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Pacific Coast Suntrail Electric Vehicle Charging Hub, Pt Reyes Station

This campaign is to fund the 1st site of the 1st 100%-renewable-energy powered fast charging network for electric vehicles along California's scenic Highway 1.

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Pacific Coast Suntrail Electric Vehicle Charging Hub, Pt Reyes Station

Pacific Coast Suntrail Electric Vehicle Charging Hub, Pt Reyes Station

Pacific Coast Suntrail Electric Vehicle Charging Hub, Pt Reyes Station

Pacific Coast Suntrail Electric Vehicle Charging Hub, Pt Reyes Station

Pacific Coast Suntrail Electric Vehicle Charging Hub, Pt Reyes Station

This campaign is to fund the 1st site of the 1st 100%-renewable-energy powered fast charging network for electric vehicles along California's scenic Highway 1.

This campaign is to fund the 1st site of the 1st 100%-renewable-energy powered fast charging network for electric vehicles along California's scenic Highway 1.

This campaign is to fund the 1st site of the 1st 100%-renewable-energy powered fast charging network for electric vehicles along California's scenic Highway 1.

This campaign is to fund the 1st site of the 1st 100%-renewable-energy powered fast charging network for electric vehicles along California's scenic Highway 1.

Richard Sachen
Richard Sachen
Richard Sachen
Richard Sachen
3 Campaigns |
Point Reyes Station, United States
$75 USD 2 backers
0% of $30,000 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal
Highlights
Mountain Filled 3 Projects Mountain Filled 3 Projects

The Pacific Coast SunTrail Route is the first 100%-renewable-energy electric vehicle fast charging network on California's Highway 1.

Sunspeed Enterprises is building the first 100%-renewable-energy-powered fast charging network of electric vehicle (EV) charging hubs along California's scenic, rural Highway 1 from Eureka to Malibu.

THE BACKSTORY

As a Californian, I've always loved the ocean and the beach.  After getting my Nissan Leaf, I discovered that driving to the beach required a lot of planning if I didn't want to get stuck.  That's if I could get there and back at all.  As a member of the local electric automobile club, I discovered that I'm not alone, but also that the government and business were busy building charging stations along the major highways and at workplaces.  The coast just isn't a priority.  So, I decided to do something about it.  And thus the idea of the Pacific Coast SunTrail Route was born.

Armed with the idea, I started looking at how to make it happen.  I joined forces with Ken Coker, an experienced architect and EV driver.  We started working on what to include in the hub and came up with these features:

  • Level-3, DC Fast Chargers (480v)
  • Level-2, AC Medium Speed Chargers (220v)
  • Accept standard credit cards, as well as RFID, QR code, and cell phone payments.
  • Compatible with multiple connectors - CHAdeMO and SAE
  • Security
  • 24/7 access
  • Renewable energy supply, and ultimately emission free energy.
  • Located at unique and enjoyable destination sites along the route which offer something to do (i.e. inns, restaurants, resorts, towns, etc.)

These stations would be the "champagne" model of EV charging stations.

OUR FIRST LOCATION - Point Reyes Station

Point Reyes Station is located some 25 miles north of the golden gate bridge in western Marin County on Highway 1.


We've leased office space in the old Livery Stable in Point Reyes Station and plan to open our first Charging Hub in the parking spaces right outside the doors.  The video above shows where to eat and drink nearby, places to refresh while recharging.

There are quite a few places to eat and drink within walking distance of our Charging Hub.  Here's a list with links to their websites where available.

  • Tomales Bay Foods - Cowgirl Creamery and Cantina, for cheese tours and deli.  
  • Pine Cone Diner - Open breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  Breakfast is a specialty.
  • Bovine Bakery - Organic coffee and fresh organic, handmade pastries.
  • Toby's Coffee Bar - Organic teas, treats, and coffees
  • Osteria Stellina -  Point Reyes Italian with an unwavering commitment to local organic products.  Open lunch and dinner.
  • Station House Cafe - Open breakfast, lunch, and dinner with live music on Sundays at 5pm and a great outdoor garden. 
  • Whale of a Deli - Good deli for sandwiches, mexican food, and more.
  • Cafe Reyes - Wood fired pizza and a nice deck.
  • Old Western Saloon - Drinks served in a classic old western bar.


The Plan

To start, we plan to install a single Level-2 charger and 20Kw Level-3 Charger with CHAdeMO connector which can charge a Leaf to 80% in less than an hour.  Phase II would replace this Fast Charger with a more powerful one that could charge a Leaf in less than 20 minutes and would have both CHAdeMO and SAE Combo connectors.  Phase III would add more chargers.  

