Orange Charger bills landlords based on energy usage instead of the number of outlets installed. So far, the company has installed about 2,000 units nationwide.
“You have no downside to install 50 outlets day one,” Johnson said. “We only charge when the device is used.”
But it also says the chargers cost $600 or $750, plus more for installation. Do they charge for both? Either way, I guess it’s the apartment owner’s choice, but god damn I am sick of everyone trying to get a subscription or on-going payment out of me.
This doesn’t sound like a subscription, so much as consumption based billing. They make their money back by cornering the building-level market (perhaps landlords can put in competing chargers?) and charging a higher charging fee… okay that’s confusing. Charging a higher “fillup” fee.
Is that what they’re doing differently? Because I live in an apartment, and like most people in my city, parking is street parking. This isn’t exciting, it’s just a regular charger with a modified installation cost. Even for people with driveways, the issue isn’t what kind of charger, the issue is that the landlord has no motivation to make an improvement like this.
Also, many, many, many apartments buildings aren’t built to handle such electrical loads (I’d bet loads of money most aren’t capable - why would you engineer a building for more than it’s projected to need? That just costs more).
In every apartment and rental house I’ve been in, you’d have to install a new service to be able to charge anything, because they’re already running close to max current capacity.
What’s that charger going to pull, in amps, for how long? It’ll need to be 220v, at least, and those are dedicated runs (think electric dryer or electric stove).
You realize virtually every American building with electricity has 220v? It’s not some mystical thing only some people have stumbled upon. All it would take to install it is running cable… which is what needs to happen anyway. Not only are they being placed where you’re not likely to have existing lines, you wouldn’t want to use existing line since you wouldn’t want these on a shared breaker to begin with.
I have no idea why you are being downvoted, you’re just stating facts
Company adds credit card reader to a level 2 charger and doubles the price!
Ignoring the question about whether the cost is reasonable, it’s going to be interesting to see what happens to gas stations / convenience stores when the ability to charge your car is basically everywhere.
The only reason we need gas stations is for the specialized infrastructure required to safely hold the fuel. Mass EV adoption is going to kill their business model.
Most gas stations do not even really make much money on the gas. They more operate as convenience stores but offer gas too. The need for convenience stores won’t change much around freeway exits. You will still need to charge going long distances and stop for a toilet break and snacks. But a good amount will close in cities. Over half the people will not need to be going to a charging station 99.5% of the time. People in apartments will likely still need to do fast charging for a while until apartment complexes are properly incentivized to install chargers.
I didn’t believe you, but was surprised to learn this is actually true.
The goods inside these stores — Doritos, sunglasses, lotto tickets, energy drinks — only account for ~30% of the average gas station’s revenue, yet bring in 70% of the profit.
https://thehustle.co/why-most-gas-stations-dont-make-money-from-selling-gas
They will be replaced by Dollar Generals.
Oof
At least all non long travel stations for sure.
Amazon Lockers. Where I use to live I would get gas at Costco but would pickup packages at the Amazon Lockers next to a gas station and go in and buy something a lot of the times (Homer voice : Fountain drinks. drool) When that gas station got a kitchen in it, I ended up getting pizza there instead of going elsewhere for food. Gas stations will adapt and change as they already been doing. There probably just won’t be as much of them.
