Surely a Charger this BIG is L3

[RickRivian]

The business model for the Volta level 2 chargers was selling ads to pay for the free charging. It failed.

Shell bought them after they failed, and found the equipment in such disrepair and the business model so bad, they just shut it down. They were going to dismantle it, but apparently some owners of land they are on didn't cooperate, so Shell just turned the network off. An outlet mall in Michigan has them, and they just don't work. People keep trying, and noting on PlugShare that they are "broken".

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[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

The business model for the Volta level 2 chargers was selling ads to pay for the free charging. It failed.

Shell bought them after they failed, and found the equipment in such disrepair and the business model so bad, they just shut it down. They were going to dismantle it, but apparently some owners of land they are on didn't cooperate, so Shell just turned the network off. An outlet mall in Michigan has them, and they just don't work. People keep trying, and noting on PlugShare that they are "broken".

Here in SoCal these free chargers were usually found on Amazon Fresh lots. Just one per location. Combined with the slow charging speed, I never bothered to try them. I'm a fast-in fast-out grocery shopper anyway so it made no sense to use a slow charger. Amazon has now shuttered all Fresh stores. When these chargers worked, it was usually used by retirement age types. Even in wee hours.

 

[RickRivian]

Here in SoCal these free chargers were usually found on Amazon Fresh lots. Just one per location. Combined with the slow charging speed, I never bothered to try them. I'm a fast-in fast-out grocery shopper anyway so it made no sense to use a slow charger. Amazon has now shuttered all Fresh stores. When these chargers worked, it was usually used by retirement age types. Even in wee hours.

You mean cheap f$cks?

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

You mean cheap f$cks?

$500k can't even buy a closet sized home around here. I can understand why anyone on fixed income and lots of time would take advantage of any charging that is free.

 

[RickRivian]

$500k can't even buy a closet sized home around here. I can understand why anyone on fixed income and lots of time would take advantage of any charging that is free.

Few people that own an EV are tight on money though. Lots of people that got 2 years free charging with their EV would rather charge publicly, to 100%, than at home. Luckily a lot of those free deals are now expiring.

I was at an EA charger on a trip, and it was running slow. Old guy at 87%. Went to talk to him, pointed out how charging slows at 80% to protect the battery, and charging etiquette is to move on. He said he was local, and retired, and didn't mind. I pointed to the 1/2 dozen vehicles in line. Didn’t phase him.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Few people that own an EV are tight on money though. Lots of people that got 2 years free charging with their EV would rather charge publicly, to 100%, than at home. Luckily a lot of those free deals are now expiring.

I was at an EA charger on a trip, and it was running slow. Old guy at 87%. Went to talk to him, pointed out how charging slows at 80% to protect the battery, and charging etiquette is to move on. He said he was local, and retired, and didn't mind. I pointed to the 1/2 dozen vehicles in line. Didn’t phase him.

Generalizations. People who aren't rich, don't own their homes but own EVs do exist. They may not have bought an expensive one, or bought one new. EVs aren't just for the rich. And pending local utility rates and when one chooses to DCFC and how often, public charging isn't necessarily more expensive. There are also more lower cost EV options than there were 6 years ago. And there are plenty of homeowners who live in condos who can't charge at home because the HOA or parking situation do not allow them to install chargers at home.

 

[azbill]

I believe all the level 2 chargers that Shell Recharge had got turned off recently across the country, they're only going to have fast chargers.

They are still open in Phoenix area.

 

[RickRivian]

They are still open in Phoenix area.

They were turned off end of January.

Well, PlugShare differs.

https://www.plugshare.com/location/471563 - 2/2/26 says not listed in network
https://www.plugshare.com/location/420088 - 2/12 all permanently closed

You get the idea. I don't think you will find a check-in after 1/31/26.

 

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

There's some of those around me. Like someone else mentioned - old Volta chargers, their business model was to sell advertising on the screens, I think? Didn't work out I guess. Chargers around me are at places like movie theaters and malls - where you'll almost always be staying for at least a few hours.

 

[Polar]

I'm visiting my father and I know where the nearest L3 chargers are. Today I took him for a doctor's appointment and, lo and behold, there's an "obvious" L3 charger in the parking lot:

It's got a gigantic video screen but I'm a little annoyed that I can't just start charging with a tap of my phone to pay for it. So I download yet another app (Jolt), create an account, enter my credit card, and finally can hit the "Start Charging" button. I do so and pull the plug out of the charger only to discover that it's a L2 charger! I didn't get much of a charge, but it didn't cost much either:

It was particularly annoying because I was wondering when I'd have to leave his appointment to unplug to avoid idle fees (I'm in a loaner so I can't see the SOC in the app) and I knew that I wouldn't need to be plugged into a L3 charger for an hour! Lesson learned - size isn't everything

With no CCS pins it’s obviously not L3

 

[SwampNut]

They are still open in Phoenix area.

The ones at Whole Foods on Mayo and another around Surprise were dead recently (Surprise was physically removed). The one at Winco somewhere on Bell/35th or so is reported problematic on the apps.

These were useful to me. Economics aside, my EV motorcycle has limited range. I would schedule a charge and shop based on them. For the stores hosting them, this is a win, but I'm probably one of the rare users who does this.

Also the WF location was nearly always ICED. And once, some asshole parked his car in the same space while my bike was recharging. And took the fucking cord. My emergency/repair kit includes glue, paper, and a pen, so........

 

[KBabione]

And once, some asshole parked his car in the same space while my bike was recharging. And took the fucking cord. My emergency/repair kit includes glue, paper, and a pen, so........

Sounds like your emergency kit needs to include a Shrader core valve tool to remove the core from two of his tires...

 

[aaronbowwwls]

There are a bunch of these at Tanger Outlet malls here in Michigan. There's typically one or two level 2 chargers throughout the bunch, so it's a fun hunt to try to find that one.

 

[azbill]

The ones at Whole Foods on Mayo and another around Surprise were dead recently (Surprise was physically removed). The one at Winco somewhere on Bell/35th or so is reported problematic on the apps.

These were useful to me. Economics aside, my EV motorcycle has limited range. I would schedule a charge and shop based on them. For the stores hosting them, this is a win, but I'm probably one of the rare users who does this.

Also the WF location was nearly always ICED. And once, some asshole parked his car in the same space while my bike was recharging. And took the fucking cord. My emergency/repair kit includes glue, paper, and a pen, so........

They did install some new L2 Shell Recharge units at the Westgate Tanger Outlets, and I believe those are actually still working. They replaced some old ChargePoint units by the Carls Jr. Those were never part of Volta.

Edit: The old Shell Recharge units at Westagate are still open, but under a new operator called Jolt.

https://joltcharge.com/us/find-a-charger/

 

[Zoidz]

Was that outside a Giant Food store? Looks like the ones they have in my area. They are (used to be last time I used one...) FREE. They are (were?) paid for by the advertising. Did you try just plugging with no app/payment? Yeah, it's L2. It just about covers the travel to the store and home...

I checked this out over the weekend. The stations in my local area are no longer free and show an error on the credit card reader.

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