Conflict at the Supercharger

[Duckman]

The problem with that is you effectively can't use a Tesla Supercharger anytime when a station is approaching capacity. The layout requires that you'll block a stall in addition to the stall you're using.

As I interpreted it the OP reduced the capacity of the Supercharger location from 8 vehicles charging to 7.

Its essentially the ideal test case to see how Tesla owners react.

I think its pretty predictable that most were okay with it, and a few (if given more examples) were not.

If my interpretation is incorrect and the OP reduced the capacity to 6 then yeah its not something I would have done either. But, I certainly would have been okay with a single stall reduction as the overall benefits of opening outweigh the operational reduction capacity of a single session.

Correct. I reduced the capacity from 8 to 7.

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[DevSecOps]

The problem with that is you effectively can't use a Tesla Supercharger anytime when a station is approaching capacity. The layout requires that you'll block a stall in addition to the stall you're using.

That's true. But here's the thing. The OP could have waited in Davis for one of the 3 EA stations to open up. He could have also used one of the 3 EVGo stations in Woodland, not the ones he mentioned in Davis. Instead he decided to make people wait for him by blocking 2 stalls at the Tesla station.

All I'm saying is that I wouldn't have taken that path. I think EV charging etiquette has a long way to go and I personally won't block someone from charging.

I also think the Tesla owner is a jerk, but I would be slightly irritated as well if I had to wait because someone was blocking 2 stalls. I think we all would be. Try putting the shoe on the other foot.

Or think of it this way - if the charging stall was blocked by an ice vehicle would that have been okay? I'm sure it would be on Reddit and Twitter if someone iced a spot. I don't feel that blocking a spot, regardless of the reason is appropriate when you're making someone else wait. I avoid Tesla Superchargers unless absolutely necessary for this reason. In California there's not really a need to use them since there's normally a ton of options.

 

[Robin]

Almost identical situation but with less muscle. Pull up to a literally vacant set of superchargers and start charging. Within 10 minutes the stations fill up. Guy pulls up beside me, realizes he can't use the charger and then just stands by my window glaring at me until I finally roll down the window. He proceeds to rant about how I'm at the wrong charger, and should use the one beside me. I ask him to show me how that's physically possible and explain this is my only option unfortunately.

Then the rant about how I'm not allowed to use the charger. I follow it up with patience and let him know I should only be another 10 minutes. He storms off and grabs a coffee.

Upon returning, I get another glare, so I decide I'm done, I'll unplug and the guy can use the charger. I unplug and let him know he's good to go. He angrily plugs his car in and turns his back to me. So I pipe up and say "No problem man, you're welcome" he begrudgingly says thanks, then goes on another rant about why I shouldn't be charging there, I tell him that tesla has opened their chargers to both Ford and Rivian to get government funding, I tell him to start expecting Chevy bolts in the near future too and giggle on my way out.

To be honest, it feels almost more beneficial to just park like a jackass dead center of the line between two stalls so people can't pull in in the first place. Although you'd get an immediate fuck this guy response, rather than a delayed one.

??

 

[Hillbilly]

I am on a long road trip from PHX to Blaine WA. Great RAN charging for much of the way. Kingman Az, Barstow CA, Buttonwillow CA, Santa Nella CA.
I stopped in Davis CA to visit family. Surprisingly, although Davis is a very envoronmentally conscious city, it is a void for EV charging. Lots of level 2 destination chargers, a Tesla supercharger that is not open to Rivian, 4 EA's of which only 3 work, 2 EvGo's one functional. So needing something a bit faster than what my hotel trickle charger could give me, I ventured 9 miles to Woodland to a Tesla Supercharger that was open to Rivians. It is an 8 station location across the street from a Costco. I went on a Saturday. When I got there there were 3 stations open. The layout required that I block 2 to use one. This is going to cause a lot of problems as the adapters reach the market. BTW, I bought an A2Z just for this trip and it has functioned flawlessly the 3 times I used.

