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Mercedes Benz EQS 580 SUV, Audi R8 Performance Quattro, Porsche Cayman S
Pain at the public charging stations
Having already driven 20,000 miles in my EQS580 SUV, I'm surprised to see that EV charging companies have yet to figure out how to make the EV charging experience more enjoyable.
The waiting system at many charging stations is disorganized. Although a few locations have a clear line-up system, most others lack clarity on waiting order. Often, drivers park their cars near the charging stations haphazardly, and I have witnessed numerous instances where a driver cuts in line, forcing others to explain the situation to them.
Some stations feature chargers on both sides, which complicates the process of waiting for and claiming a spot. I've experienced multiple occasions where the station was taken from the other side while I was maneuvering into position. This setup also causes some people to wait on the opposite side, adding to the confusion.
With the EQS580’s charging port located on only one side and at the rear, I sometimes find it challenging to connect the plug when I do find an available station.
Although I fully respect disabled parking spots and would never occupy one, there are instances where these are the only available spots for charging. I am left wondering whether or not it is appropriate to use these spots, even though they are designated for disabled individuals only and there is no one else claiming it.
Additionally, I wonder why clean restrooms cannot be installed near charging stations for added convenience.
Although these might seem like minor issues, they are certainly frustrating. I eagerly await the completion of my 2-year complimentary EA charging and plan to primarily stick with home charging, except for long drives. I have found one EA location in San Francisco that has fully addressed these issues. I sincerely hope more locations like this one will be developed:
I agree with every point you make. We've owned our EQS 580 SUV for two years and there still isn't a single public charging station in our county (Berks, PA). EV's are not going to become mainstream without a significant investment in infrastructure throughout the USA. And when is MB going to actually join the Tesla Supercharger network and provide current owners FREE adapters? Will it ever happen?
I think EV sales have been so disappointing (to say the least) for MB that their attention may now be focused on ICE vehicles again. They started out with very ambitious goals but reality has set in. And it's not just MB feeling the pain of selling their EV's. All manufactures are feeling it, including Tesla. Infrastructure and lower prices are the only viable path forward IMO.
2023 Mercedes ESQ SUV 580 ● 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge
I have owned EV's since 2017 and I am a big fan and advocate. Charging at home is a pleasure. But my EV's are for around town and we don't take road trips. But when I discuss the subject, I make it clear that they should be leery if they plan on using an EV for road trips. I personally never would.
Here in the Las Vegas area there are probably fewer than 30 Electrify America charging points. And due to the fact that many manufacturers are giving away free charging for a year or two, they are always stacked up with many people waiting. None of the ones that I visited have any system for waiting vehicles and it's kind of a free for all. The closest one to me (which I used when I was having solar batteries installed and I couldn't charge at home for a few days) was in a Walmart supermarket parking lot that literally had no parking spots put aside for people waiting their turn to charge. I pulled into what I thought was an open charger, but soon found out that I was actually 4th in line and had to move out and find a place to wait. After talking to some of the "waiters" I found that many did not have home charging and thought free charging for 2 years was a great idea (some regretted their purchase).
Acura, Audi, BMW, Ford, Genesis, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes, Porsche, Volkswagen and Volvo all offer free charging through Electrify America. All vying for those 30 or less chargers in a metropolitan area of 2.5 million people.
I say (and have said) that, unequivocally, if didn't have home charging, I wouldn't own an EV.
Last edited by LasVegas_89135; Aug 19, 2024 at 05:26 PM.
2025 Maserati Grecale Folgore and 2024 Jaguar F-PACE SVR
As they say in the mob "the fish stinks from the head". Don't blame consumers for the failure of government-entitled corporations run by spoiled rich kids. The best and the brightest don't stand a chance against the most corrupt and politically connected.
EV sales in China are still doing well despite all the sanctions and tariffs. That's the reality of the situation:
due to the fact that many manufacturers are giving away free charging for a year or two, [EA chargers] are always stacked up with many people waiting.
In such a case (being at a crowded EA charger in a city), there is almost always a ChargePoint or EVgo fast charger nearby. Just go there instead, and pay. (If you can afford an EQS, you can afford the $20 or so to charge at ChargePoint :-)
Last edited by finlayson; Aug 20, 2024 at 05:11 AM.
Acura, Audi, BMW, Ford, Genesis, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes, Porsche, Volkswagen and Volvo all offer free charging through Electrify America.
I just found out these offers are not created equally. With Mercedes, it's 2 years of free charging. They say they're limited to 30 minute sessions but I've gone over many times and have never had any issues. It's always been free.
BMW on the other hand offers 2 years of free charging OR 1,000kwh, whichever comes first (which is only like 10 free charges). I'm not sure what the others offer or which ones are setup like MBs.
and lower prices are the only viable path forward IMO.
You are 100% correct. To that, I will vote AGAINST any political person or party that wants to spend my tax dollars on such a moronic premise that has been proven false over and again. The "Grid" cant handle it. The cost of the environment to update the grid far off sets any envio-protection goals that may be in the diluted mind of the followers.
I hold a special place of hate for them now as we have a facility where the local Govt. is pressuring me to install an EV charger (at my cost) on my property for PUBLIC use. Hard no. We would sooner close the facility. On another note, the same facility - the police want full time access to our private camera systems....yeah, that no is even harder than the one about the chargers.....
Last edited by OldManAndHisCar; Aug 20, 2024 at 08:03 AM.
Most times we have to public charge, my takeaway is: no wonder people aren't buying EVs at the rate the manufacturers thought they would. The infrastructure is still in its infancy and is nowhere near ready for primetime, for so many reasons.
Rivian is in a struggle for their life. They are less than 10% of their high value.
Guy I ride bicycles with got one (the pickup thing). He did some update to it some months ago...it has been a boat anchor since. Apparently he had it towed to the dealership he purchased it from and they refused to allow the flatbed to leave the vehicle. He has the cash to have just paid for the truck (at time of purchase)...and it is his fourth or fifth car at his third or fourth home....but, it is a yard ornament.
Guy I ride bicycles with got one (the pickup thing). He did some update to it some months ago...it has been a boat anchor since. Apparently he had it towed to the dealership he purchased it from and they refused to allow the flatbed to leave the vehicle. He has the cash to have just paid for the truck (at time of purchase)...and it is his fourth or fifth car at his third or fourth home....but, it is a yard ornament.
( heard the story yesterday at the trails)
Sounds like your friend is a moron and doesn't know how to operate a car.
My 2022 Rivian R1T has been in continuous service for 2 years and has never had any issues. EVs in general are ultra-reliable. But I guess they are like foreigners to old white people. Scary because they don't like things they don't normally see.
Sounds like your friend is a moron and doesn't know how to operate a car..
Yeah, I guess he is not so smart, nor open minded...but, as he is factually a neurosurgeon he does know how to open minds....well, at least skulls.
You dont need to be "intelligent" to drive an EV or get one to have forward motion - assuming that an update did not "brick it".
Plus, it is so common that the best and the brightest are not buying new $100k + vehicles. But, hey! You had the typical response that we always get when facts are not in tune with the delusions of the environuts....just name call. I guess if it works for you.....
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