RocketGhost
Well-known member
- First Name
- Spencer
- Joined
- May 22, 2024
- Threads
- 3
- Messages
- 191
- Reaction score
- 203
- Location
- Memphis TN
- Vehicles
- 2022 Lariat ER
Before trying to solve a problem, we need to correctly identify the problem. From my experience and what I've observed others discuss, a problem arises when someone is waiting in line to charge and there is someone charging who doesn't need to be.
There's various reasons why the person doesn't need to be charging. Maybe they already have enough to get to their destination, or they could charge at home but they have free charging at the station, or it would be more efficient to make another charging stop down the road due to their vehicle's charging curve, or they just "feel" like they need more charge than they actually do. Why do people keep charging when they don't need to? Sometimes people don't understand charging curves, sometimes people are just inconsiderate, sometimes it's cheaper, and sometimes they are just not aware of the situation.
Potential solutions to the problem should aim to prevent, deter, or stop people from charging when they don't need to, but also allow people to charge when they need to. And that's the tricky part, because everyone's charging needs are different and every EV charges differently.
The idea to limit charging past, say 80%, does have some basis in fact. Most EVs will slow charging somewhere in the 80-100% range, and the more charge you have, the more likely it is that you can make it to your destination. Charge % is the only variable that can address at least some of the reasons why people charge when they don't need to. It's impossible to know whether someone doesn't need to go past 50%. But as you approach 100%, it's more likely that they don't.
Potential solutions have to address people's behavior to deter them from charging when they don't need to. You could have popup messages, educational videos on the screen, etc. But what people are most responsive to is money. Price is a great, proven way to modify consumer behavior.
My idea is to have tiered pricing. 80-90% the price doubles. 90-100% the price triples. This does nothing to keep people from charging below 80% when they don't need to. But it does address the issue that EVs typically slow charging somewhere in the 80-100% range, and it also addresses the fact that the closer you get to 100%, the less likely you need that much charge.
This would serve as a deterrent, but also allow people the option to fully charge if needed. Sure, it punishes those folks, but the tradeoff is that it's likely to get people out of the way. That tradeoff is something that we need to determine whether it's worth it.
There's various reasons why the person doesn't need to be charging. Maybe they already have enough to get to their destination, or they could charge at home but they have free charging at the station, or it would be more efficient to make another charging stop down the road due to their vehicle's charging curve, or they just "feel" like they need more charge than they actually do. Why do people keep charging when they don't need to? Sometimes people don't understand charging curves, sometimes people are just inconsiderate, sometimes it's cheaper, and sometimes they are just not aware of the situation.
Potential solutions to the problem should aim to prevent, deter, or stop people from charging when they don't need to, but also allow people to charge when they need to. And that's the tricky part, because everyone's charging needs are different and every EV charges differently.
The idea to limit charging past, say 80%, does have some basis in fact. Most EVs will slow charging somewhere in the 80-100% range, and the more charge you have, the more likely it is that you can make it to your destination. Charge % is the only variable that can address at least some of the reasons why people charge when they don't need to. It's impossible to know whether someone doesn't need to go past 50%. But as you approach 100%, it's more likely that they don't.
Potential solutions have to address people's behavior to deter them from charging when they don't need to. You could have popup messages, educational videos on the screen, etc. But what people are most responsive to is money. Price is a great, proven way to modify consumer behavior.
My idea is to have tiered pricing. 80-90% the price doubles. 90-100% the price triples. This does nothing to keep people from charging below 80% when they don't need to. But it does address the issue that EVs typically slow charging somewhere in the 80-100% range, and it also addresses the fact that the closer you get to 100%, the less likely you need that much charge.
This would serve as a deterrent, but also allow people the option to fully charge if needed. Sure, it punishes those folks, but the tradeoff is that it's likely to get people out of the way. That tradeoff is something that we need to determine whether it's worth it.
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