clearvision Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 FOX News:The federal government is hitting the gas on incentive programs meant to prop up the electric car market, raising questions about whether it's appropriate for Washington to continue subsidizing an industry it's already invested in heavily. As part of that interplay, nine cities across the country are set to receive thousands of free charging stations this year as part of a special program. In Austin, one of the lucky cities, the City Council could vote as early as this week to set the rates for those stations. If the local utility company has its way, drivers will get a deal -- a $25 flat fee for six months of unlimited charging. The idea is to serve electric car owners, while making prospective buyers comfortable with the technology, potentially inspiring them to buy an electric vehicle of their own. ------What could go wrong?Austin is getting 100 "free" $700 stations and then the city utility is installing them for $3000 a pop. I doubt we have 100 electric cars yet... I don't see how these work... say you are a city council member and have a free car (probably a demo given to you to help you understand the technology). You show up at work and there is this charging station sitting there. You hook up to it and go into work.... Now do you get it the rest of the day to your self (every day?). Are you expected to come out in 4 hours from work, move your car so someone else (who happens to be driving by?) can hook up for the 2nd 1/2 of the day? Even if it takes 2 hours to charge, who is going to deal with shuffling in and out of work to deal with this? These things are not gas pumps than charge in 10 minutes or less. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rheo Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clearvision Posted February 16, 2011 Author Share Posted February 16, 2011 OK level II charging stations take 3 to 8 hours. If these are level II then why not have each car owner pay the $3700 for their charging station at work, cause only 1 car will get to use (best case they split it among a couple of cars I guess). There are level III stations that charge in 30 to 60 minutes. So you show up to work, (everyone at same time) who gets on the charge for the first 30 minutes, then you have to go move your car, so some other smuck can go out move their car to the charger and so on. Right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clearvision Posted February 17, 2011 Author Share Posted February 17, 2011 These Level 2 charging stations operate at 240 volts and are capable of fully charging an all-electric Nissan LEAF in six to eight hours or a Chevy Volt in two to three hours, for example. So they are level 2. $2 an hour!!! or $25 for 6 months UNLIMITED. Something does not add up. This is going to be epic fail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saltbag Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 Very epic fail. Speechless. Plan B: U.S. Government to install "nothing but downhill" interstate system. Plan C: Integrate the "Play Now 360" program for kids to push cars around a track to wind them up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pepper Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 Obama: "I'll show those capitalists how much I know about the the Free Market. The electric car is going to be driven even if the tax payers have to subsidize it." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clearvision Posted February 17, 2011 Author Share Posted February 17, 2011 Nothing to do with the city provided stations. Here is the typical process dealing with a city government to get your charging outlet for charging in your house. NOTE this does not include dealing with electricians, getting the "station", and heaven forbid you need the electrical company to up your service/transformer/breaker panel/wiring/etc. Oh and don't forget you have to locate it in different spots depending on which electric car you have..... WHAT? ------------------ What are the types of permits that may be required to install a charging station at my home? * Electrical Do not hesitate to contact a licensed electrical contractor with any questions you may have about your project. Feel free to also contact a City of Raleigh Plans Examiner at (919) 996-4200, with any questions you may have regarding your project, permits, or the application process. How do I begin my project? As a homeowner, you should consider contacting a licensed electrical contractor to schedule a time for evaluating your home electrical system. You will need to confirm there is enough current amperage to support a charging station. Charging station units will require approximately 40 amps and will cause an overload if your current system is not equipped to handle it. Also, they will need to confirm that you have enough fuses in the breaker box to add another circuit. These upgrades will need to be made, if necessary, prior to installing a charging station. It is possible that the power company will have to upgrade the power service. Remember that permit approval and issuance is required before construction or repairs are allowed to begin. What is the permit process? Complete a permit application. If the charging station is going to be installed outside, you must include a plot plan to show the location of the charging station in relation to the property lines. A plot plan is a drawing to scale of a proposed project which includes property lines and existing structures on the property. Plot plans do not need to be created by a design professional. Plot plans must be drawn to Engineering scale and be submitted on sheets