Tesla Should Provide Free CHAdeMO adapters to Businesses Offering Free Charging

That makes way too much sense, Andyw2100; I like the idea. I'm surprised it hasn't been proposed before...

I agree that an adapter "stationed" at a free, convenient station is many times more useful than one that spends 99% of the time "frunk-locked."
I'm one of the referral donation people, maybe the only one so far, and I have chosen Rouses Market in New Orleans, LA as a recipient if I can get a taker on my code. They seem really Tesla-friendly per the PlugShare reviews.

Rick (aka "Rick3466")

That makes a lot of sense, but are there really free Chademo stations available? I've never seen one.

Outstandingly sensible idea! Why hasn't Tesla thought of that first?

[emoji4]
We have thru October to use referrals to "make Tesla provide free adapters."

I actually found a Nissan dealer with a free, after-hours-available CHAdeMO and a good attitude - Temple TX. Bit close to Waco SC though.

And... ATC Drivetrain North was someplace I thought would be a good location, even before the Referral promo... but the OKC Supercharger opened.

There is even a case in Tesla Motors supplying one adapter free (or at cost) to ANY Chademo station that applies for it. More kW supplied by them is less kW supplied by the SuperChargers.

It makes a lot of sense, but the CHAdeMO equipped businesses (Are there any businesses other than Nissan dealers that have them?--not talking about public charging locations, SunCountry, or similar, just actual businesses with CHAdeMO installed.) will have to have a procedure checking them in and out.

jerry33 said:

... will have to have a procedure checking them in and out.

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Like, holding your Keyfob during your session. Yeah.

edit: In case of a really desirable location, with super-limited hours, or unwilling to keep an adapter behind the counter, I was entertaining the thought of locking the adapter in a locker or box with a combination. It's all these years of GeoCaching experience coming out perhaps.

This seems like too much of a burden for the business hosting a CHAdeMO station (such as Rouses Market, to use this example). It's enough that they have to keep the station operating, which seems to be an issue if you read the comments on Plugshare. We should be thankful for businesses that host stations, and even more thankful that when they're free, without expecting them to manage an adapter for us. CHAdeMO use should be BYOA (bring your own adapter).

Andyw2100 said:

The place that SW2Fiddler mentioned--Rouses Market in New Orleans--has one, and is open 24 X 7, assuming SW2Fiddler's information is correct. I was piggybacking off his idea of donating one. .

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The CHAdeMO station is 24/7, but Rouses' published store hours are 6Am to midnight.

I've reached out to Jeremy, their manager, thru PlugShare to see if they would be amenable to even considering it.

Owners absconding with the adapter: PlugShare contact info, such as with private plugs, could be online so a combination would be conveyed verbally and the borrower known I suppose. Good discussion.

Would some kind of security cable work? Something that can be unattended would be ideal.

stopcrazypp said:

Would some kind of security cable work? Something that can be unattended would be ideal.

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I thought something appropriate for a $450 bicycle would do. However. Would the owner/vendor of the physical station potentially have a problem with attachment I wonder.

We have a 50kW CHAdeMO/CCS as well as an 80A HPWC and 75A J-1772. They are all free and we have an adaptor available free during business hours.
Because we are located just west of Milwaukee off I-94 they are getting used frequently. It probably helps that they are always working too.
PlugShare - EV Charging Station Map - Find the nearest location to charge your electric car!

deonb said:

That makes a lot of sense, but are there really free Chademo stations available? I've never seen one.

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All of that just because Tesla stubbornly refuses to support any common standard. They had to do their own thing. Twice already (Roadster plug). At least in Europe Tesla comes with a commonly used plug.

David99 said:

All of that just because Tesla stubbornly refuses to support any common standard. They had to do their own thing. Twice already (Roadster plug). At least in Europe Tesla comes with a commonly used plug.

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Not sure how this applies to DC charging. You can make a case about the Roadster not using the J1772 given the specs are largely the same (although it was not ready yet by the time the Roadster came out), however, I don't see how CHAdeMO applies. As a standard it is a horrible one for Tesla to adopt. The power levels are much lower, it's huge, and it can only do DC charging.

I'll once again point out that CHAdeMO was a completely closed proprietary standard while the Model S was being developed. It didn't become a Japanese standard until late 2012 and an international IEC standard until 2014.

Even in Europe, the Tesla socket doesn't work for CCS (which is the DC standard) and it also still needs an adapter for CHAdeMO.

David99 said:

All of that just because Tesla stubbornly refuses to support any common standard. They had to do their own thing. Twice already (Roadster plug). At least in Europe Tesla comes with a commonly used plug.

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The current J1772-2009/2010 standard didn't even exist for the Roadster, and neither did the CCS-Combo series. Therefore, it would be a bit difficult for them to use, no? Yes, CHAdeMO existed, however the standard is currently designed for 200 amps (CCS is also 200 amp limited). The Tesla Supercharger already pump out 370 amps. CCS uses a patented communication method that neither Tesla Supercharger, nor CHAdeMO use (they both use common CAN bus messaging).

In addition, J1772 / Type 1 is limited to 30 amps (and still is worldwide), so Tesla petitioned the SAE to make US J1772 standard go up to 80 amps. Tesla has used this standard since the very first Roadster, with only a minor physical adaptor (no electronics) required for public non-Tesla AC charge stations.

I don't quite blame Tesla for forging ahead when everybody else was/is dragging their feet.

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stopcrazypp said:

Not sure how this applies to DC charging. You can make a case about the Roadster not using the J1772 given the specs are largely the same (although it was not ready yet by the time the Roadster came out), however, I don't see how CHAdeMO applies. As a standard it is a horrible one for Tesla to adopt. The power levels are much lower, it's huge, and it can only do DC charging.

Even in Europe, the Tesla socket doesn't work for CCS (which is the DC standard) and it also still needs an adapter for CHAdeMO.

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There's absolutely no reason CHAdeMO could not be used for both AC and DC, as Tesla does already. A simple communication signaling DC / AC power, and the onboard relays would click to the onboard charger(s) for AC and directly to the battery for DC.

Those 200 amp pins and wires in CHAdeMO (and CCS) have no idea if they providing AC or DC, nor do they care.

I can't argue with the "huge plug" part, and the 200 amp limit is grossly short of Tesla. Tesla made the best decision by not hobbling their car to fit other lessor standards, particularly considering that those other standards were not widely deployed (or even fully designed).