suggested Email to Potential Destination Charging Locations (Hotels, etc.)

[NOLA_Mike]

I've had my Model S for 1 year now (took delivery on 6/23/2013). In the course of that year I've put about 10,000 miles on it but, until this week, had yet to travel beyond the "charging radius" of my home.

This week I made a 1,215 mile round trip to the Texas Hill Country and back to New Orleans. I studied Plugshare, Chargepoint, forums, etc. to try and formulate a plan and a backup plan for charging because the simple fact is that there aren't many options in Louisiana. Based on a Plug Share Review I decided that my plan was to get from home to L'auberge Casino & Resort in Lake Charles (~200 miles) and charge up there utilizing their one (1) J1772 30A charger. If successful in fully recharging I knew I could make it to the Columbus, TX supercharger (going west) or back home (going east).

I was successful both directions. But, had anyone else been using the one (1) charger they have it would've been a much different trip.

I put together the following email and sent it to the hotel after I returned home and would like to offer it up as a suggestion to anyone else who would like to "encourage" other hotels to get with the EV program.

Mike

 

[DennisLevitt]

Good letter. Glad to see others are doing this. I agree it's real important to let hoteliers know how important this is to us. One suggestion is to include the option for just a Nema 14-50. If they have a 220 line accessible, adding a Nema 14-50 is very easy and inexpensive. And while only Teslas can use it, who else is really road tripping in an EV these days?

 

[Evbwcaer]

A Nema 14-50 can be used by any J1772 EV with a connector like the Jesla. If they don't have DC capability, it could be the best case scenario.

 

[DennisLevitt]

@Evbwcaer. Of course any Tesla can charge on a J1772, assuming they brought their adapter. But J1772 boxes cost anywhere from $350 to $900. If a hotel has a 220 line readily available, an electrician can hook up a Nema 14-50 in an hour or two. Or, if they already have a working Level 2, they can add a "Tesla" station very easily and have two stations.

 

[smil3193]

Your letter is a good idea, thank you. Fyi, you may already know this but in Lake Charles, there is a McDonald's with a J1772 charger. When I got my car last September, instead of having it delivered I flew to Houston and then drove it home to BR. I stopped at the Lake Charles McDonald's for a couple of hours to be sure I had enough charge to make it all the way.

I've had my Model S for 1 year now (took delivery on 6/23/2013). In the course of that year I've put about 10,000 miles on it but, until this week, had yet to travel beyond the "charging radius" of my home.

This week I made a 1,215 mile round trip to the Texas Hill Country and back to New Orleans. I studied Plugshare, Chargepoint, forums, etc. to try and formulate a plan and a backup plan for charging because the simple fact is that there aren't many options in Louisiana. Based on a Plug Share Review I decided that my plan was to get from home to L'auberge Casino & Resort in Lake Charles (~200 miles) and charge up there utilizing their one (1) J1772 30A charger. If successful in fully recharging I knew I could make it to the Columbus, TX supercharger (going west) or back home (going east).

I was successful both directions. But, had anyone else been using the one (1) charger they have it would've been a much different trip.

I put together the following email and sent it to the hotel after I returned home and would like to offer it up as a suggestion to anyone else who would like to "encourage" other hotels to get with the EV program.

Mike

 

[PhilBa]

Nice letter Mike. I would add two things to it:
- a description of the "Tesla demo" - high income and traveling.
- plug share/recargo as a way to gain free advertising. (they are probably all over Trip Advisor so they get the power of the internet)