A Spooky Early Morning Charge Sparks Change For The Better

[@steverobbins4872]

It would be cool if you had an IR camera to show how the cables warm up when you charge. Just a thought.

[@coreyverisario6570]

Amazon sells them for your phone. Android or Apple. $300+ but they might work well for what your request is. I like the request. Would be interesting to see the cables in IR.

[@Patchman4062]

Awesome idea

[@alexnutcasio936]

07:00 , your friend Brandon? Let’s Go Brandon!!!

[@billwaterhouse5894]

That would be very cool

[@themiltonguy4530]

It would be cool if he had a camera that didn't distract him while driving in fog. Just a thought.

[@-Jethro-]

Kyle: Mentions needing a flashlight multiple times Rivian door flashlight: Bruh 🤷‍♂️

[@cmh2111]

Great comment, and true.

[@donicaliubaker9286]

LOL your right!!! totally forgot the 7777 battery hehe

[@brightymcbrightface]

YES … he must have been kicking himself when he finally remembered it … : ) Foggy morning. Foggy morning brain. : )

[@c.a.nixiii4650]

And he even got his little Starbucks fru fru drink before this for caffeine. 🤷🏻‍♂🤷🏻‍♂🤦🏻‍♂🤦🏻‍♂

[@thisismalhotra]

This comment is epic and deserved to be pinned !

[@glenngore6609]

You do need to get out east of Denver, and south, sometime because there are people who own and drive EV’s in eastern Colorado, western Kansas, Oklahome, northeast New Mexico, and the panhandles. Get away from the Interstates and all the Electrify America and Supercharger locations and see what it’s like for regular folks on US and State highways. Since this is the “Year of the Charger” your reporting on charging infrastructure in these areas would be greatly helpful and eye-opening, I guarantee you.

[@jbdarr604]

Kyle, those of us in the ev community owe you so much for all the work you do in assessing the state of chargers across this country. So much taking federal funding and dropping the ball on quality and consistency of service. You are a real treasure to us all! Thanks so much. You teach us so much 👍✌️🚘🔌❤

[@COSolar6419]

I don’t think any of the chargers until very recently received any federal funding.

[@newscoulomb3705]

None of the public chargers that are currently deployed have received Federal funding under NEVI.

[@b127_1]

In the netherlands we had this phase where everything was garbage as well. (Except we had 50kw chargers, so everything took even longer...) Hopefully they sort it out over there as well. In the mean time: Good Luck. We now have fast charging at almost every freeway gas station/rest stop, so if the charger doesnt work, you just drive 10 min to the next one. Sometimes there are even multiple CPO's at the same rest stop, because the large CPO's are installing stations and some of the existing gas stations now offer charging as well. I think most densely populated areas of the US will be at that point in a few years as well, so let's hope for the best. By the way: Great that they listened and decided to put in a canopy. I have charged in the rain and even a basic roof makes a massive difference.

[@poseyperspective3591]

You’re doing awesome stuff! Thanks for helping highlight some of the recent issues!

[@stroudhunter]

I believe you have to open the shell recharge app and use the qr code scanner through the app, not just a regular QR code scanner.

[@freddunaway2777]

Another dark, in the back, hard to find and uncovered charger that is mis-labeled. Yes: We need call the charging networks out for this type of thing. Also, drive through is really needed for different cars and when towing.

[@Longsnowsm]

Wow, I love where this channel is going. Infrastructure and improving the development how EV's will be supported and how people will be using them is a big deal. Thanks for the video Kyle. Was hoping that meant a new charging network was going in, but does not sound like it. Lighting, covered parking is a big deal. Granted this sounds like a low traffic site, but come on, whoever is putting these in does not envision actually using it themselves. Sounds like Excel is listening. I hope they do it and make the site useful. Please do a follow up review.

[@brianbooker6293]

Kyle - Thank you for your dedication and thoroughness in testing the current state of EV charging infrastructure. We're all indebted to you!

[@ATICrossX]

Im afraid to ask, but I don't think Kyle ever sleeps 😂 He is way too happy making videos late at night/early morning 😎 Can't complain!

[@Surtistuff]

Fr.. Some of his videos he is up til 3-4am and now he is wake at 5am

[@jsunit5354]

Mostly at night...seldom daytime, and then stopping where there is Starbucks, food, shopping, etc. Interested in 50-70% charges...get another 50-80 miles...look for another charge station... Good videos, explanations, but short on precise details, like 1) exact number of stops during day, 2) exact time in hr/min setting at charger, 3) exact miles gained for the time spent on charger, etc. Yes, most of those details can be fleshed-out of the videos, but that requires some time reading between the lines. Yes, He is HONEST in presenting his perception of quality of service, hardware, software, accessories required, etc. EV Summary: Not yet ready for prime time.

