MarcGeller
Member
- Joined
- Nov 22, 2010
- Messages
- 11
Could you please forward me his contact info (offline if you like: [email protected]). He should know the AVCONs can be upgraded at zero cost to costco. (They like a good bargain, no?)
COSTCO not planning EV chargers upgrade...unless we request
- Thread starter CASF
- Start date
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pii100
Well-known member
Picked up some orange chicken today and dropped a comment card on the way out. I figure its a long shot we get any in Austin but hey it was almost zero effort to request it.
hill
Well-known member
You really think Costco's (or any other large corporation for that matter) leadership / management would bless the "simple! ... we'll just re-wire 'em!" mentality and turn a UL approved appliance into what would then be a non-UL device? Chances are, the red flags of potential liability would even make the suggestion of doing something like this stink to high heaven ... regardless of how bullet proof it may be.surfingslovak said:
hill
Well-known member
The Irvine Costco is just 1 1/2 blocks from the MetroLink station ... it has nearly a dozen LPI and SPI chargers, as well as a "yazaki" plug !!garygid said:
These dinosaurs haven't been used for about 15 years . . . yet there they sit . . . wasting what could easily be a perfect place to charge . . . for a full day too . . . not like costco where you may end up staying at for an hour or so. Yet the Irvine train station's chargers (even if you DID have a RAV-4) have signs stating NO parking, unless you belong to Irvine University's private little EV group. What's up with that.
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GaslessInSeattle
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 6, 2011
- Messages
- 1,566
I couldn't agree more. aiming low is a mistake, IMHO, we should ask for j1772 L2 and even CHAdeMO L3 at a place like costco where they already sell fuel and can more easily wrap their heads around investing in the infrastructure for providing and even selling electricity. those who are willing to modify their 120 V stock EVSE's may seem high in number now, but once the mainstream catches on to EV's, the number of people willing to modify their equipment will probably be the minority. We should keep the request simple and to the standard for insurance/liability and practicality reasons. L1 plugs are a waste of time for all but one's work place and long term parking like airports, IMHO.
I've put in a request for L2 EVSE's at the Shoreline Coscto. Hope others do as well. Once the 6.6 W chargers are standard in LEAF's, L2 is going to go a long way to making a half hour to hour "shop and charge" a viable reality.
g
I've put in a request for L2 EVSE's at the Shoreline Coscto. Hope others do as well. Once the 6.6 W chargers are standard in LEAF's, L2 is going to go a long way to making a half hour to hour "shop and charge" a viable reality.
g
BudRaymond said:
rawhog
Well-known member
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HighDesertDriver
Well-known member
It would seem from the few contacts forum members have made with Costco personnel so far that a unified Costco Corporate position has not yet gelled. However, at least some people in the company are talking about it, and perhaps the whole juggernaut can be coaxed along with some persistent and positive encouragement. My first contact was a short conversation with an assistant manager and the guys in the tire shop. Here's how my second contact with papers in hand went . . .
I printed and dropped off a package of information and an application to get free replacement Clipper Creek EVSEs at the Lancaster CA Costco yesterday. I also attached a personal note with my phone # thanking him for his efforts and pointed him at the contacts listed on the forms for more detailed information. The store manager was not in, but the manager on duty took it and said he would make sure it got to him. Interestingly, he also volunteered that not only had they already been talking internally (I didn't clarify if that meant the Lancaster store only or at the corporate HQ level) about replacing the two aged SPI and AVCON units, but they had also been brainstorming where quick charge units might go as part of the gas station facility. At this site, there is a smaller parking lot between the gas station and car wash that looks like an obvious spot. The Lancaster Costco is located adjacent to the L St exit from the SR14 freeway.
I made the point several times that the change would be free, and he acknowledged the not-so-mild emphasis with a smile and response of "That's the kind of price we all appreciate!"
