Nothing Has Changed In 7 Years

[Danface]

Sorry, couldn't resist

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[Danface]

Does anyone make an extension cord to use at a high speed charger ? Would be nice to be able to pull up to any charger in either direction to charge ?

The only ones I've seen may not be heafty enough for high KWH. I'm hoping someone has a better answer

 

[RickLightning]

Does anyone make an extension cord to use at a high speed charger ? Would be nice to be able to pull up to any charger in either direction to charge ?

The answer is "not yet". Supposedly Tesla is making one. A2ZEV is also making one, they will be selling it for $300. A2ZEV 6 to 9 meter extension cord under development

 

[Ekiehn]

one of the reasons that Tesla Superchargers don't tend to have the same type of issues is that they also require EVERY Tesla that has ever been built, sans the CyberTruck, to BACK IN EXACTLY THE SAME AS EVERY OTHER TESLA ...
there is no 'wondering' if you'll fit correctly in the space and be able to 'reach' the cable..
there is no 'jockeying' for position to figure out how to reach the cable...
there is no 'wondering' if someone is trying to 'get to 100% or not', etc...
everything is the same for all Teslas - don't have to concern themselves with these 'things'...

With CCS vehicles, the roadmap is more like the wild WEST... no standard for where the Charge Port is located... front, back, 'near the front', which 'side', etc...no standard as to how long the charge cable is...no 'large' parking spaces at most locations to accommodate much LARGER ev vehicles by different brands and models... etc... and many times little indication that the station you are jockeying to actually will 'work'...

sometimes it's even just the DESIGN of the spaces at CCS chargers, like EA's 'slanted' parking design that some location employ: if you come into the station area from the wrong 'side', you are not pointed in the right direction to either pull in, or back in... and the 'traffic', such as at Walmarts, creates even more pressure when you are RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE MAIN LANE!
It's inevitable that when I arrive at EA at a walmart that the only station available is one I need to BACK into, meaning that now I have to circle the station, change directions, and 'hope' that another EV hasn't now arrived and will taking that same space, since they can just easily pull straight in...

the woes of CCS charging... at least for the time being : /

yes, I've been to the FPL in Lake City - and it's NOT my favorite - it has some of the SAME problems any of the EA or others do.
yes, I've been to the EA in Lake City, too, and no, it's not a panacea compared to Gainesville's Target EA - it sometimes, too, has non-operational units, and have probably the MOST RIDICULOUS parking location as any type of CCS charge location I've ever seen - WHY IN THE WORLD would you 'push' all EVs into a 4-space location that is almost totally RESTRICTED ?? Crazy.

If you've ever been there, you know what I mean.

Weird been to the FPL station many many times, one of my favorites.. 2 350's 4 200's nice gas station mini mart next door with some of the cleanest bathrooms around, easy walk to multiple fast food nearby, trash cans, grass and shade for walking the dog... you can easily walk down to a Cracker Barel for a sit down meal and a longer charge... has sometimes had some charger faults but usually recoverable... Just used over Memorial day weekend. On the trip up one id4 plugged into a 200kw 350's free (11:30 am) on the way back on memorial day all stations available (1:30pm) good charge starting at 164 then stabilizing at about 125 at around 100 degrees outside... 30cents a Kwh. But to a point mentioned, I have seen it full or not charging at full power and with my Tesla adapter if I see that I'll hop to a Tesla alternative now (or a nice fast reliable EA option depending on travel direction). I guess the real point of this is with the adapter we can truly travel like we were used to with gas. We aren't forced to wait in line (mostly) anymore and we can go to favorite spots.

 

[Jodokk]

So I roll up to an EV America station with 4 chargers in Asheville, NC. I'm amazed by the diversity of EVs there. (See pic #1)So I park at charger #1, plug in and quickly realize that the charger is broken. The dreaded "Charging Unavailable" showing on the screen. So there's a new Rivian owner there who asks me for some assistance. We look at the charger he is at which has two charge ports. One is plugged into the Hummer and the Rivian guy is trying to use the 2nd port. Meanwhile, the charger screen is showing that the charging session for the Hummer has faulted. I look at the EVA app and it showing that his charger is showing "Charging Unavailable." In 2017, my wife and I bought 2 Chevy Bolts. Back then, half of the CCS chargers were broken and at the time I thought, "5 years in the future they will have all of these charging infrastructure bugs worked out. I've been driving Teslas for 3 years prior to my Lightning so I've been spoiled by the Supercharger network which works EVERY SINGLE TIME I've ever plugged in. So today, rather then fight for 2 working EVA chargers, I did what any good Tesla owner would do...(See pic #2)

We're also Ashevillains. That Sam's Club location is a crowded mess during any weekend or rush-hour charge. We avoid it now. At least it works.
The chargers over at the Outlet Mall have been broken for nearly a year now. It looks like you made it down to the Tunnel Road Tesla Chargers, by the Garden store. Perfect location, excellent experiences with the charger adapter.
We've had very positive experiences with Tesla Owners who either ignore us, or ask interesting questions about our Lightning, and we just hang-out shopping at the store. Must recommend!

