Colorado Crew - Frisco EA Charger worthwhile or worthless?

[DTown3011]

I have to drive to Aspen this week for work and was planning on taking the Independence Pass route because it's beautiful this time of year. Ideally, one would charge in Frisco at the EA Electrify America chargers but it looks like that station is absolutely horrible in terms of reliability and speed. Plugshare is less than helpful but it's basically a mixture of "works fine" and "too busy, doesn't work!"

My backup plan is to simply continue on the way to Edwards if the chargers don't work which seems to be a lot more reliable location, but way less interesting through Glenwood Springs.

Has anyone used the Frisco EA chargers lately?

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[moosehead]

Even with elevation gains, feels like you should be able to make it 139 miles no issue Denver to Aspen via IP?

Otherwise, I can confirm Edwards CP charger is solid.

 

[DTown3011]

Even with elevation gains, feels like you should be able to make it 139 miles no issue Denver to Aspen via IP?

Otherwise, I can confirm Edwards CP charger is solid.

ABRP says I can make it to Aspen via the I-70 route with about 5% of charge remaining.

ABRP is saying I should charge for 5-10 minutes in Frisco for some reason even though it's 183 miles vs. 221 miles for the Glenwood Springs I-70 route.

 

[Andystroh]

I sometimes swing through there since it's close to the highway, and continue if it's a mess (as it often is). I have typically found at least a couple working, but at popular times there's people waiting and thay lot is a disaster when there's people waiting.

You'll also pass by the charger in Leadville, which if you're just after a bit of juice isn't bad. Depending on your plans in Aspen there are good charging options there so if you arrive at a low SOC you'll be in fine shape.

Supposed to be a Starbucks charger opening in silverthorne (eventually) but I haven't seen any progress when I've driven through lately. Also I would recalculate the trip when you arrive in summit county, sometimes when the planner is overly conservative as you get close it will realize you don't need to charge. I made it to aspen this past winter without a charge, and also this spring went to the top of independence pass and then back to Denver with very little charging.

 

[DTown3011]

I sometimes swing through there since it's close to the highway, and continue if it's a mess (as it often is). I have typically found at least a couple working, but at popular times there's people waiting and thay lot is a disaster when there's people waiting.

You'll also pass by the charger in Leadville, which if you're just after a bit of juice isn't bad. Depending on your plans in Aspen there are good charging options there so if you arrive at a low SOC you'll be in fine shape.

Supposed to be a Starbucks charger opening in silverthorne (eventually) but I haven't seen any progress when I've driven through lately. Also I would recalculate the trip when you arrive in summit county, sometimes when the planner is overly conservative as you get close it will realize you don't need to charge. I made it to aspen this past winter without a charge, and also this spring went to the top of independence pass and then back to Denver with very little charging.

Thanks - very helpful. The Leadville charger at Harrison Ave Parking lot is showing out of order on PlugShare, so who knows....

 

[manitou202]

Edwards is easier to get on/off the highway and has food and a convenience store. Frisco is not terrible, but is in a Walmart parking lot with nothing else.

You should easily be able to make it to Edwards. I've driven from Colorado Springs through Breck to Edwards with about 30% remaining.

 

[Denver_Paulie]

Avoid the Frisco Electrify Charger unless you plan poorly and absolutely have to charge there to avoid being stranded on I-70.

If you want easy, then do Denver to Glenwood Springs and top off at the EA chargers at the Target.

If you want scenic, then take 285 to Buena Vista, take a right and then a left at Twin Lakes to Independence Pass. I would not be scared of taking that route, and if you get nervous, then top off in Fairplay.

If it were me, I would take the Independence Pass route, keep my speed under control, and then enjoy the regen from the top of Independence Pass down to Aspen. I would also stop at the Jerome to get a burger. Those things are life changing!

Cheers

 

[Dutch]

I have to drive to Aspen this week for work and was planning on taking the Independence Pass route because it's beautiful this time of year. Ideally, one would charge in Frisco at the EA Electrify America chargers but it looks like that station is absolutely horrible in terms of reliability and speed. Plugshare is less than helpful but it's basically a mixture of "works fine" and "too busy, doesn't work!"

