Plug-In Sites - EV charging from a driver's perspective.

Affordable EV Charging at Library in Glenwood, Maryland

June 27, 2024June 27, 2024 Lanny

Shell Recharge EV Charging at Glenwood Library – Cooksville, MD

If you’re driving through Glenwood, Cooksville, or Inwood, Maryland, and need to top up your electric vehicle, the Shell Recharge EV charging station at Glenwood Library could be a good option. This BGE EVsmart station offers two 50 kW Tritium DC fast chargers and three dual-port Level 2 EVSEs, providing flexibility for either a quick charge or a longer stay. The pricing is straightforward: fast charging costs $0.32/kWh plus a 6% Maryland state sales tax, while Level 2 charging is priced at $0.17/kWh plus tax.

It’s worth noting that the 50 kW speed of the DC fast chargers is relatively slow compared to other providers that offer 150 kW or greater. Additionally, the reliability of the two DC fast chargers at this site has been problematic, with BGE most recently reporting uptimes of 92.4% and 12.7%, both of which fall short of the 97% uptime benchmark.

Location and Amenities

Located in the parking lot of the Glenwood Branch of the Howard County Library on Route 97, this station is about two miles south of I-70. This charging site is also adjacent to the Gary J. Arthur Community Center and the Howard County Western Regional Park. Facility hours are limited, however there are a few nearby amenities:

Restrooms: Available at both the library and the park.
Food Options: Two nearby restaurants, Walker’s Tap and Table and Ragu NY Pizza & Italian Kitchen, are about a 7-minute walk to the south.
Recreation: The Western Regional Park features ample walking trails, perfect for stretching your legs while your car charges.

Charging Site Statistics

Address: 2350 Roxbury Mills Rd, Cooksville, MD 21723 map
Opening Date: June 26, 2020

Charging Equipment:

DC Fast: 50 kW (Qty: 2)
Level 2: 7 kW dual-port (Qty: 3)

Reliability and Performance

Uptime figures, meant to reflect the station’s reliability, are self-reported by BGE via their network provider, Shell Recharge.

From July to December 2023, the station’s reported uptime statistics were:

DCFC (EVSE ID 153026): 12.7%
DCFC (EVSE ID 153018): 92.4%
Level 2 Chargers (EVSE ID 52202A, 52307A & 52305A): 99.7%

New Rates for Level 2 EV Charging at One Merriweather Garage

June 24, 2024June 24, 2024 Lanny

Since 2017, the One Merriweather Parking Garage near Merriweather Post Pavilion has offered Level 2 charging for electric vehicles. Originally free, these ChargePoint stations have become increasingly popular, with all 12 spots often occupied during office hours. However, recent changes mean drivers will need to consider the cost when plugging in.

New Pricing Structure

The Howard Hughes Corporation, which manages the garage, has implemented a new fee for the use of these charging stations. The cost is now set at $2.35 per hour of charging. While this marks the end of free charging, it raises the question of whether this is a competitive rate compared to other charging options in the area.

An idle fee has also been implemented to encourage drivers to move their vehicles once charging is complete. The “Station Time Rate” is $0.00 per hour while actively charging but jumps to $10.00 per hour (about $0.17 per minute) 60 minutes after charging stops. This idle fee is designed to ensure that the charging stations are available to as many EV drivers as possible by discouraging occupation of the charging spaces by vehicles that are no longer charging.

Impact on Charging Economics

The dual port CT4020 ChargePoint stations at One Merriweather share power between two connectors. When a single vehicle is connected, it can receive up to 6.6 kW. However, if a second vehicle plugs into the same post, the power output is halved, providing each vehicle with only 3.3 kW. This shared power arrangement affects the economics of the time-based fee, resulting in a higher cost per kWh when sharing the station.

For instance, a vehicle receiving 6.6 kW will get approximately 6.6 kWh in one hour of charging, costing $2.35. This results in a cost of about $0.36 per kWh. If sharing, each vehicle would get approximately 3.3 kWh in one hour, also at a cost of $2.35, which results in a cost of about $0.71 per kWh. This effectively means that the cost per kWh is higher when sharing the station.

Custer Sound of Silence Tesla Rally, May 17 – 19, 2024

May 7, 2024May 7, 2024 Lanny

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.

Tesla Tops, BGE Flops: A Data-Driven Look at DC Fast Charger Usage Near Columbia Maryland

May 2, 2024May 2, 2024 Lanny

Fast Charger Showdown: Local Usage Trends in 2023

Here in Columbia, Maryland, I’ve been closely monitoring the usage patterns of nearby electric vehicle fast chargers since 2020. This includes a mix of CCS/CHAdeMO stations from EVgo, Electrify America, Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE), and Tesla Superchargers. My approach is simple: I track the electricity consumption at each location by recording monthly meter readings and analyzing the data over time. The goal? To gain valuable insights into how fast charging infrastructure is being utilized in this region and identify trends in usage growth.

