Took a Road Trip - A few questions for the experts - and an observation or two

[codyrobinson]

I took my third true road trip this past weekend. First time I've charged without using my FREE kwh I got when I purchased about 9 months ago (almost all my charging is at home).

I have a few random questions for those of you that road trip more often:

1) Is it worth going to a 350kwh charger as opposed to a 150kwh one? I've only used the 150kwh....somehow in my mind I'm thinking my car can't handle any more, but maybe I made that up!

2) For charging, I was paying 32 cents per minute at EA (WalMart) in Texas....seems that WalMart makes up most of my options. I also saw a tab on the charging screen for "Members"....is that a better route to go for someone that may use these chargers maybe 6 trips per year?

3) I used the EA app to initiate charging....is that the best way? It was the only way I could get it to charge. The first time I just drove up and plugged in, but kept getting an error message. After that I used the EA app. Again, maybe I'm making this up, but I thought you could just plug and charge?

4) I ran into a guy with a KIA at a charger. He told me he can charge from 10% to 80% in 15 minutes.....if that's true, that's pretty awesome. Not really a question, but a comment.

5) I hate ABRP....looks so cheap! Maybe I haven't used it enough, but I didn't like the experience. I decided to just use the car's built in nav, and that was really odd as well. It chose chargers that really didn't make sense for me. I basically had to figure it out myself.

6) Just realized this sounds like a lot of complaining....it really isn't meant to be. I LOVED driving the car on my 7 hour trip each way. I'm just trying to figure out the "secrets" many of you have already figured out for road trips. Nice thing was EA was really helpful when I called the first time when "plug and charge" didn't work. They walked me through using the app...very helpful. They were also helpful on the way home when a charger didn't work....they couldn't fix it, but they were nice. I waited for another car to finish and got mine charged.

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[codyrobinson]

Forgot to mention -- saw a Lightning while charging....nice looking truck!

And -- people at chargers are really friendly. Pretty cool to compare notes on vehicles, and be a part of the "club".

 

[hayzl313]

I took my third true road trip this past weekend. First time I've charged without using my FREE kwh I got when I purchased about 9 months ago (almost all my charging is at home).

I have a few random questions for those of you that road trip more often:

1) Is it worth going to a 350kwh charger as opposed to a 150kwh one? I've only used the 150kwh....somehow in my mind I'm thinking my car can't handle any more, but maybe I made that up!

2) For charging, I was paying 32 cents per minute at EA (WalMart) in Texas....seems that WalMart makes up most of my options. I also saw a tab on the charging screen for "Members"....is that a better route to go for someone that may use these chargers maybe 6 trips per year?

3) I used the EA app to initiate charging....is that the best way? It was the only way I could get it to charge. The first time I just drove up and plugged in, but kept getting an error message. After that I used the EA app. Again, maybe I'm making this up, but I thought you could just plug and charge?

4) I ran into a guy with a KIA at a charger. He told me he can charge from 10% to 80% in 15 minutes.....if that's true, that's pretty awesome. Not really a question, but a comment.

5) I hate ABRP....looks so cheap! Maybe I haven't used it enough, but I didn't like the experience. I decided to just use the car's built in nav, and that was really odd as well. It chose chargers that really didn't make sense for me. I basically had to figure it out myself.

6) Just realized this sounds like a lot of complaining....it really isn't meant to be. I LOVED driving the car on my 7 hour trip each way. I'm just trying to figure out the "secrets" many of you have already figured out for road trips. Nice thing was EA was really helpful when I called the first time when "plug and charge" didn't work. They walked me through using the app...very helpful. They were also helpful on the way home when a charger didn't work....they couldn't fix it, but they were nice. I waited for another car to finish and got mine charged.

by no means an expert but I know an answer to one of your questions! LOL
#3 Fordpass app ->Vehicle-> Charging ->Blue Oval Charge Network Plug & Charge (toggle this on)

 

[codyrobinson]

Thanks so much. I double checked....i have it toggled on, but still wasn't working. Hopefully just a one-off type of thing and it will work next time....

 

[Ming]

Believe 150 or 350kW charger makes no difference for SR models (they max out below 120kW). It may make small difference for ER models, but shouldn't be more than a minute or two of charging time.

EA membership fee is $4 per month, you can get more than this back from a single charge. So you can just subscribe before a trip and cancel afterwards.

 

[hayzl313]

Thanks so much. I double checked....i have it toggled on, but still wasn't working. Hopefully just a one-off type of thing and it will work next time....

ah ok got it. Happened to me one of the few times I went to EA and mine toggled off after an update so I thought the same might have happened to you. I didn't think to call EA so I paid for that session (only like $9) and then saw it was toggled off when I got home... duh on my part LOL

 

[Sipadan]

if you use an iPhone, Apple Maps can read your cars charge state and will add in charging stops with estimated charging amounts for each stop. Plus with Apple maps (instead of using google maps), turn by turn directions show up in the screen behind the wheel.

