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Cars destination charging

Published on September 28th, 2014 | by Stephen Grinwis

51

Road Trip In The Smart Electric Drive

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September 28th, 2014 by  


The Fear Of Road Trips

Often discussion of short-range electric cars raises a terrifying specter: The Road TripTM. According to the internet, this is a pastime that the entire world engages in, at least bi-weekly. Furthermore, these road trips cover distances of thousands of miles. As such, short-range electric cars are derided in favor of the much more convenient Tesla. Now, don’t get me wrong: Teslas are awesome, and if you are considering buying one, you totally should. They’re awesome. However, until the Model 3 gets released, they are unfortunately relegated to those of means. Or, at least, those with more means than me.

But is it really true that a road trip is impossible in other electric cars? One weekend I decided to find out.

BigCharger

Image Credit: Stephen Grinwis | CleanTechnica (CC BY-SA 4.0 license)

The Plan

A friend of mine was helping move his grandmother into a retirement community. He was shorthanded and could really use some help. It was pretty far away, nearly 70 km. Seeing as my car has a real-world range of 110 km, this is well outside of my range. Furthermore, my car doesn’t support fast-charging. Not that that would help, as there is little to no fast-charging infrastructure in my area. There is, however, an awesome network of Sun Country Highway chargers. In fact, there was a large charger out in the middle of a field equidistant between my home and my destination. The plan was clear. Drive from my home to the charger, charge back up, and continue to my destination. Then stop at the charger on my way back, and charge until I had enough time to get home, with some safety margin. Depending on how efficiently I drove, I might be able to only stop for about 30 minutes, to make it back home

The Road Trip

I awoke early on the designated day. I had a fully charged vehicle, and a desire to complete my first ever all-electric road trip. I set off for the charger. It was early in the morning and traffic was favorable. I stopped for breakfast at a drive-through just before I reached the charger, then stopped to fuel up as the car charged. However, before I’d even had a chance to take a second bite of my breakfast burrito, low and behold, a motorcycle comes roaring up beside me at the charger. Turns out the driver was a nice guy named Mike. He swore to himself that if he ever saw anyone charging in middle of the field, that he’d stop and see what it was all about. He was shocked to learn the charge was free (as are all Sun Country Highway chargers). We talked shop for about 20 minutes before he roared away on his motorcycle again. It was pretty cool to talk to him! I finished my breakfast quickly and pulled away. Thus far, I’d driven 35 km, burned 25% charge, but charged back up to 90%.

I set off again and reached my destination about 40 minutes later. I’d already been told that destination charging wouldn’t really be an option, so I wasn’t counting on it. We started loading up the furniture to be moved into the rented U-Haul trailer.

The Disaster

Suddenly: Disaster struck. Apparently, we didn’t have enough cars to carry everyone to and from the move. The truck held 3 people, with some of the room taken up by especially fragile goods on the move, but we had four people helping.

destination charging

Image Credit: Stephen Grinwis | CleanTechnica (CC BY-SA 4.0 license)

They correctly determined as well that the little Smart ForTwo was the best vehicle to go and run errands. So my friend’s mother took the Smart and went off to grab pizza and drinks for lunch, a new phone box, and a few other odds and ends as well. This ended up adding 15–20 km of overall driving to my trip.

Rats. All my careful planning, destroyed by an oversight. I decided not to worry too much. My trip had budgeted about 20% reserve charge.

After everything was moved in, we were about to grab lunch, but I went looking to see if I could find a plug to charge my car up a little bit. I found not just one, but three plugs, and one sitting at the end of the building, quite conveniently. I went and asked the nurse at the desk to see if it would be alright to plug in. She said, “Sure!” Sweet. So I took my car to the end of the building to charge. Turns out this was also near the smokers’ area for the nurses, who all had to come over to check out the car. I fielded all the usual questions: Is it fully electric? How far can you go? What did it cost? What does it cost to charge? Etc. Overall, a lot of interest. I even drew curiosity from the residents!