Back to the Supercharger. After I plugged in there was only one station left. A Tesla pulled up next to me and I apologized and explained that the layout required me to use the cable from his charger. He said no problem and moved to the vacant station. Next guy pulls in a few minutes later. I apologize, tell him I will only be 10-15 more minutes and he says no problem and pulls out to wait for the next station. Right away a Model S with lots of flashy trim add ons pulls in. I apologize and explain the situation to the young man in the muscle shirt with his girl friend beside him. He immediately goes into a testosterone fueled rant about me having no right to be there, it's for Teslas, it's worng for me to take two chargers. I say I am sorry, can't be helped and I will be done in 10 minutes. He tells me it can be helped by getting my non Tesla POS out of there. He continues to rant at me and my non Tesla and that I have no right to do this. I politely explain that I do have a right. That Elon sold the right for me to be here charging knowing that it would take 2 stations. I say you need to complain to Elon because he's the one who sold out your exclusive use. He continues on then moves his car in a sulk. A few minutes later my 10 minutes is done and I unhook and leave, although by this time I was considering passive aggressively continue to charge way past 70%! Anyway as I pull away He continues to yell while impressing his GF.

I can certainly see how if these stations are not retrofitted with longer cables or dual side access a situation like this could escalate. A little more testosterone in the Model S and a lot more in the Rivian (I am 77) and it could well have gotten out of hand.

You should have knocked his ass out, taken his woman, and burned his car to the ground.

 

[s4wrxttcs]

That's true. But here's the thing. The OP could have waited in Davis for one of the 3 EA stations to open up. He could have also used one of the 3 EVGo stations in Woodland, not the ones he mentioned in Davis. Instead he decided to make people wait for him by blocking 2 stalls at the Tesla station.

All I'm saying is that I wouldn't have taken that path. I think EV charging etiquette has a long way to go and I personally won't block someone from charging.

I also think the Tesla owner is a jerk, but I would be slightly irritated as well if I had to wait because someone was blocking 2 stalls. I think we all would be. Try putting the shoe on the other foot.

Or think of it this way - if the charging stall was blocked by an ice vehicle would that have been okay? I'm sure it would be on Reddit and Twitter if someone iced a spot. I don't feel that blocking a spot, regardless of the reason is appropriate. That's just my take.

I don't think anyone involved was acting as a jerk. They were just operating with the information available to them at the time, and the time pressure we all have.

If a charger is blocked by an ICE vehicles then its a problem with the owner
If a charger is rendered unusable due to the location of a charging port then its the fault of the charger owner.

 

[Glembi2]

Was the issue that the Rivian was taking two spaces or that it was not a Tesla? Or both?

I can understand someone getting their feathers ruffled about taking two spaces but hoped the collective intelligence of EV owners was past non-Teslas charging from Tesla - branded chargers.

 

[srkz]

I can see them being busy but you can check the EA app to see if they are in use.

They usually just show as 'available' when they're broken. So you check in advance and see 3 in use and 1 available - does that mean it's not very busy, or does it mean that one is broken and there's a line of cars for the other three? In my experience usually the latter, but there's no way to know until you get there.

It's just a different world in metro Southern California. We have far more EVs here than pretty much anywhere else in the country and not nearly enough CCS stations to go around. There is pretty much always a line.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

They usually just show as 'available' when they're broken. So you check in advance and see 3 in use and 1 available - does that mean it's not very busy, or does it mean that one is broken and there's a line of cars for the other three? In my experience usually the latter, but there's no way to know until you get there.

It's just a different world in metro Southern California. We have far more EVs here than pretty much anywhere else in the country and not nearly enough CCS stations to go around. There is pretty much always a line.

I've had this happen to me serval times at EA in the OC. Available, but not working. Or, available, but the CCS side is not because the other plug is CHAdeMo (which hardly anyone uses)—six chargers total, one usable by everyone in line, just ridiculous. Nearest Supercharger has 16 stalls and 5~6 in use at peak. Being able to charge there is a game changer for me.

