First Stations of the Pilot - GM and Fly J fast charging network are online

[Worldwide Beagle]

Every little bit helps

Flying J is a big organization.

First stations of Pilot-GM EV fast-charging network are open

The network is just one of several automaker-funded DC fast-charging networks in the works and emphasizes fast 350-kw connectors.

www.greencarreports.com

 

[Shuasha]

For those curious about where they're located: https://locations.pilotflyingj.com/search?undefined
Click on "Load All Locations", then add the filter for EV Charging.

 

[Tâm]

Every little bit helps

Flying J is a big organization.

First stations of Pilot-GM EV fast-charging network are open

The network is just one of several automaker-funded DC fast-charging networks in the works and emphasizes fast 350-kw connectors.

www.greencarreports.com

Lots of Flying J in my area (Central Valley, California).

 

[victoryroad]

It will be interesting to see the "highly traveled corridors" along which the Flying J charging stations will be located. There is little doubt that a more robust charging network is essential to broader EV adoption, in my view.

 

[Adnillien]

There is one in Winslow that is getting good reviews on PlugShare.

 

[BACamster]

Lots of Flying J in my area (Central Valley, California).

But only one with EV charging.

 

[Worldwide Beagle]

But only one with EV charging.

Come on - are you purposely trying to bring us down? Be a bit more positive. It will not kill you. Honestly. Be happy. The sky is not falling. The press reports I have read said that that GM and Flying J got the first 17 ones up and running in RECORD time. 25 by year end, 200 next year. And these are just the first of 3000. And Flying J - Pilot have massive billion dollar infrastructure. Flying J has a tremendous $$$ vested interest in making this work. They have the land, power, bathrooms, restaurants, staff, maintenance and tech crews. I see more impact from deals like this than the Fru Fru MB $25 latte and foot massage while you charge oasises.

Bystander to the Wright Brothers: Sure, you flew, BUT ONLY ONE AIRPLANE, and no daily service to Cleveland?

 

[CLTGT]

ZERO with EV charging in the Carolinas...and I believe the Wright brothers did spend a little time here...

Just hope Flying J decides to change that dynamic with respect to EV charging in the southeast.

 

[Worldwide Beagle]

ZERO with EV charging in the Carolinas...and I believe the Wright brothers did spend a little time here...

Just hope Flying J decides to change that dynamic with respect to EV charging in the southeast.

ANOTHER doomsayer... Please look at the full build out map. Across the US?

For Flying J, it makes perfect sense NOT to do one now in NC. It would have been a stupid waste of energy (no pun intended).

The GM Flying J partnership is a massive undertaking, 3000 installs, and they needed to get online as proof of concept. No matter how big your plans are, unless you get A FEW up and running, no one will believe you. They have shown they CAN and WILL do it. Sure, they chose low hanging fruit in the area where they know BEST - the southwest. It does not surprise me in the least that the South west - California corridor is low hanging fruit. And a great place to start.

Don't underestimate Flying J. (They own tankers and refineries) They want to be in business and selling THE ENERGY DE JURE to trucks and cars for the next hundred years. AS WELL AS, a ton of Doritos, Oreos and Mountain Dew. And it has the billions to do it.

Curious, do they have EVs in NC? (joking)

I grew up partly in Southside VA and often visited Kill Devil Hills - Kitty Hawk. Spectacularly Beautiful. Hard not to think about what happened there and be moved

PS: i would think Charlotte and the Research Triangle would be hot areas in the future. But it will always be based on major interstate trucking corridors. Like I-95.

 

[HariK]

I saw chargepoint stations and not just 50kW but 125kW and it did work to the max kW at an E-Express truck stop owned by Excel Food Mart in Oklahoma. It is a sign of things to come.

 

[Worldwide Beagle]

Who knows @HariK maybe it is the massive truck stops that will be the change for EV charging on the road. I would humbly suggest that 99% on this forum do not understand the truck stop infrastructure in the US - since , as auto drivers, we almost NEVER use it or need it. They do not need to acquire building permits, land or power. Just more Doritos and Oreos.

