[chrisvy]

20 minutes That is quick!

The SAE J1772 connector is the North-American standard for electric vehicles. Having this standards allows vehicles from multiple manufacturers to be able to charge at any station. But while the 'vanilla' version of the connector has 5 pins and is designed for AC current, there's also a new combo variant that adds 2 pins and can handle DC. Engineers from GM and BMW (among others I'm sure) have been testing this SAE combo to see how it performs, and so far they seem pleased, saying that "DC Combo Fast Charge stations from several suppliers will consistently allow an electric vehicle to take on an 80 percent charge in about 20 minutes." According to the SAE specs, this is accomplished because the combo charger can handle up to 90 kW at 450 volts.

Just as most major automakers adopted the SAE’s 120V/240V AC connector standard to assure plug-in vehicles could access all charging infrastructure, eight automakers – GM Ford,, Chrysler, BMW, Daimler, Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche – have committed to adopting the SAE combo fast charge connector, assuring standardization of the DC Fast Charge connectors. (​

source

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Direct current stations could charge Chevy Spark EV to 80% in 20 minutes : TreeHugger

 

[Amped]

That is truly remarkable.

 

[Spork]

I'm glad automakers are working together to have compatible charging outlets. I haven't seen one of these charging stations around where I live. Hopefully we'll have some here soon so electric cars can succeed.

 

[Sparky]

I found out some bad news today that I'm hoping someone can verify with another Chevrolet source. I was told that the Spark EV purchased today, that was not manufactured with the DC Fast Charging option cannot be retrofitted with the option's components at a later date. The Spark EV with the DC Fast Charge option will be available in the fourth quarter of 2013.

So, If you buy a Spark EV today, you will not be able to use fast chargers at all later when they are available. Only if you buy the car later this year with the option can you L3 fast charge.

I can see a lot of angry Spark EV customers, who don't realize this, buy now, and are very angry in about 4 months when other new Spark EV owners can Fast charge and they cannot.

I hope the information I was given is incorrect, but it did come from an official Chevrolet Rep. Again, can someone please verify with another source?

Lastly the price for the DC Fast Charge option, later this year, is as of yet unknown.

 

[chrisvy]

Now if only my cellphone would charge that quickly.

 

[Sparky]

I'm excited about the spark EV and want to buy one. However, Chevrolet and/or the SAE that came up with the DC fast charging standard has really disappointed me. See, I really would like to buy a Spark EV this year in 2013 for tax purposes. Chevrolet promised a DC fast charge option for the Spark EV and the ability to charge the car to 80% in 20 minutes. "Wow", I thought at the announcement at the end of 2012. It really resonated with me and I knew it was an option that I really wanted. Well, here is what happened:

1. The spark EV comes out early in June and has no fast charging option.
2. We find out the DC fast charge option cannot even be retrofitted to currently produced cars. ( I verified with Chevrolet)
3. Chevrolet says the DC fast charge option will be available late 2013. (I could of waited)
4. Now, Chevrolet says the cars with DCFC wont be available til 2014. (I verified info with two Chevrolet reps.)



My options:

1. Wait, then pre-order when the DCFC option is available and cross my fingers and hope the car comes out early in Dec of this year.
2. Buy another EV. (Don't want to though)
3. Buy the current Spark EV and never be able to DC Fast Charge.
4. Buy next year with the DCFC option, but take a big tax hit, cause no $7500 credit this year.
5. Buy the current Spark EV and trade it in next year for a new one with DCFC, take depreciation hit.

Hmmmm. What to do?