I assume there's a typo and they mean/meant March 1, 2025.

 

I thought we had free EA charging for two years. I bought my car December of
23.

 

I thought we had free EA charging for two years. I bought my car December of
23.

New purchases. And yes probably a typo since publication date is this month.

.

 

Ioniq 5 XRT purchased about 6 hours ago. Coming from a Tesla model 3. As far as charging, I just signed up for the Tesla Supercharger network. Worked great when I had the Model 3.

 

Also traded my 2018 Tesla Model 3 for a 2025 Ioniq6 and possibly updating our 2023 Ioniq5 to a 2025 model. How did you sign up for the Tesla Supercharger network? Does it work?

 

i bought my i6 in december 23 and at the time they were offering a free chargepoint L2 charger, credit towards installation and three years of EA charging. not that i use the fast charging a lot but it is nice.

 

The dealer here in Eugene offered nothing. Bought the XRT yesterday.

 

That's unfortunate. I'm guessing that's because they don't want free EA charging to siphon off customers from IONNA, now that that's starting up. I'm glad I bought my 2025 I6 in January, not that I expect to use the benefit all that often, maybe a few hundred dollars' worth over the two years.

 

I'm guessing that's because they don't want free EA charging to siphon off customers from IONNA

Perhaps, but free charging has become a lingering complaint from a lot of EV owners who travel and face lengthy queues at EA sites due to people who can charge at home, but choose to use free EA charging instead.

There simply are not enough DCFC chargers to absorb the role of home charging.

The next big problem is the Uber/Lyft drivers who frequent EA chargers. Why don't Uber/Lyft fund chargers, or build their own?

Even VW is no longer offering unlimited free charging on their own network (EA). VW now offers Pass + for three years (discounted EA charging), and 500kWh of free charging (enough for ~10 DCFC sessions).

It's about time. Now if we can get people to understand charging to 100% is both unnecessary and part of the problem, we might actually make it easier to travel in an EV.

 

You get what you pay for. My EA charging experience was lackluster. At least one charger not working most of the time. Even in mild temps only saw over 150kw once and not enough chargers at each site for the number of EVs trying to charge with EA. I’ve been to the first Ionna rechargery and a second is about to open near me. That experience was what public charging should be.

 

The next big problem is the Uber/Lyft drivers who frequent EA chargers. Why don't Uber/Lyft fund chargers, or build their own?

Not sure it makes sense for Uber/Lyft to build their own chargers? A set of proprietary chargers not available to to the general public doesn't seem to be a solution? More reliable chargers available to everyone would seem better.

but the numbers showing that a third more chargers are used by ride shares than by road trippers was a little distressing to me,

Its a 2023 study saying the (presumably forecast) percentage DCFC that are going to be needed by various groups - so not actual data who is actually using DCFC chargers.

But even if the numbers are correct can I ask why its a little distressing? Uber/Lyft are moving a lot of people (including me when on business trips and vacation). Generally I don't rent a car now in many locations. Its cheaper and more convenient to use Uber/Lyft. In the city I know people who no longer own cars and rely on Uber/Lyft and public transport. I would prefer Uber/Lyft were using EVs (and select green options when available).

What is a little more disappointing is their forecast that 65% (of) DCFC are going to be needed by people w/o the ability to charge at home. That is where we need to be putting much more effort. Home charging is better for everyone. More convenient, using off peak power, frees up DCFC chargers for road tripping - and yes ride sharing who are likely driving many miles each day and need to recharge.

 

But even if the numbers are correct can I ask why its a little distressing?

It's not the numbers of EV ride shares happening in and of itself. It's the fact that they are clogging up charging stations along travel corridors and getting in the way of travelers. If they were using the chargers away from those corridors, it would help. I don't think there is much that can be done about that from a regulatory angle. Ride share drivers just need to recognize that, if there's a choice, it might be quicker to charge where they won't have to wait in line themselves. I'm sure many do, but it's clear that plenty of them do not take that into consideration.

