HWiSEL EV

Peddling Obsolete Level 2 EV Chargers

HWiSEL EV — Tue, 13 Sep 2022 14:18:09 +0000

The EV market is relatively young, but as often happens with a rapidly developing industry the equipment quickly becomes obsolete. New technology, new features, and new form factors provide a better outcome for the owner as the market develops. This tendency also applies to EV chargers, in this case, Level 2.

If you are buying a car today or expecting one soon, then your EV will come with a larger battery and/or faster charging time. If given a choice, most customers would want the newest EV charger technology, not the oldest!

Unfortunately, suppliers, the media, and industry stakeholders are not educating customers, so there is a misconception that all Level 2 chargers are the same. The result is that buyers are wasting their money on obsolete Level 2 chargers and in some cases overpaying for equipment that only benefits the retailer.

So, here are some answers that might help you make the right purchase decision.

What Is Driving Obsolescence In the EV Charging Market?

It simply comes down to the cars. We have all heard about range anxiety as the biggest obstacle for most new EV buyers. To address this issue, manufacturers have been doing two things: offering larger batteries, and faster onboard charging. This translates into more batteries charging at faster rates.

To deliver on the expectation buyers have for EVs, chargers have to become smarter and more powerful. If the right charger is NOT married to the right EV, then you have a disconnect, which results in driver dissatisfaction, longer charging time, slower charging, and more.

What Is An Obsolete EV Charging Station?

Level 2 chargers come in all sizes and make. The chart below sets out six Level 2 charger sizes available on the market. Current EVs are being manufactured to accept 11.5kWs of power with some, like the Ford Lighting, Tesla, Porsche, and others accepting 19.2kWs per hour.

Today EV charger technology is such that with the right charger purchase you will get all the flexibility you need, now, and in the future.

Some 11.5kW and 19.2kW chargers have built-in speed control. Even if there was a technical reason why you needed a slower charger, getting one with speed control allows you to speed it up in the future as your situation changes. So, purchasing a slow charger, under 11.5kw and one without speed control, should be considered carefully!

Why are Retailers Peddling Obsolete Chargers?

To maximize profits! In some cases, not only are they peddling slower chargers, without basic features, but they are pricing these obsolete chargers for more money than faster, more robust chargers!

This practice is not limited to small retailers, those selling online, or some obscure websites overseas. Well-known retailers have built their whole EV charger business on this practice.

The bottom line is to do your homework, understand what you are purchasing, and keep in mind that most of the cost will be on installation. Even if you want to upgrade later, the installation expense will be a write-off unless you purchase the right charger from the start!

We always welcome your opinion! Leave us a comment below, we would love to know what you think. Help us improve EV charging awareness and share this article with your friends and colleagues!

EV Charging Fine Print… What They Don’t Tell You.

HWiSEL EV — Tue, 16 Aug 2022 13:18:26 +0000

We recently had the pleasure of speaking with a new Tesla owner. He was expecting to take delivery of his new vehicle soon and was trying to decide on his charging infrastructure.

We talked about an L1 charger that he could buy from the manufacturer vs. going for an L2 charger. Of course, there is a price difference, but the customer was convinced that with a small upgrade in the charging cable, the L1 charger could save him money and charge at L2 speeds. So, his decision came to down the price. We get it. There is nothing wrong with having the price of an item be the reason you buy the product, assuming all things are equal. But if you regret that decision later, having realized that you made false assumptions, what’s the point?

Here Is What They Don’t Tell You:

1. The pre-cool and pre-heat features available in your car are best when connected to a charger. However, the Level 1 charger will not work. So, if you must use your car battery to pre-heat or pre-cool your car because all you have at home is the L1 charger you are going to get less range from your car batteries! This means longer charging times with the L1 charger that is already slow.

