DC fast charge results at NRG eVgo - Hermosa Beach CA

[harttim1]

NRG eVgo Freedom station is finally up and running in Hermosa Beach, CA. I arrived at the location running on the REx. I have signed up for the free ChargeNow DC Fast Charge program -- so I just tapped by Chargenow card on the front of the unit, plugged in the car, hit "start" and that was it. Fast charger indicated 6% charge remaining on the i3 when it started. i3 was 80% charged in 24 mins 30 sec -- delivering 13.7 kWh. I un-plugged at that point and the eVgo fast charger had begun to step down the charge indicating the last 20% would be completed in 55 minutes.

 

[mindmachine]

NRG eVgo Freedom station is finally up and running in Hermosa Beach, CA. I arrived at the location running on the REx. I have signed up for the free ChargeNow DC Fast Charge program -- so I just tapped by Chargenow card on the front of the unit, plugged in the car, hit "start" and that was it. Fast charger indicated 6% charge remaining on the i3 when it started. i3 was 80% charged in 24 mins 30 sec -- delivering 13.7 kWh. I un-plugged at that point and the eVgo fast charger had begun to step down the charge indicating the last 20% would be completed in 55 minutes.

COOL!!!! :mrgreen:

 

[Zzzoom3]

NRG eVgo Freedom station is finally up and running in Hermosa Beach, CA. I arrived at the location running on the REx. I have signed up for the free ChargeNow DC Fast Charge program -- so I just tapped by Chargenow card on the front of the unit, plugged in the car, hit "start" and that was it. Fast charger indicated 6% charge remaining on the i3 when it started. i3 was 80% charged in 24 mins 30 sec -- delivering 13.7 kWh. I un-plugged at that point and the eVgo fast charger had begun to step down the charge indicating the last 20% would be completed in 55 minutes.

That is really good news! And a REx owner with DC Fast Charging no less! .. what a concept
Did your dealer provide the ChargeNow card and get it activated or did you have to order or call ChargePoint to get it?

Thanks for the report

 

[harttim1]

ChargeNow card came from the dealer and I signed up on-line to activate and then recently to sign up for the free DC Fast Charge offering.

 

[stumbledotcom]

US vehicles have 2 ChargeNow cards bundled with the owner's literature. I believe the VDC places the package in the glove box. My dealer's prep staff left the shrink-wrapped set intact so I feel confident I got everything as intended.

 

[Zzzoom3]

Hey I just checked and the Parking Garage is 72 mi from my house. This could be my 1st try at a distance drive in the BEV (when it gets here :roll: ). Never been to Hermosa. Besides the beach, anything worth visiting there? I suppose I could drive on to Long Beach and check out the aquarium.

Any suggestions/recommendations Los Angelinos?

 

[user 1096]

Well, here in upstate NY I am still looking for a Level 2 charge station within reasonable range. I figure the DC Fast charge stations are WAY OFF in my future. Silly me presumed that a Monolith Solar Corporate hdq, in the shadow of the AMTRAK train station, and only about a mile from me, would be a Level 2 unit...wrong.

I'm still using my Occasional Use Plug overnight, waiting for the BMW/Bosch contractor to get back to me with an estimate (unbelievably, he's busy with Tesla home installations!).

 

[jadnashuanh]

I'm still using my Occasional Use Plug overnight, waiting for the BMW/Bosch contractor to get back to me with an estimate (unbelievably, he's busy with Tesla home installations!).

I haven't used the BMW EVSE, but from the literature, other than the style and the fact it comes with BMW's name on it, IMHO, you're paying nearly double what any other capable unit could provide with the same performance (unless you got a deal when you bought the car on it).

Any qualified residential electrician can install one of these...all they need to know is the load to then put in the proper breaker and what size wires to run. There's basically L1, L2 and safety ground...the hookup is about as simple as it can get. Wire it up, and it's on (there's no on/off switch). It either works, or it's defective.

 

[LivingBetterThurEV]

I'm still using my Occasional Use Plug overnight, waiting for the BMW/Bosch contractor to get back to me with an estimate (unbelievably, he's busy with Tesla home installations!).

I haven't used the BMW EVSE, but from the literature, other than the style and the fact it comes with BMW's name on it, IMHO, you're paying nearly double what any other capable unit could provide with the same performance (unless you got a deal when you bought the car on it).

Any qualified residential electrician can install one of these...all they need to know is the load to then put in the proper breaker and what size wires to run. There's basically L1, L2 and safety ground...the hookup is about as simple as it can get. Wire it up, and it's on (there's no on/off switch). It either works, or it's defective.

The BMW i Charging Station comes in 2 different models (16a or a 32a unit). The one I bought from the dealer was the 240vac 32amp unit item #61 90 2 346 992. Dealer makes about 20% - so go for a discount - which makes the price close to the other units on the market. I found the end price was very close after a discount. Unit is well built and circuit board is well sealed and weather protected.

To price out the installation electrical hardware costs (assuming no major home service panel replacements):
(using Local NY Albany / Rochester prices) (about $2.30 a foot average cost for electrical parts plus breaker)
Basically you need a 40amp breaker, #8 wiring, 3/4" conduit and assorted items.

Details:
#8 wire - copper stranded (50amp capacity) - retail price is from $0.50 to $0.65 cents a foot. (or about $1.80 per foot total)
You will need 3 insulated = ideally 1 red, 1 black and 1 green
3/4 conduit schedule 40 gray ( $2.13 each at Lowe's per 10 foot sections)
3/4 90 deg sweeps $0.76 each
3/4 clamps - plastic (about $4 for a package of 20) - to hold down conduit.
2 = 3/4 Male Terminal (need 2, 1 to mount to charger, 1 to enter service panel) - plus 2 metal terminal nuts
(The BMW i / Bosch Charger Station [made by Schneider Electric] is designed to use 3/4 conduit - knockout size)
1= Small can of conduit solvent/adhesive (I use Cantex brand)
1 = 40amp 240vac circuit breaker to match the manufacturer of your service panel (assuming space/capacity and part is available)

Then of course add some hardware to secure the mounting plate to the wall (screws, washers, concrete bolts, etc.) depending on how you want to mount it. I recommend that you use 6 = #10 pan head screws (fit nicely into mounting plate) going into plywood / studs. You will need the 8 screws (#8 pan head) that comes with the kit to mount the cable holder. My opinion for the best location inside a garage would be the right side (from the outside facing the door) very close to the garage door - since BMW puts there recharge port on the right rear - plus you can swing the cable out 25 feet to reach down the driveway or easily across to other cars in the garage. Unless you always like to back the car in and keep the mounting very near the service panel. Hope that helps....