 

[hydbob]

ANOTHER doomsayer... Please look at the full build out map. Across the US?

For Flying J, it makes perfect sense NOT to do one now in NC. It would have been a stupid waste of energy (no pun intended).

The GM Flying J partnership is a massive undertaking, 3000 installs, and they needed to get online as proof of concept. No matter how big your plans are, unless you get A FEW up and running, no one will believe you. They have shown they CAN and WILL do it. Sure, they chose low hanging fruit in the area where they know BEST - the southwest. It does not surprise me in the least that the South west - California corridor is low hanging fruit. And a great place to start.

Don't underestimate Flying J. (They own tankers and refineries) They want to be in business and selling THE ENERGY DE JURE to trucks and cars for the next hundred years. AS WELL AS, a ton of Doritos, Oreos and Mountain Dew. And it has the billions to do it.

Curious, do they have EVs in NC? (joking)

I grew up partly in Southside VA and often visited Kill Devil Hills - Kitty Hawk. Spectacularly Beautiful. Hard not to think about what happened there and be moved

PS: i would think Charlotte and the Research Triangle would be hot areas in the future. But it will always be based on major interstate trucking corridors. Like I-95.

They only placed 1 in CA. So...not really low hanging fruit, but yes, this all takes time.

 

[CLTGT]

"Doomsayer" you say? I just stated the facts as well as my hopes. I did not say they would never expand in the Southeast.

As far as EV's in the NC. They appear to be 1 out of every 10 cars when you really look, but I am sure they are not that plentiful. The Lucid Mobile tech did make a comment early on that they had more orders in Atlanta/Charlotte combined than the entire state of Florida at one point. They are definitely increasing here at, what appears to be, a brisk pace. The momentum though will soon slow if the infrastructure does not improve.

The first time I ever stopped at the EA location in Greensboro, I was the only one there. More recently, the same location was at capacity, no one waiting, but at capacity with much conversation being had with respect to my Lucid.

 

[Worldwide Beagle]

I misspoke, low hanging fruit for its existing big truck stops. if you want to get proof of concept up and running, go to the big ass locations you already have, with plenty of excess room, and the least amount of local regulations. Seems the more remote the area on a major trucking route, the bigger the truck stop.

 

[BACamster]

Come on - are you purposely trying to bring us down? Be a bit more positive. It will not kill you. Honestly. Be happy. The sky is not falling. The press reports I have read said that that GM and Flying J got the first 17 ones up and running in RECORD time. 25 by year end, 200 next year. And these are just the first of 3000. And Flying J - Pilot have massive billion dollar infrastructure. Flying J has a tremendous $$$ vested interest in making this work. They have the land, power, bathrooms, restaurants, staff, maintenance and tech crews. I see more impact from deals like this than the Fru Fru MB $25 latte and foot massage while you charge oasises.

Bystander to the Wright Brothers: Sure, you flew, BUT ONLY ONE AIRPLANE, and no daily service to Cleveland?

LOL! The sky is not falling. The more EVSE we have the merrier. I was just highlighting the fact that there are numerous Flying J in California but only one has EV charging and it is located in Madera, CA (farming alley of California).

 

[Worldwide Beagle]

"Doomsayer" you say? I just stated the facts as well as my hopes. I did not say they would never expand in the Southeast.

As far as EV's in the NC. They appear to be 1 out of every 10 cars when you really look, but I am sure they are not that plentiful. The Lucid Mobile tech did make a comment early on that they had more orders in Atlanta/Charlotte combined than the entire state of Florida at one point. They are definitely increasing here at, what appears to be, a brisk pace. The momentum though will soon slow if the infrastructure does not improve.

The first time I ever stopped at the EA location in Greensboro, I was the only one there. More recently, the same location was at capacity, no one waiting, but at capacity with much conversation being had with respect to my Lucid.

