Australia's first Electric Highway!

Post by **jonescg** » Fri, 17 Jul 2015, 16:06

I was guessing based on my experience with the Volt. No CanIon available at the time.

Post by **offgridQLD** » Fri, 17 Jul 2015, 16:43

No big deal, probably better to over state it than under state it.

I like the drag race with the 80 year old man , take that grandpa....60hp of raw Imiev power

(think you need to take him for a lap around the block on the race bike just to set the record straight

.
All up it was a good report.

Kurt

Post by **jonescg** » Fri, 24 Jul 2015, 02:35

Just a heads-up about the Margaret River charging station - ChaDeMo and Fast AC still works just fine, but the CCS combo plug is still missing the latch. Hopefully we can repair it with some glue and the like, otherwise the replacement plug will be on it's way soon.

The red lights were on because someone hit the emergency stop... again.

Post by **jonescg** » Sun, 26 Jul 2015, 04:55

http://iview.abc.net.au/programs/austra ... 00#playing

ABC's Australia-wide show covered the electric highway story - Wish I'd done my hair!

Post by **reecho** » Sun, 26 Jul 2015, 23:55

Ripped for your pleasure...

Post by **coulomb** » Mon, 27 Jul 2015, 02:05

Thanks, reecho.

Here is also this Today Tonight piece. Chris' hair is better in this one

Post by **Adverse Effects** » Mon, 27 Jul 2015, 03:21

coulomb wrote: Thanks, reecho.

Here is also this Today Tonight piece. Chris' hair is better in this one

link that works

https://youtu.be/CtOgBjMRn9Q

Post by **acmotor** » Mon, 27 Jul 2015, 05:33

Remind me again, the Mandurah and Bunbury FC stations..... Is the parking free ?

Post by **jonescg** » Mon, 27 Jul 2015, 05:47

Free as a Byrd!

Post by **acmotor** » Thu, 30 Jul 2015, 03:56

So when will the bays get painted at Mandurah ?

Also, the ChaDemo plug is on the RHS of the FC box, so would it work better to reserve the two bays either side of the FC box since even if the white vehicle in this pic wasn't there, I still couldn't plug in as the lead is too short.

edit: BTW the SUV the colour of road grime is a diesel Captiva. (maybe parking there is a sign of quiet regret

)

Post by **jonescg** » Thu, 30 Jul 2015, 04:02

ICEd again! Yeah, they really need to paint it up, and the council knows it too. There are some traffic cones around, so if you remember it's always worth leaving them in the bay after a charge. So did you fast charge the iMiEV?

Post by **acmotor** » Thu, 30 Jul 2015, 18:09

Maybe you should pass that pic on to the folk at the RAC. After all, it is their $$$$$ being spent on the FCs. It wouldn't look good if the media posted it alongside the 'Australia's first electric highway' article.

I wasn't in the iMiEV, fortunately as it tuned out. I spotted the FC and sprouted the bright future of EVs to those with me, but then had egg on face when the ice-cold reality in that pic set in.

Post by **Feng** » Thu, 30 Jul 2015, 18:15

The council could make a tidy profit if they ticket offenders.

Post by **acmotor** » Thu, 30 Jul 2015, 18:39

Feng wrote: The council could make a tidy profit if they ticket offenders.

Maybe EV owners will need to carry some lightweight trolley jacks with them.

Post by **acmotor** » Thu, 30 Jul 2015, 18:51

looking at that parking sign..
Can I suggest that the two signs should be on separate posts. One in the centre of each bay on the verge. Remove the arrows.
Start the sign with 'Electric vehicle charging only'
Conversation with some bystanders was along the lines of 'it says 3P at the top' the rest they didn't understand as it wasn't a common sign.
Even a comment 'it is only 30 minutes if you have an electric vehicle'

Post by **rhills** » Thu, 30 Jul 2015, 19:40

Yes, good signage won't change the behaviour of idiots and bogans, but at least it will help the majority who try to do the right thing!

Post by **photomac** » Thu, 30 Jul 2015, 20:00

Is it possible to use a FC extension? Could park behind ICE and charge, not leaving car alone though. Patrick could make a fortune!

Post by **acmotor** » Thu, 30 Jul 2015, 20:37

No reason why not.... except the cost for ChaDemo plug and socket.
Do they even make a line version of the socket ?
The cable is a sizeable 35mmsq conductors and only carrying 100A or so.

You could just park in the way and call for an RAC flatbed... for the ICE

Post by **Johny** » Thu, 30 Jul 2015, 21:33

acmotor wrote:You could just park in the way and call for an RAC flatbed... for the ICE

There's a certain kind of irony in that the biggest way RAC roadside assist could help EV owners isn't by having a charger trailer, it's by towing away ICE vehicle in charge spots.

Post by **Gabz** » Thu, 30 Jul 2015, 21:36

acmotor wrote: Do they even make a line version of the socket ?
The cable is a sizeable 35mmsq conductors and only carrying 100A or so.

have to just use the ones they make for the Tesla adapters.

but it would be cheaper to put some of these in probably http://www.imagebollards.com.au/unipark ... ng-bollard

Post by **reecho** » Fri, 31 Jul 2015, 00:45

Ring the council or ranger. If the signage is not obeyed they should be fined. Agreed the RAC should know about it as well. I would rather their investment be used rather than not.

Post by **jonescg** » Fri, 31 Jul 2015, 01:57

The RAC have been sent this photo, and the council has been copied in. They need to paint the bays up in green to make it completely obvious, and enforce the parking restrictions with infringements.

Post by **photomac** » Fri, 31 Jul 2015, 02:58

Perhaps there was no cone so the 1DIC plate was unfortunate to be caught. The helicopter removal is "doing a Bronwyn", she can drive out the of the garage and stay in the warmth of the car for a helicopter ride!
It will take time for the community to be aware. Painted bays will help.

Post by **acmotor** » Fri, 31 Jul 2015, 03:09

In a way I would not like to see folk fined for parking in an EV charge bay, it sends the wrong message... At least not until the signage is clear and the bays well marked.

Just thinking about the event, there were maybe 50 bays free in the half full parking area at the time.

Post by **photomac** » Fri, 31 Jul 2015, 03:17

acmotor wrote: Just thinking about the event, there were maybe 50 bays free in the half full parking area at the time.

I don't like the stick but.... Effort requires output and so many think no farther than their belly.