Magic Dock is now live at some US Tesla Supercharger Stations

Autocharge uses the MAC address of the vehicle's CCS module, not the VIN. But the VIN, if available,
could serve as a secondary verifier I suppose.

If the support people at a charging network I have an existing relationship with were willing to listen to
me, it would be trivial to enroll my Kona for autocharge. I know its MAC address -- I just crawled under
the dash with a light, and the CCS module's MAC is right there, printed on a white sticker. EVGo has
apparently started supporting that at some locations, maybe the newer units that are starting to replace
the old 50 kW ones. But I am *not* going to install their junkware app just to enroll, they need to make
that possible on the website where I'm already signed up.

Tesla could provide a similar facility, but apparently the problem then is unlocking the charge plug. No
other network locks the heads into the charger, because the customer needs to plug in first to initiate.

_H*

 

Actually ChargePoint locks the handle to the dispenser - you need to use something (phone, nfc tag) to get it to unlock the handle. But then you are authenticated, and you can just plug in to start charging.

 

That led to this creative anti-vandalism:


Someone had broken the locking latch which also meant the presence switch being open. So I used JB Weld to epoxy a small spring to return the latch to the closed position, normally up. It has held up for nearly a year.

Bob Wilson

 

The last three SuperCharger stations look like this:



I have no problem with these becoming Tesla/CCS-1 combo because there is no reason for blocking multiple charging lanes. The cables remain efficiently short. Center, front, Leaf sockets might have a problem. But I suspect parking front bumper at charging station won’t block other lanes.

Bob Wilson

 

The Ioniq 5 has the port on the right rear with a door that flips open. Makes me wonder if Hyundai had a crystal ball knowing the superchargers would eventually open up or had no better idea and copied Tesla since that worked.

 

Tesla is walking away from NEVI funding because of payment system integration requirements.

https://electrek.co/2023/03/14/tesla-walks-away-public-funding-superchargers-payment-system-integration/

 

I thought that was just California, since California included payment requirements at the station. However, other states may follow California's lead with their federal grant money.

 

Photo of my first charging session last night of my Ariya:


I've had 3 Leafs prior to it. The couple of extra steps to plug the cable into the Ariya isn't a big deal for me. I suspect the charge door opening to the front is safer than having it open to the back in case it isn't closed properly and the air flow at high speeds damages the charge door. I'm definitely not a Tesla fan, but I've always thought the the need to back the car into the charging station allows for a safer exit.

 

Thanks! Sometimes when you give up all hope (i.e. ever getting the car you reserved) you get pleasantly surprised!

You're right! That's what I'm doing now.

 

I just checked on Plugshare, and you're right, I'm seeing a number of Tesla charging stations with Magic Dock (CSS). I don't know if they're reliable or not, but there's a hope that in the future, we will see more superchargers for non-tesla. For reference, here is the Plugshare map for Tesla chargers for non-Tesla: https://www.plugshare.com/map/tesla-ccs-locations

 

The Tesla plug will be. The CCS-1 will not have the same reliability as the non-Tesla EVs have a mix of undiagnosed integration issues. After all, if a VW EV can't charge at a VW Electrify America station, the concept of an integrated and tested product is a problem ... not just with VW.

Bob Wilson