Horrible first EA experience today

[SWO]

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.

I knew it was California as soon as you said you got ICE'd by a hobo.

 

[SWO]

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.

Colorado gives a $2500 state EV tax credit, which is more than I spent on my L2 charger.

 

[JSeis]

Here in the Pacific NW I’ve used EA sites three times with no issues and twice as plug & charge again with no issues. However the power I’ve got out of the EA 150’s is ~48-125 and normally 50 (only once at 125). Two EA sites at Walmart and one at Safeway. Average locations at varying distances from the entrance mostly farther away. Of the three visits I never saw another BEV. That was surprising. Typically the stalls were empty though an ICE in one at a Walmart.

 

[connoisseurr]

This thread has convinced me to print some stickers with god-level adhesive that states: “If you’re not charging, don’t park here”, so I can slap it across windshields.

 

[Tarynem]

I'm not sure that Ford or EA could help with this issue at all. All I'd say is to find an EA charging station which is frequented less. Walmart has a certain element about it which is completely independent from electric car shared charging stations. I don't wanna piss anyone off coming out of there, and I have my fighting shoes on when I go in.

 

[DevSecOps]

Colorado gives a $2500 state EV tax credit, which is more than I spent on my L2 charger.

Yes and California has EV purchase rebates as well. I took his question specifically for the L2 chargers, not for an EV purchase. Some utilities will give a rebate/credit specifically for the purchase and install of an EV charger, which is totally separate from the State rebate for purchasing the car.

 

[DevSecOps]

This thread has convinced me to print some stickers with god-level adhesive that states: “If you’re not charging, don’t park here”, so I can slap it across windshields.

I am definitely ordering some of these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07X59N7F...abc_NCZCTREYKGQBDQXRYSH8?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

MUST SCRAP TO REMOVE - PERMANENT ADHESIVE ?

 

[RedStallion]

Unfortunately, my experience with EA charger in places like Walmart was also not the best one. I much prefer the chargers in the middle of nowhere.

 

[RedStallion]

What EA should do is to install red blinking lights on top of each charging station. So when a car is parked for more than 5 minutes without charging the light would go off. At that point a police or security should take care of removing the offender.

 

[RedStallion]

Maybe the L is gone for aesthetics.

He went broke with that purchase, so Elon was so kind permitting buying letters on an installment plan.

 

[connoisseurr]

I am definitely ordering some of these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07X59N7F...abc_NCZCTREYKGQBDQXRYSH8?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

MUST SCRAP TO REMOVE - PERMANENT ADHESIVE ?

Now THAT'S what I'm talking about, although there are too many words on that sticker for the targeted Tesla owner's ego to comprehend. Need to make it very clear and simple.

Also need these for people who park in a space on a 23° angle

 

[oadesign]

Your experience has me wondering if/when Mr. Musk opens up his Supercharger network to non-Tesla EVs if the reaction you experienced will be common and perhaps even worse!

 

[Tampamike]

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

It will probably work fine now. I had a similar experience with EA (not the mad Tesla guy) the first time out. It seems that Ford’s software activation doesn’t exactly operate at fiber optic speed. Turning things on seems to take a few days before they latch on.

 

[AZBill]

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.

I was not being serious, simply sarcastic. Sorry to everyone that misinterpreted.

 

[scoopman]

I've had the car for 2 weeks so I don't think that's the issue. I suspect the chargers at the first stop didn't have the right software or hardware to work.

More reason to never return there...

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