EVgo DC chargers were horrible up until the beginning of 2018. They're still not perfect, but improvement is being made.

[Pigwich]

As has been pointed out in another post, EVgo has a policy of turning off their fast chargers after a 30 minute session, regardless of the SOC of the vehicle. Of course, customer service says this is to "protect the battery of the car" which we all know to be some major BS. Nowhere on the chargers is this pointed out, and a customer is only left to find out that their car only took 1/3 of a charge upon returning an hour later. Since (unfortunately) the Bolt starts tapering it's charge so early, you would need at least three sessions to charge a flat battery. Also, EVgo charges PER SESSION, something like $10. I appreciate that they are offering a "premium" service, and it's within their right to be complete fuckers about the pricing, but to be fuckers about the pricing AND to be fuckers about wasting hours of my time too? especially without any warning? When I plug the car in and swipe my card, I expect the machine to charge my car. If it has to charge a lot, I have to pay a lot, and that's FINE, but if I'm expecting to take an hour to fill the battery, and I walk up 50 minutes later and my car is less than half charged because it just shut off with no advanced warning? Well, I start the charge AGAIN and then go off to watch the ducks swim around for another 45 minutes, only to find AGAIN that it shut off early.This is horse ****. And you don't get the "Your charge was interrupted" text message either. On the other had, the Greenlots charger at the McDonalds in Banning kicks ass - It charges you for the power you use, at a higher rate of course, and your car gets charged. Time-based charging is not a fair business practice, and if people want to whine about vehicles camping out at fast chargers, maybe they ought to think about how flawed the current EVgo system is and how it makes stays longer at fast chargers.

Bottom line? The current EVgo policy is a giant busted piece of crap, and until they fix it, BOLT drivers are advised to use other vendors if at all possible. Take a minute to write a nice bitchy letter to EVgo and tell them they need to change this, ESPECIALLY since the hardware is more than capable of reading state of charge and estimating charge duration. :evil:

 

[LeftieBiker]

Or, Bolt drivers could complain about the policy, and in the meantime assume that EVGo chargers are practically for half hour sessions only, and advise others of that.

 

[SparkE]

If a person *knows* that they are going to be using EVgo DCFCs on a regular basis (at least 60 kWh/month), then you should just pay for the most expensive subscription rate - especially if you don't have easy access to overnight charging, and no easy access to non-EVgo DCFC charging.

3 DCFC charges of 30 mins using credit card (no sub) : ~60 kWh is ~$30 (3x$10)

3 charges of 30 mins on "Flex" plan (no monthly subscription price, but signed up) : ~60 kWh is ~$33 (3x$5 + 3x$6)

3 charges of 30 mins on "on-the-go" plan : ~60 kWh is ~$24 ($15/mo fee + 3x$3) which is ~$0.40/kWh
6 charges of 30 mins on "on-the-go" plan : ~120 kWh is ~$33 ($15/mo fee + 6x$3) which is ~$0.275/kWh
9 charges of 30 mins on "on-the-go" plan : ~180 kWh is ~$42 ($15/mo fee + 9x$3) which is ~$0.233/kWh

If you sign up for the most expensive plan, the cost for using their L2 units is $1/hr (so about 14.3 cents/kWh IF you can charge at 7 kW/hr). That may be less expensive than charging at home.

Now, I really dislike EVgo for many reasons (the first post outlines one of them) - but if you know that you are most likely going to be using one of their DCFCs about once a week for about 30 mins each time, then you should just sign up. Personally, I go out of my way to NOT use EVgo chargers, and so far I haven't had to. (I have pointed out non-EVgo DCFCs in the south bay on this forum several times.) I did get a free EVgo card for their 'flex' plan in case I got stuck one day, but haven't had to use it yet.

FYI - a guy driving from Salinas or Gilroy or Los Banos does have non-EVgo CCS DCFCs (multiple ones) along the route, and several non-EVgo 50 kW CCS DCFCs in the south bay (Fremont, San Jose/Santa Clara, Campbell), not even counting the 20 or 24 kW DCFCs in the south bay.