Sorry, I am a bit sensitive became many here try to find the negative in every tiny improvement. I apologize. As you know, NC is a interesting demographic - Charlotte, the Triangle and then the rest of the state. I can see Greensboro being a hotbed.

And NC has the same issue as VA, so many long drives to go places.

Great story on the EV charging location. I spoke with an EA electrical manager a month ago. Was told that 50% of the unit outages are due to outright sabotage. Especially in the south. Some from cutting the cable for the copper, but most simply are outright EV hatred destroy the pedestal sabotage.

He admitted the other 50% of pedestal outages were simply due to worn out stuff:
1. EA never anticipated the high usage
2. the units were not designed for such high usage / run times
2. told me he thought the BEST JOB for the next 20 years was a high voltage electrician -- they have hundreds of openings.

 

[Worldwide Beagle]

LOL! The sky is not falling. The more EVSE we have the merrier. I was just highlighting the fact that there are numerous Flying J in California but only one has EV charging and it is located in Madera, CA (farming alley of California).

Cool, understand. Sorry, bit sensitive on this issue.

But I do not think that covering CA at first wave was ANYWHERE in the design criteria and selection process. And the fact there are only on in CA, to me, is not significant, YET.

I have been an attorney on the sidelines for major corps doing massive project roll outs. Airports, breweries, refineries. And it is fascinating. They think about weird shit I never would have, but stuff that effects the likelihood of project success - as they or their financiers define it. I am sure there are many here with much more experience than me.

But I will bet that Flying J, along with GM, the lawyers, architects, power supply specialists and engineers, developed a detailed set of criteria for selection of the locations for the first 17, 20 and 200 build outs. And @hydbob , by low hanging fruit, I meant to say: EASY places, that fit their criteria, with the best chance for success, with the least risk. Some may even be in low usage areas so as not be instantly overloaded. Other factors could be power to the property, abundance of developable land. We do not know. They do. And it was not based on darts. I would guess that Madera CA was chosen explicitly for specific reasons, say: land, electric supply, and place quieter than SoCal to do the work.

I never thought EA would be the solution. And way too many here were royally pissed it was not. I am not saying Flying J is THE solution. Certainly not. But they have the money, expertise and infrastructure to make a huge improvement, and the $$ incentive to do so. Keep those Doritos coming.

 

[DBV]

The Flying J by us looks like it got 4 EV chargers, which is great. I just don’t understand why they are not starting with more at these locations. Should be at least 8+ at each location.

 

[Worldwide Beagle]

@DBV , the answer is simple. But might not make any sense. Simply, 8 unites was not the plan of the Roll Out.

The plan was proof of concept. FJ was NOT trying to do a long term build out, not trying to make the Cleveland store fully fitted out. It was not part of the initial Proof of Concept plan. FJ had X amount of dollars, X amount of pedestals, X amount of electricians and X amount of time and it needed to announce it was up and running for the press, GM and investors etc. If they did 8 in Cleveland, it could have meant one less location. FJ needed/wanted a certain amount of BANG FOR THE INITIAL roll out.

FJ and GM have shown they can do it, that they work (WE HOPE), that people will use them (we hope) and EV drivers will buy Doritos (given). So, now they can get the $$ from lenders and built out. Rome was not built in a day, though i doubt that design review committees to deal with.

 

[Worldwide Beagle]

There is one in Winslow that is getting good reviews on PlugShare.

True Story, When my car was shipped from Scottsdale to Denver, the TILT alarm went off when loading, on my phone in Denver. WHAT THE HELL, i first thought. Then, I could "see" the Lucid move up the highway. We all watched on my ipad (slow night) . We were excited. Very slow night. Then, THE LUCID JUST stopped. In nowhere. WHY? It spent the night in infamous Winslow AZ. IT WAS A GOOD OMEN. I always wanted to visit Winslow. So, we drank beer and played Eagles songs.

Someday, @Adnillien and all you in the AZ crew, WHEN @Adnillien sets up THE DAMN FACTORY TOUR, I will visit Winslow, again.