This is what I did. I bought an inventory car that was twin charger equipped but didn't come with an HPWC and a few months later bought the HPWC. I typically charge at only 24 amps, but I love the aesthetics of the HPWC, the convenience of leaving my UMC in the car all the time, and the ability to help travelers who might want an 80-amp charge while in my area. I've charged > 24 amps very few times at home but when I've needed it, I've been glad to have it.
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This is what I did. I bought an inventory car that was twin charger equipped but didn't come with an HPWC and a few months later bought the HPWC. I typically charge at only 24 amps, but I love the aesthetics of the HPWC, the convenience of leaving my UMC in the car all the time, and the ability to help travelers who might want an 80-amp charge while in my area. I've charged > 24 amps very few times at home but when I've needed it, I've been glad to have it.
Same here, but instead of buying a HPWC, I spent less than half that on an extra UMC. Now I have two, one permanently in the car and one permanently in the wall socket. And if I lose the one in the car somehow, I can always start using the one from the garage.
Yeah, esthetics... I guess I don't spend enough time in the garage for that to matter to me.
I totally agree. I'd never go on a road trip with out my UMC (and a nice collection of adapters and a heavy duty extension cord and soon, hopefully, a CHAdeMO adpator).
I was just commenting on the issue of "pulling up to a charger 200 miles away from home, and realizing that I forgot the UMC at home".
Indeed.
You don't really need it.. but I think there are some factors that make the HPWC compelling:
I got the HPWC for more than just for aesthetics (although I must admit it looks cool):
- I plan on an 100A installation at some point... while the 50A circuit I currently have is plenty for overnight charging... there are cases where a "fast turnaround" or decision for spontaneous trip have come up, and the near-60MPH charge rate would be preferable as opposed to the under-30MPH rate
- I don't consider the UMC "permanent installation" device. As a matter of fact the "M" in "UMC" stands for "mobile". I understand leaving it plugged in most of the the time, but I'm not sure that time, flex, weight, etc... won't take it's toll on the plug-head/adapter combo.
-The HPWC has a cable hanger and "plug hook" in addition as well as a slightly longer cable.
- I want a charging cable in the car at all times. That means that if I want a permanent UMC for the garage, I'm already at $650. Spending the difference for the HPWC for the above reasons isn't that much of an additional expense in the overall scheme.
scaesare;560974I got the HPWC for more than just for aesthetics (although I must admit it looks cool):[/QUOTE said:I do really like the look of the HPWC. Most EVSEs are down right ugly. Even the much lower power custom Porsche EVSE for the Panamera S E-Hybrid is big and blah compared to the Tesla HPWC...
Al Sherman
It's about THIS car.
I got the twin chargers AND the HPWC. Mostly (at the time) because I could, and I was pretty much getting "everything." After a year, I'm still glad I got the HPWC but have rarely needed greater than 40 amp charging.
One possible thought: If you aren't going to charge to 90% daily there may be times when you want greater than 40 amp charging. Yes, I'm aware of what Elon said about batteries. No need to go there again. However, there are still many people who are not charging there MS's to 90% when they wont "need" the range. I'm one of them. Having said that, there were a couple of times in the past year when I needed more than the 140 or so rated miles that my car has on it every morning. I needed the extra range quicker than 40 amp charging would provide or I couldn't use the Model S. So, if you're gonna charge to 50-70% regularly as some are still doing; you may need the 80 amp charging at some point. Worth the money? It's a personal call. It IS for me. Do you NEED the HPWC? No. I'd still get the twin chargers though.
One possible thought: If you aren't going to charge to 90% daily there may be times when you want greater than 40 amp charging. Yes, I'm aware of what Elon said about batteries. No need to go there again. However, there are still many people who are not charging there MS's to 90% when they wont "need" the range. I'm one of them. Having said that, there were a couple of times in the past year when I needed more than the 140 or so rated miles that my car has on it every morning. I needed the extra range quicker than 40 amp charging would provide or I couldn't use the Model S. So, if you're gonna charge to 50-70% regularly as some are still doing; you may need the 80 amp charging at some point. Worth the money? It's a personal call. It IS for me. Do you NEED the HPWC? No. I'd still get the twin chargers though.
Renault Zoe can charge at up to 43 kW AC (64A 400V three-phase). That's close to the speed of Chademo. Twice the speed of AC-charging on a Tesla Model S with a dual charger.
There aren't many 43 kW AC charging stations over here yet, though.
Cottonwood
Roadster#433, Model S#S37
See 4 Corners EV Charging - Page 3. With Twin Chargers and you can enjoy the 70A J1772 stations as an alternative to the 4-Corners Supercharger S-Turn.
There is more out there in the wild than 30A J1772's and Superchargers. Use the power!
There is more out there in the wild than 30A J1772's and Superchargers. Use the power!
I know you already made your decision, but just to answer your specific question: no, there are none around here (except at my house and a bunch of my friends' houses).
Indeed I made the decision to add twin chargers. I think within a city they gave good value. I am going to use them when I visit Tampa in April at Tesla service center in Tampa. Since you have HPWC I installed in your house, can you tell me how much does it cost to install one ? I have 200 A power for my home. Is this enough to install HPWC or do I need to upgrade.
That should be fine, assuming that you don't have anything crazy drawing power in the house. I have 3 A/C zones and a pool + the usual stuff with 200A and no problem.
I suggest Joseph Myers at 561-654-8452
He did my house and all of my friends and no complaints and very reasonable. The Tesla SC is now recommending him as well.
It appears that the BMW i3 will have a 7.7kW charger (240VAC @ 32A) and optional SAE Combo (J1772 + 50kW DC Fast Charge). The Tesla sourced 10kW AC chargers in the RAV4 EV and the upcoming Mercedes B-Class EV are the only other ones available in USA that I can think of that exceed 6.6kW. Those are essentially the same as the single charger in the Model S (40A max at 277VAC max). The 43kW Chameleon Charger in the Renault Zoe is nice, but its added benefits are inaccessible in USA due to its use of 3-phase power (230VAC @ 3x32A and 3x63A). With 1-phase it can only pull ~7.4kW (230VAC @ 32A)
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