EV DRIVERS NEED A VOICE! WE'RE LAUNCHING RATE YOUR CHARGE | EPISODE 102

EV Channels Review

This episode of the Out of Spec Podcast introduces 'Rate Your Charge,' a new platform aimed at addressing the widespread issues with public EV charging infrastructure. The hosts, Kyle and Alyssa, highlight the critical problem of non-functional chargers, which negatively impacts EV adoption and owner experience, especially during peak travel times. They share personal anecdotes, including a particularly frustrating experience at an Electrify America station in Florida where multiple chargers were down, leaving drivers stranded. The platform's genesis stems from a desire to give EV drivers a unified voice to pressure charging network operators (CPOs) like Electrify America, EVgo, and ChargePoint to improve reliability and maintenance. Currently operating as a Twitter feed, Rate Your Charge encourages users to share detailed experiences, including videos and photos, of their charging sessions. The hosts emphasize that the goal is not to bash companies but to provide accurate, real-time data that CPOs and even automakers can use to identify and fix problems. They express optimism about the platform's potential to evolve into an app or a data-gathering service that could even be monetized, with revenue potentially shared with drivers contributing data. The initiative is positioned as a crucial step for 2023 to ensure the success of EV transition by tackling charging reliability head-on.