So the car charged while I refueled on delicious pizza. After lunch, with all the heavy lifting done, it was time for me to head home. In my brief period charging, I managed to replace all the charge used to run errands, so I was back on track and would have no problem getting to the big charger in the field. The way back was slightly uphill and I had a bit of a headwind, so I burned a bit more charge than planned and arrived with 20% charge remaining. This was technically enough to get me home, but with zero margin for error. So, once again I plugged in. I pulled out my phone and began browsing the internet. I started to catch up on some articles I hadn’t read yet here on CleanTechnica. But, before I could even get started, once again someone pulled in off the highway! This time, it was a man named Devin! We once again talked electric cars, and I think I seriously talked him into buying a Nissan Leaf. He used his car to deliver pizzas, and the gas was killing him, financially. However, with an electric he could charge at work in between runs and would have no difficulty completing his deliveries, even under a worst-case scenario.

After a pretty long talk with Devin, nearly 40 minutes, I set off for home, with lots of charge to spare! Of course, I arrived home, safe and sound. In the end, I ended up driving nearly 170 km, a lot of it rural, so it was about 3 hours driving all together.

The Conclusion

Road tripping the Smart ForTwo Electric (aka Smart Electric Drive) was a lot of fun. Pretty much my only complaint would be the slow charging provided by the small 3.3 kW onboard charger. The EVSE that I was using was capable of providing nearly 90 amps of current, but my car could only use a measly 16 amps of that. A 6.6 kW onboard charger like the Leaf has would be a welcome addition, even as a paid option. The European Smart ForTwo has a 22 kW charger, but that isn’t available here. It also apparently uses 400v 3-phase, which isn’t really available on this side of the ocean.

smart-fortwo-electric-drive_100387929_l

Image Credit: Smart

Overall, the experience was very enjoyable. I loved that people were curious enough both to drive in off the road to see me charging and to come and talk to me at the retirement home. I liked that I was able to go and help out my friend even though it was technically outside the range of my car. I think as fast-charging becomes more ubiquitous, and more powerful, it’ll make all electric road trips as easy and convenient as their smelly long-chain-hydrocarbon cousins.

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About the Author

is an EV evangelist, and general automotive enthusiast. His engineering background means he tends to nerd out a bit on the numbers. He focuses primarily on battery technology, wind power, and electric vehicles. If you can't find him running the numbers, or writing, you might find him lifting weights somewhere!


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  • elo

    I just ordered my smart electric today! $433 down, $142/month pre-tax for 10k mile annual lease. People really do need to be aware of how viable and low-cost EVs are nowadays.

  • Exotics

    12,273 miles on my Smart ED. Never have ran out. Car has been flawless and a complete blast to drive, not to mention the cost. I literally drive it for free on pure sunlight. Incredible

  • Philip W

    How long does it take before you saved enough to cover the more expensive EV? Have you done the math?
    It may be completely different for you since it´s only your second job, but I always wondered how long it would take to amortize EV cost in a job like full time pizza delivery or a similar job that involves a lot of driving.

    • Steve Grinwis

      In Devin’s case, he was ripping through about $100 / week in gas.

      That actually pays for the leaf with subsidies right there. Add in the lower maintenance, and he laughing.

    • anderlan

      I’ve done the math 8 times backwards and forwards considering the cost of both kinds of fuel, basically it’s the same as paying $100/month for a 30MPG-city gas burner. But for an unbelievably cool and zippy new high tech car. I would much, much, much, much rather pay for a durable tech good (the battery) than pay to litterally piss something away into the air (gasoline), and contribute to killing the atmo in the process.

      • Philip W

        Yeah totally agree, if I ever need a car I will buy an EV, no doubt about that. Right now really don´t need it nor could I afford it.

        Don´t tell yourself that it ‘moves the emissions’. Just because some of the electricity in the grid is produced burning fossil fuels doesn´t make an EV any less good. It´s a problem that has nothing to do with an EV itself and will hopefully be gone in a few years.
        A lot of people bring that argument as a downside of EVs. Saw exactly that on TV a few days ago. Another reason why I stopped watching TV years ago.

