EA Station Started Charge at 21+ kWh delivered

[jgillmer]

I was charging at an EA station Columbia, MD on Friday, June 2, and I had the worst experience charging yet since started owning BEV and PHEVs in 2018. Further, I had a BEV skeptic with me that I was going to ",show how easy charging is." Picked a bad day for show and tell.

1st issue: When I arrived, there were 8 of 10 stations available (good start), but, as I unhooked the first, then second, then third station cables, they would each suddenly say unavailable in my app. So, I called the 888 number. It took about 7 minutes, but the rep did get me up and running. Part of the problem was that EA had a security breach and had just updated the App.

2nd issue: As soon as it started charging, I thanked the rep and got off the phone. When I turned back to the screen, it showed 1 min in but more than 21 kWh already delivered?!? I had pulled in at 6% SOC, and it was climbing at the 2.kWh rate you would expect in the first few minutes. So, basically, it started with improperly charging me nearly $9 in undelivered kWh.

3rd issue: So, I called the customer service rep back, and explained the situation that it started at 21+ kWh delivered, and was seemingly climbing on a normal rate since the start. The rep said to "Well, sir, it started at 131, so that makes sense." EXCUSE ME? I had to explain to him how charging rate and delivery works. By now it's about 20 min in and my SOC is around 40-45%. Since the charge rate had slowed to 96 kWh, the discrepancy between time and kWh delivery doesn't look quite as bad, still mathematically impossible. I asked the rep to refund me at least the inappropriate initial charge amount (but even better would be to comp the session) and he said "I'll have to think about that." At that point is when I asked for a manager.

4th issue: Manager gets on after a few more minutes. I go throw the whole explanation - and by this time I'm getting closer to 70% and charge rate has dropped to 81 kWh. I tell him how it started, that I was trying to showcase EA, and it has been nothing but a disaster and, oh, it's 92 degrees out with no shade. Long story short, he said he couldn't do anything about the session but would have his techs review it. The final tally was 86.9 kWh "delivered" in 48 minutes to my 88 kWh capable battery, which, if true, would have been a charge from nearly 0% to 98.5%...only trouble is I started at 6% SOC and stopped right at 80% - which would be closer to 60-65 kWh delivered.

5th issue: Did EA get back to me? Nope. Refund me? Nope. So, I think that may be the last time I use an EA station unless I have my back against the wall - and definitely the last time I praise the. I am canceling my subscription and turning the plug n charge back on in Ford Pass. That leaves me with EVGo (many in the area, but unfortunately with weak 198 Amp cables and charges by the minute), a smattering of Shell ReCharge, Volta DCFC unicorn in Lorton, VA (but down for weeks), and, later this year, Tesla superchargers.

Yeah, so, that skeptic - likely now

a full-blown anti-BEV. Thanks, EA. What a swell charging partner.

UPDATE: EA took about 3 weeks, but they did come back and credited my account for the session.

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[orangethunder]

Please write your local bureau of weights and measures (or equivalent) who oversee this since they’re selling you electricity and it’s surely regulated.

 

[jgillmer]

Good idea

 

[Mach-Lee]

Please write your local bureau of weights and measures (or equivalent) who oversee this since they’re selling you electricity and it’s surely regulated.

I'm not sure if that exists for EV charging in many states yet. Nobody is testing chargers to verify energy delivery calibration that I know of yet.

 

[jgillmer]

I'm not sure if that exists for EV charging in many states yet. Nobody is testing chargers to verify energy delivery calibration that I know of yet.

I think you may be right. The weights division in MD complaint system is based on gas pumps - I tried anyway and put in the station ID, etc - can't hurt to try.

 

[tuminatr]

On a side note looks like in MD EVgo is a much better deal they change by the minute rather than KWH. So at $.35/Min this charge would have cost you $16.80 and that's a much better deal. I do the same thing in Chicago and MN where EA charges by the KWH.

 

[Mach-Lee]

that does seem a bit high, is it possible the heat or AC was on because that uses a fair amount of power? Also, there is some loss in transmission maybe 8-10% someone else more knowledgeable could be more precise.

Even if the heat was going full blast for an hour, that would only be 6 kWh, not 20 kWh.

What he shared is consistent with the meter starting at 20 kWh instead of 0 kWh during the session. So they owe him about $7. A tech should easily be able to look at the charge log and see the anomaly at the beginning, but EA customer service sucks.

