DC Quick Charging is a
DC Quick Charging is a "premium" service as it gives drivers the ultimate benefit-TIME
Paying $7 for an 80% charge is very reasonable for Chicago. California drivers using Quick-Chargers will likely pay twice that amount as CA Demand Fees are higher. What the reporter concludes is that the price should be lower-Wrong! Buying convenience is essentially the "value-add" in many products and services and car-charging is no different. Rather than worrying about cost-per-mile from an occasional quick-charge, drivers should look at overall cost ea month from using all types (Level II, Level III DC, Free charging and Home charging. That would give then a better sense of the real cost-per-mile. Most drivers will only use Quick-Charging for less than 5% of their total charging activity each month.
Even if some people chose to use Quick-Charging exclusively, they would still likely qualify for a reduced rate by signing-up for a "package" deal for a flat monthly fee. Having the DC Port on an electric vehicle gives the owner/user a much higher utilization rate and allows distance driving to be possible, without needing to check-in to a hotel overnight. In Japan, adding 200 DC chargers around Tokyo increased the utilization rate of EV's by 800%!
Once to can do it-you will do it; Just not all the time...