        That golden age will be awesome. When EVs get that cheap for businesses like pizza delivery, then all those businesses will start switching. Well and you guys know the rest of the story… ;)

  • Steve Grinwis

    Wow, those wages are kinda crappy. :(

    Good to hear that you’ve never had an issue!

  • LifeonBatteries

    I have one issue about the charge cable. There got to be a better way of plugging in that cable so no one trips-up on it, being human , like a plastic boom pole that goes under the back wheel and extent across to the outlet 7ft high so the pathway is kept clear for pedestrians.

    • Bob_Wallace

      My guess is that we will move to wireless charging before long.

      The small energy loss <10% with wireless will likely not be a real issue. We'll just install more solar panels and wind turbines and pass the cost on to drivers.

      At 0.3 kWh/mile, 10% battery charging loss, and $0.12/kWh electricity it costs $0.0396/mile. The wireless inefficiency would add less than $0.004 per mile. And EVs, charged as dispatchable loads, would likely get a much better rate than $0.12/kWh.

      • LifeonBatteries

        I like the old school SUV pick-ups big in size , which are practical, but haven’t found a practical EV yet which suits my needs. I noticed FedEx used an EV eStar electric truck/van which looks practical with a payload 5,100 lb (2,300 kg) 100mile (160km ) in range.
        On the practical issue the range is not good enough, they need to come up with 500 mile range but I suppose using up some of that payload and doubling the battery pack would do the job for me extending range 200miles.

        http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Modec_FedEx_truck,_LA.jpg

        • Bob_Wallace

          That’s not a very efficient body design for long distance, high speed travel. It’s OK for stop and go, lower speed use.

          • LifeonBatteries

            Sure I kind of like this design, but what else is out there that practical, got space and size which to carry suff back from stores like homedepot .
            I see this every time people trying to fit something that will not fit into a car, Mickey Mouse cars just not practical for me. I don’t like the concept of a small car been squashed like a fly .

          • Bob_Wallace

            Get a Tesla S. It has 63.4 cu ft of cargo space. That’s about 80% as much as in a Ford Explorer at 80.7 cu ft.

            Gives you over 200 mile range and free rapid charging on a trip.

          • LifeonBatteries

            I’m looking the advantage of EV eStar electric truck/van, the Tesla S has so many disadvantage with it, no option for solar panels, where eStar electric truck/van option unlimited as an off grid vehicle a one stop all-rounder solar powered vehicle, the key, no point in having EV car that has to be plugged in while the sun is shining down, all the energy going to waste.

            No one is talking about the concept of an off grid vehicle, off course will become commercially viable as more people moving to off grid lifestyle, its ideal choice vehicle to coexisting with a off grid home.

          • Bob_Wallace

            Plenty people talk about an off grid EV. Putting panels on the vehicle roof won’t carry you very far (do the math).

          • LifeonBatteries

            Easy install 2kw of PV on it, over 8 hour of good sun light 16kw charge, that the advantages better then no PV EV, an extra 2 hour driving time sound ok.

          • Bob_Wallace

            How many square feet would 2 kW of panels cover?

            Where do you park that has 8 hours of good sunlight?

          • LifeonBatteries

            I’ve worked out 4.5kw solar which can be incorporated on both side, rooftop and back tail gates, 36 kW recovery charge in a given day. There still over 2 ton payload in the back which to fill, that the advantage over little bubble EV.

          • Bob_Wallace

            Do you have any experience with solar?

            To generate an average 36 kWh (I assume that’s what you mean) per day you’d need a 6 kW array parked in Death Valley. And you’d have to jack your truck up an an angle to face the Sun.

          • LifeonBatteries

            We are talking about a versatile universal vehicle unplugged that can face the sun take full advantage of its space capacity not vulnerability to power surges (ref Hawaii Electric issue). A true zero emission vehicle.
            36kw would be the ideal generation capacity. If the panels were fixed and solar non-movable that would down rate capacity by 50%. There a simple engineering solution for that 36kw, both side PV to swing out and then angle to the sun parked, the roof could also lift angle tilt, even both tail gates, not a real issue on a big vehicle of this size.