2. The L1 charger with the use of an adaptor can deliver up to the L2 output of 7-9kWh. But they run hotter, they may need to be carried in the car as a backup, requiring additional inconvenience, and 50% of the installation cost of the L2 connection, the Nema 14-50 plug, for your L1 charger is the electrical cable to your electrical panel. The Nema14-50 cable can’t be used if you want to upgrade your charger from a 40amp to a 48amp unit. You’ll need to install a new cable. But if you are a Tesla owner that has a car that can quickly charge, installing a charger that delivers 50% or your car’s charging rate may be a waste of money.

Note, that these nuances are not specific to Tesla vehicles and apply to all EVs and chargers.

There are several other things you can only learn from having an EV so we welcome your opinion.

If you enjoy this article or find it helpful, share it with your friends and colleagues. Leave us a comment below we would love to know what you think. When we have your ideas we will be able to create a guide and help others.

STICKER SHOCK – Condo EV Charger Installation

HWiSEL EV — Mon, 18 Jul 2022 19:03:52 +0000

Corporations, property managers, and owners alike are struggling with how best to install EV Charging stations in condo buildings. The challenge is not going to get any easier, since the need will only increase over time as more drivers convert to EVs. While the transition takes place, multi-unit owners are bearing the cost!

In this analysis, we will examine the problems, the causes, the context in which these costs manifest themselves, and possible solutions for the staggering cost of installing EV chargers in condominiums.

Base Line

Let’s start by examining the context in which these costs manifest themselves:

1. Parking spaces are not fitted with electrical power. That electrical power needs to come from the common areas of the building using the Corporation’s electrical infrastructure.

2. The Condo Act does allow an owner to make a reasonable request to the Corporation to access the common areas of the building or even use the common areas for private use. In Ontario, Canada, this is done using a Section 98 request. The Corporation cannot reject such reasonable requests.

3. Section 98 requests are individual requests meaning that each owner needs to make the request themselves.

4. The electrical infrastructure in a condo building has limited capacity for the addition of electrical loads.

5. Parking areas of a condo building rarely have internet access.

6. The electricity provided to the charger/owner would have to come from the condo corporation.

Approaches

Condo corporations and property managers generally don’t have a strategy. In fairness, many don’t know what that strategy should be given the complex nature of providing EV charging stations in Condos. At this early stage in the market’s development, we see the following approaches:

“The first time a request is made we will deal with it.” – The Un-Strategy.

In this case, the board is guided by the first owner, their team, their contractor, their supplier, and the need for the board to educate themselves on EV charger solutions. What is problematic about this approach is that the first owner may not be representative of the whole. This approach may result in excessive costs to the owner, the corporation, and even other owners in the building that don’t have EVs.

2. “To each their own.” – The Strategy of Frustration.

In this strategy, the condo leaves the task of installing an EV charger to each owner. It does not provide guidance, it does not oversee the process, or get involved, other than to provide Section 98 approval. The strategy of frustration may dissolve the condo of responsibility or even the PM of involvement, but it is ineffective and inequitable. It may even leave the condo with multiple solutions, duplication, additional costs, exposure to insurance premiums, or more.

3. The Half Strategy.

Here the condo gets involved to the extent that it may provide a limited solution, base system infrastructure says, that allows owners to connect their charger. While this is beneficial it leaves the ‘Last mile’ to the owner. Unfortunately, this leaves out very important pieces of the solution that can increase costs and add frustration, the least of which is, how the condo gets reimbursed for electricity usage.

Costs

Condo owners can expect to pay substantially more to install EV Chargers than those living in single-family homes. Aside from the upfront capital costs, there are ongoing costs to contend with as well.

Section 98 legal expenses.
Infrastructure/installation proposal expenses.
Installation costs due to distance to electrical panels, cable type due to exposed conduit, and inefficient installation due to multiple providers.
Electricity cost recovery requires upgraded chargers with features like smart meters or the addition of other equipment.

By comparison, drivers who live in single-family homes don’t have these costs. How do they compare?

In total, condo owners can expect to pay up to $5,000 or more for an EV charger installation in their Condo parking spot or 2x that in a single home. Plus, they are exposed to ongoing costs for electricity consumption reporting and other services.

