EA vs BMW i3 and Tesla Model 3

[bwilson4web]

So I wanted to compare and contrast what happens when I drive my BMW i3 and Tesla Model 3 to an Electrify America station, same route, for CCS-1 charging.

• BMW i3 - 10.7680 kWh, 25:18 duration, $7.08
  • Manually stopped: SOC 98%, Grace 00:00
  • Peak rate: 49.99 kW, minimum 3 kW
• Model 3 - 10.7520 kWh, 19:07 duration, $8.41,
  • Ended by car: SOC 79%, Grace 00:05
  • Peak rate: 38.00 kW, minimum 0 kW

This data suggests stopping the charge manually may save $8.41 - $7.08 ~= ~$1.33. But it could be a function of charge rate. The BMW charges at maximum of ~50 kW and as it reached the end, ramps down. I'll test manual stopping with Model 3 to see if there is a savings.

BAD NEWS

The station I used, 110028-03, billed fine but I was also billed for another charge station, 110028-01, for two sessions: (1) 2:52:25 - 3:52:01 AM, and; (2) 10:57:26 - 11:09:35 AM. Their billing office will open Monday and we'll have a chat.

When I arrived, the first CCS-1 plug would not work and the station wouldn't work with the second, shorter plug. Calling Service, the station was reset and the short CCS-1 cable worked.

Examination of the failed plug revealed the hook on the CCS-1 latch had been pulled off. So, I bought a roll of orange tape and wrapped the failed plug.

In 2016, I tried three times charging my BMW i3 REx at the Manchester TN, Electrify America station. Each took over a half hour phone call with support and testing every plug. Worse, one attempt totally failed and I rode the Range Extender home.

This most recent experience has not changed my opinion of EA.

Bob Wilson

 

[bwilson4web]

About EA billing, I received two notices of these charges to my Credit Union VISA card:

• $11.32 - 7/24/2023 paid by COSTCO City Visa
• $2.27 - 8/5/2023 paid by COSTCO City Visa

Electrify America and I will have an interesting chat Monday morning. These previously paid charges, double billed, will be taken to my Credit Union.

Bob Wilson

 

[bwilson4web]

So I called up Electrify America billing this morning and here is the rough conversation:

• Me, "It looks like from the notification sent to my cell phone that I am being double billed for charging sessions that occurred July 24 and August 5th of 2023 and already paid."
• EA Voice, "You can't go by billing notifications and we can only go back 60 days."
• Me, "Ok, I'll take my credit card statement to my Credit Union for resolution."
• EA Voice, "Perfect. Is there anything else I can help you with?"
• Me, "No, you've shown what an excellent company Electrify America is."

Am I the only one to have been snookered by these thieves?

Bob Wilson