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Using street lamps as EV chargers

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61 points rbanffy | 3 comments | 04 Nov 25 18:08 UTC | HN request time: 0s | source
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koehr ◴[12 Nov 25 11:01 UTC] No.45898697[source]▶
It's interesting how this sounds like a cutting edge experiment, while this is a common thing to see in Germany and other European states for quite a while now.
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vel0city ◴[12 Nov 25 15:33 UTC] No.45901439[source]▶
There were lamppost based chargers in Montréal last time I was there. They're a thing in North America as well.
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1. cmrdporcupine ◴[12 Nov 25 15:37 UTC] No.45901472[source]▶
Quebec is ahead of the game vs most other places in North America when it comes to anything EV.

Having some of the cheapest and most plentiful electricity in North America, courtesy giant hydroelectric facilities, helps. (Also why it's a major aluminum producer)

As an EV owner, crossing the border into Quebec from Ontario gives me about 5x the charging options. Everything from ski hills to grocery stores are set up with a mixture of charging types it's great. Get a 20 minute DC fast charge while running into the IGA to grab groceries and conveniences blew my mind.

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2. vel0city ◴[12 Nov 25 15:47 UTC] No.45901600[source]▶
Those ONroutes in Ontario seemed pretty nice in terms of EV charging infrastructure planning as well. My road trip through Canada was in an ICE so I didn't actually get a real feel for the charging infrastructure, but seeing those definitely felt like the future of long shot highway travel. Looking at maps like plugshare though definitely made it feel like those were the oasis of good charging experiences with things getting more sparse as you continued to travel off the highway.

There were a number of good EV charging ideas I saw on my road trip through Canada.

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3. cmrdporcupine ◴[12 Nov 25 16:02 UTC] No.45901807[source]▶
I've heard they're unreliable and expensive. I don't fast charge much, but when I do I usually just hit a Tesla station and use the NACS adapter for my Polestar.

Electrify Canada was overall the best experience, though. No nonsense with installing a stupid custom app and setting up an account. Just tap credit card and go. Got full 150kW that my car can take. No hassle. Ate a burrito and returned to 80%.