The chart above visualizes how much people utilized the fast chargers at four different locations throughout 2023. To understand this, I calculated the average daily usage per charger at each site. Here’s how I did it: I took the total electricity used each quarter, divided it by the number of days in the quarter, and then divided that daily usage by the number of fast charger dispensers at the site.

While all four locations saw an increase in usage compared to earlier quarters, there are some significant differences. The utilization rates and growth rates vary greatly between stations. Notably, in the last quarter of 2023, each Tesla Supercharger port dispensed, on average, more than three times the amount of electricity daily compared to the EVgo chargers. Interestingly, the BGE chargers, despite being less than a mile away from the Electrify America station, have a significantly lower utilization rate.

Hollinswood Shopping Center EV Charging – Baltimore, MD

April 27, 2024April 27, 2024 Lanny

Hollinswood Shopping Center EV Charging in Baltimore, MD. Located at 2157 W Patapsco Ave. This DC Fast Charger operated by EVgo is in the north east section of the parking lot, along W Patapsco Ave by the Advance Auto Parts store. There are several food options in the shopping center including Popeyes and Sonic.

Location
Address: 2157 W Patapsco Ave #2946, Baltimore, MD 21230
County: Baltimore City
Facility Type: Parking Lot
Coordinates: 39.25072, -76.64408
Directions: In parking lot for Hollinswood Shopping Center, along the northern edge near Advance Auto Parts.
Map Link: OpenStreetMap

Technical
Connector Type: CCS & CHAdeMO
Power & Qty: Shared 350 kW CCS x4, 100 kW CCS/CHAdeMO x2
Total Site Power: 900 kW

Access
Network: EVgo
Availability: Public
Hours: 24 hours daily
Parking: Free

Amenities
Restroom: Royal Farms
Food: Popeyes, Sonic Drive-In
WiFi: none

New Jersey Enacts EV Charging Uptime Legislation

March 19, 2024March 19, 2024 Lanny

New Jersey Bill S3102

Approved by the Governor: 1/16/2024.

New Jersey bill S3102 Establishes uptime requirement for electric vehicle charging station incentive programs.

This statute directs the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to establish a requirement, as a condition of providing any incentive for the installation of electric vehicle service equipment pursuant to P.L.2019, c.362 (C.48:25-1 et seq.) or any other State law, that the station is operational at least 97 percent of the time, as measured on an annual basis. The law also directs the BPU to develop and implement a process to establish, monitor compliance with, and enforce this requirement. As used in the law, “electric vehicle service equipment” means the equipment, including the cables, cords, conductors, connectors, couplers, enclosures, attachment plugs, power outlets, switches and controls, network interfaces, and point of sale equipment and associated apparatus designed and used for the purpose of transferring energy from the electric supply system to a plug-in electric vehicle.

Testimony – Maryland EV Charging Reliability Bill HB 1028

March 7, 2024March 7, 2024 Lanny

Economic Matters Committee – March 6, 2024

The following is a transcript of my testimony to the Maryland Economic Matters Committee in support of HB 1028, “Business Regulation – Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment – Regulations for Retail Use.” This legislation would require the Comptroller to adopt regulations for the retail use of electric vehicle supply equipment in the State that include requiring an uptime of 97% and establishing civil penalties for non-compliance with the regulations.

To build trust in electric vehicles, reliable charging and transparent pricing are essential.

Good afternoon. My name is Lanny Hartmann.

As an electric vehicle driver, I’ve experienced firsthand both the promise and the challenges of relying on public charging.

Over the past decade, I’ve visited hundreds of charging stations across the country. While many function smoothly, especially those on the Tesla network, a significant number of public charging stations struggle with reliability and uptime.

Millions are being invested in Maryland’s charging infrastructure. Reliability, affordability, and user experience are critical for success.

According to the Department of the Environment, Maryland currently has around 4,000 charging ports, and about 20% of them are in need of maintenance.

In my own testing of about 70 fast chargers in central Maryland, I found that nearly a third of them had issues. These problems included damaged connectors, malfunctioning screens, or the charger would stop abruptly or deliver reduced power.

There’s a need for transparency in charging costs and meter accuracy. I once charged at a station in Hagerstown and was later billed $553 on my credit card. While I eventually got a refund for the mistaken billing, it underscores the importance of accurate metering and fair pricing.

To build trust in electric vehicles, reliable charging and transparent pricing are essential. Fortunately, Maryland is leading the way in setting reliability standards for utility-owned charging stations with HB 834 which the General Assembly passed last year.

Now, with this bill, we have the opportunity to expand upon that success and ensure reliability and accountability for all public charging stations in the state.

