Update on CalTrans District 9 (Sierra Nevada East Side) DC Fast Charger Program

[paulgipe]

Thanks Dan.

Frustrating. This is what it's been like for six years trying to get news out of any of these guys--and getting them moving on getting these stations up and operating.

EA's Coso Junction station is still off line and Bridgeport is down too. There's not even a Level 2 in Ridgecrest or Inyokern.

Paul

[danrjones]

Thanks Dan.

Frustrating. This is what it's been like for six years trying to get news out of any of these guys--and getting them moving on getting these stations up and operating.

EA's Coso Junction station is still off line and Bridgeport is down too. There's not even a Level 2 in Ridgecrest or Inyokern.

Paul

I wanted to get over to check inyokern airport and Brady's this weekend but I haven't been feeling well. This coming weekend hopefully.

At work yesterday morning my leaf was literally parked next to two white model 3s and one red model 3. But locals arent going to create demand in town for a level 2 as we charge at our houses anyway.

I know a few spots here in town that would be good for a level 2, such as the museums or one of the shopping centers, but I doubt the owners have even considered it.

[paulgipe]

That's why we need those DCFC stations. When I come through I have to charge at Alan Kirk's home Level 2. Gives me a chance to chat with Alan but he may not always be there. He drives a red Model 3. His wife is driving the Leaf.

Paul

[danrjones]

Bad news, and maybe some good news?

I did a trip this AM and checked Brady's and Inyokern Airport.

Brady's has nothing started, nothing flagged or any sign of anything.

But the airport indeed has something under construction. I will post the photos and maybe one of you can tell me if this looks like the start of some fast chargers. Two of them maybe? There are two box structures and holes carved out but also a big stack of pipes sticking up behind as well.

As to the airport, its not a great location, as you will have to walk about a mile for food. Better than nothing I suppose. The construction is in the old lot for AVIS rental car section from when the airport had commercial flights. A brief history lesson, Inyokern airport used to have a commercial flight 3 times a day on a puddle jumper to take people on Skywest (a United sub) until it went out of business. Most of the travelers were contractors and government from the base, because the flight was like $400 just to LAX and back. They recently tried to bring air service back but it again was too expensive and not dependable enough. The perking spots are still marked as rental car spots but I don't think Avis is actually there anymore.

[danrjones]

[paulgipe]

Bad news, and maybe some good news?

I did a trip this AM and checked Brady's and Inyokern Airport.

Brady's has nothing started, nothing flagged or any sign of anything.

But the airport indeed has something under construction. I will post the photos and maybe one of you can tell me if this looks like the start of some fast chargers. Two of them maybe? There are two box structures and holes carved out but also a big stack of pipes sticking up behind as well.

As to the airport, its not a great location, as you will have to walk about a mile for food. Better than nothing I suppose. The construction is in the old lot for AVIS rental car section from when the airport had commercial flights. A brief history lesson, Inyokern airport used to have a commercial flight 3 times a day on a puddle jumper to take people on Skywest (a United sub) until it went out of business. Most of the travelers were contractors and government from the base, because the flight was like $400 just to LAX and back. They recently tried to bring air service back but it again was too expensive and not dependable enough. The perking spots are still marked as rental car spots but I don't think Avis is actually there anymore.

Dan,

I spoke to Linda Urata about this station Friday and she said SCE told her it would take them 5 mos. to get the transformer installed. That will put it past EV Connects deadline to the CEC. Maybe you talked to her. At least it's a sign of action. Have you seen any activity in Mojave at the Denny's? At least there we have the EA station now. Coso still not showing any activity.

Thanks for the report.

Paul

[danrjones]

I have not talked to her. She works at the airport? What happens if they miss the deadline?

I haven't been down to Mojave on a few weeks. I'll definitely check it next time I'm down there.

I'll also try to get upto coso junction to check both sites there next weekend.

Thanks

[paulgipe]

Linda works for Kern COG in Bakersfield. She's involved with EV charging infrastructure.

My knee-jerk reaction is that EVC started construction so the CEC wouldn't yank their contract. If the project goes beyond June they're in violation of the contract. Who knows, maybe they won't get paid.

EA of course is not part of the CEC contracts and CARB doesn't seem interested in any enforcement. EA has met most of its obligations. What's CARB care if EA isn't servicing rural areas of California promptly.

Paul

[danrjones]

Linda works for Kern COG in Bakersfield. She's involved with EV charging infrastructure.

My knee-jerk reaction is that EVC started construction so the CEC wouldn't yank their contract. If the project goes beyond June they're in violation of the contract. Who knows, maybe they won't get paid.

EA of course is not part of the CEC contracts and CARB doesn't seem interested in any enforcement. EA has met most of its obligations. What's CARB care if EA isn't servicing rural areas of California promptly.

Paul

You might be right, they just won't get paid until completion. To be fair, if they complete all their work and are waiting on SCE (which might be EA's problem too) then that'not 100% their fault.

As to CARB, you are probably right. They don't seem to care that one CHAdeMO per EA station in spots with no backup is not sufficient. I've pretty well decided that when I return my leaf in a couple years the next one will need to be CCS. "Compliance" is not enough.

[danrjones]

They made a lot of progress in a week at inyokern airport. Looks like a dual head fast charger and two level two. Now looks like they are waiting on SCE as you said. I added photos to plugshare and will share them here a bit later. The level 2s require greenlots. Not sure if that's normal, but the reviews of the greenlots app for android are pretty lousy.

I haven't yet been down to Mojave but several have used it, including a user who posted his experience on YouTube. He was having issues with the card reader. But charging worked well with his Hyundai.