ChargerAudit – June 14, 2023

Lanny
ChargerAudit June 14, 2023

Tesla Superchargers: Evaluating Operational Status – June 14, 2023

The chart above lists the Tesla Superchargers that I visited on June 14, 2023.

Maintaining optimal functionality of electric vehicle charging stations is crucial for a seamless charging experience. During my visit to Tesla Supercharger stations on June 14, 2023 to perform a ChargerAudit, no stalls were reported as out of order on the Tesla mobile app. I didn’t individually test every stall, however my observations revealed that approximately 32% of the total stalls were occupied and seemed to be operational.

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ChargerAudit – June 13, 2023

Lanny
ChargerAudit Tesla Supercharger6-13

Evaluating Operational Status: Tesla Superchargers – June 13, 2023

The chart above lists the Tesla Superchargers that I visited on June 13, 2023.

Maintaining optimal functionality of electric vehicle charging stations is crucial for a seamless charging experience. During my visit to Tesla Supercharger stations on June 13, 2023 to perform a ChargerAudit, no stalls were reported as out of order on the Tesla mobile app. While I didn’t individually test every stall, my observations revealed that approximately 39% of the total stalls were occupied and seemingly operational.

Analyzing the Data:

Assuming that the app was correct when it indicated none of the stalls were out-of-order, we can infer that 100% of the 54 total stalls were operational. This statistic highlights the impressive reliability of Tesla Supercharger stations and underscores their commitment to providing an efficient charging network for electric vehicle owners.

Implications of Occupied Stalls:

During my visits, I observed that approximately 39% of the total stalls were occupied by charging vehicles. With such a significant portion of the stations observed to be in use, this serves as an indicator of their good working order.

The Importance of Reliable Charging Infrastructure:

Reliable charging infrastructure is crucial for the widespread adoption of electric vehicles. Tesla’s commitment to maintaining high operational efficiency plays a pivotal role in ensuring customer satisfaction and alleviating concerns about charging availability. The fact that none of the stalls were reported as out of order is a testament to Tesla’s dedication to providing a seamless charging experience.

Conclusion:

Based on my observations, the Tesla Supercharger stations visited today demonstrated impressive reliability. With 100% of the total stalls assumed to be operational and approximately 39% occupied during my visits, Tesla owners can have confidence in the reliability and availability of those Superchargers. As electric vehicles continue to gain popularity, it is important that EV charging operators continue to invest in and maintain a robust charging network to meet the growing demands of electric vehicle owners.

Here is a ChargerAudit tweet from June 13th.

Stay tuned for more ChargerAudit reports.

ChargerAudit – June 12, 2023

Lanny
ChargerAudit Tesla Supercharger

The chart above lists the Tesla Superchargers that I visited on June 12, 2023.

The idea behind a ChargerAudit is simple. Inspect the operational status and physical condition of EV charging stations you visit. Document your findings in as much detail as you wish. Post to Twitter with the hashtag #chargeraudit.

13 total Supercharger sites visited, 118 total stalls in those sites. Two were reported as out of order on the Tesla mobile app. That translates to 98.3% of the total stalls being operational assuming only those two stalls were inoperable. I did not test each stall, however, 23% of the total stalls were occupied during our visits and presumably working.

Here is a sample ChargerAudit tweet from June 12th.

Stay tuned for more ChargerAudit reports.

Andrew Hanko Building EV Charging

Lanny
Andrew Hanko Building EV Charging Station

Pepco Andrew Hanko Building EV Charging – New Carrollton, MD

The Andrew Hanko Building EV charging station that is owned and operated by Pepco is located in the parking lot of Beckett Field in New Carrollton, Maryland. The address is 8511 Legation Road and the cross street is Westbrook Dr. The Andrew Hanko Building is a Community Center in New Carrollton which is adjacent to Beckett Field which has sports facilities for baseball, soccer and tennis. The EV charging station has two dual-port Level 2 EVSEs. They are located in the parking spots closest to Westbrook Rd. You enter the lot from Legation Rd. and turn right just before the Community Center building on the right. a portable restroom may be available available in the park. There are several restaurants including Tacos Ricos and IHOP within a half mile at 85th Ave and Annapolis Rd/Rt. 450. There are no other amenities of note near this charging site.

