Very cheap price for 22kw 5m EV charging cable for use with public charging stations or residential units that don't come with a cable.
IMHO a must have for every EV owner to keep in their car should they need to use an AC public charging station, as more and more require you to BYO cable (mostly because people are animals and treat the included cord like crap so it breaks and costs the operator of the charger a fortune to keep replacing).
I know nothing about EVs but this got me thinking… Is there an option to "jump start" another EV by sharing some juice to travel a short distance?
Get roadside assist to turn up with a diesel generator and charge it up.
They actually show up with a battery. Diesel generator too slow. https://electrek.co/2016/09/06/aaa-ev-emergency-charging-tru…
No.
Most EVs aren't setup to output electricity.
Some are so you can also use them to power your house etc.
This. In the future it's possible to not have to buy battery pack for your solar and can still store electricity this way
Ford F150 Lightning can power your house for 3 days.
@pformag: A bit of a hassle and a bit of equipment to install (similar to a generator integration assembly). I also assume it's not as integrated as home battery, but yes, possible. Tesla was pushing it at the beginning, but no one was buying, so it's not there.
Other point in case of multiple days of outage (and no home enegry production like solar), you can drive it to a [working] charging station fill it up and come back.
Would be a neat idea. Very similar to the wireless powershare option on phones :)
Chinese electric car brand Nio uses replaceable battery, automatic battery swap takes about 5 mins. would be cool if all manufactures have one same battery standard
Is there an option to "jump start" another EV by sharing some juice to travel a short distance?
In the new model, you can just park next to another car and use wireless charging.
Does that mean we can steal people's electricity?
This is a whole level up from the guy running the cord to his neighbour's and using the council bbq for all his meals
@buckster: "buckster" Will first have to approve a mutual NFC code or something like a pin or password haha.
I know this is a joke, but damn! That would be amazing! Imagine driving down the freeway sharing electricity with nearby cars
I've seen this in for the Tesla Model X's from the European models. i.e. Your Model X is out of juice, and another Model X can come by and charge yours.
Dunno if the 'feature' is available here.
Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 can do it. It's very slow though I believe.
You do not need a cable. One EV can tow the other. The regenerative breaking will charge the flat battery as the second EV tows it.
Braking
In other words, infinite energy??
You just press your Galaxy phone against it to share battery… oops, sorry that only works for dead iPhones.
some of the new EVs (korean) demo a way to run 240V appliances off the charge socket so in theory, yes you could slow charge another EV. The real question is can you fast charge one to another? I assume in the future, roadside assist will do this if you "run out of juice" somewhere inconvenient
How was your Leafy exeperience? Was it nice to own and drive? Service costs? Any issues? Thanks.
How was your Leafy exeperience?
Lots of issues in Autumn….
Did it shed it's doors every Autumn?
It was great to own and drive. I currently don't have a car. But if I ever own a car in the future, it will be an EV.
Service costs in my 2 years of ownership came to a total of $30 for a cabin air filter, which I fitted myself. In that time I drove around 15,000 km in the Leaf. Never had any issues.
Nice. Did you take it to the dealer for service?
Most people don't really think of the cabin filters. I replaced mine during the bush fires and found that one of my cars had the filter removed. Maybe someone forgot to put it back during a service or something.
Did you take it to the dealer for service?
Nope, the dealer service for an EV consists of checking the fluids, changing the air filter and applying any software updates. For a Leaf, the owner can do all of that except the software updates. And using Leaf Spy (an Android/iOS app), I knew that the vehicle's software was all up to date and didn't need updating by a dealer.
Brakes, tyres and steering obviously need attention from time to time. But these are reactive maintenance tasks, not preventative maintenance tasks. Any competent mechanic can handle those when they arise as they are the same as on ICE vehicles.
@mister_snrub: They are supposed to have the brake fluid changed every year. Mine is a 2014 model and I doubt it's ever been done, but going to schedule it in a week or two.
@SirDale: Brake fluids don't need change every year! You can probably do a brake flush every few years. I have a Toyota that has never been done. It's now 300k and 17 years. :P
I have a Toyota that has never been done. It's now 300k and 17 years. :P
That doesn't mean it doesn't need doing
@spaceflight: I didn't say it doesn't need doing. I am saying that it doesn't need to be flushed every year. It's a closed system and should not be leaking. You can test the viability of the fluid also.
Username checks out though. :)
I agree that for spaceflight you need to check every thing 1000 times and replace 10k times.
@Naigrabzo: It is a closed loop system, however claiming that and ignoring it is just false economy.
