Newbie i3 question re: fast charging

2sak2furious · 04-03-2015, 02:58 PM

New to the EV world, was looking into leasing an i3.

With regards to the DC fast charging option for 2014 models, is it really necessary. I plan to charge from outlets at home usually. Probably a 2 year lease so I don't need to worry about future charging stations as Ill get a new car at that time. Looks like its standard on 2015 models anyways.

Does it affect charging speeds at home or is it just to quick charge at a future planned charging station?

jadnashuanh · 04-04-2015, 07:21 PM

The odds of you having a CCS unit at a typical home is slim. But, especially in CA, there are more and more CCS units, and since it becomes standard in the USA for the 2015 models, not having it could make your vehicle less desirable when the time comes to sell it. But, if you keep it long enough, you probably won't care. At least for now, many of them are free, and, you can get 80% charge (from empty) in about 20-minutes, so are handy if there are any around (and more are coming in CA). While not all CCS units are created equal, the i3 can accept up to 50Kw on a CCS unit, while the max acv it can accept is 7.4Kw.

RichP · 04-06-2015, 09:54 AM

To answer your question, no, it wouldn't affect your charging speed at home. If you find access to a CCS fast charger, then you can charge the car very quickly. But if you plan on using Level 2 (240 volt) at home most of the time, or topping off using Level 2 out and about, its probably not worth it for you (and given a short lease and the deals to be had on 2014s, I would probably go without it if the car i found didnt have it)

2sak2furious · 04-06-2015, 11:13 AM

Awesome, thanks for the info. I found a few without, maybe can get a better deal on those, since? most looking for the fast charger option.

Just curious, anyone ever make it in an i3 (BEV or REX) from northern cal down to southern cal. Is it possible? There is a really steep mountain to get past in the grapevine area. I don't know why, but there is huge inventory in northern cal dealers. Maybe not enough Yahoo and Facebook employees buying bimmers...

jadnashuanh · 04-06-2015, 12:16 PM

You should be able to do it in a REx if you plan properly. Trying to do it in a BEV would be VERY time consuming as first, there are few CCS units, and second, assuming you could find a level 2 EVSE, each stop would take 3-4 hours to recharge!

It probably would not cost a huge amount to have a new car trailered to your location, especially if you could wait a few days for a 'load' of cars to be moved, verses having a dedicated truck for it. All depends on the distance and timing.

04-03-2015, 02:58 PM	#1
2sak2furious Private 7 Rep 65 Posts Drives: 2019 i8 coupe Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Southern Cal iTrader: (0)	Newbie i3 question re: fast charging New to the EV world, was looking into leasing an i3. With regards to the DC fast charging option for 2014 models, is it really necessary. I plan to charge from outlets at home usually. Probably a 2 year lease so I don't need to worry about future charging stations as Ill get a new car at that time. Looks like its standard on 2015 models anyways. Does it affect charging speeds at home or is it just to quick charge at a future planned charging station? __________________ 2012 Mercedes Benz C63 Coupe SE1 gone 2013 BMW M5 :gone 2015 BMW i3 REx Giga gone 2015 BMW X5M gone 2013 Porsche Panamera Turbo
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04-04-2015, 07:21 PM	#2
jadnashuanh Major 50 Rep 1,061 Posts Drives: 535iGT x-drive; i3 BEV Join Date: May 2010 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	The odds of you having a CCS unit at a typical home is slim. But, especially in CA, there are more and more CCS units, and since it becomes standard in the USA for the 2015 models, not having it could make your vehicle less desirable when the time comes to sell it. But, if you keep it long enough, you probably won't care. At least for now, many of them are free, and, you can get 80% charge (from empty) in about 20-minutes, so are handy if there are any around (and more are coming in CA). While not all CCS units are created equal, the i3 can accept up to 50Kw on a CCS unit, while the max acv it can accept is 7.4Kw.
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04-06-2015, 09:54 AM	#3
RichP Major 144 Rep 1,184 Posts Drives: F80 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: CT iTrader: (4)	To answer your question, no, it wouldn't affect your charging speed at home. If you find access to a CCS fast charger, then you can charge the car very quickly. But if you plan on using Level 2 (240 volt) at home most of the time, or topping off using Level 2 out and about, its probably not worth it for you (and given a short lease and the deals to be had on 2014s, I would probably go without it if the car i found didnt have it)
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04-06-2015, 11:13 AM	#4
2sak2furious Private 7 Rep 65 Posts Drives: 2019 i8 coupe Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Southern Cal iTrader: (0)	Awesome, thanks for the info. I found a few without, maybe can get a better deal on those, since? most looking for the fast charger option. Just curious, anyone ever make it in an i3 (BEV or REX) from northern cal down to southern cal. Is it possible? There is a really steep mountain to get past in the grapevine area. I don't know why, but there is huge inventory in northern cal dealers. Maybe not enough Yahoo and Facebook employees buying bimmers... __________________ 2012 Mercedes Benz C63 Coupe SE1 gone 2013 BMW M5 :gone 2015 BMW i3 REx Giga gone 2015 BMW X5M gone 2013 Porsche Panamera Turbo
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04-06-2015, 12:16 PM	#5
jadnashuanh Major 50 Rep 1,061 Posts Drives: 535iGT x-drive; i3 BEV Join Date: May 2010 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	You should be able to do it in a REx if you plan properly. Trying to do it in a BEV would be VERY time consuming as first, there are few CCS units, and second, assuming you could find a level 2 EVSE, each stop would take 3-4 hours to recharge! It probably would not cost a huge amount to have a new car trailered to your location, especially if you could wait a few days for a 'load' of cars to be moved, verses having a dedicated truck for it. All depends on the distance and timing.
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