What About Wall Outlets?

As an EV driver having access to public Level 2 charging stations calms range anxiety. When I don't have time to sit around waiting the faster Level 2 chargers are perfect, but there are also times when I can get by with just a regular wall outlet. If I visit my mom in Toronto I plug into the wall outlet in the garage a normal visit is eight hours or more. In that time period I get back to a full charge while trickle charging. I am sure many EV drivers will be visiting areas where they will not need the car during their visit. In these instances it makes more sense to charge at a Level 1 charger at a parking lot and not have to worry about moving the car. 

When I charge at a Level 2 charger I like to free up the spot when I am done. 

This means that I have to go back to my car in about two or three hours to unplug. Then after unplugging I risk not having a regular spot available at the parking lot. If I know that I will be parking at the parking lot for the whole day I can plug into a Level 1 charger and not have to worry about moving the car. Normally I will be there for at least six to eight hours. This works for places like Zoo's and Amusement Parks where you will be visiting for the whole day. The cost to roll out regular wall outlets is a lot less than Level 2 chargers. If the parking provider wants to install Level 1 chargers that do not need the EV owner to use their on-board charger there are Level 1 charger with the J1772 adapter ready to plug in. 

The future of EV charging will be based on how quick you need to charge. There will be Level 3 chargers at rest stops along Highways and Freeways. The Level 2 chargers will be available in parking lots or place like restaurants where people might spend a few hours enough to get back to 80% charger or higher. The Level 1 chargers will be either at a friend or family members home where plugging in to a wall outlet for the time of your visit will get you enough charge to get back on your way. Then there will be Level 1 chargers at places that you will be there for more than six hours. If this roll out of chargers works out there should not be a shortage of chargers and places to get a those much needed electrons to get back home.

The Search for the Missing Charger Laura Secord Homestead

Sometimes being an EV owner can have its fun moments. Last weekend I had just that a fun EV moment. The family decided to go visit Niagara on the Lake. The Old Town is a very popular at this time of the year and has a little bit of everything for the whole family. The only thing that is missing is a public level 2 charger. I know that Sun Country Highway is trying to get a charger installed at the local wineries, but so far none have installed a charger. If you want to make the EV trip to this area there are three possible charger to use. The White Oaks Conference Resort has a charger and the Hilton Garden Inn. These two charger are right off the QEW making them very easy to find. The third charger is at the Laura Secord Homestead and proved to be the most difficult to find. There are two addresses for the location and both failed being found by the GPS. The GPS took us a fair distance away and considering that I am driving an EV there is little room for error. I stopped the car and called the Laura Secord Homestead and asked for directions or a nearby point of reference. They were able to guide me to the area and then I had to ask some locals if I was anywhere near. The good news was I was two streets away. Once I found the location there was the golden prize a Sun Country Highway charger. I plugged in and went for a tour of the grounds. There is a restroom and a little gift shop on site that you can buy refreshments. The area around the Homestead is mostly residential and little else to do while waiting for the car to charge. We did find some nice homes and a school with a playground and an open area that we were able to use for the dog to run free. Overall it is a well worth visit to the Laura Secord Homestead and I was very thankful that they provided the charger which made visiting the Niagara on the Lake region possible in my Nissan Leaf.