Horrible first EA experience today

[DYohn]

https://corporate.walmart.com/newsr...s-nationwide-with-plans-for-further-expansion

Interesting. Thank you.

Sponsored

 

[timbop]

The charge companies should have signs that say fine or tow if not charging. Then contract with parking and towing companies to take care if it. Also include camera to monitor.

This chart indicates there are laws already, but signs should be there and some process to enforce.

https://pluginsites.org/plug-in-vehicle-parking-legislation-reference/

Actually this is also a great way to do it without the legislature. A prevalent practice in Philadelphia is for parking lot owners to contract with specific towing companies that allows the towing company to charge exorbitant "impound fees". The towing companies themselves troll the parking lots from time to time because it is such a lucrative opportunity. I think the tow truck drivers commonly get a "commission" on revenue they actively generate.

 

[ab13]

This is going to be the same thing that happens with handicap spots, until communities start cracking down and large fines. People get really lazy and just take the closest spot to park. I saw this new Tesla Y park in a handicap spot next to the liquor store they went to, no handicap plate or sign, neither had issue walking. Tons of empty spots nearby, they didn't want to drive around to them.

 

[ab13]

Actually this is also a great way to do it without the legislature. A prevalent practice in Philadelphia is for parking lot owners to contract with specific towing companies that allows the towing company to charge exorbitant "impound fees". The towing companies themselves troll the parking lots from time to time because it is such a lucrative opportunity. I think the tow truck drivers commonly get a "commission" on revenue they actively generate.

The charger companies should use a parking monitor (sensor or camera) in the charger to see if anyone is parked there and check if charging/plugged in. If not, send the list out to give fines or tow. Also leave a number on a sign to contact the tow company.

 

[voxel]

EA is setup as a non-profit (good - cheap charging, bad - they don't care about quality of service and are hemorrhage money) from VW settlement money.

They build chargers and keep them operational... but satisfying customers and improving service? Not a priority.

 

[IamIA]

I took my new GTPE to the nearest EA station to my house today to try DCFC on it for the first time, and to see if Plug & Charge would work.

I got far more than I bargained for, as out of the 6 spots, one had an ID.4 charging, one had a broken charger, and 3 were taken up by 2 Teslas shopping at Walmart, and one by a homeless person living in their van parked permanently at an EA stall.

One of the Tesla owners (I think it was a Plaid? who cares) had the entitled attitude enough to come over to my car and go into a Teslarage as I waited for him to put his shopping in and leave. He was a big dude and was looking for a fight. (Hear his delightful banter here: )

I called EA while charging, and they basically told me they couldn't care less about the ICEd charger or the fear I expressed for my personal safety at this location.

I just gotta say that I'm glad I didn't have my family in my car, and that these fundamental ownership experiences need to be improved if Ford and EA want to legitimately compete.

oh this is in Mountain View and not Palo Alto @scoopman. I live nearby and see these fuc...ers--tesla owners that is--abusing this spot all the time. Something needs to be done about it.

 

[scoopman]

So Plug & Charge test attempt #2 in Saratoga at another EA location was much more successful:

• P&C worked perfectly right away
• You'll note the spots have signs on them and are clearly marked "EV Charging Only"
• They are safe but located far enough out of the way that no one would park in them without charging

 

[scoopman]

The pleasure is all theirs, think that's off my short list of places to ever visit to charge.

oh this is in Mountain View and not Palo Alto @scoopman. I live nearby and see these fuc...ers tesla owners that is abusing this spot all the time. Something needs to be done about it.

 

[theo1000]

Horrible! still anytime guns are not pulled its a good day in USA.

Please do leave a warning on plugshare so folks can avoid this location. Hope your next charge goes better.

 

[IamIA]

The pleasure is all theirs, think that's off my short list of places to ever visit to charge.

do you have access to PowerFlex chargers near Sunnyvale ? These are free to us Mountain View residents so i stay away from EA.

PowerFlex

 

[scoopman]

I received a voicemail just before from a supervisor at Electrify America, who:

• Thanked me very much for reporting the ICEing incident (clearly they probably saw the tweet or thread with the video)
• Said they take the safety of their customers very seriously
• Explained that this incident is being escalated to the appropriate teams to explore what can be done to remedy the situation

This is the right response, and I wanted to give EA credit for saying this. I hope my going so public about this experience will cause some positive change.

 

[scoopman]

do you have access to PowerFlex chargers near Sunnyvale ? These are free to us Mountain View residents so i stay away from EA.

PowerFlex

I have L2 charging at home, but I wanted to make sure everything was set up for DCFC before I went on a road trip next week. I generally don't need to charge in my local area.

 

[EELinneman]

In Arizona we have open carry laws, the vagrant would not last long in that spot. All my friends in California tell me what a sheethole it has become. Elon was smart to leave.

Bill, in Colorado, I have a concealed carry permit, but do not understand how open carry or concealed carry would affect the person parked in the spot. If you threaten and let them know you have a weapon or even imply this, you are inviting a brandishing charge and some significant legal problems.

My company closed our office due to covid, but the neighborhood around it has gone south. We had homeless outside our door and had a group of us that would escort people to their cars when they felt unsafe. Never did it come to the threat of a weapon. We did have to call the Denver PD on more than 1 occasion. Thankfully, things never escalated.

Just trying to understand your statement about the vagrant not lasting long in that spot. It's not your property, nor are you law enforcent. Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[EELinneman]

Yes, but like I said the rebates are massive in California. CALeVIP rebates on DCFC are 75% of installation cost and 40-80k for each charger depending on its location. You have to consider the REC as well as that's a long term pay off.

Per the CALeVIP the cost to the owner is about 25% (1292/1683) and 75% reimbursed. This is specific to California so other states could possibly get no rebate and I have no idea if other states have REC.

Todd, does CA subsidize or give incentives to put a L2 charger in your home. Zilch in Colorado, and my utility is in the stone age.

 

[DevSecOps]

Todd, does CA subsidize or give incentives to put a L2 charger in your home. Zilch in Colorado, and my utility is in the stone age.

I can only speak for when I purchased my first EV in 2019 since I haven't qualified for state programs since then. When I purchased back then the local utility provided a check for 1k for both the charger and the install, along with a reduction in rate from midnight to 6am. They also coordinated with one of their verified installers to get it installed. A quick Googling looks like SMUD, our utility, no longer provides the program to give you a 1k check, but we still do have the EV charging rate.

Sponsored