Well, this is music to my ears. It was shared with me by Phillip Kobernick, a recent CleanTech Talk guest who I discussed this matter with at length.

Economist: Go With Slow Level 1 Charging!

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2024-11-23 07:00:03

Well, this is music to my ears. It was shared with me by Phillip Kobernick, a recent CleanTech Talk guest who I discussed this matter with at length. The short story: Install more Level 1 charging capacity! This is all most of us need! And it’s much cheaper.

Naturally, all things being equal, who wouldn’t choose a 10-minute charge over a 3-hour charge or a 10-hour charge? But all things are not equal. Superfast chargers are far more expensive than Level 2 chargers, and Level 2 chargers are also significantly more expensive than Level 1 charging infrastructure (normal electricity outlets).

Phillip Kobernick, Associate Director of Energy Programs at Peninsula Clean Energy, made the case superbly on our podcast that Level 1 charging is often better for getting more charging capability installed and more electric cars charged. You get 4–7× more charging capability installed for the same cost if you go with Level 1 charging instead of Level 2. And given that people often just plug in their electric vehicles overnight, Level 1 charging can more than adequately provide what you need in that time.

Okay, on to the news. University of Calgary associate professor of economics Blake Shaffer starts with something that I have said for years is probably extremely common. He thought that when you had an electric car, you needed a Level 2 charger, and thus had to buy one on top of buying your car — and probably had to pay to have it installed (possibly even needing new electrical wiring and an upgraded electric panel). This is not the case. You can simply plug an electric car into a normal electricity outlet (see slides above).