 

[RivianRunner]

I’m sorry this happened.

Although it does make me want to start charging at SC locations exclusively with the hopes of pissing off charming people like Mr. Muscles. ?

It's attitudes like these that help create the problems. Look, I know you hate Elon and Tesla, but wanting to go out of your way to inconvenience other EV drivers? That's just sad.

I'm glad most people don't have that much hate.

 

[RivianRunner]

I have 57 charges at TSC's with my R1T at this point and can happily say I've never encountered anything like this. Most are excited to see new faces/vehicles. I've had a couple that have looks of disapproval, but that could be about anything these days.

You sir, set a good example for all!

 

[Underwhirled]

Does anyone know if a notice went out to Telsa Owners from Tesla, maybe through their app to their owners, to expect to start seeing Fords and Rivians at authorized stations. ”They are now allowed”.

This seems like very poor communication from Tesla to their Owners. They could easily inform Owners through an email, etc.

 

[DuoRivians]

Does anyone know if a notice went out to Telsa Owners from Tesla, maybe through their app to their owners, to expect to start seeing Fords and Rivians at authorized stations. ”They are now allowed”.

This seems like very poor communication from Tesla to their Owners. They could easily inform Owners through an email, etc.

No word, as a current Tesla owner. I doubt Tesla will say anything

 

[Underwhirled]

No word, as a current Tesla owner. I doubt Tesla will say anything

They need to modify their signage at their sites.

 

[SANZC02]

They need to modify their signage at their sites.

No people just need to learn to read, the sign says Tesla, the name of the network, then a line feed, and then vehicle charging only. It does not say Tesla Vehicle Charging Only.

 

[jebinc]

I am on a long road trip from PHX to Blaine WA. Great RAN charging for much of the way. Kingman Az, Barstow CA, Buttonwillow CA, Santa Nella CA.
I stopped in Davis CA to visit family. Surprisingly, although Davis is a very envoronmentally conscious city, it is a void for EV charging. Lots of level 2 destination chargers, a Tesla supercharger that is not open to Rivian, 4 EA's of which only 3 work, 2 EvGo's one functional. So needing something a bit faster than what my hotel trickle charger could give me, I ventured 9 miles to Woodland to a Tesla Supercharger that was open to Rivians. It is an 8 station location across the street from a Costco. I went on a Saturday. When I got there there were 3 stations open. The layout required that I block 2 to use one. This is going to cause a lot of problems as the adapters reach the market. BTW, I bought an A2Z just for this trip and it has functioned flawlessly the 3 times I used.

Back to the Supercharger. After I plugged in there was only one station left. A Tesla pulled up next to me and I apologized and explained that the layout required me to use the cable from his charger. He said no problem and moved to the vacant station. Next guy pulls in a few minutes later. I apologize, tell him I will only be 10-15 more minutes and he says no problem and pulls out to wait for the next station. Right away a Model S with lots of flashy trim add ons pulls in. I apologize and explain the situation to the young man in the muscle shirt with his girl friend beside him. He immediately goes into a testosterone fueled rant about me having no right to be there, it's for Teslas, it's worng for me to take two chargers. I say I am sorry, can't be helped and I will be done in 10 minutes. He tells me it can be helped by getting my non Tesla POS out of there. He continues to rant at me and my non Tesla and that I have no right to do this. I politely explain that I do have a right. That Elon sold the right for me to be here charging knowing that it would take 2 stations. I say you need to complain to Elon because he's the one who sold out your exclusive use. He continues on then moves his car in a sulk. A few minutes later my 10 minutes is done and I unhook and leave, although by this time I was considering passive aggressively continue to charge way past 70%! Anyway as I pull away He continues to yell while impressing his GF.

I can certainly see how if these stations are not retrofitted with longer cables or dual side access a situation like this could escalate. A little more testosterone in the Model S and a lot more in the Rivian (I am 77) and it could well have gotten out of hand.

Tell he that Elon also wants to say, “GFY”! ??

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