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I cannot reasonably run lengths of 110v extension cords down the block to charge a car overnight

I used to run extension cords out of windows and across the sidewalk to charge a Fiat 500e.




Works if you live in a first-floor, street-facing unit and can reliably park in front of it. Otherwise it can be tough.

It's unfortunate that EVs make the most immediate sense in high-density urban settings, but those same settings have lots of people who can't use the simple kinds of charging infrastructure (eg, Level 1/2 chargers).


IMO EVs work best in medium density urban settings, where people still probably have their own garages or at least private parking spots but aren't likely to need to do 100+mi drives constantly.

Truly high-density urban settings should ideally find transportation solutions without cars.


And stop using streets for car storage, opening them up to people and plants.


Don't you dare get my hopes up for streets lined with trees instead of cars.


Bandaid-ing plants and naively making public spaces often doesn't work in the US. It's a little more work to make spaces where people actually want to be.

Look at the numerous existing city public spaces built into high profile architecture, where basically no one ever hangs out in. (There's a TED talk about this.)


Why would their worth be determined on how many people hang out there? I prefer to see green spaces and am okay appreciating them from a distance, such a in a nearby town with a tree lined main street through town. I don't think it would invoke the same aestetic pleasure with people and litter occupying these spaces.


If people are only getting little glimpses, then even if they think those glimpses look very nice it's not a very good use of space.


Cities are going to have to invest in lamppost and curb charging. These already exist. The good news is that with a modest surcharge to the base electricity cost, they will produce a stream of revenue that can be financialized to pay for the install cost (which is basically AC wiring.) The billing needs to be standardized (this is already mostly done with NACS/CCS.) It’s low hanging fruit and will happen within the next few years.


Works if you live in a first-floor, street-facing unit

I was not exactly in that situation. First time, I lived in a room on the 3rd floor of a house, but I'd run the extension cord out of the house owner's workshop basement window. I could reliably park in front of the house, however.

2nd time, I ran the cord out of a 2nd story window from my room, but the parking space was behind the house's fence under my window.

3rd situation, I would run the cord from the apartment exercise room, out the window to the fenced in parking lot behind the building. However, the building management actually removed those outlets! Then, that law requiring them to let us charge passed, but by then, it was time for us to move out. Now, I have a garage of my own!


Bikes and transit make the most sense in high density urban settings. Evs make more sense in a suburban world.




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