 

[scoobybri]

We're also Ashevillains. That Sam's Club location is a crowded mess during any weekend or rush-hour charge. We avoid it now. At least it works.
The chargers over at the Outlet Mall have been broken for nearly a year now. It looks like you made it down to the Tunnel Road Tesla Chargers, by the Garden store. Perfect location, excellent experiences with the charger adapter.
We've had very positive experiences with Tesla Owners who either ignore us, or ask interesting questions about our Lightning, and we just hang-out shopping at the store. Must recommend!

I did get an odd look from a Model Y driver who must not have heard that Ford EVs can now use Superchargers. But other than that, I've been pretty much ignored by Tesla peeps when I charge the Lightning.

 

[Effonefiddy Lightning]

So I roll up to an EV America station with 4 chargers in Asheville, NC. I'm amazed by the diversity of EVs there. (See pic #1)So I park at charger #1, plug in and quickly realize that the charger is broken. The dreaded "Charging Unavailable" showing on the screen. So there's a new Rivian owner there who asks me for some assistance. We look at the charger he is at which has two charge ports. One is plugged into the Hummer and the Rivian guy is trying to use the 2nd port. Meanwhile, the charger screen is showing that the charging session for the Hummer has faulted. I look at the EVA app and it showing that his charger is showing "Charging Unavailable." In 2017, my wife and I bought 2 Chevy Bolts. Back then, half of the CCS chargers were broken and at the time I thought, "5 years in the future they will have all of these charging infrastructure bugs worked out. I've been driving Teslas for 3 years prior to my Lightning so I've been spoiled by the Supercharger network which works EVERY SINGLE TIME I've ever plugged in. So today, rather then fight for 2 working EVA chargers, I did what any good Tesla owner would do...(See pic #2)

EAs equipment just sucks or they don't care much about reliable charging. Gas station owners wouldn't put up with faulty equipment EA and the rest of them shouldn't either. Like you, I to came from a Tesla, the wife still has one, they get it.

 

[bosox8]

Because charging the Lightning at those Tesla chargers is ?

a game changer

 

[NCMike]

Because charging the Lightning at those Tesla chargers is ?

True, I can now charge at the Tesla chargers in Ashville. However the model x is much more efficient at highway speeds than the lightning and charges much faster. I can eliminate a stop completely with the X vs the lightning when traveling to Ashville.

 

[spadesaspade]

Can't leave now with that priceless priceless adapter hooked up

It locks in place until you stop the session from the app and unlock the truck. Only then does it come off. I was worried for the same reason and tried unplugging while locked+charging.

 

[RickLightning]

True, I can now charge at the Tesla chargers in Ashville. However the model x is much more efficient at highway speeds than the lightning and charges much faster. I can eliminate a stop completely with the X vs the lightning when traveling to Ashville.

So the issue has nothing to do with charging infrastructure (since you're using the same chargers), it's the efficiency of the Lightning and the charging speed.

I get it. My Lightning uses 40% more energy than my Mach-E, so I evaluate trips as to which is a better fit. 5,300 miles in winter to go skiing and visit California, Lightning won hands down. 4,700 miles in fall to visit national parks, Mach-E won.

 

[NCMike]

So the issue has nothing to do with charging infrastructure (since you're using the same chargers), it's the efficiency of the Lightning and the charging speed.

I get it. My Lightning uses 40% more energy than my Mach-E, so I evaluate trips as to which is a better fit. 5,300 miles in winter to go skiing and visit California, Lightning won hands down. 4,700 miles in fall to visit national parks, Mach-E won.

Fair point. charging infrastructure is equal now that I have the A2Z adapter. I would definitely advise any Ford or Rivian that is visiting Ashville to avoid the Sam's Club EA station at all costs and use the Tesla Superchargers if they can. It's been a nightmare not only to charge at but to also actually get to it the past few years. I'm usually coming from Black Mountain or the Blue Ridge Parkway and have to sit in bumper to bumper traffic to get to the EA station.

 

[Howard_Scott_Warshaw]

a game changer

Agreed. I got to use a Magic Dock a few weeks ago. Once the adapter arrives, any remaining range anxiety is gone. I no longer have a plan trips around charging stops since Tesla stations are ubiquitous.

 

[RickLightning]

Fair point. charging infrastructure is equal now that I have the A2Z adapter. I would definitely advise any Ford or Rivian that is visiting Ashville to avoid the Sam's Club EA station at all costs and use the Tesla Superchargers if they can. It's been a nightmare not only to charge at but to also actually get to it the past few years. I'm usually coming from Black Mountain or the Blue Ridge Parkway and have to sit in bumper to bumper traffic to get to the EA station.

I have used that location and agree. That is where i spoke to a retired local guy about charging to 100% while travelers are waiting to charge, and his reply was that he was retired and had the time. They were slow chargers too...

 

[H8N-8NT-EZ]

I had a lady park next to me (same charger) at the BMW chargers at a Bucees last week that pushed the stop button on my charger on "accident". Meanwhile I was inside for 30 minutes unaware. Part of my thought she did it on purpose so she'd cet more current. I was so tempted to push the stop button for her once I was finally on my way and she was still there.

BTW, the BMW chargers are NICE.

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