Eclipse + Superchargers + Rivian = Chaos

[Hillbilly]

I have, multiple times. In fact I went Oregon to Northern Wisconsin and back in summer 2022 only using EA. The one exception being the RAN in Salida, it was one of the only stations at the time so I made a special detour. Things are considerably better today, people just need to stop complaining and get out there and enjoy their trucks

Your experiences have been the exact opposite of mine (from Georgia to Michigan and the Florida keys multiple times).

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[ads75]

Off topic: When I saw this picture, I thought "Why are charging stations so ugly?" A row of metal pylons, a shed in the back. All charging stations are ugly. Are EV users second class citizens? We have to spend a lot of time there. How about some living things like some plants and less cement?

Off topic: Why should the scenery in a EV charging station look any different than a gas station? Why do you think EV users deserve better scenery that a gas station customer?

 

[Dave Cundiff]

Off topic: Why should the scenery in a EV charging station look any different than a gas station? Why do you think EV users deserve better scenery that a gas station customer?

"Deserve" may not be the best word, @ads75. "Prefer" would describe my feelings more accurately.

EV drivers spend more time at charging stations than ICE drivers spend at gas stations.

With extra time, amenities matter: Restrooms, eating, shopping, taking a nice walk, etc., etc....

We try to choose chargers based on the entire charging experience, not just "electricity as a commodity."

Does this help?

 

[SANZC02]

Your experiences have been the exact opposite of mine (from Georgia to Michigan and the Florida keys multiple times).

Yours is just opposite of mine. My trip was Normal, IL to Boston, then the Florida Pan Handle, and then home to SoCal. Trip was Jan/Feb 2023. I saw some cabinets down but never failed to charge and needed my backup plan.

For reference, I did a similar trip this past January in my Tesla except started in SoCal instead of Normal. That was 6600 miles, all Superchargers, had the same experience, saw some cabinets down but never failed to charge.

 

[Hillbilly]

Yours is just opposite of mine. My trip was Normal, IL to Boston, then the Florida Pan Handle, and then home to SoCal. Trip was Jan/Feb 2023. I saw some cabinets down but never failed to charge and needed my backup plan.

For reference, I did a similar trip this past January in my Tesla except started in SoCal instead of Normal. That was 6600 miles, all Superchargers, had the same experience, saw some cabinets down but never failed to charge.

I had inoperable EA chargers at a Sam's club (I think it was Tennessee), throttled charge rates at a Walmart in Indiana, an almost $70 charge session that didn't include idle fees in Florida somewhere around the Lake City area, a couple Walmart stations in different states that were simply full with cars idling, etc. The worst part is that you don't have much predictability in knowing what issues you will encounter in spite of recent plugscore ratings, particularly with EA. Those issues have nearly left me stranded or otherwise facing wait times that would have ruined itineraries when the only option around was one of those EA chargers. Even more frustrating when you see a Tesla supercharging station nearby or on the map that's got a ton of available spaces but no way to take advantage. Thank God for them opening their network up.

 

[SANZC02]

I had inoperable EA chargers at a Sam's club (I think it was Tennessee), throttled charge rates at a Walmart in Indiana, an almost $70 charge session that didn't include idle fees in Florida somewhere around the Lake City area, a couple Walmart stations in different states that were simply full with cars idling, etc. The worst part is that you don't have much predictability in knowing what issues you will encounter in spite of recent plugscore ratings, particularly with EA. Those issues have nearly left me stranded or otherwise facing wait times that would have ruined itineraries when the only option around was one of those EA chargers. Even more frustrating when you see a Tesla supercharging station nearby or on the map that's got a ton of available spaces but no way to take advantage. Thank God for them opening their network up.

Sorry to hear about your struggles with charging on trips.

Don’t get me wrong, happy to have the additional options out there. Even purchased and tested the A2Z adapter to have on board.

Just want people to know that it is not all doom and gloom and I won’t hesitate to take either vehicle on a road trip.

It is interesting that my worst experience was at a Tesla stop outside of Springfield, MS. They had 8 chargers, 6 were down and the 2 that were up were putting out around 28 kW.

 

[Jabbahop]

I guess we had a missed opportunity. We could have rented out our summer cottage & L2 charger to someone who wanted to charge to 100% and watch the Eclipse on the Lake Champlain islands before heading home. Camp is uninsulated and no water until summer as we get it from the lake. So more of a camp site.

 

[sunrogue]

Off topic: Why should the scenery in a EV charging station look any different than a gas station? Why do you think EV users deserve better scenery that a gas station customer?

The same as a gas station would be an improvement. A roof is nice to block rain, hail, stray tree branches falling (happened to me) and sun, not to mention the convenience of a convenience store with restrooms.

 

[R.I.P.]

The eclipse caused it.

 

[Robin]

They are not all ugly.

This was taken mid eclipse, but in sunny central CA, far away from totality.

????

 

[Robin]

No Nuggies!!!! Sue Them!! Burn Them to the GROUND!

???????

 

[Robin]

"Deserve" may not be the best word, @ads75. "Prefer" would describe my feelings more accurately.

EV drivers spend more time at charging stations than ICE drivers spend at gas stations.

With extra time, amenities matter: Restrooms, eating, shopping, taking a nice walk, etc., etc....

We try to choose chargers based on the entire charging experience, not just "electricity as a commodity."

Does this help?

A little shade protection from the elements would be a good start, trash can, restrooms ..

 

[Robin]

I had inoperable EA chargers at a Sam's club (I think it was Tennessee), throttled charge rates at a Walmart in Indiana, an almost $70 charge session that didn't include idle fees in Florida somewhere around the Lake City area, a couple Walmart stations in different states that were simply full with cars idling, etc. The worst part is that you don't have much predictability in knowing what issues you will encounter in spite of recent plugscore ratings, particularly with EA. Those issues have nearly left me stranded or otherwise facing wait times that would have ruined itineraries when the only option around was one of those EA chargers. Even more frustrating when you see a Tesla supercharging station nearby or on the map that's got a ton of available spaces but no way to take advantage. Thank God for them opening their network up.

I feel your pain when I’m road tripping ..?

 

[Deacon]

Precisely why I keep one ICE vehicle. Had a completely fine eclipse travel experience without any range anxiety or worry about taking alternate routes.

We did same thing - had to drive through WV - there are zero fast chargers in the state that I could find.

 

[ksujeff99]

Precisely why I keep one ICE vehicle. Had a completely fine eclipse travel experience without any range anxiety or worry about taking alternate routes.

I let Hertz hold on to my ICE vehicle for me.

I rented and drove about 800 miles round trip to see the eclipse in the Missouri boot heel. Charging in that area is sparse so the rental ended up working out well.

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