Should Volts be allowed to use public charging stations?

[Dan & Nan]

I have only seen a few stations, but what I don't understand is that they are designed where 1 station has only 1 parking spot. Why don't they put 1 station at the common corner for 4 parking spots where 4 people can share.

If they are not complex enough to have 4 separate computers (geez, at $5k/ea, you would think that is trivial), then at least let people unplug each other and stop charging. Of course, I would probably get peeved if someone unplugged me--even if it was by a 100% EV that "needed" the charge.

-KyleH

It's surprising because, as I understand it, evGO will tow anyone parked in their L3 stations who is not charging or has finished charging and been there more than 15 minutes. So I'm guessing they'll do more to make the L2 accessible once notified of the situation.

But, let me ask this, have you left a note on the offending Volt's window that nicely states that you and others would like to charge?

As to why their layout isn't ideal, I have no idea. I saw someone on MNL who worked at a government agency and they were installing 16 chargers in a row. No spaces in between, no way to share unless you can convince someone to move their car. That's not the right solution.

[John_Hatchett]

If a BEV doesn't have priority to a charging station, why should any EV have priority to a charging station, particularly over an ICE.

[Cheezmo]

I am a Leaf and Volt owner. I am also an eVgo subscriber. I've only had the Volt a few days, and don't do any charging at work or other "long term" spots for either vehicle. But, I do plan to use opportunity L2 charging for either car at restaurants, book stores, or whatever public locations have them. Probably more with the Volt since I want to avoid gas and opportunity charging will help avoid that. With the Leaf, I really only use L3 charging out of need.

What I do always plan to do is put this on my dash... http://www.evchargernews.com/chargeprotocolcard.pdf

For me the most important part of that is leaving a way for people to contact me if they wish to disconnect my car from the charger. We can talk about it, figure out what is best based on each other's specific needs and go from there.

I've already been bad once with my Leaf, leaving it at an eVgo quick charge station while I ate for 45 minutes (the charge finished in 15), but have no problems doing that if I've left a note so they can disconnect without worrying if I'll be mad or call me to come move the car if necessary. All the eVgo stations I've seen (5 of the 6) in Dallas/Ft. Worth are accessible from 2 spots so for my situations, I think the note keep everything cool.

[mikeg3]

The daytime temperature here is around 100 degrees. A fully charged Volt is better off plugged in rather than depending on the deliberately vague algorithm for TMS cooling powered by the main battery.

Instead of arguing over unplugging each others' EVs, we should be congratulating the property owners on their business foresight and asking them to put in more EVSEs as more of their customers are driving EVs.

In a true BEV pinch, there are usually 110V outdoor outlets around. The extension cord restriction is just lawyer talk - just use heavy gauge. Ask any outdoor employee nicely for one-time permission. I've never had a problem plugging in my Volt.

[AmpOhm]

I'm reading this discussion about any EV 'sharing' the charging station -- my Volt is done or mostly done charging and another EV/PHEV comes along and disconnects me to charge up himself.

I believe that the discussion has an implied "and there is no cost to charge at the public charging station." Some individuals have recently been surprised to find that their favorite public charging station is now no longer free.

So if I'm at one of the PAID public charging stations, someone comes along, unplugs me, and plugs into their own car... isn't it the case that my credit card is getting "hit"... for charging his car? This second owner not only unplugged me but I'm getting the "luxury" of paying for his charging.

1) is there a way to prevent me from being charged for his charging?

2) In this situation the only "fair" solution seems to be "first come, first serve" -- the 2nd car is not allowed to charge until I'm done because it becomes a financial issue.

[John_Hatchett]

I'm reading this discussion about any EV 'sharing' the charging station -- my Volt is done or mostly done charging and another EV/PHEV comes along and disconnects me to charge up himself.

I believe that the discussion has an implied "and there is no cost to charge at the public charging station." Some individuals have recently been surprised to find that their favorite public charging station is now no longer free.

So if I'm at one of the PAID public charging stations, someone comes along, unplugs me, and plugs into their own car... isn't it the case that my credit card is getting "hit"... for charging his car? This second owner not only unplugged me but I'm getting the "luxury" of paying for his charging.

1) is there a way to prevent me from being charged for his charging?

2) In this situation the only "fair" solution seems to be "first come, first serve" -- the 2nd car is not allowed to charge until I'm done because it becomes a financial issue.

I believe your "session" would be ended when they unplug your vehicle. That said, if you paid for an hour and they unplugged you at 45 minutes you could be out the last 15 minutes of charging.

I use a charging network provided by the local utility and pay $25 every 6 months for unlimited charging. Unplugging my vehicle would be a deprivation of service I have paid for, also known as "theft". This is particularly the case when the charging station is supplying power for the Volt's battery or the Volt's thermal management system.

[DonC]

For paid chargers I suspect any "green" car will qualify, where green refers to currency not any particular technology.