 

[SparkE]

Oh, one of the things that I *hate* about the EVgo DCFCs is that they are one of the main suppliers of the "free charges" provided by some auto vendors when you buy or lease (BMW/ChargeNow, Ford 1-2-3 charge, Nissan no-charge-to-charge). That means that finding an EVgo station that isn't being clogged by some prick who is going from 65%-to-90% SoC "because it's free" instead of charging because they NEED electrons to get where they are going can be a challenge. The 30-minute limit is there because of those 'free' cards - it gets the car out of there if there is anybody waiting (people get *really* mad if you try to re-up: you are supposed to go to the back of the line).

Up until recently, no car 'needed' more than a 30 minute charge : the car would be well over 80% full, even if the battery was at 5% when pulling up. But the problem was the pricks charging up to 95% using their 'free' card, since the last 5-10% of charge is at a very slow rate (under L2 rate at the end). This 30-min limit got the pricks out of the line (because there was no way they were going to wait in line to get another 8%). It often even got people out of line 'early' when somebody pulled up behind them, because they knew they could only stay for another 5-8 minutes anyways, so why stay that long for only 5-10 extra miles and get glared at the whole time...

Frankly, I think that all the 'free' cards should have been limited to 20 mins of free charging per 12 hour period AND the electrons were only free until the car dropped it's charge rate to under (say) 20 kW. After either of those conditions, then they would have to pay for charging. That would have severely limited the blockage at the DCFCs.

Anyhow, there *IS* a reason for the limit - but what they SHOULD do is to NOT have a timeout if you are paying for the electricity - or make the timeout one hour, or 50 min, or something reasonable.

 

[EldRick]

Go to the EVgo web site and use the contact link to tell them what you think.
It does little good to gripe here, but if they got a few hundred notes complaining about the policy they might revisit it.

 

[sgt1372]

As has been pointed out in another post, EVgo has a policy of turning off their fast chargers after a 30 minute session, regardless of the SOC of the vehicle. Of course, customer service says this is to "protect the battery of the car" which we all know to be some major BS. Nowhere on the chargers is this pointed out, and a customer is only left to find out that their car only took 1/3 of a charge upon returning an hour later. Since (unfortunately) the Bolt starts tapering it's charge so early, you would need at least three sessions to charge a flat battery. Also, EVgo charges PER SESSION, something like $10.

Yeah, just learned this myself.

EvGo installed 2 new "fast" chargers near my house but they only charge at a 50kw/hr max rate and that it would probably take 3 sessions and 90 mins at a cost of $30 to fully recharge after a 160-180 mile RT into the City. Not worth the time or $.

Gotta get that L2 installed in my house. Going to request a refund of my Tesla M3 deposit to reimburse myself for the cost of installation, since I've decided that I won't need the M3 now that I have the Bolt.

 

[GetOffYourGas]

Such language in this thread. I understand the frustration, but this is unusual for this forum.

I agree with LeftieBiker. Bolt drivers should complain loudly and often at EVGo. EVGo will soon realize that Bolt drivers will become their #1 source of customers in the next couple of years. They certainly wouldn't want you all to switch to a competing network.

Of course, up here in upstate NY, I'm left with practically no chargers at all. So complaining about poor charging practices sounds like the ultimate first world problem for an EV enthusiast. We should all be so lucky!

 

[Pigwich]

Oh my god, yes get an L2 charger. And, let me preach my usual preach, don't spend a lot of money on an EVSE with fancy features, spend it on the electrician running some big fat 6 gauge wire out to your garage. Good luck.

 

[Pigwich]

Complaining about poor charging practices sounds like the ultimate first world problem for an EV enthusiast. We should all be so lucky!

I hear you loud and clear, but DO think of it this way - Let us iron out all the bad practices BEFORE they get a chance to become widespread. It's better to fix things now. And yes, I can have a potty mouth, especially when I'm still walking funny from the day before. My apologies.

 

[SparkE]

No apologies necessary, IMO. EVgo *are* fuckers - total, complete fuckers.

 

[EldRick]

8ga. is sufficient for 50a service, and 6ga. is really pricy. All of life is a series of tradeoffs.

