Ebike Relay Charging Stations

[paultrafalgar]

Ebike Relay Charging Stations.

Here's an idea that was sparked by the thread "Electric RAAM, anyone?". Not interested in races, particularly, but I am interested in getting a network of charging stations around the UK (world?) where ebikes could know they could be charged. Participants would agree to offer a domestic power outlet for charging your ebike in exchange for right to do the same at other peoples places. Could be a "club" so that you don't show your postcode/zipcode to those who don't participate. Issues that spring to mind are:
1. Privacy - revealing your whereabouts (postcode/zipcode).
2. Fees - do you want people to pay you for the charge? Probably too small cost to worry with?
3. What do you do while waiting for the charge to complete? (Maybe I just hang a waterproof charging lead out of my window for you?)
4. Do I need you to make an appointment? (Probably, don't want to hang that power line out of my window forever).
5. Do I need to specify maximum power drain (watts)? or (Kwatthours).

You can think of some more issues, no doubt?
Anyone like the idea?
Then, maybe, I could go from Lands End to John O'Groats on my ebike!
(which I ain't yet built!)

 

[cerewa]

Great idea.

5. Do I need to specify maximum power drain (watts)? or (Kwatthours).

People providing outlets should be asked to specify the available amperage for the circuit breaker the outlet is on before folks decide whether to charge there.

I get the impression single family homes in the USA (I don't live in one) typically have outlets outside. All that's needed for e-bikers to use these is permission.

As for fees, I would think many of us would start wanting to institute a fee for charging up, if $10/month or more were added to our electric bill.

Honor system with a mail slot and envelopes might work well. Most e-bikers can't take more than $0.50 worth of energy per charge, so not a huge deal.

 

[dirtdad]

A longer term idea is for businesses to pro-actively provide charging stations. Not where you ride up and look for an outlet and ask permission, but where the business intentionally provides outdoor outlets expressly for the purpose of EV charging. It be useful for more than just touring, but for all EV use. Sort of like Wifi Hotspots. I can see businesses adding outdoor power outlets to parking spots and next to bike racks. The whole thing could be branded, advertised, etc. Give it a logo that retailers can put on the front door and on signs to help you find the outlet, and to let customers know they are participating in it.

1) The appearance/PR opportunity for big chain stores is huge. Starbucks is a good example of a company that has that kind of image. They would know how to market their involvement in such a thing if it got big enough. And they are like every 3 blocks around here. Ok, that is an exaggeration. Every 5 blocks.

2) Business locations are great places to top off the battery. You can charge while you shop (charge while you charge. Charge!) And you are more likely to shop where you can charge. Symbiosis is a wonderful thing.

3) For the small cost of electricity, I am sure it could be provided for free. Most retailers would pay a couple of pennies for the traffic and potential business. I suppose a business could set something up where only their paying customers would get free electricity. Sort of like how gas stations keep the key to the bathroom for customers only. But it would probably not be worth the cost of setting it up.

4) Just like all the wifi hotspot lists, I am sure lots of people would be interested in cataloging public charging stations.

 

[Miles]

Paul,

One thing you haven't mentioned is liability if something goes wrong - someone electrocutes themselves in the rain or whatever... The scheme would need to indemnify the participants.

 

[dirtdad]

I wondered about that when gas stations all went to self serve (I am dating myself, I know). There are cases of people hurting themselves with they fill up every year, one way or another.. However that is handled would apply here, I presume. All retailers already have liability insurance for people slipping on the floor or whatever, this could probably just add on to that coverage. Who knows, maybe it is only a matter of time before I have to sign a waiver to be able to pump my own gas.

And that is mostly just an issue for us here in the US. Lawsuits like that are not such a concern for the rest of the world.

 

[paultrafalgar]

A longer term idea is for businesses to pro-actively provide charging stations. Not where you ride up and look for an outlet and ask permission, but where the business intentionally provides outdoor outlets expressly for the purpose of EV charging. It be useful for more than just touring, but for all EV use. Sort of like Wifi Hotspots. I can see businesses adding outdoor power outlets to parking spots and next to bike racks. The whole thing could be branded, advertised, etc. Give it a logo that retailers can put on the front door and on signs to help you find the outlet, and to let customers know they are participating in it.

1) The appearance/PR opportunity for big chain stores is huge. Starbucks is a good example of a company that has that kind of image. They would know how to market their involvement in such a thing if it got big enough. And they are like every 3 blocks around here. Ok, that is an exaggeration. Every 5 blocks.

How do you trigger a forest-fire!? Maybe you tell Starbucks that Walmart has a secret plan to install free ev charging etc etc :wink: You get my drift? :wink: Get the fear of God into them that their going to be left out if they're not quick off the mark! You know how to do that, I'm sure!?