I was under the impression EA would improve with time as they get a foothold, but in the past year I've changed my opinion to "EA is going down in flames" because they haven't tried hard enough to address all the charging issues in the past year. All their stakeholders are pissed. The recent Ford and GM deals cement the fall of EA. Companies like that become memories in a few short years as everyone divests.

 

[tuminatr]

Got it, check your rates I usually won't pay if it's per KWH or has a connection fee If there is a choice

and wow lots of Tesla superchargers chargers in your area, next year will be great for you.

 

[orangethunder]

I'm not sure if that exists for EV charging in many states yet. Nobody is testing chargers to verify energy delivery calibration that I know of yet.

Guess it is still a work in progress. Here’s a good report. In California they’re responsible for it but standards forthcoming (appears working towards national standard).

Can file a complaint here at least.

“The Department of Measurement Standards State Metrology Laboratory maintains the standards of measurement: length; mass; time; volume; temperature; and alternating current electrical power used to ensure that all devices provide accurate and traceable measurements for their respective units of measure.

https://www.energy.ca.gov/publicati...asurement-standards-electric-vehicle-charging

 

[mkhuffman]

Public charging sucks.

 

[devmach-e]

A note: kWh is the total amount of energy delivered to the car. kW is the rate at which that power is delivered. I.e the car started out at 131 kW delivering power to the car, and correctly ramped down to 96 kW, and then 81 kW as time went on and the battery got full. If I'm reading things correctly, your issue is that you were charged for an extra 21 kWh of energy delivered to the car that you didn't actually get.

 

[jgillmer]

I agree - unfortunately, they really are getting worse - like they only plan to be around until the court gets off their back from the emissions scandal. I really hoped they'd take it seriously because their machines are better when serviced properly.

Even if the heat was going full blast for an hour, that would only be 6 kWh, not 20 kWh.

What he shared is consistent with the meter starting at 20 kWh instead of 0 kWh during the session. So they owe him about $7. A tech should easily be able to look at the charge log and see the anomaly at the beginning, but EA customer service sucks.

I was under the impression EA would improve with time as they get a foothold, but in the past year I've changed my opinion to "EA is going down in flames" because they haven't tried hard enough to address all the charging issues in the past year. All their stakeholders are pissed. The recent Ford and GM deals cement the fall of EA. Companies like that become memories in a few short years as everyone divests.

Re getting

 

[jgillmer]

A note: kWh is the total amount of energy delivered to the car. kW is the rate at which that power is delivered. I.e the car started out at 131 kW delivering power to the car, and correctly ramped down to 96 kW, and then 81 kW as time went on and the battery got full. If I'm reading things correctly, your issue is that you were charged for an extra 21 kWh of energy delivered to the car that you didn't actually get.

Correct- it started with 21 kWh delivered. In hindsight, I should have stopped it at 2 min so it is at the most ridiculous. But, even at the 3nd, it makes no sense that I would have "accepted" 87 kWh and be at 80% SOC.

 

[jgillmer]

It is .36 per kWh plus taxes, so it was about $8 they owe me, but the headache and frustration, they should comp the session. But nope, they have done nothing, and now I'm here telling the tale with a poor experience review and a dropped plus plan. Something tells me $8 or even a comped session would be worth it, given I'd likely share the story with a good ending as well and reiterate how I'm a happy customer. Now, no more monthly fee from me, and will go well out of my way not to use them and tell all: Buyer Beware. I

Even if the heat was going full blast for an hour, that would only be 6 kWh, not 20 kWh.

What he shared is consistent with the meter starting at 20 kWh instead of 0 kWh during the session. So they owe him about $7. A tech should easily be able to look at the charge log and see the anomaly at the beginning, but EA customer service sucks.

I was under the impression EA would improve with time as they get a foothold, but in the past year I've changed my opinion to "EA is going down in flames" because they haven't tried hard enough to address all the charging issues in the past year. All their stakeholders are pissed. The recent Ford and GM deals cement the fall of EA. Companies like that become memories in a few short years as everyone divests.

 

[jgillmer]

I

Guess it is still a work in progress. Here’s a good report. In California they’re responsible for it but standards forthcoming (appears working towards national standard).

Can file a complaint here at least.

“The Department of Measurement Standards State Metrology Laboratory maintains the standards of measurement: length; mass; time; volume; temperature; and alternating current electrical power used to ensure that all devices provide accurate and traceable measurements for their respective units of measure.

https://www.energy.ca.gov/publicati...asurement-standards-electric-vehicle-charging

Hope one day all states have this. Sadly not yet in the DMV region.

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