Today it is snowing, changing to rain then wind. We’re getting what I expect is a trace of the storms currently affecting the North Atlantic coast of the United States. Tomorrow however is forecast to be a sunny day. And – because I haven’t installed winter tyres (relying instead upon my “all seasons”) I have therefore resolved, in preparation for our journey to the Pembroke Regional Hospital to meet with a surgeon regarding my recent melanoma cancer diagnosis, to plug in the car for 100% charging.
Although charging to 100% is contrary to the recommended charge level of 80%, it is – if I understand correctly – more of an issue if the car is going down steep hills (which paradoxically generates electricity rather than consuming it). In any case, having driven to the Pembroke Regional Hospital lately, I find it to be a longer drive than my customary daily outings. I prefer not to disturb myself worrying about capacity. Siri advises the hospital is distant 116 Km. The round trip of 232 Km doesn’t exhaust the 80% average charge level of 400 Km. With the car charged to 100% the scope enlarges to about 480 Km which I feel is sufficient to relieve me of any agony respecting distance.
Because I regularly drive the car a limited distance only, I habitually charge the car at its exclusive outlet from the pillar adjacent my parking spot. The Level 2 – 240v outlet was installed gratuitously by the corporate landlord for which I am naturally grateful. In emergency there is also on the same pillar a Level 1 – 120V outlet but I have not used it for any reason. As you might have anticipated there is no Fast Charger or Level 3 outlet such as would be available from the installation of a Tesla Supercharger (one of which is installed in the basement parking lot of our former apartment).
As a result I have little experience with the management of public charging stations. Our trip last summer to the Maritime provinces involved a number of charging options (at hotels or traditional fueling stations along the way), some of which did not work easily or at all. Here on home base we have tested with success the use of public outlets (located nearby the community centre). Clearly the methodology of charging is changing over time as more people buy electric automobiles.
And speaking of change, as the sun sets upon November 30th, I address my mind to the upcoming winter. This morning my partner and I spent time talking about possible future travel. For the moment, medical, dental and political issues restrict our movement. We remain adamant about not returning to the United States of America under the command of His Nibs. We reason he has altered whatever legitimacy the Republican party may once have possessed, replacing it with a boisterous shouting incongruous with many things. The themes of closing immigration, insulation from global involvement and the wishful thinking of returning America to the 1950s are just too indigestible and threatening. Naturally I might eat these words but I must confess a present sense of reluctance.
Nonetheless we embraced the thought one day of returning to our beloved Hilton Head Island. We wasted no time listing the various and numerous reasons for our preference. I credit my partner with the ensuing gusto surrounding the recollections. Frankly I had about given up the possibility of reigniting those favourable days. Fortuitously perhaps I am withdrawn from the contemplation pending resolution of outstanding issues. But unmistakably there is inspiration when imagining a return to that marvellous place. When we last departed we mentioned to the estate agency the matter of an EV charging station. Who knows? Maybe by the time we resolve the other personal matters we’ll be able to plug in and charge to 100%!