Brake fluid is hydroscopic so it takes on water.
You really don't want water in your brake lines as waters boiling point is much lower.
For the sake of safety and 10 bucks change it every 2 or 3 years
@bobs burgers: I would whole heartedly agree if the flush was costing someone only $10. The brake fluid alone would cost $10.
Given this is OZB, I have a big problem when the flush costs betweem $70-120. :)
https://www.repcoservice.com/our-services/brakes/brake-fluid….
Peeps should really learn how to do a flush themselves although this would be in slightly advanced DIY category. Once you have replaced your brake pads DIY and then the rotors, I believe you are ready to do a flush…. ;) Then it will probably cost you about $40 including the kit that you have buy.
@Naigrabzo: My bad, I do my own everything apart from changing new tyres/balancing, refilling A/C and things like re-boring cylinders that need equipment that's well beyond most peoples home setups.
So that price is of course for DIY approach, it takes about 1 hour from the time you decide to do it and easy with 2 people otherwise you need a vac pump that's cheap off eBay.
If its 70 to 120 to get someone else to do it, I mean it still pays to do it, probably not necessary every 2 years but still 4 or 5 would be wise.
@bobs burgers: Agreed. Thanks for the background information. You sound like a threat to most mechanics. :)
Tyre balancing!! That's next level my good sir.
I have just ordered my $22 vacuum pump kit. Wish me luck.
4-5 years sound very reasonable!
in POSHbargain news, I have heard that a Porche 911 brake job can be as cheep as 30k. :P Hope that includes the flush and replacement of those ventilated rotors.
I've had an EV since December 2018 and have used my type-2 cable maybe a dozen times. I don't use the cable often, but when I do need it, I'm bloody glad I had it! I wouldn't leave home without it.
Interesting. I never found a use case for it. If I were stopping somewhere with a public AC charger (like a shopping centre), I would only be there for about 30 minutes maximum. With the Leaf's 6.6 kW onboard charger, that's a maximum of 3.3 kWh of extra juice, or about 15–20 km of added range. At home that would cost me about $0.70 in electricity costs (at $0.21/kWh). So the economics didn't add up for me, and I never needed the extra range. Perhaps with a higher-power onboard charger, like the Renault Zoe's 22 kW one, it would be more useful.
The main times I've used the cable was when I was interstate, away from home. Charging at hotels, the beach, parks etc. I'd spend a few hours there, so charged up (often for free). Wouldn't have been able to get around on holiday without one.
Sounds like your use case isn't a common one, for limited 30m trips. Where you wouldn't need to charge anyways.
@Rumbaar: I used the Leaf for longer trips (400+ km) too. I never found the need or desire to use a public AC charger.
For commuting, just charge at home. For trips away, DC charging is far more convenient. This is pretty typical.
But if you anticipate that you will use public AC chargers regularly, such as having a free one near work, then it makes sense to have a cable.
There are more fast chargers than rapid chargers (around Melbs/Geelong). So in an emergency if I couldn't make it to a rapid charger, I'd plug into a fast charge (with my cable if need be) to get enough juice to get me to a rapid charger (if distances direction made sense).
I've actually used my cable a fair bit thanks to a free charger close to my work. Park there when I'm getting under 80ish KM left and park there for 5-6hrs to be full. Usually it's before end of work day, so I do need to move car as soon as it's close to 100%
did you find 5m is enough or sometimes needed a longer 7m or 10m cable?
5m is more than ample.
5m is typically enough. My car has charger on front so it means putting the nose into the charging space.
Agree. Not a good ROI. I have one and have used it a handful of times over the past couple of years. It used to take up boot space, but now I leave it in the garage or lend it to friends & family that are getting on that EV bandwagon.
And also much less useful than a 10A/15A cable because they are everywhere, and aside from the fact that you get one with your car, if you keep one at home a second is handy to take e.g to a friend's house or just about anywhere. Mine got me out of so many fixes it's a must have.
What many non-EV drivers don't get is that between the high speed DC chargers and the ubiquity of 10A/15A, and the fact that the majority of higher power AC charges have their own cable, there is a very narrow need for a cable like this.
Yeah it's absolutely nothing to do with ROI.
It's like claiming buying a jack or a spare tire a waste of money because you never needed it.
These are invaluable when in a pinch.
99% of time, you're not in a pinch, but that 1% of the time when you're remote and reach the charger you had planned for and find its offline or broken, you'll be glad you had a backup plain in your boot.
You are right that the cable is likely to never pay itself off, unless there's a free BYO cable station near your home. But it's a must have for emergency during longer road trips.
