DCFS (CHAdeMO) between Westchester, NY and Philly

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Baltneu

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Joined
Oct 7, 2018
Messages
296
I need to drive from Westchester to Philly. The trip is 122 miles each way. Obviously cannot make round trip on a full charge.
Does our car software tell me where there are super chargers along the route? I would guess it would be either the Garden State Parkway and the NJ Turnpike. Not interested in L2 charging would take too long.

Or is there other programs to use to find the super chargers? When I have watch YouTube video of Tesla drivers making trips the computer plots for them where to stop and charge.

Thanks

[mod: fixed title to not say "Supercharging"]
 
Are you talking about Tesla Superchargers (https://www.tesla.com/supercharger)? If so, those are of no use to non-Tesla vehicles.

If you're looking for DC fast chargers, in general, I'd use Plugshare first and filter by the plugs your vehicles is compatible with (e.g. J1772 and CHAdeMO)).

For me, I'd care about (for my Bolt), J1772 and SAE Combo/J1772 CCS/Combo1 of CCS.

If you are trying to refer to the two non-Tesla DC fast charge standards for consumer EVs/PHEVs in the US (CHAdeMO and SAE Combo), please do NOT use the term "Supercharge" or "Supercharger".

Plugshare is a good starting point and a MUST to check for ratings and recent check-ins but it is crowd sourced. Sometimes, it get a more complete listing, one would want to use the maps and app for the major charging networks in your area (e.g. EVgo, Electrify America, Greenlots, ChargePoint, etc.)

For ChargePoint, one good point about their network and locations is that their app will show when the EVSE/charger was last used and allows comments. For example, the two CP DC FCs near home which I have used successfully numerous times in the past has been broken for the past 2.5 months, nearing 3 months. I can tell the last successful charge on one was 1/1 and the the other was in late Dec 2020. There are more recent comments to that effect and I can confirm semi-recently when I tried, it was still broken.
 
I am using my 2018 Leaf SL, 150 mile range, max.

So need to find non-Tesla, Fast Charge. I have never used the Fast Charge in my car. I think we have the Chademo standard in our Leafs.

What would be the best app in my area as stated above?
 
(Sorry, in a meeting at work.)
Plugshare. Filter by J1772 and CHAdeMO. J1772 would be for a last resort backup.

Some folks use ABRP (https://abetterrouteplanner.com/). However, I would caution about depending on ABRP's suggestions since it could send you to an unreliable or downed charger. Always cross-reference w/Plugshare and if possible, have multiple backups for each stop.

Also, Electrify America is a big caution flag. VW of America-owned EA has stacked the deck in favor of their own brands (VW, Audi and Porsche) and VW's business interests. Almost all of their sites have only 1 CHAdeMO with 5 to 7 SAE Combo (which Leaf can't use). Woe is you if the CHAdeMO handle or charger its on doesn't work.
 
I looked at fast chargers on the GSP and NJP and there do not seem to be enough of them yet so I would be taking a big risk in the trip.
 
(still in meeting)
I don't know that area at all but https://www.plugshare.com does have a Trip Planner (on the left). I'd never tried it until today so I can't speak to it.

On the note of plugs, there was https://insideevs.com/photo/3935010/chargepoint-introduces-us-to-the-little-monsters-of-plug-in-electric-vehicle-charging/ (from https://insideevs.com/news/321520/chargepoint-introduces-us-to-the-little-monsters-of-plug-in-electric-vehicle-charging/) from long ago...
 
Quick-chargers do seem pretty sparse on that route, so far.

I usually end up using only level-2 charging for my longer trips. I like the more frequent, longer-duration stops to explore and enjoy different areas, and level-2 is especially effective at charging to near-max capacity. Level-3 (CHAdeMO) is most effective for charging up to about 80%. Above that, the charge rate can slow down enough to make it impractical.

It looks like Blink is the most common charging network in your area, so you'll probably want to sign up for an account with them (if you haven't already) and possibly use their app for charging.

A Level-2 charger capable of 6.5 kW can add about 20 miles of summertime range per hour of charging. I use these kinds of figures more often than time-to-full-charge.

I usually spend some time with Plugshare.com and https://www.evtripplanner.com/planner/2-8/ (change EV model to LEAF A or LEAF B) and a notebook before any extended trips and jot down estimated energy use between trip legs and additional location information about chargers (and backup chargers) I plan to use. Then, when I actually take the trip, I update the numbers and other information for the next time I go!

Safe travels!
 
PrairieLEAF said:
I usually end up using only level-2 charging for my longer trips. I like the more frequent, longer-duration stops to explore and enjoy different areas, and level-2 is especially effective at charging to near-max capacity. Level-3 (CHAdeMO) is most effective for charging up to about 80%. Above that, the charge rate can slow down enough to make it impractical.
Same here, although my Tesla lets me go quite a bit further in a day. Then I spend a night at an interesting place with overnight L2 charging and wake up to a fully charged battery.
 
It seems that Tesla has done it right
For the rest of us, long trips are very difficult to do
 
Baltneu said:
It seems that Tesla has done it right
For the rest of us, long trips are very difficult to do
Agreed, but if you can plan your trip with an overnight stay and charge, it makes for a nicer trip in any EV
 
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