[@ks5831]

Insomniac 😵‍💫😘

[@billwaterhouse5894]

Your rating of 4 is very generous. From a safety standpoint alone, my wife would never visit these unlit sites. Thanks for the review

[@ericroe]

Never? What about at noon?

[@timsteinkamp2245]

He brought it down to 3 but I say 1.

[@bloodycreepy]

it is sitting right in front of a fire station yes it need a light

[@TeslaRoadtrips]

This is the future battle ground for charging. Prime, safe, charging sites. Sounded like mercedes is making this a prime focus.

[@ArtiePenguin1]

I wouldn't say it's unsafe unless I was irrationally afraid of the dark. This site is adjacent to a fire station that's staffed 24/7.

[@patrickvanderhyde]

Great video Kyle. Glad to see the responses from the Xcel. Would be nice if operators engaged with EV owners more during design and launch of new locations.

[@johnlodge8546]

We have a number of Shell Recharge locations in our state. I can tell you they are NOT well maintained. We have a Shell Recharge location a couple miles away. Two chargers and one has been down rated from its 150 KW speed to roughly 30 KW for 12 months. Another location is a never ending problem with maybe one pedestal usually working, currently none are working. A third location with 6 pedestals usually has at least one down rated and 2 not working. SHELL is constantly being sent requests to fix their problems, and they never get fixed.

[@rogerjeck9281]

thanks for the honest "charge talk" kyle. For lightning owner it is confirmation that my truck best use is just what i bought it for (about 70-80 mile circle) and charging will be crap here in S Dakota long after my cyber truck reservation is filled. thanks again for some honest charge- talk!

[@georgepelton5645]

Kyle: “Utility doesn’t have to charge themselves demand charges” - Not really, the utility still has to pay their costs for demand. They save their profit margin, but that is all. Utility profit margins are regulated, so only about 10% or so. It seems that only large industrial customers really understand demand charges, why they are necessary, and how they can use them to lower their overall utility bill. By paying for demand separate from the energy charge, the cost of energy is much lower. Customers can work to shape their demand to keep total costs low. Hard to do for EV fast chargers with low utilization, but this will improve as the EV fleet grows. If EV charge networks are not incentivized to minimize their demand, total costs would skyrocket as utilities have to install new substations, distribution feeders, and even transmission lines and peak generation.

[@4rwayner7]

Demand is using electricity at times of heavy use requiring more costly infrastructure. At 5am they should lower cost.

[@simonthebroken9691]

Lighting is a must. One 20' tall flood light would make a world of difference.

[@phillymingion]

I don’t have a charger at home yet so I’ve been relying on a Shell Recharge station run by Seattle. It’s only 50kw, but it’s been the most reliable and rock solid charger, 50kw from start to 85%. More city run chargers, even at 50kw, would be amazing for folks that don’t have at home charging.

[@GregMcNamer]

Agree. A pair of 50kw+ chargers in every shopping area of towns/cities would be great for those w/o home charging and would nearly eliminate the range anxiety when trying to hop 150 miles between true fast charging stops. I currently overcharge so that I can skip a charger if necessary because the reliability is so poor. So I'm regularly leaving 50-80mi of range on the table.

[@toddh4491]

Xcel energy screwing something up from day one, what a surprise. As always, you are the voice of common sense on a dark morning. Thank you.

[@marklefler4007]

Awesome Kyle. You are the hardest worker in the EV Charging field, and doing great things. Keep it up.

[@phillipmontgomery3576]

Maybe the GAO should do an audit on installed chargers from companies that receive government subsidies to see if they meet the minimum power and reliability requirements?

[@Angelboy99]

Every gaz station with convenience store and cafe ( and perhaps car wash) should install electric stations. I stopped at a few stations fitted with Tesla and/or CCS chargers near highways in Quebec and its always busy, mostly with Tesla super chargers. I have the Combo CCS adapter and enjoy the best of both worlds.

[@phillm156]

Thank you for testing the new charging infrastructure. I want to ask about your R1T. Some KZbinrs have talked about the Vampire battery drain on the Rivian (Alex on Auto). He specifically said the Rivian’s drain was very high(much higher than the Ford lightening) even in transport or storage mode. Have you experienced similar drain with yours?

