Tip
Plan EV charging with vehicle-specific app filters and backups
2 months ago
Other apps (PlugShare, ABRP, Google) will usually filter out Tesla-only sites if you configure them for your vehicle and adapter.
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Other apps (PlugShare, ABRP, Google) will usually filter out Tesla-only sites if you configure them for your vehicle and adapter.
I was going to comment on “...it’s an adventure.” Also, we love the adventure and the challenge, and we are proactive about it. We read up and learn and figure it out.
We have a friend who has a Silverado EV LT, and he never plans or learns about chargers and apps. Every time he takes a road trip, he has a negative experience and gets so mad. We ask, “Did you check PlugShare?” No. “Did you set up the app for your truck?” No. “Do you know that a 50 kW charger will take HOURS to charge your truck? You need to look for at least a 150 kW.” Blank, uncomprehending stare.
On a recent trip caravanning with us, he was going to stop at an EA out in the middle of nowhere, with no backup options. Because I heard that the business that hosted the site was closed, I looked it up on PlugShare. It was also closed. His next option was too far, but we didn't discover that until the point of no return. He has a smaller battery than us and was towing a heavier trailer.
On the road, I was able to find a charger that he had never heard about. Cell reception was spotty, so it was hard. He couldn't get the charger to work. We had to figure it out. It wasn't accepting credit cards, and we needed to download ANOTHER app to make it work. On the way back, he was having issues with another glitchy EA, and someone told him to go to the next town 30 miles away. I looked it up: “What kind of car did this person have?” A Chevy Bolt. “Ah well, that 50 kW charger is great for them, but you're looking at a 4-hour charge to get home. Stay at the EA, call the support number and have them reboot the thing.” Fortunately, that worked. What should have been a 6-hour drive with charging took him 12 hours.
Moral: Put some time into learning and planning. Charging isn't as mindless as gas yet.
Have to learn to be “Darwinian” on the road... “adapt... or die.”
Absolutely. Survival of the most adaptive.
Christmas of '23, on our very first tow with the R1T, towing our 28' Airstream to a family event in Mississippi through charging deserts (at that time) in NM, TX, LA, and MS, we hit the land of one option in Lake Charles, LA—and the entire EA installation was kaput. We found a campground with 50A service and spent Christmas Eve charging.
Heh, right! One thing we have is that both spouses are enthusiastic about charging. Also, we are both comfortable towing. I bought my first little sailboat and trailer at 18. We've both watched ALL the Out of Spec, State of Charge, and other EV videos. So, no matter which of us is riding shotgun, we can figure things out and use the apps and adapt. We've never had a charge route/plan that didn't have to be modified. We love our road trips, but it takes both of us and teamwork.
Our friend, on the other hand, only knows the basics, and their spouse has no inclination to learn. She never drives, especially towing. I don't think she has ever plugged in the truck, even at home. She drives ICE.
“Charging isn't as mindless as gas yet.” ...yet.
Yes to the apps, Tesla and the other brand-specific apps. Rivian does the same, all with filters. InRoute does the best job of finding chargers, but I then have to use PlugShare for details.
Rivian does not include the Canadian brands in the filters but may show them on the screen. My experience in Canada is that the apps are not fully informed. Flo, Ivy, Electrify Canada, et al. and even Tesla are sometimes not listed—I’ll be cruising through some remote outpost and suddenly see a charger or even a half dozen Superchargers.
After using a few “Open to Tesla Only” sites with success, I decided to try any Superchargers that happened to be on my route, as they are most plentiful, fastest, and most reliable in Canada. Most Superchargers have been trailer accessible with a bit of fudging. They all look the same, old and weathered, never a canopy in a region that receives abundant snow. No magic docks. Forget charging the Pebble; a campground will do.
Then Sudbury, a large city with a Supercharger bank and one broken ChargePoint fast charger. This time it really was Tesla only. A half dozen non-Tesla folks needing charge were driving around searching. Luckily, a GM dealership with an accessible Flo 50 kW charger was idle on a Sunday. The hungry flock converged. I usually filter out dealerships due to awkward accessibility.
Anyway, not bad for our first real charging inconvenience in 5,200 miles on this trip. It’s an adventure.
“...it’s an adventure.” Indeed! Glad you are up to it on your Canadian adventure.
I remember last year, charging in Canada was... different. OLD and slow chargers, weird user interfaces. Petrol Canada chargers charged by time, not kW delivered. It was doable, but you had to change your strategy. Lots of Tim Hortons! Almost always a restroom and food, but no other amenities. Odd, because Canada seems to love EVs, but their charging infrastructure has not kept up.