> You ignore that solar on-site coupled with EV chargers on site eliminates a lot of grid transmission losses. In theory a residential complex, employer, retail, or commercial site could set up something like this, pumping most of the energy into the cars parked underneath, and have a fairly small connection to the grid.

How many square yards of panels would one EV charger need an a typical afternoon / evening?

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adrianN 7 hours ago | parent [-]

A Solar panel produces about 250W peak per square meter. A parking spot can thus produce maybe three kW. A whole parking lot is probably enough for one or two chargers.

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jerlam 7 hours ago | parent [-]

People would be unhappy with a charger that only worked slowly and during the day, even if it was free.

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mitthrowaway2 6 hours ago | parent | next [-]

They'd also be unhappy with a solar panel that only generated power when a car was plugged in. Fortunately it would still be connected to the grid, resolving both concerns.

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Y-bar 2 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

Why would I be unhappy? Consider this:

I drive to the mall.

I plug in the slow free charger (maybe ~3500W) as opposed to the paid one at >20000W.

Two hours later I have, say, about 7kWh topped up on my battery.

I now have restored about 40km range, so my 30km drive to and from the mall would be entirely restored.

	▲	alwa 2 hours ago \| parent [-]
		Even better if we could somehow trunk my space’s 3500W of panels with the ones covering the combustion-driven car next to me. And the empty space to my other side…

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imtringued 20 minutes ago | parent | prev | next [-]

I'm not sure that's true?

Your car already has the battery built right into it, so a trickle charge for eight hours while you're busy at work might be enough to cover your commute.

2 kW over 8 hours would be enough for 100 km per day.

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blitzar an hour ago | parent | prev [-]

I drive to work, I park in the parking lot, 8 hours later I leave work. My car is now fully charged.

I would be utterly devastated.