[@erolcoulson9194]

Kyle it's not boring , I'm learning through you how to charge a car with different machines thanks , great channel 👍

[@johnsnell1929]

Kyle drives down a dark and lonely road, rolling fog enveloping his Rivian as he drifts into a small clearing on the last few watt-hours he had left, coming to a stop in front of a dingy charger, barely lit and sounds of arcing in the background. He gets out, sizes up the charger, and nervously reaches out to lift out the plug, but it is frozen fast to the charger. As he considers what to do next, he hears a raspy voice from behind him: "Hey, buddy! Looking for a charge?" Kyle whirls around to see an unshaven man in a black trench coat standing there, the rest of his face obscured by a wide-brimmed hat pulled down low over his eyes. "I've got a great deal on kilowatt-hours for you... they're legit! They just spilled off the back of a Hummer EV out on the highway!" Kyle looks around hoping someone else will show up, but there's no other sign of life in sight. Even the ghosts don't want to come anywhere near here. The man continues: "Nah, really, I've even got any connector you need!" Just then he whips open his trench coat revealing every connector he's ever seen... plain J1772, CCS, Chademo, Tesla, the old contactless EV1 induction bar... and worrisomely even a pair of alligator clips! As Kyle took this all in, he further saw that the man had a huge belt made of 42120 lithium cells, as well as crossed straps of the cells over his shoulders, like machine gun ammunition. "Where else are you going to get a charge for your truck on a night like this? From THAT thing?" the man sneered, motioning toward the frozen charger. Kyle couldn't seem to get words to come out of his mouth as he tried to think of what to do... until... Kyle woke up. He sat bolt upright in his bed, looking around his room in a cold sweat... "That's it! No more going out to do reviews at 4:00 AM!" he yelled to himself, and flopped back into bed, jamming the pillow over his head, and went back to sleep. 😄 Thanks for the spooky morning vids, Kyle, and have a happy weekend! 😁

[@bobriemersma]

So do we anticipate places like a fancy oil change and detailing shop? Maybe combining valet charging and battery conditioning with light shopping and a burrito bar coffee shop in addition to a wash and wax and vac?

[@cmh2111]

Shell already has them setup this way in the UK.

[@BensEcoAdvntr]

I've found Shell/Greenlots to be so-so overall. The DCFC I used was a Tritium unit and between it and the app it was incredibly clunky to get it started. One of the two units was out of service and had been for a while. Still, it actually worked whereas I've never gotten any Electrify America station to work using the app despite many tries over many months. All that said, some charging in areas that previously had nothing is still better than no charging.

[@justsomeperson5110]

Well, if they're going to be doing construction on the site to put in lights and canopy, then yeah, take the site offline while the construction is in process. Safer for everyone. But especially if they only just announced it was open. It's not like anyone could have come to depend on it yet. So even more reason to just delay the grand opening. "Oops. We made a mistake. We're fixing it." Awesome response! And then when it's all fixed and reopened you can visit it again and compare. More content. Win win.

[@joemartino6976]

Kyle, you have a future as a TV anchorman, if you so choose. You give off a positive vibe, you're articulate, with a clear and constant delivery.....all without the benefit of scripting. That you can do all this at 4AM is particularly impressive. Good stuff!

[@matthewprather7386]

If only anchors would have those characteristics!

[@jackcoats4146]

They could temporary sign to help and note the 'new and temporary' nature of the facility. But leaving it online does add some functionality. It is great they got back with you so quickly, so there is hope! It also sounds like they may take it to heart for future installations! There is nothing wrong in not getting it right, it is wrong if once brought to your attention not fixing it. Glad they are listening!

[@wingsounds13]

Your comment almost perfectly parallels the comment that I just made. 🙂

[@ericroe]

You used the app to scan the QR code and it enters the station number. It actually works quite well.

[@cowboys1870]

Shell Recharge also appears to be putting in a 1st location near me (OKC). The location is an AdsTec w/ChargeBox 140kWh battery storage. Very high quality feeling charging station.

[@zoltronr6]

Love these charger videos.

[@aculeus1971]

Greetings from the uk. Shell recharge has a couple of chargers in my area and they also seem to have purchased Newmotion, who put in 44 fast chargers (11/22kW) across Southampton, about 5 years ago. The recharge rapid charger at Chandlers Ford was offline for a long time. I still haven’t managed to use that one. The newmotion units were often faulty . Some were free to use but that’s all stopped now. The university ones required a key fob to start the charge. The one good thing to say about these units was that you get a monthly bill and paperwork that you could submit straight away for expenses - I did like that and that might have encouraged business users to be loyal… if only the units themselves were faster… keep up the good work.