            There is costly extensive and sensitive electronic equipment on an EV, using microprocessors controlled electronics. With the current situation in Hawaii 7% PV capacity causing problems, unsafe power quality, would you risk charging in an EV in that situation, EV manufacture don’t cover bad utility power like Hawaii, we have to rethink where we get our power from.

          • Steve Grinwis

            The angle will be all wrong, and you’ll have to derate your panels. Potentially as much as 40%.

            You also have to deal with the added weight and wind resistance of your panels that will be non-trivial.

            And if you were looking for more range, you could more cheaply install panels on your roof, and more batteries in your car. For instance, the 2kW worth of panels is worth $4k ish right now installed on a roof top. That buys you 10 kWh worth of batteries. That’s far more effective than the solar panels will be, for the foreseable future.

          • Steve Grinwis

            You don’t want solar on your EV. Do the math on it, and you’ll conclude that you’re far better off with statically mounted, optimally placed panels on a roof.

            What you do want is the most optimally streamlined vehicle possible. The Tesla has that. The eStar does not. That’s why the Tesla can go 400 km, and the eStar goes 50.

          • smartacus

            I like that body. It definitely looks aerodynamically efficient up to 60MPH on the freeway.

          • Bob_Wallace

            Had to test the limits, didn’t you?

            I’m going to let you sit in the corner for a couple days.

        • smartacus

          I agree

          • LifeonBatteries

            Fedex EV eStar electric truck/van has a 60 mile top speed, with a load 50 miles hour, you could fit 2 electric small Smart car in the back that an good advantage over other EV’s.

        • Steve Grinwis

          Might I suggest the $20 rent-a-truck option for 3 hours available at most hardware stores?

          Much cheaper than owning 90% more car than you need 90% of the time.

          • LifeonBatteries

            Sure, that not the point, having good size electric vehicle which is all-rounder is more practical, the advantage to install foldout solar panels on top and both side for the perfect off grid EV. When not in use could be used as the perfect backup for the off grid home system.

          • Steve Grinwis

            It is the point though. Most people don’t use SUV’s as SUV’s. They don’t take them off-road. They don’t haul 10k lbs. They probably don’t even sit 7 people in them. Most SUV’s I see have a single occupant. This is the statistical norm.

            You’re better off getting a vehicle that suits your average needs, and when you have extraordinary needs, rent a vehicle that you need, for that period. It’ll end up being cheaper, and you don’t have to deal with a massive lug of a transportation system you don’t need.

            Oh, and about the whole solar panel thing: It’s not worth it. You’re better off putting the panels on your roof, and buying a bigger battery if you need more range.

          • LifeonBatteries

            I don’t see your point, installing a fix PV on the house roof, while the EV on the road, this makes no sense, and ideally the panel need to be incorporated into the EV for a recovery charge cycle.

          • Steve Grinwis

            Because the panels will be severely derated due to the poor angle they’d be on, so you end up with far less power than if you put them on the roof of a building, and used it to either backfeed the grid, or charge your offgrid batteries. Solar cars aren’t going to arrive until their price falls below that of battery storage. That’s not projected to happen ever, currently.

            If you’re looking for more range, it is cheaper to install more batteries in your car, than it is to install solar panels. This also has the advantage of extending your range at night, and in the winter, and if you happen to park in the shade.

          • LifeonBatteries

            I took this into consideration, the panels will not be fixed, but fixed locked position when travelling. There a simple engineering solution, both side PV to swing out and then angle to the sun parked, the roof could also lift angle tilt, even both tail gates, not a real issue on a big vehicle of this size.

    • Steve Grinwis

      Typically, you put the car right beside the charger. There was no reason for anyone to walk between my car and the charger.

    • TedKidd

      Black is probably not the best color for cords. Maybe there is a business opportunity for fluorescent cord covers…

  • TedKidd

    Fantastic writing!

    • Steve Grinwis

      Thank you for your kind words! I’m an engineer, and I’m really new to this whole article writing thing. I sometimes worry that these big time writers like Zach and Tina will laugh me out of town!

      • Bob_Wallace

        You’re doing great. You bring a new slant to the site. Much welcomed.

