I've found EVGo chargers to be pretty reliable (unlike EA).
The new EA stations use load balancing so anyone can charge at any working station (except the CHAdeMO stall).
Yes, but for how long? That is the real issue with DCFC. It's not the peak of the curve, I've hit 160kw at an EA station, it's the longevity of the curve staying high that is important.
1000% agree. The complete lack of education around BEV charging is one of the things holding back adoption. That combined with the proliferation of myths. BEVs are cool and good for the planet. Sadly the people that own them, if asshats before, will remain asshats afterwards.This has been floating around Reddit for some time now. @breeves002 x-posted it as well on Reddit.
Personally, I have no idea where this idea of entitlement comes from that many people are claiming about the sign creator. It's about respect for others, not entitlement. The only people espousing entitlement are those selfish enough to think they shouldn't respect or be courteous to others by taking a unit way beyond their charging capacity when lower capacity units are available.
If you plug in a VW E-Golf to a 350kW unit that maxes at 50kW (when lower power units are available), that's just flat out rude and selfish (or uneducated - which is what the sign addresses). It's not the same as a gas pump as some others claim. Gas pumps are all the same, EV chargers are not.
So, I guess I'm an entitled prick (no surprise to many here) because I say if you own a Chevrolet Bolt EV/EUV, Hyundai Kona Electric, Nissan Leaf, Mazda MX-30, Mini Cooper SE, Smart EQ Fortwo, Volkswagen e-GOlf, Ford Transit EV etc you should first go for a 50kW and then a 150kW and then if none of those are open a 350kW.
If you own a MachE, you should look for a 150kW first and then if none are available a 350kW. For those of you who say "But we max the MME at 160kW and therefore we should use the 350kW", no stop being a selfish ass hat because you only save 25.2 seconds in an entire charge. I did the tests to prove it (here).
There's also a whole thing about chargers and their stated output capacities in the link above that I would recommend reading for those who don't understand how these chargers work. For the sake of this post the 50/150/350 units I referenced above would be using EA stations.
Here's the sign in question btw:
This goes back to education. At the point of purchase the buyer should be made aware of the charging curve. "Now this car has a max charge rate of X, so don't bother plugging in to a faster station. Yes they are labeled". I'm sure I'm giving way to much credit to car sales people. The only gem of wisdom I've heard from a sales person in regards to the MME is "it's really fast!" ?
Well why the hell not!? ?
Agree. I stopped at an EA in South Carolina on a trip. Checked plugshare enroute and it said that Charger 2 was throttled to 32kw. I pull up and there's one car charging - a Mercedes EQS....plugged into Charger 2. The owner (an older woman) was sleeping inside as the charger plodded along at 32kw. Most people are oblivious.
The ER Mach-E's will charge at least 10kw faster throughout the charging curve at an EA 350kw vs 150kw in my experience. It's appreciably faster. If I recall correctly, the Mach-e maxes out the amperage on the 150's.
It's not just the kw rating. A great example are the EvGo 200kw chargers. A Mach-E won't get over 80kw on one because they are amp limited. The EA 150kw chargers have the same problem, though to a lesser extent.
I didn’t really get too butt hurt about that letter. It seemed more like trying to spread some awareness until the phrase “ educate yourself” came into play. That phrase is just a way of calling people stupid yet having deniability that you called them stupid! IMO. Once that phrase was added, I would’ve just taking the note down
I am proud to be helping everyone out. My mme is 20 months old and never been on a dc charger. I need to try it sometime to make sure it works. If a trip is longer than 120 miles round trip I drive my Maverick truck.
