First Interview I've seen with Slate's new CEO Peter Faricy

[Tom Sawyer]

I didn't realize we have already developed a hero-worship "Cult of Chris" on this site. Who knew?

Everybody knows. Here’s why:

Chris Barman did all the real hard work.

All aboard the Barman Bandwagon! We need music & snacks; there’s plenty of enthusiasm to get going with!

 

[cadblu]

As many folks here, over the years I have worked alongside some remarkable people that I admired greatly. On many occasions I recall thinking, if I started a small business, he/she would be the first person I’d hire….

I have a feeling that within Chris’ inner circle, her associates felt the same way about her. Hence she became Employee #2 at Slate Auto.

 

[GaRailroader]

Quite a few Sam’s Club & Walmart locations have Electrify America DC Fast chargers. I really wish the media reporting things got their facts straight before spouting disinformation.

The difference is the new chargers are going to be owned and run by Walmart and are 400 kW charging. The previous installs were 3rd party that Walmart was leasing to Electrify America and other charging outfits. Walmart should have a vested interest in to making these charging stations perform well where as I haven’t heard of Electrify America having reliable chargers regardless of who the landlord is.

If Walmart is successful with this, it may pull a lot of apartment dwellers in to the EV fold. If someone is going grocery shopping at Walmart once or twice a week they may decide they could own an EV and do their charging during the grocery shopping time. Walmart can use these chargers to drive sales in the stores. Customers will be spending money in the parking lot at the same time they are spending money in the store.

 

[sodamo]

Here, Target also has a charger in the parking lot. I only know because a friend with a RAV4 uses it.

 

[E90400K]

The reason we just can't "charge anywhere" like gas stations is because chargers are just not profitable. They are expensive to install and maintain, and the rate for commercial electricity is expensive, which gets passed onto the customer. A Bloomberg reporter should know that.

 

[aquaman811]

The reason we just can't "charge anywhere" like gas stations is because chargers are just not profitable. They are expensive to install and maintain, and the rate for commercial electricity is expensive, which gets passed onto the customer. A Bloomberg reporter should know that.

I still don’t understand why the big oil companies don’t install fast chargers more often. They can set the price to make some money & get the residual business as well. I get that the initial installation is very costly, but economy of scale should come into play at some point.

 

[sodamo]

I still don’t understand why the big oil companies don’t install fast chargers more often. They can set the price to make some money & get the residual business as well. I get that the initial installation is very costly, but economy of scale should come into play at some point.

I agree. Of course for some there might be a challenge of space. Likely they’d only want super/fast chargers due to time. Then there may be the challenge of electricity prices being regulated and not being able to change charge price as often.

 

[Mac-Tyson]

The difference is the new chargers are going to be owned and run by Walmart and are 400 kW charging. The previous installs were 3rd party that Walmart was leasing to Electrify America and other charging outfits. Walmart should have a vested interest in to making these charging stations perform well where as I haven’t heard of Electrify America having reliable chargers regardless of who the landlord is.

If Walmart is successful with this, it may pull a lot of apartment dwellers in to the EV fold. If someone is going grocery shopping at Walmart once or twice a week they may decide they could own an EV and do their charging during the grocery shopping time. Walmart can use these chargers to drive sales in the stores. Customers will be spending money in the parking lot at the same time they are spending money in the store.

Yeah for most Charge networks they are prioritizing urban centers and alongside major travel ways. Rivian has tackled a niche of things like hiking spots for their adventure networks. But Walmarts charging network can be something that any non-urban ev owner who doesn't have the option of home charging can use. If every Walmart has at least a few chargers it by default will serve populations that there's little incentive to build chargers for. Since the fact home charging exists takes away any incentives for EV fast chargers to be as common as gas stations.

 

[aquaman811]

Yeah for most Charge networks they are prioritizing urban centers and alongside major travel ways. Rivian has tackled a niche of things like hiking spots for their adventure networks. But Walmarts charging network can be something that any non-urban ev owner who doesn't have the option of home charging can use. If every Walmart has at least a few chargers it by default will serve populations that there's little incentive to build chargers for. Since the fact home charging exists takes away any incentives for EV fast chargers to be as common as gas stations.

Not everyone has access to at home charging, such as renters. I’m fortunate enough to live across street from a dealership with level 2 chargers, but if not, that would greatly reduce my confidence in owning an EV. I still think fueling stations could include a few DC fast chargers to raise the adoption rate of EVs by the general public. In turn, they would see an uptick in sales of goods & services in their stores.

 

[sodamo]

A somewhat recent development I’ve seen locally is carport like parking structures with solar panel roof. Someone should develop a fast charging, standalone version.