The EV Mile-High Club

Up until now, I've had a 50/50 record for EV trips venturing into the North Cascades.  The first, was a trip to Mt. Baker that didn't fair too well.  The second was a success, but actually was scarier for non-driving reasons.

Plug-In North Central Washington has for some time worked to electrify the north-central part of Washington State, thus making the region's tourist destinations accessible for those driving EVs...even the range-limited Nissan LEAF.

This winter, there are two projects that will be pivotal in making the west-east trek on Highway 20 possible for those LEAF drivers.  There will be a commissioning of three EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) at the Mazama County Inn (two NEMA 14-50 outlets and one 240V 70amp J1772 EV Plug).  The NEMA outlets will be usable for LEAF drivers who have the EVSE Upgrade to take advantage of the RV type outlets; recreational vehicles widely use NEMA 14-50 outlets when at campgrounds. While the 70amp EV Plug is better suited to charging a Tesla Model S, a LEAF could still charge off of the unit, albeit just at a maximum of 30amps for a 2013+ LEAF.

The second Highway 20 charging opportunity that is to be installed over the winter months is a public EVSE at the Seattle City Light Newhalem site (west of Diablo Lake).  While the specifics are yet to be released, it is expected that this unit will be a J1772 EV Plug and thus usable by a wide-range of plug-in vehicles.

Diablo Lake

Over on the Seattle Nissan LEAF Owners Group site, there is a question of whether the trip from the Puget Sound region to the Mazama County Inn will be possible in a Nissan LEAF come spring of 2014 when the soon-to-be-installed EVSE is up and running.

I believe that this trip is possible.  It would not be an easy trip, though!

A more detailed look:

Burlington Outlet Shoppes to the Newhalem Site

To start the trip, all but the Burlington-local LEAF drivers would need to do a combination of Level 3 (quick charging up to 80% battery) and Level 2 (80-100%) at the Burlington Outlet Shoppes.  To reach 100% in this manner, it would take a 2013+ LEAF about an hour.  From Burlington, it is just over 61 miles to reach the Seattle City Light EVSE up near Diablo Lake.  If leaving Burlington with a full charge (and healthy battery pack), one wouldn't need to worry about traveling less than the speed limit. This would be a pretty easy leg.

Newhalem Site to Mazama County Inn

The second leg of the North Cascades traverse is going to be much more of a challenge in a LEAF.  No question, there would need to be another full charge at the Seattle City Light site near Diablo Lake.  This would be 3-4 hours of charging for a 2013+ LEAF, as the whole session would be at the Level 2 EV Plug.  Thank goodness there is plenty to do and see at that location, making an extended charging session rather painless!

From Newhalem, the LEAF driver will need to be very cautious to control speed and throttle.  That full charge is going to have to take the LEAF from and elevation of 531 feet up to more than a mile above sea level!  After peaking at 5458 feet 40 miles into leg #2, there will still be about 20 miles of driving before safely arriving at the lovely high-powered Level 2 EVSE units at the Mazama County Inn.  Yes, there will be plenty of brake regeneration on that trip down into Mazama, however, the downhill grade will not guarantee a LEAF can make it that far if the battery is very low.

Even with the potential of complete disaster, I am ready for the trip!  Come spring, when the weather is warming and the snow melting, I look forward in joining the north-central EVers at their little get-together.  In all prudence, I'd better not bring my kids on this one:)