I recently sent an email to SMECO, a utility that owns and operates public EV charging stations regulated by the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC). In this communication, I address an issue with erroneous transaction fees billed to drivers at SMECO’s EV charging stations and emphasize the importance of transparency for all affected customers. Below is the full text of my email to SMECO and the PSC.
Shell Recharge Account Transparency and Refunds for Transaction Fees
On June 5th, I contacted the PSC regarding a “Transaction Fee” I noticed on SMECO-owned EV charging stations. As an EV driver who has closely followed the Maryland utilities’ EV Pilot Program since 2018, I have long been concerned about the inclusion of “connection fees,” particularly for short dwell times. My opposition to these fees is documented in the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Council Meeting Minutes of September 20, 2018, on page 2 (attached).
I understand that the transaction fees I reported to the PSC staff in June were mistakenly added by Shell Recharge without SMECO’s awareness. As a result, transaction fees were incorrectly collected from customers between March 1 and June 7.
This isn’t the first time such an issue has occurred. In their semi-annual report filed on August 3, 2020, PHI disclosed a pricing discrepancy at one of their public EV charging stations. They provided details of the incident, concluding it was caused by human error, and outlined the procedures implemented to prevent future occurrences. These lessons learned and preventive measures are detailed in Appendix P of that report (attached).
Regarding the recent SMECO incident with Shell Recharge, my primary concern is transparency for all affected customers. I believe it’s crucial that utilities work together to learn from these incidents and ensure they do not needlessly recur. When a similar issue occurred with PHI in 2020, I was among the affected customers, and the public was assured that steps were taken with Shell Recharge (then called Greenlots) to prevent it from happening again.
Did you know that Elon Musk got stranded on a Tesla road trip in 2014? A sudden blizzard near Mount Rushmore forced him and his family to seek refuge – and a charge – in the small town of Custer, South Dakota. As luck would have it, a neon sign at the Rocket Motel advertising vacancies caught his eye. Elon and his entourage pulled in to the Rocket for the night and set about to find a place to charge the cars.
Fortunately, Dave Ressler, the head of the local Chamber of Commerce at the time (and brother-in-law to an early Tesla enthusiast, Rod Hoffman from Denver), came to the rescue. Dave helped charge the vehicles overnight at a local campground. Before leaving town, Elon arranged with the Rocket Motel owner to install a set of EV charging stations for future guests. This offer eventually extended to most of Custer’s hotels. This episode might have been what planted the seed for Tesla’s destination charging program.
Custer, South Dakota, soon boasted that they were “most wired town in America” for EV charging stations. With nearly two dozen Level 2 units in a town of less than 2,000 people, it may have actually been true on a per capita basis.
In late 2013, Dave and Rod had already hatched a plan for Custer to host a gathering of Tesla drivers for a weekend of cruising around the Black Hills. The first Custer Tesla Rally, held in May 2014, saw 10 cars plugged in at the same campground that had charged Elon’s vehicles just weeks prior.
By the second annual event, the bounty of charging infrastructure given to them by Musk had replaced the need for the campground charging and could accommodate more attendees. By then it was called the “Sound of Silence” Tesla Rally. The name playfully contrasted the roar that descends upon the Black Hills every August during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally held in another South Dakota town.
The construction site of the new Quartzsite Supercharger station showcases the remarkable scale and vision behind Tesla’s EV charging plans.
As the world embraces electric vehicles and their role in shaping the future of transportation, the demand for reliable and efficient charging infrastructure is on the rise. Today, I witnessed an extraordinary monument to this transition being constructed in Quartzsite, Arizona: an 88-stall Supercharger station that promises to be one of the largest in the United States. This groundbreaking project and the recent news surrounding the adoption of the Tesla connector, known as The North American Charging Standard (NACS), by major automakers such as Ford, GM, and Mercedes portends an exciting time for electric vehicle drivers.
Hub of Power
Located at 370 Main Event Blvd, the Quartzsite Supercharger station is set to become a prominent landmark in this small desert town located along the I-10 corridor. This cutting-edge facility will feature pre-fabricated Supercharger units, with each unit housing four charging stalls. With a total of 88 stalls, the station will accommodate a significant influx of EVs, negating wait times for charging and facilitating smoother journeys for electric vehicle drivers.
Harnessing the Power of the Sun
The Quartzsite Supercharger station is designed with four solar canopies, which serve a dual purpose. These canopies provide shade for EVs during the charging process while also utilizing the sun’s energy to help power the station. By incorporating renewable energy sources, this Supercharger station demonstrates the integration of innovative technology into EV charging infrastructure.