 

[SparkE]

EvGo installed 2 new "fast" chargers near my house but they only charge at a 50kw/hr max rate and that it would probably take 3 sessions and 90 mins at a cost of $30 to fully recharge after a 160-180 mile RT into the City. Not worth the time or $.

If you live anywhere near the South Bay, there is (almost) NO REASON to use EVgo. There are 50 kW CCS non-EVgo chargers in Campbell (ChargePoint headquarters), Santa Clara (Intel - but it appears to be broken at the moment), Kia dealership on Steven's Creek Blvd, TWO at an office park off I-880 in Fremont. For driving up to 'the city' (San Francisco) there are FOUR 50 kW chargers in a mall just off US-101 (just S of CA-92). Now, if you are driving all over the Bay, every day, for work and drive >200 mi/day, every day - OK, you might want EVgo. But for normal driving, you don't really need it.

Driving to Sac? There's a 50 kW DCFC in Danville (and multiple 24 kW chargers on the way up), as well as several 50 kW GreenLots chargers in Sac.

Driving to SJ area from points south? No non-EVgo 50 kW chargers (currently), but several 25 kW boxes (including a free one in Salinas).

Avoid EVgo like the plague, if you can. If you can't avoid them - give them as little money as possible (i.e., maximize YOUR benefit and screw EVgo).

 

[sgt1372]

If you live anywhere near the South Bay, there is (almost) NO REASON to use EVgo.

[snip]

For driving up to 'the city' (San Francisco) there are FOUR 50 kW chargers in a mall just off US-101 (just S of CA-92). Now, if you are driving all over the Bay, every day, for work and drive >200 mi/day, every day - OK, you might want EVgo. But for normal driving, you don't really need it.

[snip]

Avoid EVgo like the plague, if you can. If you can't avoid them - give them as little money as possible (i.e., maximize YOUR benefit and screw EVgo).

Are those 50kw chargers off of 92/101 in or near the Tanforan Mall?

I live in East CoCo County and usually drive into and out of SF via the Richmond & GG Bridges -- double toll but I hate the Bay Bridge. I also sometimes drive to/from the City from the south via 92 and the San Mateo Bridge.

Would be good to know where those chargers are located.

I don't have any prior experience w/EV charging networks. Opened a ChargePoint account w/the card that came w/the Bolt. There are 9 FREE Chargepoint chargers located w/in 3 miles of my house.

I hear the complaints about EvGo and will keep them in mind. Was only thinking about using the new EvGo DCFC chargers near my house for a 30 min top off after a drive back home from the City, which is usually a 160 mile RT for me that will almost fully deplete the battery.

The car is fully charged now but when it drops down, I'll probably just do a 30 min test charge on one of them for $10 to see how many miles I can expect from a charge there. Otherwise, I only plan to use them if absolutely necessary.

I will be installing an L2 charger in my house. I'm probably going to get the Clipper Creek HCS-40 32amp/7.7kw 14-50 plug in for $689 which Clipper Creek says can do a full recharge in 8.5 hours. Have to run about 25 ft of conduit from the panel to where I want to install it and that may cost around $400-500 more.

Just cancelled my M3 reservation and the $1k refund will be a self-reimbursement for part of the cost of installation.

 

[GetOffYourGas]

Complaining about poor charging practices sounds like the ultimate first world problem for an EV enthusiast. We should all be so lucky!

I hear you loud and clear, but DO think of it this way - Let us iron out all the bad practices BEFORE they get a chance to become widespread. It's better to fix things now. And yes, I can have a potty mouth, especially when I'm still walking funny from the day before. My apologies.

As SparkE says, no apologies necessary. I was simply pointing out that it is unusual for this forum. Which, to me, implies that this is a serious issue.

And yes, I agree. Better to work out the issues before they become widespread and ingrained.

 

[SparkE]

I was born and raised in Contra Costa County, and that is the first time I've heard it called CoCo - but then, live and learn.

There's a 50 kW ChargePoint in Danville, just off I-680 ($0.30/kWh) - not exactly on the way to the city, but useful to keep in mind for your trips to points south (or back from ...)

The Kia dealership in Concord would be less expensive than EVgo - $15 for an *hour* (prorated) - can't say how friendly they are to non-Soul EVs. GreenLots.

