Electrify America Changing to Station-Specific Pricing and Resuming Idle Fees

[RickMachE]

Thank you for being part of the Electrify America family and supporting the e-mobility movement. It's electric vehicle (EV) owners like you that make our electric journey possible. Electrify America is reaching out to make you aware of pricing changes that will soon be taking place. Beginning August 17, 2023, we’ll shift from uniform energy or time based pricing nationwide to a station-specific pricing model and resume charging for idle fees at most nationwide charging stations. Electrify America's mobile app will have pricing information for a given charger, but you should check the pricing of a charging station at the charger when you start charging.

The Electrify America Terms of Use are changing to reflect these changes. To view Electrify America's new Terms of Use, including a number of important changes, click here. These new terms will be applied when using our mobile app or chargers after August 17, 2023. This is an ideal time to upgrade to a Pass+ membership, where members save 25% on charging. As always, we are happy to assist if you have any questions. Thank you for taking this journey with us.

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[TheVirtualTim]

I got the same email this morning. They don't offer examples of what they mean by "station specific". I thought they might mean they are changed the price based on what they have to pay for energy in that market (e.g. electricity costs more in California than in Texas) -- but I would think that would result in "state specific" pricing. But they said "station specific". Are we expecting multiple different rates even within the same state?

 

[RickMachE]

I got the same email this morning. They don't offer examples of what they mean by "station specific". I thought they might mean they are changed the price based on what they have to pay for energy in that market (e.g. electricity costs more in California than in Texas) -- but I would think that would result in "state specific" pricing. But they said "station specific". Are we expecting multiple different rates even within the same state?

Don't know, but perhaps.

 

[dbsb3233]

I got the same email this morning. They don't offer examples of what they mean by "station specific". I thought they might mean they are changed the price based on what they have to pay for energy in that market (e.g. electricity costs more in California than in Texas) -- but I would think that would result in "state specific" pricing. But they said "station specific". Are we expecting multiple different rates even within the same state?

I would assume so, eventually. Just like gas. Might just start with baby steps though and do statewide initially.

Could be some interesting fallout by making electricity prices in general more visible from state to state.

 

[voxel]

I got the same email this morning. They don't offer examples of what they mean by "station specific". I thought they might mean they are changed the price based on what they have to pay for energy in that market (e.g. electricity costs more in California than in Texas) -- but I would think that would result in "state specific" pricing. But they said "station specific". Are we expecting multiple different rates even within the same state?

Yes - which happens with Tesla SCs in Florida. The nearest Tesla SC to me used to charge 12 cent per kWh back in 2021 (now 26 cents per kWh during off peak). Other Tesla Florida locations would charge 42 cent or 54 cents per kWh and that's probably due to the local utility company in that area. Some Florida util companies are very unfriendly to DC charging... cough, cough OUC...

 

[jhalkias]

OK, all you people smarter than me and that can make apps - we are soon going to need a "Charge Buddy" app instead of the "Gas Buddy" app as EA is now moving to location pricing so we can find the cheapest juice on a trip.

 

[SWO]

OK, all you people smarter than me and that can make apps - we are soon going to need a "Charge Buddy" app instead of the "Gas Buddy" app as EA is now moving to location pricing so we can find the cheapest juice on a trip.

Hmm I think we're still in the "any safe port in a storm" phase of EV charging.

 

[Maquis]

OK, all you people smarter than me and that can make apps - we are soon going to need a "Charge Buddy" app instead of the "Gas Buddy" app as EA is now moving to location pricing so we can find the cheapest juice on a trip.

PlugShare has the data. It should be relatively simple for them to be able to use it like that. Simply showing rates on the map would be a start.

 

[AKgrampy]

I got the same email this morning. They don't offer examples of what they mean by "station specific". I thought they might mean they are changed the price based on what they have to pay for energy in that market (e.g. electricity costs more in California than in Texas) -- but I would think that would result in "state specific" pricing. But they said "station specific". Are we expecting multiple different rates even within the same state?

The reality is that unless you only have one utility in your state then there are multiple rates that EA has to pay for its electricity. It looks like EA is moving more to actual cost versus a blended cost approach. I wonder if they will also charge more based on the time of day?

 

[RickMachE]

The reality is that unless you only have one utility in your state then there are multiple rates that EA has to pay for its electricity. It looks like EA is moving more to actual cost versus a blended cost approach. I wonder if they will also charge more based on the time of day?

If they make it too complicated, I'll just go elsewhere. I'll go to... wait, there is no "elsewhere".

I suspect EA is changing because they know what Tesla charges and figures they can be under that and still keep customers.

 

[kdonnel]

I hope they fix their software before charging idle fees.

I charged in Auburn AL a couple days ago. A couple hours later I arrived in Chipley FL and tried to charge but was unable to initiate a new charging session because EA thought I was still plugged into the station in Auburn.

I had to call and was put on hold so I just used plug and charge so I could start the charge session. In the end I was on the phone for about 15 minutes before the call was answered and they ended the hung session.

 

[RickMachE]

I hope they fix their software before charging idle fees.

I charged in Auburn AL a couple days ago. A couple hours later I arrived in Chipley FL and tried to charge but was unable to initiate a new charging session because EA thought I was still plugged into the station in Auburn.

I had to call and was put on hold so I just used plug and charge so I could start the charge session. In the end I was on the phone for about 15 minutes before the call was answered and they ended the hung session.

 

[leehinde]

Are we expecting multiple different rates even within the same state?

The way I read it is that EA's cost to you will reflect the local provider's cost to them. Costs within a state can vary. (As I've posted a lot), I'm in CA and get my electricity from a local community owned provider. If I lived a quarter mile away (as the crow flies) I'd be serviced by PG&E and would pay a lot more for electricity. I would think that an EA station in my location would cost less then one getting electricity from PG&E.

 

[AZBill]

Geography and TOU, just like EVGO set up last year.

 

[sborsch]

“…and resume charging for idle fees at most nationwide charging stations.”

Thank God. Now maybe the “charge to 100% and leave the car for another hour” VW ID4 crowd will get the hint.

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