Absolutely Bizarre Charging Experience in Norfolk

[planetcase]

I have a similarly crazy/bizzaro experience and it happened to be my first public charging experience.

Insane! We should write a book.

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[planetcase]

If only you were at a Sheetz, you wouldn't have had to deal with typical Wawa low-lifes...

?

 

[Electrified Outdoors]

What was Lola driving? Sounds like you need to pack some bear spray for the next road trip ?

 

[planetcase]

Lola was driving a Hyundai.


some kind of spray!

 

[LL75]

I now have an A2Z

From all the reading with folks had issues with A2Z are user errors of unable to slide the "lock" all the way. My first few times, I looked like a foo trying to do that. I found the best way is to put the adapter into the tesla charger handle then press it against the ground with some force. The "lock" would slide in a lot easier.

 

[Jamuso]

First of all, I want to say, that nothing I write here is critical of any person or group of people. I am just stating the facts, and I can't tell there story without stating the facts .... which are well.... bizarre.

Last week we went down to the outer banks.... Corolla, NC.....from Maryland. On the way down I planned out the trip. Rivian GPS directed me to stop north of Richmond, and then again in Newport News/Norfolk area . The first stop north of Richmond went great. The 2nd stop directed me to a Tesla station at a Wawa, where there was also an EVGO.

All 11 Tesla chargers were open. My adapter didn't work. Ugh. Shame on me, for never testing it. I also didn't realize that anywhere south of Norfolk, there are only 11kw chargers at best. I had to reach our beach rental , where I would charge off the dryer outlet.

Traffic was building, and instead of 2 more hours, the traffic would be closer to 4 hours. I needed a little bit of charge and no choice to stop at the EVGO, or I would not make it to Corolla. With Tesla not working, I went over to the other side of the Wawa to the EVGO.

At the EVGO, there were cars already charging. I asked politely how long each car would be charging, and I was told "why don't you take your fancy car somewhere else?" (Note that I am being kind here). I was then told that this was the place local drivers charge for free, and that one lady was saving the spot for her Mom who was arriving in 20 minutes. It was not the cleanest or safest neighborhood. But I had put myself in a bad spot. I needed charge. If I didn't charge I would be risking running out of battery.

Both women were having a problem getting their cars to charge, and the chargers would work for 5 minutes and then click off. I asked if I could help and I was asked why don't sexually experiment with myself. After an hour waiting, I offered 20 dollars for 5 minutes of charging (not to the person whose Mom had arrived). The person I offered $20 bucks to was transvestite prostitute from DC. The latter she told me several times, and the former was obvious (think of the famous 1970 song by the Kinks). I will call her Lola. Lola said, "Baby, you want 5 minutes of my time for 20 minutes? You insult me!" But then she said yes and I handed over an Andrew Jackson. This was so weird it was funny, especially with my wife and teenagers watching. Kind of funny anyway. I made it clear that all I wanted to pay for was the charge .... and that's it.

The situation quickly went south . Lola agreed to let me have 5 minutes "but not a second more" for $20, "and I am going to time you." That was fine with me. Time away!. Lola move the car, and as I pulled mine up, a man parked at the Wawa drove up way too fast nearly rammed me, got out, and told me he was next. I tried to tell him that Lola and I had a verbal contract. But he wasn't listening. He ripped the charger out of my hand and threatened to fight, and called me a name that suggested that I was sexually active with my mom. At this point I am wondering if I was on some type of crazy TV show. Candid Camera, What Would You Do? Just bizarre. No I was not going to fight. Apparently I wasn't going to get my $20 bucks back either. I drove south.

Long story short I made it to our beach house with 5 miles of charge left.

I have learned a bit more about EVGo and will pass on these stations unless absolutely necessary and in better locations. I love my Rivian. This does not discourage me from doing trips. I have several more planned. But I am going to plan my trips to stop at RAN or Tesla (yup got the correct adapter now). And I will not put myself in a situation like that again.

All true. In fact, I held back.

This is great (glad youre safe). I wish you werent paraphrasing and people were literally saying "you're sexually active with your mom"!

 

[Zoidz]

Sounds like an episode plot from Punk’d !! Was Aston Kutcher there?