Infrastructure Projects

Infrastructure projects in condos are always conducted by the corporation. The board identifies the need, for example, for a replacement window, hires the engineer, specs the project, secures qualified suppliers, and manages the project from start to finish. In all cases, the owners pay for this by way of contributions to the reserve fund.

EV charger installation is an infrastructure project. However, for some reason, many condos don’t want to deal with this or use half measures. The result is increased costs for owners, a half-baked, or ill-conceived solution, and inequity as early adopters get a charger, but other owners are shut out. So, what is the alternative? What can the Corporation do to bring order to the process while reducing costs for both the Owners and Corporation?

Considerations

The unique nature of condominiums, the location of parking, and other factors make such properties more involved when it comes to EV charger installation. Having said that some of the costs are within the Corporation’s control. As a body of the owners, it is in the best interest of the Corporation to do the best it can to minimize costs for owners. Some of the actions to consider are:

Expert Advice.

This does not mean contacting EV charger suppliers! Consider using an Electrical Engineering Consultancy firm to provide guidance. They are working for the Corporation and don’t have a bias or interest in the sale of equipment or services. Although not all EE consultancy firms have experience with EV charging infrastructure there are some, so look around.

2. Holistic Plan.

Prepare a plan that looks to minimize costs for owners; provides a complete solution. Prepare an EV Charger Installation Guide that covers the approval process, provides basic information on the building’s infrastructure, etc. Consider installing WiFi in the garage area for all EV Owners to use. Locating electrical EV junction boxes throughout the garage to minimize connection costs. Set minimum charger standards that include, open protocol software requirements, amongst other things.

3. Think Outside the Box.

What else can the Corporation do? Can the Corporation pass a By-law, or consider other legal approaches, that eliminate the need for individual Section 98 approvals, or simply lowers the cost of such requests? Consider Group Buying, or negotiating a single service provider to handle electricity consumption administration, etc.

Summary

The pressure on Corporations to deal with EV charging will only get more intense. Many automotive manufacturers are committing to 100% EV production in the next 8yrs. While governments around the World are targeting 2030 for a complete switch to EVs. No one knows what is coming, so planning for EV adoption is key, and not only 10%-20% but 100% adoption.

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EV Charger Siphoning – Condo Owners Beware!

HWiSEL EV — Mon, 11 Jul 2022 19:00:33 +0000

EV siphoning (syphoning) is a thing. It takes the form of illegally removing electricity from one source to another.

Yes, EV Charging can provoke a bit of conundrum and unexpected situations. How can Condo and EV owners restrict unwelcome usage, control access to the point, and track the flow of electricity?

Conventional Routine

We are all familiar with the practice of transferring gasoline from one car to another or from a car to a gasoline container. If the cars, or the container, belong to the same owner it’s not a problem. Nevertheless, if assuming the converse, then it is called stealing. Fortunately, siphoning gasoline is made difficult today because many cars have lockable gas tanks. However, it was not always like that.

Siphoning can also take the form of illegally stealing gas from a gas station. In the past, this was also easier than it is today, but it still happens. From time to time we read stories in the press about a driver filling up without paying.

Electric Transformation

We are in the early days of EV ownership. As more drivers take to the streets, and more EV cars in our parking spaces, the practice of siphoning electricity will be tested. This may take the form of one car plugging into another to steal a charge without the owner’s knowledge or approval. Although this may be technically difficult or restricted due to locked charging ports, it won’t prevent someone from trying. The more likely scenario is siphoning from a private charger.

Almost all gas pumps are now locked. They can’t be activated unless you insert a credit card, or the operator remotely unlocks the pump. In the case of private EV chargers, this is not the case. Private EV chargers come without a lock. In many cases, they don’t even have a locking mechanism. This means that if one has physical access to the charger then they can initiate a charge. If the private charger is in a locked or private garage space of the owner, it’s not a problem. However, that is not the case in condominiums.