 

[paultrafalgar]

Paul,

One thing you haven't mentioned is liability if something goes wrong - someone electrocutes themselves in the rain or whatever... The scheme would need to indemnify the participants.

I guess you just put a notice on the outlet that says:
This electric outlet is lethal! Do not use it!
No, on second thoughts let's call the whole thing off

 

[Miles]

No! I think it's a great idea. I seem to recall something like this being promoted in UK a year or two ago, but I can't find the reference.

 

[Miles]

Have you seen this? http://www.newride.org.uk/

 

[TylerDurden]

It'll be fine.

Any method to assure the provider and user have exercised due-dilligence should suffice.

A few people die every year in the Grand Canyon National Park from dehydration. The park has enough information and notices to assure relief from liability.

EVers around the US provide charging points for others, on a regular basis, albiet typically monitored.

 

[dirtdad]

Yeah, come to think of it, we still have a few left around here in California left over from the government mandated EV thing / GM EV1, etc.

 

[dogman dan]

Great Idea! Regular homeowners insurance might cover it if no fee is charged. Trading is cooler than commerce anyway. I think some buisnesses will catch on to this, especially motels and restaraunts. As long as you never had more than two bikes on your plug at a time, It couldn't cost too much. But when the big bikes arrive with fast charging lifepo4, that could put a hurt on your bill.

 

[TylerDurden]

ES member jackatsfi has put a port at his office as part of a regional group:

http://neeaa.org/charging.htm

 

[monster]

http://www.ev-network.org.uk

 

[Miles]

Thanks, Matthew. That's the link I was trying to find.

 

[paultrafalgar]

http://www.ev-network.org.uk

Thanks monster, in that sites FAQ it gives this US site:
http://pluginmap.org/
In case y'all didn't see it.
BUT I JUST DISCOVERED THAT DON'T WORK!
This might be helpful
http://www.evfinder.com/evsites.htm
which includes:
http://ev1-club.power.net/chglist.htm
which looks useful

 

[Tiberius]

It is worth a look at the camping, caravan and campervan world in the UK and Europe.

Almost every pitch on a site has an electric hookup, using the blue 240V type connectors. Its free, or rather its included in the overnight site fee.

So, Paul, the system and infrastructure is already there for your Lands End to J O Groats ride. If you carry a tent and can do it with only overnight charging, then join the appropriate club and cycle from site to site. You will even find toilet and shower blocks at most of them.

If you need to charge more often, say at lunchtime, then its more difficult. But at least this shows that its possible.

Nick

 

[TylerDurden]

If you need to charge more often, say at lunchtime, then its more difficult. But at least this shows that its possible.

I read a cycle-training article (many years back) that included info saying that cyclists' sexual activity (during training season) was beneficial, or at least not detrimental.

Maybe campgrounds could allow an hourly-rate, so you and a friend could "take a nap" at midday. Beats riding solo. 8)

 

[mcstar]

One issue I always think about when opportunity charging is theft. I do lock the bike, but have nothing to secure the battery well. Now, most people see the bike leaning up against a wall and they just think "bicycle", rarely even noticing the wire plugged into the wall. Now if there were a big ole "charging station" sign right above it, I think it would draw the attention of those looking to score a $500-$1K battery. :| There are these TV news reporters in our town that keep asking me to let them do a story on the "lithium bike guy" because a friend of mine tipped them off. I keep telling them No for the same reason. I'd really rather stay anonymous as long as possible. I look at it this way, the moment any of the shops around here start complaining about me sucking $.03 worth of electricity from their place of business, I'll find new places to shop.

 

[JennyB]

Maybe campgrounds could allow an hourly-rate, so you and a friend could "take a nap" at midday. Beats riding solo. 8)

It would start to get a little tedious, though, if each hour's charge only got you five miles down the road! :?

 

[dogman dan]

Just have the wife follow you everywhere in a huge RV like in Cool Fuel. 5 mpg is still eco if it's corn oil right?

 

[dirtdad]

That is where faster charging batteries come into play. Some batteries can quickly come up to 80% of a full charge. Just pick a place to eat lunch where you can plug in and you are good to go.

 

[vanilla ice]

If any Lost Angeles South Bay'ers need a quick charge off the northeast end of the beach bike path for the return, I've got a 230v 50a outlet a couple blocks from Ballona creek. Shoot me a PM.

 

[michaelplogue]

To take into account a place to charge as well as security, one might consider strategically placed, fee-based, bicycle lockers - with electrical outlets.

http://www.bikelink.org/

 

[TylerDurden]

To take into account a place to charge as well as security, one might consider strategically placed, fee-based, bicycle lockers - with electrical outlets.

Cool.

I could rent those to homeless.

8)