[@esprit1st75]

Thanks Kyle! Keep testing chargers! This is the only way to improve the charging experience.

[@roberth5435]

In Denville, NJ, there is a four-dispenser EA station not a quarter mile off I-80. It is behind the Walgreens, by a Starbucks, multiple restaurants, hair salons, etc. etc. You point about locating by retail is well taken.

[@steveroper8733]

While not a premium charging experience, I am thankful for utilities beginning to provide minimal charging, especially in areas that have been charging deserts. A similar Shell ReCharge unit has been installled in the mountains of Western NC (Franklin, NC) by the local municipality. The app indicates in that case that 400v cars will receive a reduced charge rate. I don't know if the reductions are for the same reason but it seems like a weird coincidence. This makes me ask....who is promoting this combo of charger and cable. Is this an ABB sales "bundle"? Is this somehow a Shell ReCharge arrangement? Or is this simply a typical case of government institutions cutting the wrong corners to keep install costs down? I wonder if there are other Shell ReCharge sites with this same arrangement? They certainly seem to be focused on this niche in the market.

[@gatorfanboy]

Really glad you are focusing this year on the charger and infrastructure, and hope others amplify that focus. I’m a current Tesla owner, but am a Rivian R1S pre-order (2024 window). My biggest hesitation is not having Tesla Supercharger Network if I switch to Rivian and CCS. It’s no longer range anxiety at the vehicle level… it’s all about can I road-trip and find fast charging and will chargers be online at all, and being stranded (I think the other concern about crowding and wait times is hitting Tesla and all networks)

[@JohnDiMartino]

Glad to see you exposing the good the bad and the ugly. Nice job. Nice that they are making changes,hope they swap cables as well.

[@davidandrew6357]

It seems strange to me that one of the first "Shell" recharge stations in the country should be set up in a random parking lot rather than at an actual "Shell" station. I suppose that it could be because the station is co-sponsored by Ecel energy. As you mentioned, it does help when a Utility takes an interest setting up EV charging stations, I just wish that more service station chains would also take more of an interest in EV charging. Any chance you may come back to this location to test to see if this Xcel station is indeed capable of simultaneous vehicle charging?

[@lucistnik]

Shell Recharge is a large OCPP backend provider. This station is not owned or operated by them. They are the payment processor, basically, a credit card reader at a self-service gas station, VISA.

[@willtheelectrician8184]

I drove my E-transit about 50 miles to repair my first Shell Recharge (Tritium) in KY last week. Grabbed about 40 kwh from it before heading back home in freezing weather.

[@therealcdnuser]

Shell has installed these units at their gas stations in Ontario, which makes more sense than a back lot. We want amenities! They should be installed in the same fashion as gas pumps.

[@nerknerk8834]

I have to add a BIG thank you to these comments! My model Y has a whopping 2800 miles and is two years old. I have been getting buy with supper charging ,there is one less than 3 miles away, and home charging so far. I just got a ccs adapter. Why do we need a different app for each charging network? Why do we need an app at all? I used to drive up to the pump, swipe my credit card, and "fill er up". Thanks again for the 6 am tour!

[@DLAmy]

If you need a charge it's nice to find one working ! It's better than a TOW. Especially if you are from out of town. Tx for your Vid's.

[@semlohde1]

Screwed you over on the cables- nope, they FLAT LIED and still get that gubmnt subsidy, handout, whatever. Claimed one thing, and the average EV owner isn't going to know your tremendous level of how they are being lied to. And no lights around, no safety at all. 4 out of 10, too generous. I'd say a 1 million dollar fine, for each charger not correctly labeled, each month until fixed. And I'd say YOU are the one to determine when it's right. Another great informative video from you. Thanks. I can see zero benefit being forced to electric. Oops, ya dropped it to 3 out if 10- very good. And as I watch more, they reached out to you. Remarkable. YOU accomplished this change. I'm grinning, congratulations and hope you'll visit this if they actually fix it.

[@chklingon698]

Glad it worked for you. Greenlots worked great, once Shell took over, not so much. The app has never worked for me, hope they have fixed that in the past months as I could use it out west when visiting. Thanks for posting this.

[@trullmann]

I greatly appreciate these videos. I don't have an EV just yet but it's helping me understand a lot more.

[@Lynyrd_Evnyrd]

I wonder why this is so hard? They made every mistake with this site. I agree, the fact that 200 amp chargers are technically NEVI compliant blows my mind. I would want to at the absolute least use the 300 amp cables FreeWire uses (edit: with the boost above 370 amps).

