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Post by EVangelist on Dec 2, 2015 22:17:56 GMT 11
I work for a large corporate in North Ryde and a few months ago they did a survey asking if anyone had electric cars. Apparently I was not the only one who responded in the affirmative (although I wonder if some people with Hybrids think they have an "electric" car). Anyways, they contacted me a few days ago and they told me they will install a ChargePoint charger in one of the basement car parks, so it looks like I'll have a dedicated parking spot  at least in the short term  and I won't pay for the electricity. Looks like I'll need to sign up to ChargePoint. The charger will not be accessible to the public. I am meeting with the transport people tomorrow to get all the info and report back! |
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Post by mike on Dec 2, 2015 23:02:43 GMT 11
I'm quite lucky as well and was able to convince my company to allow me to park and charge my Leaf on the companies Chargepoint. Charging is free, but standard rates apply for the bay. It's certainly nice to have the option of being a full charge at the office and home. Good to see other employers are coming around to the idea.
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Post by EVangelist on Dec 3, 2015 22:54:08 GMT 11
OK I had the meeting today and they are planning to install the ChargePoint before Christmas - it will be a dual-bay unit. I gave them some "etiquette" tips for setting up the space, gleaned from reading these forums, such as: - Clearly communicate to staff that only plug-in cars (BEVs and PHEVs) are permitted to park there. Don't be ICEd by non-plug-in hybrids!
- Owners not plugging in, even if they have a plug-in, should park somewhere else in case someone needs to use the charger.
- Paint markings on the floor of the bays to discourage non-permitted use. It seems to work more effectively than signs/markings on the wall only.
- Spread the word!!
Any other suggestions I should communicate? It seems they are also considering EVs or PHEVs in their fleet... |
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Post by jeffjl on Dec 5, 2015 23:12:28 GMT 11
Congrats on your Christmas windfall.
Phone numbers of the chargee so that they can be contacted if their vehicle has been fully charged and somebody is waiting.
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Post by mike on Dec 6, 2015 6:03:58 GMT 11
If you can influence the positioning of the charge points now is the time to future prove the infrastructure investment. My employer put in two charge points one in each bay immediately adjacent to each other. One of those bays is adjacent to a wall. So, the two charge points can only reach three bays. A much better configuration would be to install the charge points separated by two bays with a free bay on either side (no walls). Each charge point can then service three bays....six in total. Need only paint the bays directly in front of the charge points for now, but can expand in the future when EVs become more mainstream.
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Post by mike on Dec 6, 2015 6:15:19 GMT 11
Search "Origin Leaf" on this site and you will see a picture of my Leaf next to the Origin Leaf in the poorly designed charge point station.
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Post by EVangelist on Dec 6, 2015 11:39:35 GMT 11
If you can influence the positioning of the charge points now is the time to future prove the infrastructure investment. My employer put in two charge points one in each bay immediately adjacent to each other. One of those bays is adjacent to a wall. So, the two charge points can only reach three bays. A much better configuration would be to install the charge points separated by two bays with a free bay on either side (no walls). Each charge point can then service three bays....six in total. Need only paint the bays directly in front of the charge points for now, but can expand in the future when EVs become more mainstream. That's a great tip. They described the planned spot as being opposite the lift well, which apart from being pole positioning (non-EV owners will be "green with envy" and everyone will see my car plugged in!  ) my recollection is there aren't any walls either side. But I'll raise this with them next week and go with them to see the planned spot. |
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Post by EVangelist on Dec 18, 2015 12:25:59 GMT 11
OK, I inspected the installation location yesterday with the Transport people and they've done a really good job of thinking it through. First, they deliberately chose a high profile and visible spot opposite where people enter and exit the lift from the carpark. They deliberately did this so that maximum number of people would see EVs plugged in there and get them thinking that there are alternatives, and maybe make them a bit "green" (with envy!!). Second, the area has 4 car bays in a 2x2 arrangement with a wall adjacent to the long side only, the other 3 sides are open. They will install the charger on the wall midway. The charger will have 2 extra long cables so that the connector can reach any car, and cars can front in or back in. Initially the 2 spots next to the wall will be EV only but the adjacent 2 spots can be used for expansion when demand dictates, and the cables will reach any of the 4 bays. The only downer is that instal won't be before Christmas...  hopefully early next year! |
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Post by EVangelist on Aug 31, 2016 0:31:25 GMT 11
Well, it's taken 9 months but the charger at my workplace is finally installed and operating. I used it for the first time last week. The bay isn't painted yet or has the signage up indicating "EV Only" so it's been ICEd quite a few times, but hopefully that will stop. The Chargepoint unit seems very nice (never used one before) so this is the first time my Leaf has ever been charged at 3.75 kW! I charged to 100% the first time to give my pack a bit of a kick (and also get extra free electrons that I don't have to buy from home). Nice!  |
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Post by 4wardthinking on Sept 1, 2016 12:13:21 GMT 11
Next time it gets 'iced', superglue their filler cap down. They will know how it feels to be so close to fuel, but just can't get to it then.
Inconsiderate, self-centred, ignorant, illiterate wastes of viable Oxygen.
It should carry, if registered, a fine equal to parking in disabled parking allocated areas.
Of course a good old horse whipping may educate them if intellect isn't their greatest asset!.
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Post by EVangelist on Sept 1, 2016 16:23:47 GMT 11
Next time it gets 'iced', superglue their filler cap down. They will know how it feels to be so close to fuel, but just can't get to it then. Inconsiderate, self-centred, ignorant, illiterate wastes of viable Oxygen. It should carry, if registered, a fine equal to parking in disabled parking allocated areas. Of course a good old horse whipping may educate them if intellect isn't their greatest asset!. Er... harsh words! Not sure if you are joking or not! When I inquired about what to do if the spot was ICEd, I was politely but firmly informed not to take matters into my own hands, but instead report violations to the car park operator who would then contact the owner of the offending vehicle and get them to move it. When the spot was ICEd for the second time last week I did report it, and the offending car was eventually moved (at 3:30 pm). Since then, the operator has placed a plastic bollard in front of the EV bay every night. That has kept the ICEs out, and I just move the bollard when I park there. So far so good! |
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Post by 4wardthinking on Sept 1, 2016 17:57:21 GMT 11
Maybe the Horse whipping may violate the Geneva Convention?.
First part stands though.
Pretty well sums up the driver of the ice though.
Can't read. These type often block emergency exits for convenience and say they didn't see the sign. The door etc was blindly missed.
What sign?, I never saw it.
To hell, I'm too important to consider others. I'm soooo important I can do anything.
They'd notice a $50 bill on the pavement though. Strange!.
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at least in the short term 
and I won't pay for the electricity.
) my recollection is there aren't any walls either side. But I'll raise this with them next week and go with them to see the planned spot.
hopefully early next year! 