 

[KBabione]

If only you were at a Sheetz, you wouldn't have had to deal with typical Wawa low-lifes...

How does someone in San Francisco know about Sheetz? Wawa I get - Even SNL did a spoof of it.

 

[timgradywy]

How does someone in San Francisco know about Sheetz? Wawa I get - Even SNL did a spoof of it.

I lived and worked in Chester County Pennsylvania for 7 years. I’m actually headed back that way tonight.

 

[planetcase]

Sounds like an episode plot from Punk’d !! Was Aston Kutcher there?

?

 

[planetcase]

This is great (glad youre safe). I wish you werent paraphrasing and people were literally saying "you're sexually active with your mom"!

Hysterical.

 

[Count Orlok]

address?

 

[KBabione]

Last week we went down to the outer banks.... Corolla, NC.....from Maryland.

We went to southern Duck (from Lancaster PA) for years and I always felt sorry for the people who had to continue north another hour or more in bumper-to-bumper traffic another 16-17 miles to Corolla. I can't imagine the stress in the car as you watched the remaining mileage creep down into the single digits.

You sound like an affable guy - should that ever happen again you could probably pull into any development on the right along Duck Road (so you can make a right to continue your journey) and look for an occupied house with a sign showing it's a rental. Knock on the door and ask if you can plug into their dryer outlet for 15 minutes - I can't imagine anyone saying "No" (they're not paying the electric bill). It's the "old school" equivalent of asking to use someone's landline because your car broke down nearby. We went to Cancun this year instead of Duck, but I would have gladly welcomed you to our rental on E Bias Lane...

 

[RivAW]

First of all, I want to say, that nothing I write here is critical of any person or group of people. I am just stating the facts, and I can't tell there story without stating the facts .... which are well.... bizarre.

Last week we went down to the outer banks.... Corolla, NC.....from Maryland. On the way down I planned out the trip. Rivian GPS directed me to stop north of Richmond, and then again in Newport News/Norfolk area . The first stop north of Richmond went great. The 2nd stop directed me to a Tesla station at a Wawa, where there was also an EVGO.

All 11 Tesla chargers were open. My adapter didn't work. Ugh. Shame on me, for never testing it. I also didn't realize that anywhere south of Norfolk, there are only 11kw chargers at best. I had to reach our beach rental , where I would charge off the dryer outlet.

Traffic was building, and instead of 2 more hours, the traffic would be closer to 4 hours. I needed a little bit of charge and no choice to stop at the EVGO, or I would not make it to Corolla. With Tesla not working, I went over to the other side of the Wawa to the EVGO.

At the EVGO, there were cars already charging. I asked politely how long each car would be charging, and I was told "why don't you take your fancy car somewhere else?" (Note that I am being kind here). I was then told that this was the place local drivers charge for free, and that one lady was saving the spot for her Mom who was arriving in 20 minutes. It was not the cleanest or safest neighborhood. But I had put myself in a bad spot. I needed charge. If I didn't charge I would be risking running out of battery.

Both women were having a problem getting their cars to charge, and the chargers would work for 5 minutes and then click off. I asked if I could help and I was asked why don't sexually experiment with myself. After an hour waiting, I offered 20 dollars for 5 minutes of charging (not to the person whose Mom had arrived). The person I offered $20 bucks to was transvestite prostitute from DC. The latter she told me several times, and the former was obvious (think of the famous 1970 song by the Kinks). I will call her Lola. Lola said, "Baby, you want 5 minutes of my time for 20 minutes? You insult me!" But then she said yes and I handed over an Andrew Jackson. This was so weird it was funny, especially with my wife and teenagers watching. Kind of funny anyway. I made it clear that all I wanted to pay for was the charge .... and that's it.

The situation quickly went south . Lola agreed to let me have 5 minutes "but not a second more" for $20, "and I am going to time you." That was fine with me. Time away!. Lola move the car, and as I pulled mine up, a man parked at the Wawa drove up way too fast nearly rammed me, got out, and told me he was next. I tried to tell him that Lola and I had a verbal contract. But he wasn't listening. He ripped the charger out of my hand and threatened to fight, and called me a name that suggested that I was sexually active with my mom. At this point I am wondering if I was on some type of crazy TV show. Candid Camera, What Would You Do? Just bizarre. No I was not going to fight. Apparently I wasn't going to get my $20 bucks back either. I drove south.