Phase I of the project (Goal of $30k)

  • Level-3 DC Fast Charging (480V) 20Kw Single CHAdeMO Connector 
  • Level-2 AC Medium Speed Charging (240V) SAE J-1772 Connector
  • Accepts Standard Credit Cards, Greenlots RFID cards, QR code payment, and phone payments
  • Lights
  • Security

Phase II of the project (Stretch goal of $50k)


  • Upgrade the Level-3 DC Fast Charger to 50Kw Dual CHAdeMo/SAE connectors.

Phase III of the project ( Stretch goal of $90k)


  • Add a 2nd Level-3 DC Fast Charger with 50Kw Dual CHAdeMo/SAE connectors
  • Add up to 3 Level-2 AC Medium Speed Chargers

Risks and challenges

This is a construction project, so there is always the risk of schedule delays. These could be late deliveries, installation issues, weather, and inspection delays. 
For Phase II, supply of the SAE DC Fast Charging connector may cause delays.

Financing for Phase II and III are stretch goals of this project. Without reaching the stretch goal, installation of Phase II and III will be delayed until enough revenue is generated to cover the upgrade cost.

Other Ways You Can Help

Electric Vehicles are the cars of the future and Sunspeed Enterprises is adding another piece of the puzzle to complete the transition from gas cars to electric cars, the way electric lightbulbs eventually replaced gas lamps.  Whether you decide donate or not, you can help in many ways:

  • Tell your friends that Sunspeed Enterprises is building a fast charging network on California's coast.  They could drive an electric car and not get stranded.
  • Forward a link to the campaign to someone, visit Sunspeed's facebook page.
  • Use the IndieGoGo share tools to make other's aware of our campaign.
  • Learn more about electric vehicles at www.pluginamerica.org or join the electric automobile association at www.electricauto.org
  • Become active in an environmental organization like the Sierra Club.  The Sierra Club has created their own ev guide at content.sierraclub.org/evguide/


Looking for more information? Check the project FAQ
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Choose your Perk

Postcard

$1 USD
A free SunTrail Postcard postmarked on Opening Day
Estimated Shipping
November 2013
0 claimed

2 hr Level 2 (220v) charging

$5 USD
2 hour of Level-2 (220v) charging on the SunTrail Route (SunTrail membership included) and an Opening Day postcard
Estimated Shipping
November 2013
0 claimed

Toby's Coffee Bar Certificate

$10 USD
$5 gift certificate to Toby's Coffee Bar
Estimated Shipping
November 2013
0 claimed

A free charge

$15 USD
Free Charging - Your next Electric Vehicle charge on the SunTrail Route is FREE (SunTrial membership included) and an Opening Day postcard
Estimated Shipping
November 2013
0 claimed

Bovine Bakery Gift Certificate

$15 USD
$10 gift certificate to the Bovine Bakery
Estimated Shipping
November 2013
0 claimed

Cafe Reyes Gift Certificate

$40 USD
Free Charge and a $25 gift certificate to Cafe Reyes.
Estimated Shipping
November 2013
0 claimed

Special Edition T-Shirt

$50 USD
Special Edition T-Shirt - Get a custom, one time only Pt. Reyes Station, Pacific Coast SunTrail Route T-Shirt.
Estimated Shipping
December 2013
1 claimed

Station House Cafe Certificate

$75 USD
Free Charge and a $60 gift certificate to The Station House Cafe
Estimated Shipping
November 2013
0 claimed

2-hour Kayak Rental

$90 USD
A free charge and 2 hour double kayak rental from Blue Waters Kayaking. Charge in Pt. Reyes then pick up your kayak in either Inverness or Marshall to experience Tomales Bay from the water.
Estimated Shipping
November 2013
0 out of 1 of claimed

Osteria Stellina Dinner

$115 USD
Free charge and $100 gift certificate to the Osteria Stellina restaurant. Point Reyes Italian dining with an unwavering commitment to local organic products.
Estimated Shipping
November 2013
0 out of 5 of claimed

Free EV Charging for 1 YEAR

$1,000 USD
FREE CHARGING FOR ONE YEAR - Free Electric Vehicle Charging on the SunTrail Network for 1 year. (SunTrail membership included) Charging will be free at any charger along Sunspeed's network
Estimated Shipping
November 2013
0 out of 10 of claimed

FREE EV CHARGING FOR LIFE

$10,000 USD
FREE CHARGING FOR LIFE - Free Electric Vehicle Charging on the SunTrail network for life. (SunTrail membership included) Never pay for charging anywhere on any charger along Sunspeed's network.
Estimated Shipping
November 2013
0 out of 5 of claimed
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