Another good reason which isn't often considered is that it can sometimes afford the user access to premium parking spots.
For example, in Geelong there are a few EV chargers (BYO cable) right on the waterfront near Cunningham pier. All of the other parking spots require payment, are often full and can be some distance away from the 'action'.
You'd still need to calculate the ROI though. You'd need to park there quite often to get the return.
@Naigrabzo: The ROI would be worth it when it comes to the time when you’re stuck and really need it
@Naigrabzo: Between having it in emergencies, incidental charging (shopping centres…etc) and premium parking, coupled with the likely long-lifespan of one (it should last decades, right?), the ROI probably isn't as bad as it seems. Especially the emergency aspect.
@loksmack: It's not about ROI, it's about convenience. You're able do access dozens of charging sites, so there's less planning involved. I probably do 50% of my charging using this type of cable and all of it is free. In my case, it'll probably pay itself off in around 9 months from purchase.
I think your experience is purely your experience…
It's fairly common knowledge that if you're travelling any proper distance, you should always have appropriate cables if you're stuck.
If you're only out and about nearby, you obviously don't need anything.
I've got a Tesla Model 3SR and have this exact cable.
Has worked really well and is really useful to utilise the chargers that many councils and shopping centres are putting it (best part being ones near me are free to use / others around have 1-2 hrs/KW limits of free charge etc).
What's normal price for these
around $260
Cheaper from aliexpress I reckon
Premium lightweight cable
So made of aluminium and not copper?
Is that possible? There's things get pretty hot. The entire reason for the price is copper I believe
Yes aluminium can be used, and is used every day.
https://www.cabledistribution.com.au/products/energy-cables/…
Couldn’t someone just unplug and steal this?
They're locked in to the car and/or charger. Would need a fair bit of force to rip it out.
They lock when in use.
Thanks guys, learn something every day.
C’mon @ElonMusk, help a few Aussies out here!
(Yes, I know this isn’t Twitter)
Such Elon hate. Much wow.
Not a bad price, though when you add in a bag for the cable, its only $2 cheaper than the Jucer cable ($254, bag included).
I got one a few months back, but am yet to use it. I figure that the one time I need it, I'll be kicking myself for not getting it. It should last many years beyond the ownership of my current EV, so consider it a longterm investment.
Will this quick charge my phone .
As long as you don't mind it melting, yes
Once.
Will we have electric 4wd?
Rivian
Dual motor Teslas drive front and rear, so essentially no different to having a centre diff/transfer case in ICE 4WD/AWD.
I'd say he meant something that can handle terrain other than graded or sealed roads.
The new Hummer would be my choice but reliability and remote charging equipment means they will probably live in the city also.
I love how they offer the colour blue (most of the reputable companeis only offer black). Bought one. I hate those times when you show up and they say "BYO Cable" or they have a cable but it's broken.
$224 for a 5m extension lead ?
For industrial use, 3-phase 32A AC cable is normally around $5/m and the plugs around $30 each.
So why is a simple EV cable so expensive??
I think exactly the same. I have been driving EV for 3 years now, but not buying one. Wayyyyyy too expensive. But its just basic supply and demand. If people didnt pay it, then the price would come down.
The other issue is changing standards. My car is J1172. They have now pulled all these chargers out, so if i bought one it would be now useless, or I'd need to spend another $180 on an adapter.
What we need is a government with a brain. Basically a condition for AGL, Nissan, Mitsi, Tesla, Ford, Toyota, GM etc to sell the cars would be they need to provide and maintain 'x' amount of chargers. They are laughing at the moment as the government are using tax dollars to install the stuff instead. This would also encourage manufacturers to get together and make one standard plug.
Every EV on sale in Australia today ships with a Type 2 AC socket. Imports from Japan use J1772 and some of the very early locally sold EVs (LEAF, iMiev, Outlander) use J1772.
This would also encourage manufacturers to get together and make one standard plug.
A better way to do that is to simply legislate "to be eligible for sale in Aus, EVs must use this plug". Much as the EU has done…
Basically a condition for AGL, Nissan, Mitsi, Tesla, Ford, Toyota, GM etc to sell the cars would be they need to provide and maintain 'x' amount of chargers
Why? What petrol stations are maintained and operated by car companies?
I owned a Nissan Leaf for 2 years and never needed an AC cable. If you are out and about, you typically only want to be using DC chargers (i.e. fast chargers). And at home, your EVSE (i.e. home charger) will have its own cable hard wired. So, my advice would be save the money and spend it on something else.