02/25/2020 – Opened
8511 Legation Rd, New Carrollton, MD map

Level 2 – 7 kW dual-port (Qty: 2)

Reported Uptime (2022 Jul to Dec):
99.6% L2 (EVSE ID 52346A Port 1)
99.6% L2 (EVSE ID 52346A Port 2)
99.6% L2 (EVSE ID 52348A Port 1)
99.6% L2 (EVSE ID 52348A Port 2)

$83,779.00 Construction Costs
$1,296.00 Yearly Networking Fees

PeriodRevenueElectric BillProfit/Loss
2022 Q3-4$1,121.71$1,369.33-$247.62
2022 Q1-2$409.22$449.21-$39.99
2021 Q3-4$202.89$287.94-$85.05
PeriodAvg kWh/day= MilesGas equiv
2022 Q3-437.2 kWh112 mi4.5 gal
2022 Q1-212.6 kWh38 mi1.5 gal
2021 Q3-46.1 kWh18 mi0.7 gal

*Miles equivalent based on 333 Wh/mi, gasoline gallon equivalent based on 25 MPG.

Data source: Potomac Electric Power Company and Delmarva Power & Light Company Semi-Annual EV Pilot Program Progress Report for the period of July 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022. Maryland PSC ML 301131.

Broken Charging Stations Threaten Maryland’s Electric Vehicle Goals

Lanny
Broken Charging Station

300,000 Electric Vehicles by 2030

Maryland aims to have 300,000 electric vehicles on the road by 2025. As of December 31, 2022, there were 62,744 EVs registered in the state. As the number of EVs in Maryland continues to grow, it is essential that the state’s EV charging infrastructure keeps pace.

One crucial aspect of growing the infrastructure is ensuring that the EV charging stations are fully functional. When they are out of service or malfunctioning, it can create a major inconvenience for EV drivers, especially during longer trips. People who live in apartments and cannot charge at home also depend on public charging to get to work and for other essential travel. Equitable distribution of EV charging is necessary, and the reliability of those charging stations must be ensured as well.

Utility-Owned EV Charging Stations

Maryland is one of the few states that allows regulated utilities to own and operate public EV charging stations, and pass the cost on to the rate base. The Maryland Public Service Commission approved a pilot program that permits over 1,000 charging ports to be run by utilities, including BGE, Pepco, Delmarva Power, Potomac Edison and SMECO. The cost of the program will be passed on to ratepayers, regardless of whether they drive an EV or not. Currently, the stations are losing money, but it is hoped that increased usage will eventually make them self-sustaining financially.

Facing Challenges

Four years into the pilot program, utility-owned charging stations are facing challenges. Despite assurances to maintain high reliability, the results have been disappointing. In a customer satisfaction survey conducted by BGE and published in their semi-annual EV pilot program report, 26% of respondents reported not being able to complete a charging session, and 27% reported broken equipment. Negative reviews on the crowdsourced EV charging app PlugShare have also led to low utilization.

Reliability Standards

When the Public Service Commission was considering the utilities’ EV charging pilot programs, the Commissioners were assured that the public charging network would be maintained to a high degree of reliability. However, there is currently no regulatory standard for charging station reliability metrics, as there is for the grid, which has standards like SAIFI, SAIDI, and CAIDI.

In September 2022, I visited all 69 BGE fast chargers in Maryland and checked how well they were functioning. The results indicated that 29% of the chargers had some kind of deficiency, ranging from complete failure to reduced power output. During a follow-up round of testing two months later, the number of malfunctioning chargers had increased from 29% to 35% of the total. These findings suggest that the reliability of the utility’s public EV charging stations is not meeting the expectations that were set when the pilot program was approved.

Accountability to Ratepayers

These results are not only concerning for EV drivers but also raise questions about accountability to ratepayers. We should be able to trust that the utilities are maintaining their charging stations to a high degree of reliability, as promised. As ratepayers, we deserve to know where our money is going and how effectively it’s being used.

To address these issues, Delegates David Fraser-Hidalgo and Jen Terrasa are sponsoring the Electric Vehicle Charging Reliability Act (HB 834), which sets a minimum uptime standard and requires regular reporting on the performance and cost of utility-owned charging stations. This will provide transparency for EV drivers and ratepayers and help the utilities quickly identify and resolve any issues.