 

[AZBill]

Thanks so much. I double checked....i have it toggled on, but still wasn't working. Hopefully just a one-off type of thing and it will work next time....

I have had 10 successful plug and charge sessions with just one failure. I moved to another charger and it worked. On Plugshare that particular charger I tried initially appeared to have a lot of failures, even for cars without the P&C feature.

I have had pretty good success with the Ford nav and trip planning, I am also not that impressed with ABRP, but many people love it.

 

[codyrobinson]

Believe 150 or 350kW charger makes no difference for SR models (they max out below 120kW). It may make small difference for ER models, but shouldn't be more than a minute or two of charging time.

EA membership fee is $4 per month, you can get more than this back from a single charge. So you can just subscribe before a trip and cancel afterwards.

Okay..makes sense....so the break even on the monthly for me is 50 minutes of charging per month. Membership saves me 8 cents per minute but cost $4.

 

[Doug&Julie]

1) I've used a 350kw charger and saw a peak of 160kw on a charge, but it's only for a few minutes before it drops below 150kw. Also, it's generally considered bad form to charge at a 350kw station when our cars peak at 150kw...leave those open for the "big boys" that can charge faster. Also, if possible, charge at the Chademo station as a last resort.

2) We're not members, but I'd agree with others that program is probably worth it for 6 trips a year.

3) Man I love plug-n-charge. That's the only way IMO. I think I'd go with a CC before going to the apps. But that's just me.

4) Yep, those new Hyundai / Kia twins are monster chargers. Color me jealous. Also, see above...

5) We use ABRP as a planning app, but not really while we're traveling. We start with that one, cross check it with the Electrify America app in case ABRP suggest something other than EA. The Mach-E's navigation is good, too...but might need to cross check that one with EA app as well?

6) We're loving our Mach-E as well, and it was great on our first road trip. As I said above, we used ABRP to plan our trip, then used the Mach-E and EA apps to seal the deal. If you come to a full station, double check the Plug Share app and see if there are options near by. ..or just wait. Like you said, people are usually friendly. And it's only time...

Safe travels!

 

[AZBill]

I think I'd go with a CC before going to the apps. But that's just me.

Good luck with that, everyone on Plugshare complains about how the CC readers almost never work on EA. When EA first came out, that was all they had, and they only reliable way to charge was to call them and give them the CC number over the phone. Once the app came out, things got much better.

 

[Tampamike]

I took my third true road trip this past weekend. First time I've charged without using my FREE kwh I got when I purchased about 9 months ago (almost all my charging is at home).

I have a few random questions for those of you that road trip more often:

1) Is it worth going to a 350kwh charger as opposed to a 150kwh one?

2) For charging, I was paying 32 cents per minute at EA (WalMart) in Texas....

3) I used the EA app to initiate charging....is that the best way?

4) I ran into a guy with a KIA at a charger.

5) I hate ABRP....looks so cheap!

6) Just realized this sounds like a lot of complaining....it really isn't meant to be. I LOVED driving the car on my 7 hour trip each way.

Hi Cody. Glad you’re having fun with it. I’ve had mine since the early days and I still love it.

1) Yeah, like others have said, the 350kw chargers are useable and marginally faster but maybe only a minute or two. The Porsches, Kia’s and Hyundai’s can use those because they have 800v architecture instead of our 400v. But hey, they barely have enough time to stretch their legs let alone eat lunch.

2) and 4) Back in June, Ford offered complementary EA Pass+ membership for a year That works with P&C. You have to activate it through Ford Connected Services via your account on Ford.com. If that’s no longer an option then do what others have said and use the EA app to enroll in Pass+ before your next trip. It lasts for a month and you can deactivate it when the trip is over. The best way to use that is by selecting and activating the charger on the EA app before plugging in. That way it bypasses P&C. Just ignore the app when it tells you to plug in first - -activate first and then plug in. As a back-up, you can activate chargers in the FordPass app as well.

5) I don’t like ABRP either. I use the EA app first since i’ll probably use them most of the time and then - this is crucial! - I use PlugShare to check the operational status of the planned chargers. There are maintenance issues with some units out there. Read the comments from other drivers and you’ll get a picture of how that a station is operating. I also use the car’s built-in nav when driving, you can filter out the non-DCFC stations and let it figure out where it wants to go as a second opinion. A lot of times it agrees with my plan. Using the built-in enables the car to monitor the charge level along with the planned route. Using Apple Maps with CarPlay will do that as well - with color!

6) It’s a fun toy - like my old car, but different and new. I use BlueCruise all the time. Love that. Hope you keep enjoying it too.

