Asking for advice on a pull through layout.

[Yellow Buddy]

Think of it as laying future groundwork for DCFC. We are doing very inexpensively and that’s sort of a real world test save the “must charge fast set”. I’m really curious about the separation and use by future EV trailer towers. If it works, then we might attract a EV site investor, relocate these to the better workforce location. It’s relatively inexpensive considering a market study would be $25K-$30K.

You’re not going to get good data though, that’s the problem.

The way you describe your site design, and the layout gives me the impression you’re designing a rest stop/gas station style location. That type of location is only appealing IF it had a DCFC. Without one, you may reach the conclusion the site isn’t viable or low traffic when in reality the location and visibility may be fine, but the amenities are lacking.

Having dedicated trailer spots are fine, but you need something to keep us occupied if you’re installing L2s. It’s a very different mentality.

You’re welcome to take the feedback or not, this is from someone who’s been towing with EVs coming up on a decade now and someone who does a lot of road tripping in the cars.

IMO..and my usage.

L1 - Perfectly fine for long stops. Think RVers, full, partial, or even no hookup, a convenient stop when you’re just done driving for the day. I won’t mind stopping for 12+ hours with no amenities, I just need space and permission to stay overnight. If you wanted to offer amenities, groceries, onsite shower, fast food is appreciated. Otherwise, clean, well lit, safe are the priorities. The Loves RV sites are a great example for a rest stop style with dedicated trailer areas. This can apply to L2 as well but timewise youre keeping me here for 8+ hours.

L2 - These require amenities, people don’t typically go somewhere specifically for a L2. L2s are more opportunistic charging. They’re going there anyway, it just happens to have a charger. It will need something that is going to keep me busy for 2.5+ hours, a sit down restaurant if I needed to eat anyway, a mall, etc. if the offering isn’t enough to keep me busy for at least 1.5 hours, I’m likely better off stopping somewhere else that offers a DCFC. This applies to slower L3s as well (under 100KW)

L3 - Charging is our primary objective. Amenities are nice, but our goal is to get in and get out. 8 stall, 350kW+, 500A, 800V capable, right off the highway, pull through sites. The most successful and stress free ones I’ve seen have little more than clean restrooms, coffee shop, and grocery stores. The lack of amenities keeps it free of traffic and keeps access easy. My goal is to be here for no more than 60 minutes, preferably under 30.

Just my 2c..

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[Jseis]

Bet for each is own. A study is “expensive” and for the price of that we support local and the occasional traveler. And the site is upgradable in the future. I find hilarious that so called “travelers“ stop, unhitch, charge, re-hitch. Nuts. 10-15 years it’ll be 5ish minute charging.

The current DCfC stalls barely accept a Lightning. They are designed for commuter BEVs. Our site has 14+ workers and growing. Perfect. Like I say, this is rural America and nothing comes easy.

Don’t stop.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

What are the amenities in the area?
Clearly some of the purpose is for workforce. If that's the main use case, do you need trailer space? Would it make more sense to put in six out eight 48 A EVSEs? Maybe set a couple off to the side so they can accommodate a trailer.

If this is a place where I would like to stop for a few hours or a night, an L2 charge station would convince me to stop instead of the place down the road. Are there camp sites nearby? Are there RV hookups nearby?

If this is where locals go to spend a day on the water, this makes sense as a place to L2 charge and as a place with trailer accommodations.

If it's "only" a "gas-and-go" kind of stop, it's not going to show on my search while I'm planning my next stop because I don't search for less that 100 kW stations while on a road trip.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

For a trailer stop, the question in my mind is:
From what I can tell, there are two sets of stations with two plugs at each station. Are the two plugs at one station set up so the trucks would face each other? What happens if one is a truck with a plug in the front left and another is a truck with a plug in the front right? How about trucks with plugs in the rear? Do these accommodate all of the possible combinations of plug locations all at once?

Also:
Say I pull into one of the spots and can't pull through because someone else is in front of me. Then I may have to back out when I'm done. Is there enough space for a truck+trailer to back out of the space and maneuver around to get out?

 

[Jseis]

For a trailer stop, the question in my mind is:
From what I can tell, there are two sets of stations with two plugs at each station. Are the two plugs at one station set up so the trucks would face each other? What happens if one is a truck with a plug in the front left and another is a truck with a plug in the front right? How about trucks with plugs in the rear? Do these accommodate all of the possible combinations of plug locations all at once?

Also:
Say I pull into one of the spots and can't pull through because someone else is in front of me. Then I may have to back out when I'm done. Is there enough space for a truck+trailer to back out of the space and maneuver around to get out?

Two lanes, access from either end. Chargers are spaced 70’+ apart. With the longer cords it really doesn’t matter which side you port is on.

DCFC are just two expensive. To get 4 chargers and transform power would cost $400,000+. Ultimately, our recreational season is short.. about 90 days and the water side site does have some amenities worthy of a stop.

And as noted, nothing to stop us from swapping those L2’s to a stall type site and dropping for DCFC in much quicker service. Our state experts suggested pull throughs for serving a future audience of which would be local jobbers, but that’s in the future. BTW, there are two specific RV towing types, .rec trailers & sport boat. Plenty of maneuvering for an EV sedan.

Also, if we did stall types we’d beginning to interfere with the long angle in parking run so using long stall lanes seemed possible and if we design & sign the long stall lane correctly trailer towing vehicle could turn out from stall. If they slways pulled forward, the one behind could turn out.

We didn’t consider a parking area to just unhook then charge, re-hook. Just seemed nuts. It would be fairly easy to convert to angle in stall parking for more traditional stall charging. If DCFc’s were less costly, we would’ve gone that way… but nope. It’s also possible to back out of the long lane if you can back a trailer. No guarantees there based on skill but plenty of of distance to back up.

I suspect future pull through charging station will take up a fair amount of space. At our current parking area one RV or logging truck can easily block 5-6+ parking stalls, thus designating strictly to accommodating pull through could be a real waste of space. But because we’re on the edge of the “lot” we thought, well let’s see how this work. We are in the schematic design phase so plenty of time to change our minds.

The charge cables are 23’ long, two vehicles could face each other in opposite lanes or same lane. Outside lane can turn directly into adjacent access lane. Lane access depends on which charger & lane is available.

We will literally mark the lanes, then take a truck @ trailer.., practice and see.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

Two lanes, access from either end. Chargers are spaced 70’+ apart. With the longer cords it really doesn’t matter which side you port is on.

I think the issue of port location isn't about reaching the port from the charger but rather the relative location between two vehicles in the same lane. A rear port means a typical EV truck will be about 20 feet closer to the other vehicle in the same lane. If the first vehicle with a front port pulled in and stopped so their trailer is between the two chargers, that's a 20-ft truck + a 30-ft trailer, or about 50 feet of space used between chargers. Then imagine if a truck with a rear port pulls in behind that one. They would have to pull up so their port is close to the charger. It could be a little tight. Probably not an issue for most trailers, but something to consider. I would take those sketches and some appropriately-scaled trucks (20-ish feet long) and large trailers (30+ feet long with hitch and bumper) and try arranging them in various ways to make sure the potential conflicts are considered.

Our state experts suggested pull throughs for serving a future audience of which would be local jobbers, but that’s in the future. BTW, there are two specific RV towing types, .rec trailers & sport boat. Plenty of maneuvering for an EV sedan.

I think that's right.

I don't think DCFC is worth discussing. They don't fit your budget, so they can be ignored.

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