Focus on the Driver Experience

Maintaining reliability is an important step towards ensuring that Maryland’s charging infrastructure is robust. By keeping focus on good EV driver experience and reliable charging infrastructure deployment, Maryland will maintain its position as a leader in EV adoption. The state’s goal of 300,000 electric vehicles on the road by 2025 will only be achievable when the public can charge quickly, affordably and most of all, reliably.

BY Morrison Park EV Charging

Lanny
BY Morrison Park EV Charging

Pepco BY Morrison Park EV Charging – Takoma Park, MD

This Pepco BY Morrison EV charging station has two 7 kW Level 2 EVSEs. It is located in the parking lot of the BY Morrison Park in Takoma Park, MD. The Pepco-owned Level 2 units currently have a fee of $0.18 per kWh which is inclusive of 6% Maryland sales and use tax. The fee is subject to change with approval of the Public Service Commission which regulates the state’s utility owned and operated public charging stations. Signs posted by the city of Takoma Park prohibit commercial vehicles and taxis and limit the time to a maximum of four hours. There are plenty of businesses to visit in this urban area. The Takoma Park-Silver Spring Food Co-op is across the street. Highly reviewed Spring Mill Bread Company is on the opposite corner. Seoul Food DC, which is known for its Korean/vegan food is next door.

09/12/2019 – Opened
7300 Carroll Ave, Takoma Park, MD map

Level 2 – 7 kW single-port (Qty: 2)

Reported Statistics (2022 Jul to Dec):
EVSE ID 162186: 99.5% Uptime; 16.04% Usage Rate; 3:02 Avg Session Duration; 15.14 Avg kWh/Session
EVSE ID 162186: 99.4% Uptime; 15.18% Usage Rate; 2:46 Avg Session Duration; 13.96 Avg kWh/Session

$42,278.00 Construction Costs
$600.00 Yearly Networking Fees

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Glenwood Library EV Charging

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Glenwood Library EV Charging

BGE Glenwood Library EV Charging – Glenwood, MD

This BGE Glenwood Library EV charging station has two 50 kW Tritium DC fast chargers and three dual-port Level 2 EVSEs. It is located in the parking lot of the Glenwood Branch of the Howard County Library in Glenwood, MD. The library is about two miles south of I-70 on Rt 97. In addition to the library and the Gary J. Arthur Community Center, the site has access to the Howard County Western Regional Park. Restrooms are available at the library and in the park. There are two restaurants within a half mile. Walker’s Tap and Table and Ragu NY Pizza & Italian Kitchen are about a 7 minute walk to the south. There are no other amenities of note near this rural charging site. The park does have ample walking trails to pass the time and stretch your legs.

06/26/2020 – Opened
2350 Roxbury Mills Rd, Glenwood, MD map

DCFC – 50 kW (Qty: 2)
Level 2 – 7 kW dual-port (Qty: 3)

Reported Uptime (2022 Jul to Dec):
87.4% DC1 DCFC (EVSE ID 153018)
96.5% DC2 DCFC (EVSE ID 153026)
98.8% L2 (EVSE ID 52202A)
98.8% L2 (EVSE ID 52307A)
92.3% L2 (EVSE ID 52305A)

$177,243.43 Construction Costs
$2,960.00 Yearly Networking Fees

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Darlington Park EV Charging

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Darlington Park EV Charging

Delmarva Power Darlington Park EV Charging – Darlington, MD

This Delmarva Darlington Park EV charging station has two 50 kW Efacec QC45 DC fast chargers and five single-port Level 2 EVSEs. It is located in the parking lot of Darlington Park in Darlington, MD. The park is on US Route 1 about two miles south of Conowingo Dam. The park basically consists of soccer fields. A portable restroom is sometimes available at the park but not always. The only other amenity within reasonable walking distance is a High’s convenience store within a two minute walk of the charging site. The only other features nearby are Chesapeake Harley-Davidson, Deer Creek Cemetery and the Deer Creek Friends Meetinghouse.