Accommodating Trailers
Ensuring easy accessibility for EV owners that are pulling trailers, the Quartzsite Supercharger station will include two trailer-accessible charging stalls. This feature allows EV owners who pull trailers to charge without unhitching, further enhancing the station’s convenience and versatility.
The Implications of a Giant
The construction of the Quartzsite Supercharger station highlights the growing demand for electric vehicles and the need for robust charging infrastructure. This project showcases the commitment of Tesla to build a network capable of supporting the transition to electric mobility. As EVs continue to gain popularity, initiatives like this one contribute significantly to eliminating range anxiety and fostering widespread adoption of electric vehicles.
Major Automakers Embrace the Tesla Connector (NACS)
In recent news, several major automakers have made a significant step forward in facilitating seamless charging experiences for EV owners. Ford, GM, and most recently, Mercedes, have adopted the Tesla connector, known as The North American Charging Standard (NACS). This connector promises to enable greater interoperability and compatibility in the future, making it more convenient for EV owners to access charging infrastructure across various brands and models. This signals a new commitment to creating a unified charging ecosystem that promotes the widespread adoption of electric vehicles.
Community Benefits
Beyond its practical implications, the Quartzsite Supercharger station brings numerous advantages to the local community. The construction of this charging hub will likely attract EV owners passing through the area, positively impacting tourism and local businesses. Quartzsite can position itself as a forward-thinking destination that embraces the future of transportation, attracting visitors who value the convenience and reliability of charging infrastructure.
Milestone to EV Adoption
The construction of the 88-stall Supercharger station in Quartzsite, Arizona, signifies a significant milestone in the adoption of electric vehicles and the development of robust charging infrastructure. As the popularity of EVs continues to soar, charging stations like this one play a vital role in supporting the growing number of EV owners. The Quartzsite Supercharger station, with its pre-fabricated units, solar canopies, and trailer-accessible charging stalls, stands as a symbol of progress and the potential of electric mobility. Furthermore, the recent news of major automakers adopting The North American Charging Standard (NACS) reinforces the industry’s commitment to providing a seamless and accessible charging experience for all EV owners. I eagerly anticipate the completion of this project, envisioning a future where EVs and charging stations seamlessly integrate into our daily lives, making electric travel more accessible and convenient for all.
Electric Automobile Charging Stations in New York City and Vicinity The New York Edison Company – January, 1923
The use of electric vehicles has come a long way since 1923, when The New York Edison Company published “Electric Automobile Charging Stations in New York City and Vicinity.” This map and guidebook served as a valuable resource for tourists looking to make the most of their electric vehicles by highlighting charging stations between major cities.
Of course this was long before the advent of smartphone apps and on-board screens to find EV charging stations. This booklet serves as a reminder that the need for reliable charging infrastructure for electric vehicles existed even before the technology we have today.
One of the most striking things about this booklet is the distinction made between public and private charging stations. Public garages were seen as the go-to option for reliable charging, while private garages were listed only to be used in an emergency. This highlights the infancy of the electric vehicle industry at the time and the fact that the infrastructure for charging was not yet fully developed.
The first Tesla Superchargers on the East Coast opened ten years ago on December 21, 2012.
The Milford Travel Plazas on I-95 in Connecticut and the Delaware Welcome Center in Newark were the seventh and eighth Supercharger Stations built by Tesla. These were the first locations outside of California, where the first six Superchargers had opened a few months earlier. These two East Coast Superchargers allowed Model S drivers to travel between Washington, DC and Boston. As of 2022, Tesla reports that there are over 4,500 Supercharger Stations open worldwide.
“Price is what you pay. Value is what you get.” – Warren Buffett
The price of a gallon of gas never differs much between gasoline retailers in my area. I’ve paid attention to gas prices lately as they have soared above $5.00 and then retreated a bit. Even though I don’t buy the stuff, a gallon of gasoline at the Exxon station on the corner never varies more than a few cents from the price advertised at the convenience store across the street. Public EV charging prices may be more stable in comparison, but they are not particularly uniform. How do EV charging prices get determined? Public documents from Fairfax County, Virginia give us a glimpse into their particular process for price setting.
Public Charging Fees Set by Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
This month, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved a $0.30 per kWh fee for EV charging on county property. They also set an idling fee of $2.00 per hour.
The 30 cents per kilowatt hour is to be paid by members of the public as well as by county employees who charge their private electric vehicles while at work. The “dwell-time” fee of $2.00 per hour kicks in when the vehicle is finished charging after a 10-minute grace period.
