Plug-in vehicle drivers may be associated with the oh-so-warm and fuzzy and peaceful green movement, but there's apparently some static being caused at offices with on-site vehicle chargers and the frustration that happens when all the chargers are in use. Enough so that someone coined a new phrase: "charge rage." To the rescue comes the largest maker of said chargers with a new set of solutions to try and keep the peace.
ChargePoint, the company formerly known as Coulomb Technologies, has come up with a list of commandments for workplaces to follow. Naturally, the first of the five suggestions is, wait for it, buy more chargers for your employees. Slightly less obvious is the suggestion to locate the chargers within reach of multiple parking spots, and add some signage. Enacting some sort of reservations system is also a good idea that goes hand in hand with an e-mail communications system, so that plug-in vehicles that have been all charged up can be moved appropriately. Finally, there's the idea of "throwing the keys in a bowl" at the office so that anyone can move a fully-charged vehicle.
ChargePoint says it has installed more than 15,300 US charging stations, and more than half of those are in workplaces. Check out the company's press release below and note that the file image above is totally unrelated to charge rage but we liked it anyway.
ChargePoint, the company formerly known as Coulomb Technologies, has come up with a list of commandments for workplaces to follow. Naturally, the first of the five suggestions is, wait for it, buy more chargers for your employees. Slightly less obvious is the suggestion to locate the chargers within reach of multiple parking spots, and add some signage. Enacting some sort of reservations system is also a good idea that goes hand in hand with an e-mail communications system, so that plug-in vehicles that have been all charged up can be moved appropriately. Finally, there's the idea of "throwing the keys in a bowl" at the office so that anyone can move a fully-charged vehicle.
ChargePoint says it has installed more than 15,300 US charging stations, and more than half of those are in workplaces. Check out the company's press release below and note that the file image above is totally unrelated to charge rage but we liked it anyway.
ChargePoint Offers Five Tips to Avoid "Charge Rage" and Congestion at Workplace EV Charging Stations
Campbell, Calif. – Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming more popular and as that happens, congestion at charging stations is bound to happen. Just at the end of 2013, EV and plug-in sales had reached nearly 170,000 with about 10,000 sales in December alone. For the majority of these EV drivers, charging at work is the second most popular location to plug in after home charging.
ChargePoint, the world's largest electric vehicle charging network in the world, has over 15,300 charging locations nationally, over half of which are located at workplaces. As such, we have collected a list of how companies are dealing with a high demand for charging at work keeping drivers happy and plugged in.
1. Scale Up
Workplaces have recognized they need one charging spot for every two EVs. This allows people to plug in when they get to work and then move their charged car at lunch so others can plug in during the afternoon. As EV popularity rises, it's also important to anticipate the future need for charging stations. Don't just install the number of ports needed now, pre-wire and install for what you will need in the years to come.
2. Location, Location, Location
Install the stations in a place that multiple parking spots can access the port. Ensure there is adequate signage that makes it clear the parking spots are for plug-in vehicles. For drivers - don't hog an EV parking space - only park in designated charging spots if you need to charge.
3. Valet 'Bowl'
Many companies have a bowl at the front desk where employees leave their keys so that their car, once charged, can be moved to make room for another employee.
4. Get on the List
Companies have found that creating a community dashboard or email list connecting EV drivers within a company is a good way to ensure cooperation and efficiency in getting everyone plugged in and charged.
5. Book Your Spot
Some companies treat EV parking spots like a conference room. Also, through ChargePoint, companies can also set up a reservations feature that drivers can access on the mobile app and website.
For the most part, EV drivers are very respectful and we'd like to keep it that way! Don't unplug people even if you're in desperate need for a charge. On the other hand, if you don't need a full charge, leave a note letting folks know it's OK to unplug you.
About ChargePoint
ChargePoint is the largest and most open electric vehicle (EV) charging network in the world, with more than 15,000 charging locations and a 70%+ market share. Ranked #1 by leading independent research firm, Navigant Research, ChargePoint makes advanced hardware and best-in-class cloud based software. ChargePoint's open network is utilized by many leading EV hardware makers and encourages all EV charging manufacturers to join.
ChargePoint's real-time network information including the availability of charging locations throughout the nation is available through the ChargePoint mobile app, online and via the navigation systems in top-selling EVs including the new BMW i3 and the Nissan Leaf. Every 10 seconds, a driver connects to a ChargePoint station and by initiating over 3.7 million charging sessions, ChargePoint drivers have saved over 3 million gallons of gasoline and driven 65 million gas free miles.
For more information about ChargePoint, visit www.chargepoint.com.
Campbell, Calif. – Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming more popular and as that happens, congestion at charging stations is bound to happen. Just at the end of 2013, EV and plug-in sales had reached nearly 170,000 with about 10,000 sales in December alone. For the majority of these EV drivers, charging at work is the second most popular location to plug in after home charging.
ChargePoint, the world's largest electric vehicle charging network in the world, has over 15,300 charging locations nationally, over half of which are located at workplaces. As such, we have collected a list of how companies are dealing with a high demand for charging at work keeping drivers happy and plugged in.
1. Scale Up
Workplaces have recognized they need one charging spot for every two EVs. This allows people to plug in when they get to work and then move their charged car at lunch so others can plug in during the afternoon. As EV popularity rises, it's also important to anticipate the future need for charging stations. Don't just install the number of ports needed now, pre-wire and install for what you will need in the years to come.
2. Location, Location, Location
Install the stations in a place that multiple parking spots can access the port. Ensure there is adequate signage that makes it clear the parking spots are for plug-in vehicles. For drivers - don't hog an EV parking space - only park in designated charging spots if you need to charge.
3. Valet 'Bowl'
Many companies have a bowl at the front desk where employees leave their keys so that their car, once charged, can be moved to make room for another employee.
4. Get on the List
Companies have found that creating a community dashboard or email list connecting EV drivers within a company is a good way to ensure cooperation and efficiency in getting everyone plugged in and charged.
5. Book Your Spot
Some companies treat EV parking spots like a conference room. Also, through ChargePoint, companies can also set up a reservations feature that drivers can access on the mobile app and website.
For the most part, EV drivers are very respectful and we'd like to keep it that way! Don't unplug people even if you're in desperate need for a charge. On the other hand, if you don't need a full charge, leave a note letting folks know it's OK to unplug you.
About ChargePoint
ChargePoint is the largest and most open electric vehicle (EV) charging network in the world, with more than 15,000 charging locations and a 70%+ market share. Ranked #1 by leading independent research firm, Navigant Research, ChargePoint makes advanced hardware and best-in-class cloud based software. ChargePoint's open network is utilized by many leading EV hardware makers and encourages all EV charging manufacturers to join.
ChargePoint's real-time network information including the availability of charging locations throughout the nation is available through the ChargePoint mobile app, online and via the navigation systems in top-selling EVs including the new BMW i3 and the Nissan Leaf. Every 10 seconds, a driver connects to a ChargePoint station and by initiating over 3.7 million charging sessions, ChargePoint drivers have saved over 3 million gallons of gasoline and driven 65 million gas free miles.
For more information about ChargePoint, visit www.chargepoint.com.
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