Electrify America removing account balance

corradoborg

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First: I am not defending EA. But as a former card payments exec I can tell you that a big driver for merchants pre-loading rather than going 100% pay as you go is that it reduces their card processing fees, as well as ensures they don't get stiffed if there is an insufficient balance. And before you say, "But gas stations don't do that!", actually there are special rules for gas pumps that provide fuel retailers a range of protections. (And for all I know there may be new rules now - I retired nearly eight years ago - that protect charging stations as well and this might be why EA is getting rid of pre-loading...)

At any rate, I'm glad EA is getting rid of their pre-loads. Guess I'll have to go to an EA station some time to use up my available balance...
Yeah, I understand the reasoning. It's just not sustainable. If every business worked that way, the average customer would have to have money on account with every company they do business with. Nobody wants that. I'd rather pay (slightly) more per transaction to cover the card fees.
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Yeah, I understand the reasoning. It's just not sustainable. If every business worked that way, the average customer would have to have money on account with every company they do business with. Nobody wants that. I'd rather pay (slightly) more per transaction to cover the card fees.
No argument there, of course.
 

benk016

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Am I the only one that didn't even know that EA did this? I haven't opened their app since we got plug and charge. Lol
 
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Yeah, I understand the reasoning. It's just not sustainable. If every business worked that way, the average customer would have to have money on account with every company they do business with. Nobody wants that. I'd rather pay (slightly) more per transaction to cover the card fees.
I have money on balance with multiple charging companies and multiple parking apps. That practice sucks.
 

AZBill

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When Shell announced the change I deliberately used most of my remaining balance. So, yes, my outstanding credit was under $10. IIRC, they said the balance would remain available for use at other Shell Recharge stations. You know, the ones on the mainland. ;)
They are all gone, even on the mainland. I only used them when they were free (originally Volta). Right after they took over Volta, they decided to fold.
 


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Another EA update: they are introducing Time of Use pricing:

Hi User,

A station you visited now offers time-of-use (TOU) pricing, a new way to help you save based on the time you plug in and power up.
188a7bbe-ce6b-4ff1-aecd-ef2ae5ff7a58.png
Station Name: Walmart 5320 (Greensboro, NC)
Station Number: 100268
Here’s how it works: charging rates vary by time of day. If you charge during off-peak hours, like early mornings or late evenings, you’ll likely find lower prices.
Benefits of Time-of-Use Pricing
350c91ad-ef81-4705-b5a6-6c0f9d7f6df4.png
Lower rates during off-peak times¹
e9662a85-fba4-4a1a-a83a-875688f5e400.png
Reduces charger wait times during peak hours
99fcb706-6d0b-4570-b24f-6472538977c9.png
Helps balance demand on the power grid
92215b70-9aae-489b-92e1-67ed97a22a88.png
To see real-time pricing, tap on a station in the Electrify America appand open the Pricing tab. You can also check the charger’s screen once you arrive.
ff9bf642-dc2f-4635-95eb-2f9a14f9e807.png
I wonder which locations get the TOU charges? It would be "interesting" to see a map.

HECO's DCFC here are all off-peak from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The power of solar.
 

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Yeah, I understand the reasoning. It's just not sustainable. If every business worked that way, the average customer would have to have money on account with every company they do business with. Nobody wants that. I'd rather pay (slightly) more per transaction to cover the card fees.
Back in 2018, when I first used EA, they had no app and no account, but they charged a $1 session fee. EVGO still does this today, if you do not pay a monthly membership.

I used an RMP (Rocky Mountain Power) charger, twice in Park City recently, they also charge a $1 session fee. RMP chargers are setup and run by EA, but RMP sets the pricing, but they are only charging $0.40/kwh, similar to Ionna.
 

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I wonder which locations get the TOU charges? It would be "interesting" to see a map.

HECO's DCFC here are all off-peak from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The power of solar.
They don’t have a filter, but it seems like you can go 1 by 1. Hmmm… scraper.

They explain it here…
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