I received the same email but was taken back by the surprise $100 ( recoverable when you have AV install the unit) and the rather onerous legal agreement that needed to be ok'ed before proceeding. I felt trapped and manipulated but fell for the trap because I like the Leaf. I tried to use the chat to ask about my purchasing the dock and having it installed by my own electrician. I got the response below:
The charging dock used for charging electric vehicles is also referred to as an EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment). This can be purchased through several different manufacturers. AeroVironment is our preferred vendor for this unit. The home charging dock provided by AeroVironment, Inc. is compatible with the Nissan LEAF. Other manufacturer products may or may not be compatible. Prior to purchasing and/or using another manufacturer’s charging equipment, you need to confirm its compatibility with the Nissan LEAF.
Installing the charging dock requires that a line be run from dedicated circuits in the circuit breaker box into the garage/parking area so that the unit can be hard wired to the wall. You will also need to pull a permit from your city to perform the work as well as fill out any right to modify forms that your community may/may not require.
If you would like to speak more with our preferred vendor AeroVironment about purchasing a charging dock outside of the Nissan LEAF reservation process please call us at 877-664-2738 and we will be happy to connect you with a representative from that company to discuss the finer details.
The idea that I could use any 220V dock if I "confirmed compatibility" really shocked me. How does one confirm compatibility? That's absurd. It seems Nissan is making it impossible to use anything but Aerovironment's $2200 dock. Remember a dock is really just a 220V extension chord with some LEDs. Not rocket science but the NEC doesn't allow 220V extension chords! Its a NEMA 4 enclosure which is rated outdoors when I only need it in my garage - DUMB. A charger chord with a SAE J1772 connector with a few LEDs and a "Break Away Feature", " ADA compliant" with Auto-restart ( DUMB) and "Integrated Storage" should be a few hundred dollars. Then add a few hours installation time and even $500 is high. Something smells funky!
When I spoke with a Nissan Leaf customer service supervisor, I was told I could use any other compatible dock but Nissan wouldn't support it. So what does that mean? I was also told this was to protect the customer! But I was a customer. Since 220V is really just two legs of 110V and Nissan says it's ok to use 110V without any reservations, why is it that two 110V legs out of phase is different? Its not. Its just a way to force people toward the $2200 ( over 10% of the after credits total cost) option! I can't help but wonder where the $2200 is really going? Profit sharing maybe? Just speculation. :)
I was first told by Nissan I could buy the Aerovironment dock and have it installed myself. Then they transferred me to an Aerovironment customer service person, Sarah, who told me "No". Ok I can see Nissan is big and can't get their dealers, support people and everyone on the same page. The Aerovironment customer service person then said I must have it installed by them to be eligible for the Federal Tax Credit. I pointed out that since Nissan was making it unrealistic to do anything but use Aerovironment ( remember the compatibility email), Aerovironment had an effective monopoly on the price and access. Not good! I wondered if that might be taking advantage and maybe miss-using the Federal Tax Credit. If Nissan arranged that realistically you must use Aerovironment (compatibility and support) and AV could price the unit and install it at any price they like, might not the taxpayers be being duped for far more than is fair? Doesn't that come close to something illegal? At 10% of the after credits car price, its a great way to make a little more money on a fancy extension chord and utilize the tax credit lure and some soft compatibility and safety arguments. Think about it. That little extension chord unit IS 10% of the whole car? Something isn't right!
I think its quite sad that Nissan would find themselves in the enviable position of the first commercially viable and cool EV and would play games like this. I think I'll just use 110V and wait till they get caught and competition enters and get a $500 fancy 220V extension chord - I mean dock.