01/20/2022 – Opened
4549 Conowingo Rd, Darlington, MD map

DCFC – 50 kW (Qty: 2)
Level 2 – 7 kW single-port (Qty: 5)

Reported Uptime (2022 Jul to Dec):
95.3% DC1 DCFC (EVSE ID 43403)
93.2% DC2 DCFC (EVSE ID 43404)
99.6% L2 (EVSE ID 162990)
99.6% L2 (EVSE ID 1621030)
99.6% L2 (EVSE ID 1621040)
99.6% L2 (EVSE ID 1621043)
0.4% L2 (EVSE ID 1621029)

$270,591.00 Construction Costs
$2,660.00 Yearly Networking Fees

Date RangekWh/dayRevenueElectric BillProfit/Loss
2022 Q3-Q47.9 (24 mi)$494.28$369.94$124.34
2022 Q1-Q22.8 (8.4 mi)$148.18$206.95-$58.77

Source: Potomac Electric Power Company and Delmarva Power & Light Company Semi-Annual EV Pilot Program Progress Report for the period of July 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022. Maryland PSC ML 301131

Thomas Farm Community Center EV Charging

Lanny
Thomas Farm Community Center EV Charging

Pepco Thomas Farm Community Center EV Charging – Rockville, MD

This Pepco EV charging station has one 50 kW Efacec QC45 DC fast charger and one dual-port Level 2 EVSE. It is located in the parking lot of the Thomas Farm Community Center in Rockville, MD. The Community Center is located in Fallsgrove Stream Valley Park which has walking trails, tennis courts, picnic tables and a playground. Restrooms are available in the Community Center when it is open. Food is a half mile away at Fallsgrove Village Center. Panera, Chipotle, Bethesda Bagels, Jersey Mike’s and Starbucks are among the options.

04/10/2020 – Opened
700 Fallsgrove Dr, Rockville, MD map

DCFC – 50 kW (Qty: 1)
Level 2 – 7 kW dual-port (Qty: 1)

Reported Uptime (2022 Jul to Dec):
87.8% DC1 DCFC (EVSE ID 43337 Port 1)
90.4% DC1 DCFC (EVSE ID 43337 Port 2)
99.3% L2 (EVSE ID 52167A Port 1)
99.3% L2 (EVSE ID 52167A Port 2)

$397,053.00 Construction Costs
$1,274.40 Yearly Networking Fees

Date RangekWh/dayRevenueElectric BillProfit/Loss
2022 Jul to Dec72.7$3,807.90$5,075.87-$1,267.97
2022 Jan to Jun71.3$4,126.06$3,973.56$152.50
2021 Jul to Dec61.5$3,499.06$3,467.17$28.57

Source: Potomac Electric Power Company and Delmarva Power & Light Company Semi-Annual EV Pilot Program Progress Report for the period of July 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022. Maryland PSC ML 301131

Deep Creek Lake Visitors Center EV Charging

Lanny
Deep Creek Lake Visitors EV Charging

Potomac Edison Deep Creek Lake Visitors Center – McHenry, MD

This Potomac Edison EV charging station has two 62 kW ChargePoint DC fast chargers and one single port Level 2. It is located in the parking lot of the Deep Creek Lake Visitors Center in McHenry, MD. This popular vacation area is about 3 hours from the Baltimore, MD and Washington, DC area in western Maryland. The closest amenity besides the Visitors Center is a Greene Turtle restaurant via a 2 minute walk to the east. There is a Canoe On the Run coffee shop to the west about four minutes walk.

01/01/2021 – Opened
2 Vacation Way, McHenry, MD map

DCFC – 62 kW (Qty: 2)
Level 2 – 7 kW single-port (Qty: 1)

Reported Uptime (2022 Jul to Dec):
100% DC1 DCFC (EVSE ID 5580311)
100% DC2 DCFC (EVSE ID 5580321)
100% L2 (EVSE ID 5571081)

$184,656.61 Construction Costs
$1,400.00 Yearly Networking Fees

Date RangekWh/dayRevenueElectric BillProfit/Loss
2022 Jul to Dec94.6$4,593.53$13,614.83-$9,021.30
2022 Jan to Jun47.9$2,037.31$6,795.34-$4,758.03
2021 Jul to Dec52.4$2,372.17$6,019.19-$3,647.02
data from report to Maryland PSC

See also:
BGE Carroll County Commissioners – Featured Plug In Site
Potomac Edison Charging Station in Middletown, MD