      • Philip W

        I enjoy your articles, too. Great topics!
        And awesome too read that your able to spread information about EVs while driving around or even convince people to buy one. I wish I could do that.

      • TedKidd

        I think real life perspective really helps people understand how THEY could live with EV.

        Think about writing on this. The change in mindset/schemas of having a full tank every morning, and not worrying about having anything left at the end of the day. Of not thinking of “filling up” when you plug in so much as “filling enough” to get you to the end of the day.

        Also poignant were comments about filling up while filling up. That plugs really are ubiquitous, and plugging in while having lunch or hanging out is easy and SO different than having to stand next to the vehicle at some unpleasant location while you fuel.

  • smartacus

    Hey Stephen, how often do you use the “kick-down” button?
    This is so inspiring. The ED is such a fantastic little machine. I can’t wait to hear about your next adventure ;)

    • Steve Grinwis

      On my drive to work? Off nearly every light… :)

      On a road trip like this? Never. I cared about range. You end up with this weird situation where the slower you go, the faster you
      Get home!

  • UncleB

    Science form China will soon enough resolve the charging problems . . .

    • Steve Grinwis

      I honestly think it’s solved now. The same car can be charged fully in an hour in Europe… The only reason it can’t here is lack of a bigger onboard charger!

  • JamesWimberley

    “I think I seriously talked him [Devin] into buying a Nissan Leaf.” There are strong network effects in making people aware of evs as an option. Each additional ev and driver on the road is broadcasting information, even if not all drivers fit Stephen’s self-description of “ev evangelist”.

    • Philip W

      Gotta love exponential growth.

    • Steve Grinwis

      For sure. Devin didn’t know that electric cars were a thing yet, and was unaware of the government rebates as well.

      How many people would love an electric, but don’t even know they exist yet?

      Put all together, it was a convincing financial package for him!

    • GCO

      Yes indeed. Maybe a year ago, I visited a friend while his parents were there. They were stunned when he told them my car was electric; they didn’t know it could be done, asked tons of questions… Good to see that retired people remain plenty curious.
      Long story short, that guy bought a Leaf. :-)

      More recently, we booked a campsite together. We found ourselves with our two EVs there — no ICEV on that spot, sweet!
      One unusual vehicle might be just the local weirdo’s, but two… and with apparently happy kids running around the tents not far away…

      Questions this time came from people who recognized our cars might be EVs (which by itself is pretty cool, although my license plate makes it a bit more obvious):
      “No gas at all?” “How did you make it here?”
      There was indeed no outlet within 20+ miles. The friend had stopped for brunch, 1 1/2h at L2 was all he needed (his takes 6kW). Coming from a little further away, I had quick-charged while shopping for groceries on the way.

      Yes, charging speed was key here, and it’s really too bad Smart doesn’t offer DC quick-charging (although, to be fair, if they did, it would probably be CCS, which wouldn’t help me one bit as QC stations in the area are all CHAdeMO).

      • Steve Grinwis

        I’d settle for A/C quick charging! Haha.

        I hear that the chademo stations are going to get CCS plugs added to them.

        • GCO

          AC quick-charging, in North America? Finding an outlet would be almost as challenging as CCS. A 50A RV park hookup maybe? Most EVSEs only provide 30 or 32A.

          I don’t think existing QCs will be modified. The Nissan/Sumitomo QCs commonly installed nowadays don’t have a provision for an extra plug, and I frankly don’t see CarCharging splurging $$ to engineer a retrofit for their Blinks.
          This is quite understandable: the only compatible vehicle outside CA and OR is the BMW i3, as an option, but most people in the US buy the range extender instead…

          In California however, eVgo will add separate CCS QCs alongside the CHAdeMO units they have now, at least enough to comply with the terms of NRG’s settlement with the State (it’s 200 QCs, although I don’t remember if it’s 200 CHAdeMO + 200 CCS, or 100 each).

          • Steve Grinwis

            The charger I used was a SCH100, capable of delivering 80 amps at 240 volt. That’s 20 kW, and would constitute a a fast charge for anything except a Tesla. Those chargers are sprinkled all over Canada…

    • Exotics

      Leaf is hideous

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