Who’s using EVgo and why - unreasonably expensive

[lefkonj]

I have used them, especially on my last trip to Boston. They were just more reliable than EA. The pricing isn't my concern because it is just for the trip and then I charge at home.

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[jjswan33]

EA without Pass+ discount at $0.48/kWhr is on the high side. I knew EVgo could be more but not much more. Best rates I’ve seen and paid are as low $0.10/kWhr for a ChargePoint (slowish at 63-85kwWhr speeds) but that’s also one that the last time I visited it’s cords were cut off/stolen. I reported it in their app and they worked with the location to get them replaced (they included me in the email thread which was unexpected).

To be fair I have noticed a lot of the EA stations have gone up to $0.56/kWh on a normal membership. I think in many parts of the country this is probably still not profitable for the charging companies at this cost.

 

[Riviaenz]

To be fair I have noticed a lot of the EA stations have gone up to $0.56/kWh on a normal membership. I think in many parts of the country this is probably still not profitable for the charging companies at this cost.

Yeah I think you’re right. I recently came across one that was $0.56kWhr and was surprised but used the Pass+ and it came down to the expected rate.

 

[Riviaenz]

I have used them, especially on my last trip to Boston. They were just more reliable than EA. The pricing isn't my concern because it is just for the trip and then I charge at home.

Same here, I wasn’t terribly concerned paying a little more mainly to try them out but the shock was getting hit for >$1.11/kWhr ($40.06 for 31kWhr) for the longer session and then averaging $1.30/kWhr ($20.19 for 15kWhr) for the second session when the first one was interrupted mid stream.

 

[lefkonj]

Same here, I wasn’t terribly concerned paying a little more mainly to try them out but the shock was getting hit for >$1.11/kWhr ($40.06 for 31kWhr) for the longer session and then averaging $1.30/kWhr ($20.19 for 15kWhr) for the second session when the first one was interrupted mid stream.

Was paying $0.69/kwh, $0.43/khm or something like that. I also don't have a plan or any thing from EVGO which I know reduces the cost as well.

 

[Big Dog Rivian]

I have used EVGO for the first time since the charger (ChargePoint charger was out of order) at the hotel.

 

[Tucker74]

I use them because the are the only option on some routes I travel often and reliable, autocharge+ also makes them pretty convenient. Agree they are usually more expensive, they do have a similar discount plans to EA if you use often.

 

[Neuneleven]

the only superchargers I have used are EvGo in the Chicago area. I usually charge at home to cover most drives. Up to 200 miles from home, one way, I would still use the Rivian. beyond that I would take my wife's Expedition or Volvo. I got spook by stories of EA when I got our truck last year. Typically charge at home and having had good experiences at a number of EVGO stations, have stuck with them despite the price as I typically have met well-functioning chargers. The one time I went to an EA, many cars were waiting, and the charging appeared slow. Might have been just a bad day. Maybe it's time to try EA and others once more

 

[kyunam]

I choose EVGo over EA whenever possible because of reliability. Yes it’s higher price which does not bother me because I don’t need to gamble with EA stations when I travel.

 

[azbill]

I am willing to pay more for EVGO, since I do not get de-rated charging sessions, unless power sharing. In Arizona they are only $.08/kwh more than EA, but that is only during peak hours. The worst charging speed I have seen on EVGO is 175kw, versus 44kw on EA. I never use their 50kw chargers.

 

[CharonPDX]

I have charged with EVGo when I was traveling in NV and CA and it was consistently the highest price per Kw. The stations I used were all new ish and pretty fast and good locations but not inexpensive.

Worth noting, EVGo has a 1 hour max and when you’re road tripping there are times when sessions time out.

When traveling I usually choose EA and RAN

Yep, on my recent road trip, I chose EVgo a few times due to placement being better than EA. The one-hour limit bit me a couple times, as I was towing, so generally arriving <10%, and needing to charge >90%.

I have found that the newer EVgo stations tend to be *much* more reliable than EA. (I was at an EA a couple weeks ago that was less than one week old, and two stalls were already out of commission.) The older EVgo, on the other hand, are very hit-or-miss.