 

This discussion is great and spot on. The issue is about supply and demand. We have more gas stations than needed which is why whenever you pull up to a station in a ICE vehicle there is almost always a pump available. The public thinks there is competition but in reality we have no say in the price at the pump and the fuel we are getting is basically the same. The demand and benefits of EVs in the US are just starting to be realized and the Tesla network is not enough to meet the demand. The good news is that stable power in more places is more easily achieved and helps more use cases than a network of pipelines, above and below ground tanks, and refueling trucks. Love the idea of Ionna upcycling closed gas stations for a rechargery. But that’s not the only option. We have parking lots everywhere. And DC charging speed options are a concern today. But when solid state BEVs are mainstream it won’t be as big of a problem but still a challenge if we don’t have more DC.

Consider that just 15 years ago (before the model 3) the Nissan Leaf was the first mass produced BEV and had only 100 miles of range in good weather and required a chademo and took about 60 minutes to charge on 50kw. That was enough for a 7 year run with minimal innovation for something people used as a daily commuter. Today we are talking about batteries at least 4 times bigger capacity, in SUVs that have a range of 300+ miles, 10-80 charge times of under 20min on 800v and some DC charging that can hit 150kw+ and that’s happening even with negative marketing against EVs. Solid state is going to blow up even more. Bottomline, people are no longer buying a BEV to be a commuter that they charge at home for hours. We hit the mass adoption that makes a BEV an option for taxis, delivery vehicles, business work, road trips, etc.

 

My comment was either fund more chargers or build their own.

Uber has an EVGo discount program, Lyft an EA discount program. Many (most) rideshare drivers participate in both services, so they have options for discounted charging on both networks.

Anyone who has tried driving through Las Vegas and using the Outlet Mall EA site near the airport knows that site is always overcrowded with rideshare drivers, making the most convenient site in town for travelers difficult, if not impossible to use. This is a good example for what I mean about travel corridor chargers being designated as prioritized for travelers. Maybe no discounts or free charging would be honored at these kinds of sites during high demand periods. If there were nearby chargers where the rideshare drivers got lower rates, they would naturally avoid the higher priced travel corridor sites, freeing them up for people who really can't afford to wait in line. Uber and Lyft could be contributing towards funding an alternate site, convenient for rideshare drivers, but not so convenient for travelers.

I am certain this is true in other cities as well. I am not against rideshare, it is a very helpful service. But the impact on travelers without the luxury of time to wait in queue is the problem.

In the end Uber, Lyft, EVGo and EA are public companies and will make the deals which make sense for them and their businesses. I hope EVGo and EA are getting funding from Uber and Lyft if they are providing discounted charging the Uber and Lyft drivers? Rideshare drivers clogging up EA chargers is not an issue I have noticed in the south SF Bay Are or while driving up and down I5 on the West Coast but I can certainly imagine its an issue in Las Vegas (and I will plead guilty I use Lyft whenever I am in Las Vegas for tradeshows etc). Hopefully EA is aware that this is an issue in some areas and as you suggest maybe offer rideshare drivers discounts at some less busy locations. They did start their Congestion Reduction Pilot so have taken some limited initiatives to address congestion.

Not sure what feedback EA pays attention to - but leaving negative reviews for congested stations on Plugshare (which you probably do anyway) may help

My cynical take: Because the whole business model of Uber and Lyft is to have someone else pay the costs while they get the profit. They provide a taxi service without paying for cars, insurance, gas, wages, health insurance, unemployment , etc.

Yup the whole business model sucks for the drivers - but many seem to want the opportunity that it gives them to earn money with flexible hours (I am not sure they have fully factored all the costs of providing the cars, maintenance, insurance, fuel etc).

I always make sure I tip heavily when using rideshare.

 

2025 models going forward now get the choice of a level two charger or a $400 charging gift card

 

Where is that happening? We bought our Ioniq 5 in Eugene,Or. and nothing was offered....

 

How about Canadain 2025 I5 with the older charge port charging at Tesla Superchargers? My understanding is it will work as long as you have an adaptor.

 

Not yet.

 

Yeah, I had to do a double take myself. 😁

 

Finally! Ea charges won't be overrun by people taking advantage of free charging.