SPX - Blink EVSE Quote in Houston

[ahaer]

I went the SPX route and got the Columb CT500 charger. Luckily for me the SPX electrician was very honest with me about the problems with the SPX service - opportunistic mark ups. That problem is especially bad in my are (MA) as there are no utility/state rebates for EVSE installation.

Anyway the trick is that you should have a sub panel or disconnect installed near where you want the EVSE by your favorite installer before you call SPX. In talking with the electrician he indicated that he and others have been bitching to SPX and that they have been losening up on some of the requirements. For example, early on the rules used to require that the electrician hire a helper, even if not needed, AND pay prevailing wages. Apparently they are also relaxing the need to take a cut of the non-EVSE electrical work as well - such as main panel replacements.

So in my case I had a sub panel put in the garage outside of SPX (using the same electrician) then the EVSE was installed later. My cost for the CT500 setup from the subpanel was $800.

Other thoughts - I love the CT500 reporting capabilities and the solid non-coiled cord, although thick, is very easy to use. In addition the CT500 can deliver 30A (7.2Kw). As the end price was about the same as buying the voltec and installing outside of SPX I went with the CT500.

Some day I hope to get an electric car that can use the extra power

One final thought on cost - With the "free" chargers there is additional work that must be done beyond the physical/electrical installation to configure and activate the device. Also, the program requires an electrical inspection. Sometimes when people say "my guy can do it for $100" I get the impression they are skipping this step...

[drbruns]

I think the only reason to go with the Blink charger is if you can get it free, which I was able to do in No Va and I believe parts of Texas as well. I needed to run power to my external garage in any case, and did this outside of SPX. Then the question became, "which level 2 charger to get"? Since the Blink was free and the installation was free (after my out of pocket which was a fixed cost in any case), it was a no brainer for me. If it turns out the Blink is a lousy charger, I can always return the Blink and then buy something else out of pocket.

Also, SPX is just the managing company here. They subcontract out the actual installations. Many people have had problems with the subcontractors not knowing very much. Fortunately for me, my local contractor had installed about 30 units before me and I found him quite proficient.

[MinnesotaWT]

We have zero rebates in our state, and I built this house last year having my builder put in the 240v line in the garage.

Total quote to screw on the wall and hook up wires already there...$490 from SPX and it took a month to get the quote. I wanted to see a quote because of the extra 2 years of warranty, but when it is the cost of another charger, made it a no-brainer.

SPX is ripe for "investigative reporting" and further unfair damage to the Volt. We have several documented cases on this forum of missuse of taxpayer dollars in my humble opinion...just takes the powers in charge to do something about it.

*edit* I thought about it and realized I wasn't fair to SPX...they are an equal opportunity gouger as my original post shows. I was quoted roughly 4 times what it cost me to install my Voltec and we have zero rebates in our state. So my line about missuse of taxpayer dollars isn't really accurate.

If a rebate state had obnoxious install rates and my state didn't, THEN it would be a missuse of taxpayer dollars. However I'll point out when an "investigative" reporter gets their hands on this, the headline of course will leave out non-rebate states are charged equally high rates...I guarantee that.

This actually will be my last post bagging on SPX. It was inflated for me because the Volt experience with GM has been off the charts positive, and the car is great...however getting the opportunity to charge it at 240v has been a string of calls, mail, and eventually disappointment in a quote that came after I had it installed.

My job I deal with vendors all the time, and really stress with them I will be fair to them and they must be fair to me. I dealt with SPX fair, have quoted what happened on this forum accurately and not inflated it, so it is up to them to turn it around, or GM needs to cut ties in my humble opinion.

[drbruns]

If you already have the 240 circuit in the garage and have no incentives, then the only advantage having SPX involved is the 3 vs 1 year warranty. I would go somewhere else for the installation. Is your garage circuit live and ready for a plug or does it need hard wiring? If it is ready to accept a plug, I believe there are chargers that come this way and all you may need is to physically mount it on your garage wall.

[SpaceVolt]

I'm in a bind trying to figure out what to do with SPX myself and could use some advice that may be relevant to the OP. I am in the greater Orlando area and thus happen to qualify for the free DOE-funded CT500 charger, which to me seems much nicer than the Voltec unit and supposedly runs about $2,000. My main breaker panel is in the garage with adequate space for the circuit, and the place I want to hang the EVSE is near a 120V outlet that could be repurposed or used to help thread the wire. However, my quote for installation is over $1400! I asked SPX for a breakdown of the quote several days ago and haven't heard back. Does anybody think I could figure out a way to get the install price way down? Heck, I even have a 240V dryer plug in the laundry room next to the garage that is unused because I have a gas dryer, I suppose I could give that up if that would help. I feel like I am stuck because I want the CT500, but can't stand to be ripped off...

[SpaceVolt]

Some good news to report... SPX did get back to me today, and the representative was very helpful. He's trying to get a rebid from the electrician, and will work with his management to get me the full breakdown of the quote, possibly by tomorrow. At least I'll know why the numbers are the way they are, and hopefully will be working from a lower price point. I'll update once I receive the info; if I'm successful perhaps this would be helpful to others.

[zaxdude]

Some good news to report... SPX did get back to me today, and the representative was very helpful. He's trying to get a rebid from the electrician, and will work with his management to get me the full breakdown of the quote, possibly by tomorrow. At least I'll know why the numbers are the way they are, and hopefully will be working from a lower price point. I'll update once I receive the info; if I'm successful perhaps this would be helpful to others.

It's called government funded programs at their finest. If the DOE will give them $2G for a charger with install, don't ya think SPX is going to find a way to make it total to $2G? They are in it for the $$, and as long as the stewards of our tax dollars turn a blind eye to the padding and gouging, it will continue.

Think of the number of chargers that could be installed across the country if a more appropriate cost was applied to each one....

[Davem9586]

I just got my quote for my free chargepoint ct500. $736 installed. My two quotes from private electrician were about $325. Time I buy the voltec I'll have more invested than the free one

[SpaceVolt]

I just got my quote for my free chargepoint ct500. $736 installed. My two quotes from private electrician were about $325. Time I buy the voltec I'll have more invested than the free one

Too bad still 200% markup, but at least it was half of my quote. Can I ask what your installation will involve? And did you push back on the quote?

[Davem9586]

Too bad still 200% markup, but at least it was half of my quote. Can I ask what your installation will involve? And did you push back on the quote?

I was so expecting a huge markup from what I read no. $100 of the quote was for permits. My back garage wall sits just above my basement where the fusebox is located. Electrician says 15 feet wire tops plus fuses and conduit. He said two hours tops. I am going to contact county to see if permits are even needed. If not I will then protest the price.