 

[clockwork crane]

In my experience, the higher-rate EVgo units tend to be much more reliable than EA, and moreover their reliability tends to be more stable over time, which is important if I'm using PlugShare to plan ahead, so I don't see a 9.5/10 rated charger and pull into it to find the whole site just happens to be down today. I also tend to see less charger derating in the middle of the curve like I often do with EA.

Plug and charge is also really convenient.

There's also another minor factor: from my limited sample size, EVgo dispensers tend to be less crowded (probably due to those higher rates) and also their layouts are a bit different than EA, which in my experience has made it easier to pull crazy tricks to avoid unhitching my trailer.

But, EVgo is more expensive than almost every other option. The effective rates you saw are unforgivably high; DC charging shouldn't cost that much. And I agree about session fees; at a minimum they (and everyone else!) should waive session fees for reconnects at the same site, regardless of membership status, which would be trivial to implement with a bit of data caching.

All that said, there's one more very important thing to keep in mind about EVgo: They implement Time of Use pricing. And while that may result in higher charging bills at certain times, it's actually really important for the business sustainability of DC charging, and the environmental sustainability of shifting loads to more renewable-abundant times.

 

[WSea]

You can hit the options button when making a route in the nav and prefer whatever networks you prefer. EVGo does tend to be a bit pricier than EA, but they also tend to be more reliable. Having Autocharge+ work with the Rivian was nice on my last road trip. Out of maybe 18 charging stops, 3 of mine were EVGo with no issues at all. I like Autocharge+ because it's just plug and charge like RAN and no dicking around with the EA app when the NFC tap to pay doesn't work...EA is terrible for activation of the chargers. ChargePoint can be hit or miss at the moment whether you get the newer stations capable of 150 kW with a Rivian or the older ones that top out at 85 kW. As always, pre-planning is recommended using PlugShare to verify whether hardware has had recent issues or if rates are high. More and more I'm starting to see sites that charge time-of-use rates that are higher during peak travel (electric use) times or session fees just for plugging in. Session fees are even more fun when a charging issue results in plugging in multiple times.

I had better luck activating EA chargers with app then plugging in. Very easy

 

[Riviaenz]

In my experience, the higher-rate EVgo units tend to be much more reliable than EA, and moreover their reliability tends to be more stable over time, which is important if I'm using PlugShare to plan ahead, so I don't see a 9.5/10 rated charger and pull into it to find the whole site just happens to be down today. I also tend to see less charger derating in the middle of the curve like I often do with EA.

Plug and charge is also really convenient.

There's also another minor factor: from my limited sample size, EVgo dispensers tend to be less crowded (probably due to those higher rates) and also their layouts are a bit different than EA, which in my experience has made it easier to pull crazy tricks to avoid unhitching my trailer.

But, EVgo is more expensive than almost every other option. The effective rates you saw are unforgivably high; DC charging shouldn't cost that much. And I agree about session fees; at a minimum they (and everyone else!) should waive session fees for reconnects at the same site, regardless of membership status, which would be trivial to implement with a bit of data caching.

All that said, there's one more very important thing to keep in mind about EVgo: They implement Time of Use pricing. And while that may result in higher charging bills at certain times, it's actually really important for the business sustainability of DC charging, and the environmental sustainability of shifting loads to more renewable-abundant times.

If I would have known ahead of time I was going to pay a total of $60.25 for 47kWhr between the two sessions I would have stopped at an EA. I was anticipating about $0.56/kWhr (afternoon charging stop) and was aware they like charging a session fee. But $2.99 2x for one stop plus the unexpected high kWhr rate. I’m looking on their app at nearby chargers now and the app isn’t showing rate information. I touch the Price link and a pop up comes up with spinning wheel and nothing ever displays. It was frustrating tapping at the dispenser and getting a great charging experience (it was quite nice like using an PetroCanada or even Electrify Canada) to get a fast charge only for it to be ruined by the shocking rate.

 

[vandy1981]

Who in their right mind uses them on a regular basis? I checked online and their rates are outrageous even if paying their high “membership/discounted“ rate fees.

I'm not going to start complaining about prices until we have widespread reliable charging infrastructure. In the meantime, charge me whatever it takes to pay for rapid expansion and maintenance.

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