 

[RickMachE]

1) Is it worth going to a 350kwh charger as opposed to a 150kwh one? I've only used the 150kwh....somehow in my mind I'm thinking my car can't handle any more, but maybe I made that up! I use 350kW chargers every time. I have never had them full when I arrived. You get a faster charge IF you have an ER vs. a SR.

2) For charging, I was paying 32 cents per minute at EA (WalMart) in Texas....seems that WalMart makes up most of my options. I also saw a tab on the charging screen for "Members"....is that a better route to go for someone that may use these chargers maybe 6 trips per year?

I've posted many times that EA Pass+ pays off in the first 2 - 3 charges, depending on whether you're in a per minute state such as Texas, or a per kWh state. Most states are per kWh.

You sign up for Pass+, then immediately downgrade. It takes effect 30 days later. Ford Plug and Charge does not currently offer a discounted rate. They are re-testing that, and when it works will roll it out for $50 per year. 4 x 12 = $48 vs. $50. If you only travel in 6 months of the year, then 4 x 6 = $24 is much less than $50.

3) I used the EA app to initiate charging....is that the best way? It was the only way I could get it to charge. The first time I just drove up and plugged in, but kept getting an error message. After that I used the EA app. Again, maybe I'm making this up, but I thought you could just plug and charge?

Yes. Open app, swipe on charger, plug in. You can leave Plug and Charge enabled if you follow this procedure.

5) I hate ABRP....looks so cheap! Maybe I haven't used it enough, but I didn't like the experience. I decided to just use the car's built in nav, and that was really odd as well. It chose chargers that really didn't make sense for me. I basically had to figure it out myself.

ABRP is far superior to Ford's trip planning. I use the desktop version, plan my trip, and then open it on my phone. Far superior. Use Plugshare to check each location in advance, and day of trip.


Many seem to take trips without doing research. There are numerous posts on this forum discussing all this. Read, read, and read some more. Learning on a trip is time consuming, and can cause issues that are easily avoided.

 

[codyrobinson]

1) Is it worth going to a 350kwh charger as opposed to a 150kwh one? I've only used the 150kwh....somehow in my mind I'm thinking my car can't handle any more, but maybe I made that up! I use 350kW chargers every time. I have never had them full when I arrived. You get a faster charge IF you have an ER vs. a SR.

2) For charging, I was paying 32 cents per minute at EA (WalMart) in Texas....seems that WalMart makes up most of my options. I also saw a tab on the charging screen for "Members"....is that a better route to go for someone that may use these chargers maybe 6 trips per year?

I've posted many times that EA Pass+ pays off in the first 2 - 3 charges, depending on whether you're in a per minute state such as Texas, or a per kWh state. Most states are per kWh.

You sign up for Pass+, then immediately downgrade. It takes effect 30 days later. Ford Plug and Charge does not currently offer a discounted rate. They are re-testing that, and when it works will roll it out for $50 per year. 4 x 12 = $48 vs. $50. If you only travel in 6 months of the year, then 4 x 6 = $24 is much less than $50.

3) I used the EA app to initiate charging....is that the best way? It was the only way I could get it to charge. The first time I just drove up and plugged in, but kept getting an error message. After that I used the EA app. Again, maybe I'm making this up, but I thought you could just plug and charge?

Yes. Open app, swipe on charger, plug in. You can leave Plug and Charge enabled if you follow this procedure.

5) I hate ABRP....looks so cheap! Maybe I haven't used it enough, but I didn't like the experience. I decided to just use the car's built in nav, and that was really odd as well. It chose chargers that really didn't make sense for me. I basically had to figure it out myself.

ABRP is far superior to Ford's trip planning. I use the desktop version, plan my trip, and then open it on my phone. Far superior. Use Plugshare to check each location in advance, and day of trip.


Many seem to take trips without doing research. There are numerous posts on this forum discussing all this. Read, read, and read some more. Learning on a trip is time consuming, and can cause issues that are easily avoided.

On the use of the 350kwh charger -- you mention it's faster for ER (that's what I have). Do you know any specifics on that? I have searched but I'm seeing conflicting info.

 

[RickMachE]

On the use of the 350kwh charger -- you mention it's faster for ER (that's what I have). Do you know any specifics on that? I have searched but I'm seeing conflicting info.

People have reported higher peaks than with a 150kW charger. In short, using a 350kW will cut a few minutes off your session as compared to a 150kW charger. I have used 20+ EA chargers and NEVER arrived to full 350kW chargers. Not once. It's very location-specific I'm sure.

If I arrived and there seemed to be vehicles that could utilize the faster speed, or one arrived and I had just begun my session, I would move. But if I have a few minutes left, they can wait or can use the slower charger.

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