PUBLIC EV CHARGING IS A MESS - LET'S CHECK OUT THE STATE OF CHARGING

EV Channels Review

This video provides a comprehensive audit of public EV charging infrastructure in Charlotte, NC, highlighting significant issues across multiple networks including EVgo, Electrify America, EV Connect, and Freewire. The reviewer, driving a Polestar 2, found a mix of functional and non-functional chargers. Older EVgo stations (January 2015) often suffered from dead screens or complete failure, despite some still technically working. Newer EVgo stations showed promise with some 100kW and 350kW units functioning correctly, though pricing was criticized as being consistently 27 cents per minute regardless of speed. Freewire battery-based chargers presented activation issues, with one unit failing entirely via both app and credit card reader. A successful charge was achieved at a Freewire unit in Catawba Village, though its pricing structure was complex and the physical setup was not ideal for multiple vehicles. Electrify America stations, despite being newer (mid-2020), also exhibited failures, with one unit completely dead and another experiencing issues with one of its two cables. The overall impression is that public EV charging in Charlotte is unreliable, with a high number of faulty stations and inconsistent performance, raising concerns about the current state of EV infrastructure.