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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsGM is tripling the size of its EV fast charging network
General Motors is hoping to bolster consumer demand for electric vehicles by tripling the size of its fast charging network.
The automaker is adding more than 2,700 fast chargers over the next five years in conjunction with its EVgo partnership. Chargers will be installed in a variety of areas across cities and suburbs, including grocery stores, retailers and other "high-traffic" locations, with the aim of letting people charge their cars while running errands, the company said in a press release. It takes under a half hour for a car to fully charge.
The strategy stands in contrast to Tesla's own fast charging network, known as Supercharger, that originally focused on providing quick-charge capability along Interstate routes to facilitate long-distance drives. GM CEO Mary Barra said on a call with reporters that the focus on metropolitan areas was a result of customer feedback, and a desire to tap into an underserved potential customer base who live in apartments without access to personal garage charging systems.
But Tesla's network only charges its own vehicles, while EVgo's pumps can charge a variety of vehicles (including Tesla (TSLA) models).
https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/31/cars/gm-fast-charging-network-expansion/index.html
TreasonousBastard
(43,049 posts)NickB79
(19,233 posts)This proprietary charging system every EV has is stupid as hell.
SunSeeker
(51,550 posts)I just charge at home. Every station I have ever pulled up to has either not been functioning or had a car parked at it.
You just can't plan a long trip when you can't count on a readily available charging station.
Expanding and improving charging stations is key to being able to sell more EVs. I am glad GM is doing this, but I'm not counting on it. When the lease on my Bolt ends in two years, I will probably switch to a plug-in hybrid. The range anxiety has been too much with an EV.