My backup plan is to simply continue on the way to Edwards if the chargers don't work which seems to be a lot more reliable location, but way less interesting through Glenwood Springs.

Has anyone used the Frisco EA chargers lately?

I used it 1 week ago, no problems. I went from %50 - %85 in about 30 minutes, grabbed dinner at Taco Bell while I waited

 

[DTown3011]

Edwards is easier to get on/off the highway and has food and a convenience store. Frisco is not terrible, but is in a Walmart parking lot with nothing else.

You should easily be able to make it to Edwards. I've driven from Colorado Springs through Breck to Edwards with about 30% remaining.

I'm not worried about making it to Edwards at all, but if I do go there it eliminates my Independance Pass route and I end up doing Glenwood Springs which is a lot more boring (and much less fun to drive a Rivian on the winding roads!!).

Avoid the Frisco Electrify Charger unless you plan poorly and absolutely have to charge there to avoid being stranded on I-70.

If you want easy, then do Denver to Glenwood Springs and top off at the EA chargers at the Target.

If you want scenic, then take 285 to Buena Vista, take a right and then a left at Twin Lakes to Independence Pass. I would not be scared of taking that route, and if you get nervous, then top off in Fairplay.

If it were me, I would take the Independence Pass route, keep my speed under control, and then enjoy the regen from the top of Independence Pass down to Aspen. I would also stop at the Jerome to get a burger. Those things are life changing!

Cheers

All great recommendations, thank you! Didn't think about the 285 route, but just went camping in Bailey up 285 last weekend and live north Denver, so may just do the I-70 route just because. Appreciate your feedback on Frisco. I don't want easy so won't do Glenwood Springs.

I am pretty confident I could make it on a single charge from Denver to Aspen over IP....just don't want to push it.

 

[DTown3011]

Interestingly, if I avoid the EA Frisco charger on ABRP and make sure it routes me through Leadville, it says I can easily make it to Aspen with over 20% charge via Independence Pass....

 

[Andystroh]

Interestingly, if I avoid the EA Frisco charger on ABRP and make sure it routes me through Leadville, it says I can easily make it to Aspen with over 20% charge via Independence Pass....

I bet you can make it. I might be a little closer to start but if you route to the top of independence pass the Rivian app takes the same route, from Golden it says I can make it with 96 miles remaining. Its all downhill from there so I bet that would be the lowest SOC (I'm also on the 20s so it should be the least efficient).

Another one that surprised me was Golden -> Crested butte on a single charge. We went over cottonwood pass and then charged when we got into town, I think we had 15-20% when we arrived. Reminding me that I need to plan a mtb trip there for this summer...

 

[DTown3011]

I bet you can make it. I might be a little closer to start but if you route to the top of independence pass the Rivian app takes the same route, from Golden it says I can make it with 96 miles remaining. Its all downhill from there so I bet that would be the lowest SOC (I'm also on the 20s so it should be the least efficient).

Another one that surprised me was Golden -> Crested butte on a single charge. We went over cottonwood pass and then charged when we got into town, I think we had 15-20% when we arrived. Reminding me that I need to plan a mtb trip there for this summer...

I think you might be right, I should be able to make it to IP with plenty of range. Then downhill into Aspen should be very doable.

Headed to Crested Butte next week for some MTB riding!

 

[pricedm]

@DTown3011 if you take i70 to Edwards, maybe the Cottonwood pass route from Eagle to Carbondale....? Def not as senic as Indy pass but would be a slight "backroad" route.

https://www.eaglecounty.us/news_detail_T24_R282.php

 

[DTown3011]

Charging at EA Frisco as we speak pulling 125 kWh. 2 workers here working on the chargers and getting all 4 running. Definitely see the parking lot is a zoo. But happy I’m getting some electrons - Independence Pass here I come!!

 

[Andystroh]

Enjoy the drive! Stop at the grottos cave on the west side if you haven't, those are pretty cool.

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