Renault Is the New Leader in Free Electric Car Charging

[surfingslovak]

Renault Is the New Leader in Free Electric Car Charging

Whoa! This just in: Renault introduces a network of 875 free 22 kW charging stations across France. It should be noted that three-phase AC power is more readily available in Europe, and offering an AC hookup likely requires significantly less effort than procuring and installing a DC fast charger.

Nissan was first to offer free charging. It wasn't properly advertised, but a LEAF customer could stop at a dealership and get a free charge if there was a charging station available. Tesla Motors then launched its famous Supercharger network with the "free for life" principle. But Renault is now taking the lead with free charging in France.

The brand introduces a network of 875 free chargers in 372 stations all over the country. (See the ZE for Zero Emission dots on large map below.) They're nowhere near as powerful as the 120-kilowatt DC Tesla Supercharger. They are only AC 22-kW chargers, but their large number and wide distribution outweigh their low power. The stations are inside Renault dealerships, and they're not totally free as their use is limited to one hour per day at each store. Still, it's possible to drive cross-country, making a stop every 80 miles (every 100 miles for someone driving very quietly) before going back to the road. America only knows DC for fast charging, but Renault pioneered faster AC charging.

 

[Berlino]

Renault Is the New Leader in Free Electric Car Charging

What kind of port is there on the vehicle side?

 

[surfingslovak]

What kind of port is there on the vehicle side?

Mennekes type 2, I believe.

 

[surfingslovak]

Most stations in Europe are BYOC - bring your own cable. This is how the one that ships with the ZOE supposedly looks like:

 

[RonDawg]

Nissan was first to offer free charging. It wasn't properly advertised, but a LEAF customer could stop at a dealership and get a free charge if there was a charging station available.

Someone needs to tell that author that the reason it wasn't advertised is because it's something Nissan corporate couldn't guarantee, as it's up to the individual dealerships.

Or was he specifically talking about Europe?

 

[surfingslovak]

Or was he specifically talking about Europe?

I think Laurent lives in Europe and has a limited insight into the US market.

 

[DNAinaGoodWay]

From the article:

"The only thing wrong is in Renault's choice (backed by the government) of chargers with a Type 3 connector, against the choice of the European Commission towards the Type 2 plug. Foreigners will not be able to use the Renault network, since everywhere else in Europe, all EVs are sold with a Type 2 connector. It's incredibly stupid, and it will have to evolve. (The government officially recommends buying charging stations with an easy to change connector.)"

Also, mentions they're only available during business hours of 9 to 6, and limited to one hour use.

 

[surfingslovak]

Also, mentions they're only available during business hours of 9 to 6, and limited to one hour use.

Wow, that does not compare very favorably to Tesla's approach. Although, it does highlight how quickly an AC charging network can be provisioned, compared to a DC network everyone else seems to be favoring right now.

 

[smkettner]

875 :shock:

What on earth is Nissan USA waiting for?

 

[Berlino]

Also, mentions they're only available during business hours of 9 to 6, and limited to one hour use.

One hour should be enough at 22kW.

 

[DNAinaGoodWay]

Also, mentions they're only available during business hours of 9 to 6, and limited to one hour use.

One hour should be enough at 22kW.

Yes, as long as you don't need to charge from 6pm to 9am.

 

[TomT]

Well, he IS right that Nissan Corporate did a crappy job of both implementation and advertising... Contrast it to Tesla, for example...

Someone needs to tell that author that the reason it wasn't advertised is because it's something Nissan corporate couldn't guarantee, as it's up to the individual dealerships.

 

[TonyWilliams]

Wow, the Frankenplug folks must love this!!!

So, basically, Europe will be:

France = their own quick charge system
Germany = their own quick charge system
CHAdeMO and Tesla = everywhere

 

[surfingslovak]

From the article:

"The only thing wrong is in Renault's choice (backed by the government) of chargers with a Type 3 connector, against the choice of the European Commission towards the Type 2 plug. Foreigners will not be able to use the Renault network, since everywhere else in Europe, all EVs are sold with a Type 2 connector. It's incredibly stupid, and it will have to evolve. (The government officially recommends buying charging stations with an easy to change connector.)"

Also, mentions they're only available during business hours of 9 to 6, and limited to one hour use.

I confirmed with someone familiar with the situation that a specific cable with type 2 and type 3 connectors is needed.

 

[surfingslovak]

Wow, the Frankenplug folks must love this!!!

So, basically, Europe will be:

France = their own quick charge system
Germany = their own quick charge system
CHAdeMO and Tesla = everywhere

Yes, it's becoming more hilarious by the minute.