I printed and dropped off a package of information and an application to get free replacement Clipper Creek EVSEs at the Lancaster CA Costco yesterday. I also attached a personal note with my phone # thanking him for his efforts and pointed him at the contacts listed on the forms for more detailed information. The store manager was not in, but the manager on duty took it and said he would make sure it got to him. Interestingly, he also volunteered that not only had they already been talking internally (I didn't clarify if that meant the Lancaster store only or at the corporate HQ level) about replacing the two aged SPI and AVCON units, but they had also been brainstorming where quick charge units might go as part of the gas station facility. At this site, there is a smaller parking lot between the gas station and car wash that looks like an obvious spot. The Lancaster Costco is located adjacent to the L St exit from the SR14 freeway.
I made the point several times that the change would be free, and he acknowledged the not-so-mild emphasis with a smile and response of "That's the kind of price we all appreciate!"
GeekEV
Well-known member
Nice work. As I've stated several times, I see no reason why they shouldn't at least do the free conversions. If this is what it takes to make it happen, so be it. Can you post links to the documents you mentioned about the free upgrades? I know the program exists, but I have no idea where to find the paperwork. I would like to approach my local store in a similar fashion.
Thanks!
Thanks!
mxp
Well-known member
GeekEV said:
Actually, the "free conversions" needs some clarity-- Does it apply to ALL existing AVCON units of any make/model (other than ClipperCreek's ?) ?
And, what about the old "Paddle units"? Does they qualify for the free upgrade as well?
My local Costco has 2 of these units: One is the old Paddle and the other is an AVCON device. The AVCON model is ICS-200 Intelligent Charging System made by EVI. EVI is Electric Vehicle Infrastructure. The sticker says they are based in Auburn, California. Will this one qualify for the free upgrade??
Coincidently, ClipperCreek is also based in Auburn, CA. Are they the same company??
LEAFer
Well-known member
Basically ... yes. (Unable to confirm your other questions.)mxp said:
GeekEV
Well-known member
I need more clarity in those questions too. I was hoping the documentation might help...mxp said:
rawhog
Well-known member
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GreenPowerDP
Active member
I just got onto the Costco website and sent them a message about upgrading their chargers.
It seems Best Buy has already committed to L2 chargers at 12 locations: http://www.plugincars.com/best-buy-install-electric-car-charging-stations-part-ev-project-90080.html
and more recently, IKEA jumped on board with a commitment to install chargers in 10 locations: http://electriccarsreport.com/2011/07/ikea-to-install-blink-charging-stations-in-select-us-locations/
It doesn't hurt to ask!
It seems Best Buy has already committed to L2 chargers at 12 locations: http://www.plugincars.com/best-buy-install-electric-car-charging-stations-part-ev-project-90080.html
and more recently, IKEA jumped on board with a commitment to install chargers in 10 locations: http://electriccarsreport.com/2011/07/ikea-to-install-blink-charging-stations-in-select-us-locations/
It doesn't hurt to ask!
HighDesertDriver
Well-known member
GeekEV said:
For those of you who have asked about the paperwork I took into our local Costco, just PM me with your email addresses and I'll send the files back as attachments. Perhaps one of you more tech-savvy types could then save it in a public file and then post the links here?
Note: An extra dose of patience on your parts may be in order while I respond -- we are currently between ISPs and I have to trek to Starbucks or similar free wifi locales to get online.
Tough duty!FYI, the paperwork and associated funding to replace heritage units is for California locations. However, some of you in other states might use it as the basis for similar efforts.
HighDesertDriver
Well-known member
UPDATE: Just spoke with the store manager, only to discovery the paperwork I dropped off never got to him. He offered that he is indeed interested in upgrading the existing units, and "free" is a price he could afford. He gave me his email address so the paper would not get lost again.
He also commented that in his year at this store and five years at the Burbank warehouse he had only seen one car using the charge stations. I'm not sure he is correct, but he believes the store is legally obligated to maintain the spaces and provide charging. Could be an agreement with the local city gov't which gave up a bit of the adjacent park to make room for the store or could be a state thing.
He also commented that in his year at this store and five years at the Burbank warehouse he had only seen one car using the charge stations. I'm not sure he is correct, but he believes the store is legally obligated to maintain the spaces and provide charging. Could be an agreement with the local city gov't which gave up a bit of the adjacent park to make room for the store or could be a state thing.
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