no larger than 8 1/2 x 14 to include a plot plan stamp. Tip: Plot plans can be created using the survey drawing that was part of the closing package on your home. The submittal package can be mailed or delivered in person to either location below. The submittal package may include: A plot plan drawing, if applicable, completed permit application and permit fee payment. Inspections Department 8320-130 Litchford Road - Satellite Center Raleigh, NC 27615 919-996-4200 - Or - Development Services Customer Service Center One Exchange Plaza, Suite 400 Raleigh, NC 27601 919-516-2495 Once the permit(s) are issued, you may begin your project! What Are Some Important Safety Issues? * It is important to determine where the charging port is located on your vehicle. This will help you determine where you want to install your charging station. Locate the charging station in close proximity to the charging port on the vehicle to prevent a tripping hazard * For installation inside a garage, consider installing the charging station at a height level that will prevent a vehicle from hitting and damaging it * Charging stations must be located in a garage or on a parking pad within the property lines. They can not be installed on a public right of way which would result in a zoning violation * If the charging station is to be installed outside, it must be protected with a bollard to prevent a vehicle from hitting it and causing an electrical hazard. Charging stations installed outside must be water tight or water proofed * There must be an adequate lighting source near the charging station. Flood lights or an area light should suffice * These systems require a hard wire installation and this may be done by the homeowner or a licensed electrician Which field inspections are required and when should these inspections be scheduled? Contact the Development Services Customer Services Center at (919) 516-2500 to schedule required inspections. Electrical: 1. If a service change is required, an inspection is required to re-establish the power 2. A final inspection must be made after the unit is installed *Important! To keep a permit active, at least one inspection must be scheduled within 12 months of permit issuance. When a final inspection is scheduled, any pending (open) inspections for that permit number will automatically be scheduled for the same date. Inspections scheduled out of sequence may result in the inspection being rejected with a re-inspection fee charged (see below information regarding Re-inspections). How do I schedule an inspection? 1. Call for staff assistance: (919) 516-2500 2. Visit staff located at: Development Services Customer Service Center One Exchange Plaza, Suite 400 Raleigh, NC 27601 (919) 516-2500 What information is required for scheduling inspections? * Permit number * Project address * Group number Note: All information required above is provided on the applicant permit copy. What are the common reasons for rejecting an Inspection? See link to the right for the Top 10 Inspection Rejection reasons listed by trade for: Electrical What should I do if my inspection is rejected? (Re-inspections) A code violation may result in an inspection status of "rejection". After the code violation is corrected, you may schedule a re-inspection. A re-inspection fee must be paid before scheduling the next inspection. See link for Development Fee Schedule for the current Re-inspection fee. Re-inspection fees may be paid in cash, MasterCard or Visa or check made payable to: City of Raleigh at either of the following locations: * Downtown Raleigh: One Exchange Plaza, Suite 400, Raleigh NC 27601 (919) 516-2500 * North Raleigh: Litchford Satellite Office, 8320-130 Litchford Road, Raleigh, NC 27615 (919) 996-4200 Re-inspections may be paid over the telephone by contacting a Customer Service Representative at (919) 516-2500 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Please have the permit number, project address and credit card information available before you call. To schedule a re-inspection that was previously paid, contact a Customer Service Representative at (919) 516-2500 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. or use the automated voice response system (EDIFY) which is available 24 hours per day by calling (919) 857-4412. What fees are involved and when do I pay them? * A minimum permit fee is due per trade. The permit fee(s) is due at the end of the review process before the permit(s) is issued * The permit fee includes the cost of the required trade inspection(s) * If inspection is rejected, a re-inspection fee must be paid before scheduling the next inspection (see above) * The following payment types will be accepted: cash, MasterCard, Visa or check made payable to: City of Raleigh * Refer to the Development Fee Schedule for current fees How long will this process take? * Permit applications that are mailed or dropped off take approximately five (5) business days to process * Plot plan review and permit issuance should take approximately one hour when using the Stand Alone procedure * Construction Inspections are generally made the next business day after they are scheduled unless requested otherwise * Re-inspections added to your permit will automatically be scheduled for the next business day once the payment has been processed, unless requested otherwise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pollyannaish Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 Ok. I thought high speed rail was stupid. This may be even stupider...but at least it is a little bit cheaper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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