Long story short I made it to our beach house with 5 miles of charge left.

I have learned a bit more about EVGo and will pass on these stations unless absolutely necessary and in better locations. I love my Rivian. This does not discourage me from doing trips. I have several more planned. But I am going to plan my trips to stop at RAN or Tesla (yup got the correct adapter now). And I will not put myself in a situation like that again.

All true. In fact, I held back.

Everything else aside, what adapter did you have that “didn’t work”. Was this a “defective adapter” situation, or did you not do your research and you showed up armed with the incorrect adapter?

First of all, I want to say, that nothing I write here is critical of any person or group of people. I am just stating the facts, and I can't tell there story without stating the facts .... which are well.... bizarre.

Last week we went down to the outer banks.... Corolla, NC.....from Maryland. On the way down I planned out the trip. Rivian GPS directed me to stop north of Richmond, and then again in Newport News/Norfolk area . The first stop north of Richmond went great. The 2nd stop directed me to a Tesla station at a Wawa, where there was also an EVGO.

All 11 Tesla chargers were open. My adapter didn't work. Ugh. Shame on me, for never testing it. I also didn't realize that anywhere south of Norfolk, there are only 11kw chargers at best. I had to reach our beach rental , where I would charge off the dryer outlet.

Traffic was building, and instead of 2 more hours, the traffic would be closer to 4 hours. I needed a little bit of charge and no choice to stop at the EVGO, or I would not make it to Corolla. With Tesla not working, I went over to the other side of the Wawa to the EVGO.

At the EVGO, there were cars already charging. I asked politely how long each car would be charging, and I was told "why don't you take your fancy car somewhere else?" (Note that I am being kind here). I was then told that this was the place local drivers charge for free, and that one lady was saving the spot for her Mom who was arriving in 20 minutes. It was not the cleanest or safest neighborhood. But I had put myself in a bad spot. I needed charge. If I didn't charge I would be risking running out of battery.

Both women were having a problem getting their cars to charge, and the chargers would work for 5 minutes and then click off. I asked if I could help and I was asked why don't sexually experiment with myself. After an hour waiting, I offered 20 dollars for 5 minutes of charging (not to the person whose Mom had arrived). The person I offered $20 bucks to was transvestite prostitute from DC. The latter she told me several times, and the former was obvious (think of the famous 1970 song by the Kinks). I will call her Lola. Lola said, "Baby, you want 5 minutes of my time for 20 minutes? You insult me!" But then she said yes and I handed over an Andrew Jackson. This was so weird it was funny, especially with my wife and teenagers watching. Kind of funny anyway. I made it clear that all I wanted to pay for was the charge .... and that's it.

The situation quickly went south . Lola agreed to let me have 5 minutes "but not a second more" for $20, "and I am going to time you." That was fine with me. Time away!. Lola move the car, and as I pulled mine up, a man parked at the Wawa drove up way too fast nearly rammed me, got out, and told me he was next. I tried to tell him that Lola and I had a verbal contract. But he wasn't listening. He ripped the charger out of my hand and threatened to fight, and called me a name that suggested that I was sexually active with my mom. At this point I am wondering if I was on some type of crazy TV show. Candid Camera, What Would You Do? Just bizarre. No I was not going to fight. Apparently I wasn't going to get my $20 bucks back either. I drove south.

Long story short I made it to our beach house with 5 miles of charge left.

I have learned a bit more about EVGo and will pass on these stations unless absolutely necessary and in better locations. I love my Rivian. This does not discourage me from doing trips. I have several more planned. But I am going to plan my trips to stop at RAN or Tesla (yup got the correct adapter now). And I will not put myself in a situation like that again.

All true. In fact, I held back.

Curious what adapter you had that didn’t work at the Tesla SC? Was it a defective adapter? Not the right one (there are only like two or three NACs to CCS out there)? Did you check in advance that the TESLA station was one that allows other EV’s with an (appropriate) adapter?

 

[Hercules10]

On trips I use ABRP and plug share. They strip out Tesla chargers that don't work with Rivian. My A2Z work flawlessly on a 2200 mile road trip. Sorry for the situation.

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