Thank you.

Shafer Park EV Charging – Boonsboro, MD

February 27, 2024February 27, 2024 Lanny

Shafer Park Boonsboro EV charging station Potomac Edison

Potomac Edison owned and operated EV charging station at Shafer Park in Boonsboro, MD. Located a few blocks from the main street, this Level 2 ChargePoint station is a short walk from dining, coffee and downtown shops. Stop here for a boost on your trip along the Old National Pike (Rt. 40).

Location
Address: 60 Park Drive, Boonsboro, Maryland 21713
County: Washington
Facility Type: Public Park
Coordinates: 39.50707, -77.65561
Directions: In the parking lot at the southern side of Shafer Park on Park Drive.
Map Link: OpenStreetMap

Technical
Connector Type: J1772
Power & Qty: 6.6 kW, x2
Total Site Power: 13.2 kW

Access
Network: ChargePoint
Availability: Public
Hours: 24 hours daily
Pricing: $0.21/kWh (subject to change)

Amenities
Restroom: at park
Food: in town
WiFi: none

Call for Enhanced Oversight and Accountability of Electrify America’s Charging Infrastructure

January 23, 2024January 23, 2024 Lanny

Comments to California Air Resources Board (CARB)

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) will hold a public meeting to consider a staff assessment of Electrify America’s Cycle 4 Zero Emission Vehicle Investment Plan on January 25, 2024. The Board will then decide whether to approve or disapprove the plan.

I submitted the following comments to the California Air Resources Board:

To: cotb@arb.ca.gov
January 23, 2024

Re: 24-1-2: Electrify America’s Proposed Cycle 4 Zero Emission Vehicle Investment Plan

Dear California Air Resources Board,

I am writing as a concerned advocate for electric vehicle drivers. Last summer I travelled through the state of California in an electric vehicle. I encountered many of my fellow EV drivers who were having issues with non-functional Electrify America charging stations. Harris Ranch had a line of frustrated EV drivers waiting to use it because most of the six dispensers were down.

The reliability issues surrounding Electrify America’s charging infrastructure have raised significant concerns within the EV community. While the initial intent of the company to address the fallout from the 2015 Dieselgate scandal was commendable, it appears that their efforts have fallen short, leading to a new crisis in the form of unreliable charging stations.

The recent Sacramento Bee article by Ari Plachta highlighting the reliability challenges faced by Electrify America underscores the urgency of addressing these issues. As an active participant in promoting EV adoption, I find it disheartening that a company established with the explicit purpose of rectifying past wrongs is now contributing to hindrances in the widespread adoption of electric vehicles.

The reliability issues reported, including broken screens, faulty payment systems, and slow charging, are significantly impacting the EV user experience. This not only undermines the trust of current EV drivers but also dissuades potential buyers from making the switch.

Electrify America ranking last in consumer satisfaction, as reported by J.D. Power, is indicative of the severity of the problem. The satisfaction score of 538 out of 1,000 is alarming, especially when compared to Tesla’s score of 739.

Unreliable charging infrastructure poses a major hurdle to achieving widespread EV adoption. Reports suggest that approximately 18% of individuals who switch to electric vehicles end up returning to gas-powered cars due to charging inconveniences. Given the magnitude of the issue, I urge the California Air Resources Board to consider the following actions:

1. Enhanced Oversight: Strengthen oversight mechanisms for Electrify America, ensuring that the company adheres to higher standards of performance and reliability. Confidence in California’s public charging network is crucial for the success of EV adoption.

Point 50 EVgo Charging Station – Fairfax, VA

January 10, 2024January 10, 2024 Lanny

Point 50 EVgo Charging Station in Fairfax, Virginia. Located at 10334 Fairfax Blvd. This 200 kW DC fast charger station is in the northeast corner of the shopping center parking lot. The Point 50 retail center is located off Route 50.

Location
Address: 10334 Fairfax Blvd., Fairfax, Virginia 22030
County: Fairfax
Facility Type: Shopping Center
Coordinates: 38.860855, -77.303957
Directions: In parking area for the Point 50 retail shopping area.
Map Link: OpenStreetMap

Technical
Connector Type: CCS and CHAdeMO
Power & Qty: 200 kW, x2
Total Site Power: 200 kW

Access
Network: EVgo
Availability: Public
Hours: 24 hours daily
Pricing: TOU $0.34-$0.45/kWh +$0.99 session fee

Amenities
Restroom: Compass Coffee
Food: Amazon Fresh
WiFi: Compass Coffee

Signage
Signs: EVgo branded blue and white signs. EVgo FAST CHARGING ONLY, VEHICLES MUST BE CHARGING, VACATE STALL WHEN COMPLETE
Marking: White text, EV CHARGING ONLY
Enforceable: No, not official signs.