Do you use dealership based chargers?

[melissphillips]

Just curiosity based question, do you use the dealership based chargers that show up on maps to charge?

I never have and always thought that it would at best super awkward if it was needed and the only option. I mean in the back of my mind I assume if I pulled into a random Ford dealership and asked to charge they would let me but I know that my local dealership only has one charging station that they use to charge their own inventory or cars that are there for service. But I never considered that I'd even be welcome at a competitor's lot.

Recently I was at a Nissan dealership with my daughter as she was shopping for a new car and noticed a driver with a car from a different manufacturer pull up to their charging station and sit and charge for 20 minutes or so. I asked the sales person about it and they said people do it all the time, and often come in and sit in the dealership while their car charges when it's hot outside. I was so surprised. Not that it's a problem, I just don't think I'd feel that comfortable doing that.

Wondering if I'm just the odd ball and everyone else feels chill about it.

Sponsored

 

[RickMachE]

Been discussed before.

The ONLY reason to do that is if the dealership has a DC fast charger. On PlugShare, you can see if the charger is private or public.

Today, any Ford dealer with a charger is likely level 2, and not worth going to on a trip except when you have no other options. They are required to put in DC fast chargers to remain an EV dealer, with installation by end of this year.

 

[GreaseMonkey]

People do it all the time. I don’t look for them or plan trips that rely on them, but would use them in a heartbeat. Last week, we were in a pinch and found a Genesis store with a free DCFC. Charged for an hour. Dealer DCFC are typically expensive and slow (62 kW ChargePoint for $0.50/ kWh).

 

[Darkenmage]

Just curiosity based question, do you use the dealership based chargers that show up on maps to charge?

I never have and always thought that it would at best super awkward if it was needed and the only option. I mean in the back of my mind I assume if I pulled into a random Ford dealership and asked to charge they would let me but I know that my local dealership only has one charging station that they use to charge their own inventory or cars that are there for service. But I never considered that I'd even be welcome at a competitor's lot.

Recently I was at a Nissan dealership with my daughter as she was shopping for a new car and noticed a driver with a car from a different manufacturer pull up to their charging station and sit and charge for 20 minutes or so. I asked the sales person about it and they said people do it all the time, and often come in and sit in the dealership while their car charges when it's hot outside. I was so surprised. Not that it's a problem, I just don't think I'd feel that comfortable doing that.

Wondering if I'm just the odd ball and everyone else feels chill about it.

In my experience dealer chargers are not worth the stop because they are too slow.

Now, my Ford dealer told me they will be installing level 2 & level 3 chargers within 12 months which would be awesome. But I have tried non-Ford dealer chargers and they are crap.

 

[Atxsw]

i have used them on occasion, i would say it’s generally not worth the hassle though. Theres about a 50% chance they are blocked or not working

 

[HuntingPudel]

I never have. I confess that I did ICE an L2 spot for a few minutes when I was dropping a car off for routine service. ??

 

[ReelSweet]

I used one (ChargePoint DCFC) at the Hyundai dealer this past weekend on a roadtrip because there weren't any other options as the EVGO DCFC at the mall nearby was on the fritz. It was on Saturday and actually a good experience...the dealers don't care...if the charger is open (that's a big if), then feel free.

 

[PharaohHound138]

I absolutely use them. During a weekend, driving around, I will plug in and either sit in the car or if something is close by, go shop or eat. Why not! It’s free “fuel”. I wouldn’t want to use them on a long road trip as they are usually 50 or 62.5 kw but they are great to just get a boost while out and about

 

[thekat03]

I absolutely use them. During a weekend, driving around, I will plug in and either sit in the car or if something is close by, go shop or eat. Why not! It’s free “fuel”. I wouldn’t want to use them on a long road trip as they are usually 50 or 62.5 kw but they are great to just get a boost while out and about

Not always free. The Hyundai dealership in Augusta Maine is significantly more expensive than other DCFC in the state. I don't blame them for charging a premium. It dissuades tons of random people coming to them, but still leaves it available for people who really need to charge.

I have used a free not-advertised 50 kW charger at a Nissan dealership, and had a Nissan salesman see how slow my bZ4X charges (good fodder when talking to customers, as my bZ4X was throttled and charging at 11 kW at the time). I think they charge for use now, but they don't mind people using it.

 

[PharaohHound138]

Not always free. The Hyundai dealership in Augusta Maine is significantly more expensive than other DCFC in the state. I don't blame them for charging a premium. It dissuades tons of random people coming to them, but still leaves it available for people who really need to charge.

I have used a free not-advertised 50 kW charger at a Nissan dealership, and had a Nissan salesman see how slow my bZ4X charges (good fodder when talking to customers, as my bZ4X was throttled and charging at 11 kW at the time). I think they charge for use now, but they don't mind people using it.

Yes, you are correct! Not always free and the 25kw chargers kinda suck. I just have the free ones in my area committed to memory and always visit them. But I have found ones that charge

 

[ADDZ71]

I have used many. In my part of the country in some ways almost a necessity:

Nissan Gastonia, NC - 50 kW free a lot of questions from random people while charging there both employees and customers wanting to know more about EV's.
Mercedes Birminham, AL - 60 kW I think and charged. Had a sandwich shop inside so I had lunch. Very little DCFC there
Hyundai Tupelo MS - 50 kW free really the only legitimate stop between Birmingham and Memphis
Hyundai Beaufort SC - 63 kW free nice spot and much more reliable than EA in Walterboro. Provided enough energy to spend four days at Hilton Head

 

[HuntingPudel]

First time user of a PowerFlex L2 EVSE when I drove my sister’s Fusion Energi to the Ford dealer to see what’s up with mine. Registering was fine. They have a time-based preference in their app, so I set it to half an hour (not knowing how long I would be). It cut off right at half an hour, while I was just standing around. I should have set it to an hour LOL. I don’t think I’ll ever charge at a dealership again since I really don’t need to when I have the MME. ?‍?

I should note that they had a glitch of some sort in their system. My account showed 4.35 KWh delivered and a charge of $60.45 to my account. Pretty sure both are wrong since the Fusion only charges at a max rate of 7KW (usually slower, much slower). They refunded me the money when I called them. ??

 

[JoeDimwit]

You’re looking at it backward… when I was in Indianapolis, I used a free charger at a competitor dealership, after hours. It did give me 40 minutes to peruse their lot and look at their EVs without a salesperson trying to close me.

 

[josephyancey]

I have but I called first to make sure it was OK. The Charger was only 30kw and was awkwardly placed on the back corner of the building like it was part of the electrical panel. I got permission and just sat in my car for a bit while charging.

It was a long trip in the middle of nowhere and I needed an extra 15% to make the round trip work in an EV. Our AirBnB only had L1 (120v) charging. There are tons of L3 chargers in my home town (Little Rock AR) but almost no chargers at all if you are away from the interstate system. I've learned the art of asking politely if I can use an available 14-50 at campgrounds in whatever town I'm going to.

I don't think I would do it without calling ahead and making sure it was actually an available charger and letting them know when I would be there. If they know you are coming there is a higher chance that it will be available for you.

 

[MachEMaster]

Every time I drive by my Ford Dealer, they have a Lightning parked in the bay with the charger.

Sponsored