How often do you charge for free?

  • Thread starter Thread starter FloridaSun
  • Start date Start date
  • Replies Replies 37
  • Views Views 4K
FloridaSun

FloridaSun

Well-Known Member
We now have 3 free chargers in prime locations in Downtown and there are also free chargers at or near Orlando malls and there is also a free 50k DC fast charger at a kids playground near to the Gulf beaches and I usually use it every time I go to the beach with the family.. I'm charging for free every weekend at the Orlando malls and when I have dinner in downtown.. About 30% of my charging is free. There is not a huge amount of electric cars in my area yet. I wonder if those chargers will eventually no longer be free.. I charge for only 5.006 cents per kwh at home, so I'm not saving too much with the free chargers but I love the convenience charging at places i would usually go anyways..
 
BlueKonaEV said:
We now have 3 free chargers in prime locations in Downtown and there are also free chargers at or near Orlando malls and there is also a free 50k DC fast charger at a kids playground near to the Gulf beaches and I usually use it every time I go to the beach with the family.. I'm charging for free every weekend at the Orlando malls and when I have dinner in downtown.. About 30% of my charging is free. There is not a huge amount of electric cars in my area yet. I wonder if those chargers will eventually no longer be free.. I charge for only 5.006 cents per kwh at home, so I'm not saving too much with the free chargers but I love the convenience charging at places i would usually go anyways..
Click to expand...
That’s a really good rate for electricity. You are paying less than a dollar to go 60 miles I think. Can’t beat that!
 
KonaTom said:
That’s a really good rate for electricity. You are paying less than a dollar to go 60 miles I think. Can’t beat that!
Click to expand...
Luckily, my electric company, Lakeland Electric, is the only one in the area offering the peak/off peak plan which is perfect for EVs.
 
There are some free chargers at the San Diego airport, which I use about once a month. Also at Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. I used those several times when I was driving my Fusion Energi, but haven't been up there in the Kona yet. Otherwise I only charge at home. It's not really worth going out of my way to find a free charge, since charging at home is so cheap. Not as cheap as Blue, but at $0.09/kWh it's still equivalent to less than $0.70 per gallon for an ICE vehicle.
 
FlbrkMike said:
There are some free chargers at the San Diego airport, which I use about once a month. Also at Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. I used those several times when I was driving my Fusion Energi, but haven't been up there in the Kona yet. Otherwise I only charge at home. It's not really worth going out of my way to find a free charge, since charging at home is so cheap. Not as cheap as Blue, but at $0.09/kWh it's still equivalent to less than $0.70 per gallon for an ICE vehicle.
Click to expand...
The base rate here in BC is also $.09 per kWh but goes up with consumption to nearly $.13 in winter. We still don’t have off-peak rates, but BC Hydro keeps hinting at it.
 
FlbrkMike said:
There are some free chargers at the San Diego airport, which I use about once a month. Also at Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. I used those several times when I was driving my Fusion Energi, but haven't been up there in the Kona yet. Otherwise I only charge at home. It's not really worth going out of my way to find a free charge, since charging at home is so cheap. Not as cheap as Blue, but at $0.09/kWh it's still equivalent to less than $0.70 per gallon for an ICE vehicle.
Click to expand...
For California, you definitely got a great rate.!
 
I charge free quite often. There is some free DC chargers in Nevada as well, part off the electric highway grant, until February next year.

Sent from my moto x4 using Tapatalk
 
I am fortunate to have access to free L2 charging at the office. I almost never charge at home anymore, this frees up our L2 home EVSE for my wife's Leaf.
 
Esprit1st said:
I charge free quite often. There is some free DC chargers in Nevada as well, part off the electric highway grant, until February next year.

Sent from my moto x4 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Free Level 3 chargers are not too common around here and most of them are at car dealerships of different brands and not all of them will let other brands charge. There are also some in parking garages where you have to pay for parking, so it's not really truly free..
 
VanGoghsEar said:
I am fortunate to have access to free L2 charging at the office. I almost never charge at home anymore, this frees up our L2 home EVSE for my wife's Leaf.
Click to expand...
I was told that my employer (a major financial institution) will install L2 chargers in the parking garage (unfortunately, top floor of the garage in the sun) but I have not seen any construction for that yet.. Not sure if it will come true.
 
I have been free charging since I got my car on May 1st. Luckily in BC where I live, there is lots of free charging available, incl free fast chargers along our major hwys for going on a trip. Haven't had to charge at home either as we have a free charger just a few blocks from home. Have been making very good use of that. I bought a 32A EVSE, but have only tested it for 10 minutes after I got it, just to be sure it works. Don't expect this to last forever, but enjoying it for now.
 
R P said:
I have been free charging since I got my car on May 1st. Luckily in BC where I live, there is lots of free charging available, incl free fast chargers along our major hwys for going on a trip. Haven't had to charge at home either as we have a free charger just a few blocks from home. Have been making very good use of that. I bought a 32A EVSE, but have only tested it for 10 minutes after I got it, just to be sure it works. Don't expect this to last forever, but enjoying it for now.
Click to expand...
https://insideevsforum.com/community/index.php?threads/bc-hydro-stations.5252/page-4#post-71511
 
R P said:
I have been free charging since I got my car on May 1st. Luckily in BC where I live, there is lots of free charging available, incl free fast chargers along our major hwys for going on a trip. Haven't had to charge at home either as we have a free charger just a few blocks from home. Have been making very good use of that. I bought a 32A EVSE, but have only tested it for 10 minutes after I got it, just to be sure it works. Don't expect this to last forever, but enjoying it for now.
Click to expand...
I wish we had more free DC fast chargers around here. I'm without EVSE for a few days until Mustart sends me a replacement..
Charged for free at a level 2 charger in downtown to 80% and now I'm connected to the factory charger to get to 90% when I leave to work. 1.3 kwh is like watching paint dry..
Hopefully I will be ok until my replacement EVSE arrives.
 
KiwiME said:
Now is the time to lobby them for a better location.
Click to expand...
Not easy to lobby for something at my company. I work for one of the largest global financial institutions based out of New York. Decisions are made in New York and not locally here in Florida. I wouldn't even know how to get in touch with those responsible.
 
Maybe, next time I'll drive from Florida to Vancouver instead of flying so that I can take advantage of all that free charging.. :D
 
BlueKonaEV said:
Maybe, next time I'll drive from Florida to Vancouver instead of flying so that I can take advantage of all that free charging.. :D
Click to expand...
Once you're here, you can enjoy it. But have heard that it is not that easy just south of the border, even in WA.
 
R P said:
Once you're here, you can enjoy it. But have heard that it is not that easy just south of the border, even in WA.
Click to expand...
I was kidding.. I wouldn't drive 3 to 4 days to get there and 3 to 4 days to get back.. Just the cost for the Hotels for the extra nights would cost more than flying to Vancouver and renting a car there.. I wonder if you can rent EV's for a reasonable price there?? Never seen them offered on the regular rent-a-car sites..
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top