COLD WEATHER TRIP LIVESTREAM AT FIRST ELECTRIFY AMERICA SITE

EV Channels Review

This livestream offers a practical, albeit somewhat unscripted, look at charging infrastructure and cold-weather EV performance. The reviewer details a challenging trip along the Mass Pike in a 2020 Chevy Bolt EV, highlighting issues with Electrify America stations, including payment failures and reduced charging speeds. While the first station visited was problematic, subsequent attempts showed improvement, with the reviewer eventually achieving a respectable 51kW. The video emphasizes the importance of battery preconditioning and notes that cabin heating draws a manageable 3-4kW once the interior is warm. Despite some equipment appearing dated and occasional unreliability, the reviewer concludes that Electrify America sites, particularly those on major routes like I-90, are improving, though redundancy and reliability remain key concerns. The reviewer's experience with the Bolt EV in 8-degree Fahrenheit weather showed a reduced efficiency of 2.5 miles/kWh, which is considered acceptable given the conditions.