The DCFC that is off US-101 is in the underground garage at Park Place shopping centre (1100 Park Pl, San Mateo - Hillsdale exit).

And I only mentioned the 50 kW units - if you just need 5-10 kW 'for insurance', there are also 24 kW units in Oakland and Walnut Creek. If you can easily drop your car off for a half-day now and then, there's free (ChargePoint) parking/charging at :

* Brentwood city hall : 6.6 kW (9 plugs)

* Martinez park-n-ride (Pacheco: I-680 & CA-4, more or less) : 3.3/6.6 'shared power' units. (6 plugs) You could then take BART into the city and get a charge for less than the cost of parking in the city, let alone bridge fare ...

 

[Pigwich]

Predictably, EVgo responded to the half hour session flat rate pricing policy. Let the good times roll.

Hello Andrew,

We appreciate your feedback but this policy will remain in effect until further notice. This is for the convenience of all users who are waiting to charge on a charger.

Kind Regards,

Eric Lopez
Operations Analyst
NRG/EVgo
1000 North Post Oak, Suite 240
Houston, TX 77055
Office: 832-582-2585

Thanks Eric, and you're right, the half hour policy sure does keep the lines at the charger short, but I think it's for the same reason that the lines at the station with $8 a gallon gas that's cut with water and used paint thinner are short.

I contacted a specialist at the FTC, and they told me to file a complaint with them AND the California Division of Measurement Standards. So I did the FTC one first. He even told me what category to file it under! (Thanks Brian N!)

https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/GettingStarted?NextQID=251&Url=%23%26panel1-9#crnt

The CA state DMS is https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/dms/complaint.html

I just feel like we ought to be charged the same way as gas pumps. Makes sense, right?

 

[Pigwich]

It gets better!

Hello Pigwich,

EVgo currently allows EV drivers to charge for 30 minutes in order to allow other EV users to charge should anyone be waiting to charge. This allows forces users to unplug in a timely manner in case they leave their vehicle as a debit will continue accruing on the account should they remain plugged in as we debit for plug time and not the amount of time the car spent charging.

Kind Regards,
Eric Lopez

Well! I didn't know I was getting charged for all that time my car wasn't charging! This stinks and needs to end.

 

[rfenchel]

Just sent EVGO COO Glen Stancil the below...yes...via snail mail...real paper too:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/w79aaxe81m58f0l/Letter%20to%20EVGO%20COO%20Glen%20Stancil%20-%202.13.17.pdf?dl=0

RBF

PS-Also posted similar in other thread.

 

[sgt1372]

The DCFC that is off US-101 is in the underground garage at Park Place shopping centre (1100 Park Pl, San Mateo - Hillsdale exit).
. . . and then, there's free (ChargePoint) parking/charging at :

* Martinez park-n-ride (Pacheco: I-680 & CA-4, more or less) : 3.3/6.6 'shared power' units. (6 plugs) You could then take BART into the city and get a charge for less than the cost of parking in the city, let alone bridge fare ...

Thanks for this info. Both of these sites are "on my way" home depending which way I go. The Park Place location is apparently the only place from the City to the Peninsula that has any "real" DCFC charging access available. I'll have to drive by to check it out.

I know where the Martinez Park-n-Ride is. Just hope people aren't parked and plugged in all day. I plan on buying one of those L2 extension cords to use in case that's the case, so that I can gain access to a charger even if someone is "done" but still parked in front of a charger.

There are also a couple of chargers available down the road in front of an office bldg at 1875 Arnold that appear to be open to the public. They aren't free but are an alternative in case the others at the Park-n-Ride are blocked.

Lots of chargers at the Stockton St. Garage on Union Square (1st level) and UCSF in South Bay (Owen's St garage), where I often park to take care of business while in the City.

All other locations in the City appear to be pretty limited; catch as catch can.

Usually only 1 or 2 chargers at any one site and no telling without parking on the street (or risk double parking) to take a "look-see" to find out if they are available or not before pulling into a garage where you have to pay to park.

Still learning the ropes but should get the hang of it shortly.

 

[SeanNelson]

...the half hour policy sure does keep the lines at the charger short...

The better way to keep the lines short is to have more chargers at each location.