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Electrify America “fries” EVs at charging stations

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Re: Electrify America “fries” EVs at charging stations

#21

Post by cptcobalt »

Electrify America is getting far too much money and is using it to effectively anti-sell EVs with their janky, broken, and insecure infrastructure. Their funding comes from government subsidies and traditional automakers making reparations for emissions scandals (Volkswagen, $2B). This network is basically being built out of malicious compliance, without reasonable desires to make it good and reliable...

My mind will only change when I see new generation EA DCFC post & charger that's designed for scale, high stall reliability, and a mean-time between service to rival that of Tesla's supercharger network.

Re: Electrify America “fries” EVs at charging stations

#24

Post by [deleted] »

option wrote: post #15
tapoxi wrote: post #8

I will never buy a Tesla, but the CCS network is pretty garbage in the U.S. right now. EA regularly has outages, their newer models (which I have not used) fry vehicles or fail in cold weather, I've only heard bad things about EVGo but never used them. Fortunately I stick to home (Metro Boston) and haven't had any serious problems with ChargePoint stations heading up to Mount Desert Island in Maine, the farthest trip…

for certain large segments of EV buyers, especially in US, Tesla is objectively the best EV right now.

[deleted]

Re: Electrify America “fries” EVs at charging stations

#25

Post by Kirby64 »

t344344 wrote: post #7

Some dirt in charging port may increase resistance between surfaces, create more heat and even arc. Ports probably got welded together.

Every DCFC system has temperature monitoring at the port, as well as voltage monitoring on both sides of the system (port and supply). If that voltage gets too big, it should disconnect/put itself into a fault condition.

If the EA chargers are not doing this, this is a huge safety hazard.

Given the report is a 'large bang', it doesn't seem to me to be a heat-based melting issue. Seems like a sudden short or surge of power.

Re: Electrify America “fries” EVs at charging stations

#26

Post by bryanlarsen »

zdragnar wrote: post #9
danbr wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I’m somewhat surprised there aren’t more EV (DC) charging companies around. There are dozens of various oil companies who have their own gas stations (subsidized by the oil industry?). Why don’t we see more electric companies building their own charging networks as well?

Gas stations are usually franchises. Gas is sold on the thinnest of margins; it's the snacks inside the store and other things that actually generate a profit, and none of that but the franchise fee for the name actually goes to the oil company.

You'd think that a fast charger would be even more valuable. You've got a captive customer for ~20 minutes, should be even easier to sell them stuff.

The problem is that it's enough time to walk to the restaurant next door rather than spending money at the gas station store.

I'm sure somebody will figure it out. Probably something like the food court model rather than current gas stations which are basically convenience stores.

Re: Electrify America “fries” EVs at charging stations

#27

Post by drewg123 »

cptcobalt wrote: post #21

Electrify America is getting far too much money and is using it to effectively anti-sell EVs with their janky, broken, and insecure infrastructure. Their funding comes from government subsidies and traditional automakers making reparations for emissions scandals (Volkswagen, $2B). This network is basically being built out of malicious compliance, without reasonable desires to make it good and reliable... My mind will…

What government subsidies is EA getting? I thought their funding was initially from VW, as reparations for the VW emissions scandal..?

Re: Electrify America “fries” EVs at charging stations

#28

Post by dheera »

cptcobalt wrote: post #21

Electrify America is getting far too much money and is using it to effectively anti-sell EVs with their janky, broken, and insecure infrastructure. Their funding comes from government subsidies and traditional automakers making reparations for emissions scandals (Volkswagen, $2B). This network is basically being built out of malicious compliance, without reasonable desires to make it good and reliable... My mind will…

Is this an issue with EA or with Rivian?

I've charged a Tesla at EA a few times with a CCS adapter without issues.

Also, EVGo never seems to work.

Re: Electrify America “fries” EVs at charging stations

#29

Post by danbr »

dheera wrote: post #28
cptcobalt wrote: post #21

Electrify America is getting far too much money and is using it to effectively anti-sell EVs with their janky, broken, and insecure infrastructure. Their funding comes from government subsidies and traditional automakers making reparations for emissions scandals (Volkswagen, $2B). This network is basically being built out of malicious compliance, without reasonable desires to make it good and reliable... My mind will…

Is this an issue with EA or with Rivian? I've charged a Tesla at EA a few times with a CCS adapter without issues. Also, EVGo never seems to work.

EA. Other EV owners (Bolt) have run into the same issue at EA chargers as mentioned in the article.
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