Condominium Strategy

Condominiums provide parking in a common garage area. Every parking spot is open to every other one. EV owners have no choice but to have their EV charger located within their parking spot. The 18-foot, 20-foot, or even 25-foot charging cable that comes with the charger can certainly reach the parking spots next to the charger on the eighter side. Each owner is responsible for the cost of their electricity consumption. In this environment, condominium owners are exposed to unscrupulous neighbors who may want to steal a few kilowatts. How easy would it be for your neighbor to unplug your car, charge theirs, and return the plug without you knowing? Likely very easy.

No one expects people to freely walk into their condo units, but precautions are taken in the form of locks. It’s likely never to happen but one still locks the door to their condo unit. No one expects electricity theft, but in an open area like a garage, with no locks, doors, or walls, the temptation is greater.

WHEN YOU PURCHASE AN EV CHARGER CONSIDER ONE THAT HAS BUILT-IN ACCESS CONTROL!

Yes, EV charger siphoning is a thing.

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EV Drivers Pay 10 Percent Less To Power Their Home!

HWiSEL EV — Sun, 20 Feb 2022 08:42:15 +0000

EV drivers pay the equivalent of 11 months instead of 12 months of electricity to power their home.

Yes, you heard it, EV drivers save up to 10%.

There are a lot of discussions on social media about the cost of driving an EV. You can also find some monthly articles that explain the economic aspects of owing an EV. However, no one has looked at the impact of EV charging has on your home electricity bill.

EV Charging Cost at Home

If you look at the question from a cost accounting perspective, then you come up with a different answer on what it cost to power your EV.

Since cost accounting looks at the direct and indirect expenses as well incremental savings it’s a more holistic approach. Hence, let’s dig deeper into the math.

What Is a Delivery Charge?

Please look at the example:

Our EV driver lives in Toronto, Ontario and has Toronto Hydro as their electricity provider. The Toronto Hydro bill is made up of two main components: the price you pay for electricity and the price you pay to have that electricity delivered to your home, called the Delivery charge. You can make sure by looking at the Toronto Hydro bill here:

Naturally, the charge for the electricity consumption is a Variable charge. The more you consume, the more you pay! Therefore, having an EV charging at home will increase your electricity bill. However, what about the delivery charge?

Breakdown Of the Delivery Charge

To understand what’s included in the Deliver charge you need to look here, on Toronto Hydro’s website.

It turns out that C$40.70 of the Delivery charge is fixed. This means, regardless of your consumption you get charged C$40.70 every month. So, our Toronto EV driver pays a Variable charge and a Fixed charge.

Why would a user decide to purchase an EV and how might it impact their bills when EV charging as well as powering the rest of the house?

Estimating Home Electricity Expenses

To answer the above question, we need to look at a few more numbers. According to the Ontario Energy Board, the body that regulates electricity prices in Ontario, a typical homeowner uses 750 kWh per month on average

So, if we divide the delivery charge of C$40.70 by 750 kWh, this is equivalent to 5.43 ¢/kWh. Using the OEB bill calculator a Toronto Hydro customer would pay C$113.15 plus tax every month for 750 kWh. This works out to 15.09 ¢/kWh.

A typical EV driver consumes 3,000 to 4,500 kWh per year commuting, that’s on average 300 kWh per month. When we combine the residential consumption of 750kWh with the EV consumption the total would increase to 1,050kWh/month. This takes the delivery charge per kWh from 5.43¢ to 3.88¢ since it’s a fixed amount.

Now let’s put all these numbers together. Remember, we are just isolating the impact on your electricity portion of the bill, not the total bill. The result is that the Deliver Charge gets spread, or shared, between your Home and your Car. The result is, EV Drivers save 10% on electricity to power their home!

	Cost to Power your home
	Before EV (¢/kWh)	After EV (¢/kWh)
Delivery	5.43	3.88
Electricity	9.66	9.66
*Total*	15.09	13.54

Savings of 10%, or 1.55 ¢/kWh, Or C$139.5 per year (750kWh * 12 *0.0155).

Equivalent to ONE Month!

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