Battery Electric Vehicle News / Enjoying the Transportation Revolution

Grumpy_chap

Martyn1981 said:

The beauty of Trojan is that they don't install one or two chargers in a street with parking restricted to charging vehicles. Instead they install multiple charger locations along a road, and the EV driver carries the 'pole' in their car.

The article that was linked states the fixed part of the pole anchor is 50 cm above the pavement (called "flat and flush".

There may be an error in the units, if the fixed part is just the silver disc in the pictures.  That would be 50 mm (presumably) which is still quite high and, if that is the case, I am sure we will not be long until the claims start to land for trip events.

Does the driver have to carry the "pole" that is 50 cm tall?  I can't see that referenced in the article.  I don't think I'd really want to have to carry a 0.5 m long "pole" to charge the car - particularly as it would end up needing to be several different "poles" as each service provider will no doubt have their own "pole" design.

EricMears

Grumpy_chap said:

Martyn1981 said:

The beauty of Trojan is that they don't install one or two chargers in a street with parking restricted to charging vehicles. Instead they install multiple charger locations along a road, and the EV driver carries the 'pole' in their car.

The article that was linked states the fixed part of the pole anchor is 50 cm above the pavement (called "flat and flush".

There may be an error in the units, if the fixed part is just the silver disc in the pictures.  That would be 50 mm (presumably) which is still quite high and, if that is the case, I am sure we will not be long until the claims start to land for trip events.

Does the driver have to carry the "pole" that is 50 cm tall?  I can't see that referenced in the article.  I don't think I'd really want to have to carry a 0.5 m long "pole" to charge the car - particularly as it would end up needing to be several different "poles" as each service provider will no doubt have their own "pole" design.

I suspect that the sockets are intended mainly for people who live in that street so no need to carry 'pole' around in your car - just keep it somewhere handy in your house (or if visiting ask to borrow your host's).

Martyn1981

Grumpy_chap said:

Martyn1981 said:

The beauty of Trojan is that they don't install one or two chargers in a street with parking restricted to charging vehicles. Instead they install multiple charger locations along a road, and the EV driver carries the 'pole' in their car.

The article that was linked states the fixed part of the pole anchor is 50 cm above the pavement (called "flat and flush".

There may be an error in the units, if the fixed part is just the silver disc in the pictures.  That would be 50 mm (presumably) which is still quite high and, if that is the case, I am sure we will not be long until the claims start to land for trip events.

Does the driver have to carry the "pole" that is 50 cm tall?  I can't see that referenced in the article.  I don't think I'd really want to have to carry a 0.5 m long "pole" to charge the car - particularly as it would end up needing to be several different "poles" as each service provider will no doubt have their own "pole" design.

Hi Grumpy, if you look at their main site, and do nothing, it runs through a demonstration of the idea. It's been around for a while now, and the pole design has changed, it used to have a pull up section to make it even taller to meet LA rules.

Their 'big' idea, is that instead of installing street furniture (chargers) which increases cost, and leads to EV only spaces, they complete a whole street. The people living there can then get an EV and charge, Will even encourage non-EV owners, as the problem of charging will be eased, and they can see a solution on their very pavement.

JKenH

Interesting concept. I am not sure I agree with Trojan’s marketing that these do not constitute a trip hazard. 

If you are looking where you are going it may not be a problem but there are bits sticking up which could catch someone out who doesn’t walk well or is looking at their mobile phone when walking. It doesn’t take much to cause a trip. I have stumbled over slightly raised paving slabs and this looks like a similar level of hazard - as much as a covered trailing cable, perhaps.

orrery

Martyn1981 said:

.... Kinda funny to see that ~50% of breakdowns, be it EV or ICE, were down to the 12V battery ..... some things never change....

EVs more reliable than ICE vehicles, with the best and worst electric cars identified

A new study conducted by Europe’s largest automobile association has found that electric vehicles (EVs) are less prone to breaking down than internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles of the same age, which can suffer two and a half times as many breakdowns as electric cars.

That's not the really funny part.

If ICE cars suffer 2.5 times the breakdowns of EVs, and both have (around) 50% 12V battery problems, then that means ....

.... Petrol and Diesel vehicles suffer around twice the number of battery issues of EVs!

Magnitio

orrery said:

Martyn1981 said:

.... Kinda funny to see that ~50% of breakdowns, be it EV or ICE, were down to the 12V battery ..... some things never change....

EVs more reliable than ICE vehicles, with the best and worst electric cars identified

A new study conducted by Europe’s largest automobile association has found that electric vehicles (EVs) are less prone to breaking down than internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles of the same age, which can suffer two and a half times as many breakdowns as electric cars.

That's not the really funny part.

If ICE cars suffer 2.5 times the breakdowns of EVs, and both have (around) 50% 12V battery problems, then that means ....

.... Petrol and Diesel vehicles suffer around twice the number of battery issues of EVs!

With the significant drop in the cost of LFP batteries, hopefully manufacturers will start to replace the heavy 12v lead-acid and provide improved longevity. Tesla has already gone down this route.

QrizB

Speaking of Tesla, I suspect no-one has missed their disappointing Q1 results. However, if you've not seen them:

"Tesla (TSLA) Q1 2025 financial results: missed big on already terrible expectations"

https://electrek.co/2025/04/22/tesla-tsla-q1-2025-financial-results/

silverwhistle

Delving down I found this amusing:

Elon Musk said Tesla’s self-driving will start contributing to the company’s profits… wait for it… “next year” with “millions of Tesla robotaxis in operation during the second half of the year.”

The claim has become a running joke, as he has made it for the last decade.

Grumpy_chap

QrizB said:

Speaking of Tesla, I suspect no-one has missed their disappointing Q1 results. 

Elon has seen that and decided to return to work rather than helping his mate.

1961Nick

It'll be interesting to see how much is due to the pause in Model Y sales caused by the launch of Juniper & how much is down to his love affair with Trump & MAGA?