The idling fee is to motivate EV drivers to vacate charging spaces at county office buildings when their battery is full. The idling fee is also deliberately intended to apply at Park-and-Ride and Metro garages where EV drivers cannot move their vehicles in the middle of the day. More on that later.
How did Fairfax County come up with these fees? Let’s take a look.
$0.30 per kWh for EV Charging in Fairfax County VA
A report titled “Establishment of Retail Fees for the Charging of Electric Vehicles at County-Owned Charging Stations” was prepared by county staff for the Board of Supervisors. It detailed the rationale for the $0.30 per kilowatt hour pricing and $2.00 per hour dwell-time fee.
The report said that the most important considerations in setting the fees were (1) the costs that are to be recovered by the fees; (2) the user’s ability to access and move their vehicle when charging is completed, and (3) competitiveness with the fees charged by other stations located nearby.
The methodology used to determine the pricing weighed the relative merits of a cost recovery method vs a competitive market approach. The report concluded that while cost recovery was an important consideration, pricing that remained in line with the competitive market took precedence. “Prices that are too high in comparison to those charged by other providers are likely to lead to reduced demand for the service absent some unique benefit.”
Level 2 Prices Conflated with DC Fast Charging
Fairfax County surveyed fees by various EV charging providers in the county but they did not distinguish between Level 2 and DC fast charger pricing. The fees that they compared are summarized in Table 1 of the report:
U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm and U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg came to Maryland to announce that they have signed a memorandum of understanding to create a Joint Office of Energy and Transportation to support deployment of a national electric vehicle charging network. The program is budgeted to spend $7.5 billion to focus on placing EV charging stations in rural, disadvantaged, and hard-to-reach locations.
Arrived in Electric Mustang Mach-E
Secretary Buttigieg and Secretary Granholm traveled to RS Automotive in Takoma Park to make the announcement. They arrived in an electric Ford Mustang Mach-E with Buttigieg behind the wheel. Secretary Granholm quipped that the Transportation Secretary is an excellent driver and that the ride over was smooth and quiet because they were in an all-electric car which is part of the Federal fleet.
Gas Station Converted to Charge Electric Vehicles
RS Automotive converted their old gas station to an electric vehicle charging station in 2019. The four DC fast chargers dispensed a combined average of about 60 kWh per day in the first half of 2021 according to data supplied by the Maryland Energy Administration. The EV chargers have reportedly displaced the equivalent of 326 gallons of gasoline during the 6-month period, which is an average of 1.8 gallons of gasoline per day.
Watch the 12/14/2021 DOE & DOT Joint Press Conference in its entirety below.
The Maryland Clean Energy Center held a webinar this week to discuss how new technology is affecting transportation issues in Maryland. The discussion included electric vehicle charging infrastructure, electrifying fleets, electric school buses and the role of hydrogen fuel in long-haul trucking.
Delegate Brooke Lierman, a member of the House Environment and Transportation Committee, moderated the discussion. Panelists include Delegate David Fraser-Hidalgo, also a member of the Environment and Transportation Committee and the Chair of the Motor Vehicle and Transportation Subcommittee.
Other panelists include Korey Neal, President of K. Neal Truck and Bus Center; Kristy Groncki, Manager, Strategic Programs for BGE; Joseph Alfred, CEO of Ally Power Inc.; and Swami Venkat, Partner, CFO Advisory Practice Leader – Global Consulting Solutions at CohnReznick.
Below is a recording of the MCEC webinar, Driving Change: The Future of Transportation.
This MCEC webinar is part of their Connecting to the Energy Economy Speaker Series.
July 17-25, 2021 is “Maryland Buy Local Week.” [July 22-31, 2022] This initiative is to celebrate and support Maryland farmers, watermen, and food producers. Consider taking the Buy Local Challenge which is to enjoy least one Maryland grown or produced food or beverage each day during Buy Local Week.
Purchasing items at Farmers Markets is a great way to support local businesses. Driving your electric car to the Farmers Market is a great way to get there.
Howard County, Maryland is adding hybrid and electric vehicles to their fleet as older vehicles are rotated out of service.
The County is assigning 111 Hybrid Ford Explorers to the Police and Sheriff’s Departments. More than one third of Howard County’s patrol fleet is now hybrid. This is said to be the largest number of hybrids in a patrol fleet by any jurisdiction in Maryland.
Howard County has also put five new Nissan Leafs into service, along with six all-electric Zero motorcycles.
In a video produced by the Howard County Government, the County’s Fleet Administrator demonstrates the new vehicles to Howard County Executive, Calvin Ball.