[@seanlavery6477]

Big fan of your channel and congratulations on the shout out from Sandy Munro live.

[@KramerEspinoza]

great job. most of the time people are not aware of the mistakes they make, so somebody has to show them. Great people do dare to say they made a mistake, that's the positive news. Only from mistakes we can learn.

[@rickpellicciotti]

I think a lot of charging providers have the attitude that you need the electricity and they have it so you will be desperate enough to put up with underperforming or broken equipment. Service levels won't rise until there is competition which is a long way off. My family has put off our purchase of our first EV base on all the tomfoolery the dealerships are playing in and the immense problems with the charging network.

[@dfberry]

Thanks for being "out there" for all EV drivers. You're more knowledgeable than the the average EV driver is (or even should need to be!) and that makes you credible to EV Charger operators. So, again -- thanks for being our trailblazer! 👍

[@berthogendoorn2133]

This belongs on this channel, always welcome to see charger reviews!

[@987micim]

There have been some mumblings around here in southwest VA that Appalachian Power is going to start installing their own DC fast chargers. Hopefully the Executives will pay attention to the failing of others and actually install decent 150+ kW chargers although I have my doubts considering how much their demand prices are for end users. Appalachian Power is the main reason my friend is going for the new V2 Freewire chargers instead of something like ChargePoint or Tritium units.

[@MarkB3h]

Great charging site review theme overall and approach on this video. Mainstream people won't put up with this and need a safe space to charge with lighting, rain protection, simple user experience, and increased charging speed. Keep it up!

[@kjh789az]

You're a trooper Kile! Thanks for unpicking the EV charging maze, even at 5 in the morning throuugh literal fog.

[@TreborStiefel]

Hi, Love your video's. You are the reason why I am getting on EV. It was the correct decision to take the station off line. If a new EV owner got stuck there that would not have been good.

[@jerrymildredpetersen3177]

I like the way you're starting to get after the DCFC networks and letting them know that the current situation is completely unacceptable. As for Shell Recharge, I've had three experiences with them since September here in Florida along US 19, All were 50 kW, which is OK for my Bolt EUV. The one closest to us is 15 cents/kWh. And it worked fine when I tested it just to get set up and see how it worked. (Actually there were two of them on the site, but I only tried one.) The next one I tried was up in Chiefland, FL on the way to Michigan. Their app and Plugshare both said both chargers worked. Had they worked, they would have been 35 cent/kWh. They did not work. I called their tech support and he told me there were service tickets on both of them but he assured me that both units up in Perry worked. It would have saved a lot of time if the app was accurate. I wasted over 40 minutes trying to get them to connect and waiting on hold for support. We went on up to Perry where there were two more Shell Recharge units. The one I used was flawless and is 15 cents/kWh. The only issues I had were the obvious one where neither one worked and also that first charge as I set up the app and figured out what the steps were and the sequence for getting electrons into my battery. I haven't had any need for DCFC since then since charging at home on solar is almost free. Getting the itch for another road trip, but I think I'll wait for better weather and better charging. Again, great job on the videos. You obviously love your job.

[@-Jethro-]

What if there was a well lighted, covered place where you could just pull up and stick your credit card in the machine and charge? And they could have a store with food and bathrooms. Nah, ridiculous! That would never work.

[@brightymcbrightface]

This (snafu DCFC sites) _is_ the expectation. I just visited 3 EVgo sites in Silicon Valley. All advertised as 200kW (by EVgo and on the Rivian Nav.) All were variously 50kW units. One unit was label 150kW and it might be. But for a 400V R1T, it was 80kW. Effectively 30% of optimal … tripling the charge time … I had driven past a known 350kW EA site to eke out the last 50 miles before charging. This left insufficient range to get to the next EA site. So I "hopped" 10 miles at a time between the EVgo sites. The hope was to find one doing better than 50kW. The 80kW was still an expensive waste of time. I sat there, delayed a total of an hour, still needing to charge! All I could do was sit and "trickle charge" till the R1T had range to get to the EA charger and then resume my trip. AAAArrrghhh!!! Love the Rivian, loathe the network. Tesla is clearly embattled on all fronts right now, but it has its network and that makes the Models 3 and Y the superior EVs. If only the government was spending billions on actually installing 350kW pedestals … The "bi-partisan infrastructure bill" is a cash windfall for corporations to take years (already 2+ years) and get nothing done. Meanwhile, Tesla is building a 1kV 1MW network and vehicles … that's what I think we should be able to expect for 2023. p.s. Rivian flashlight … : )

[@benwinslow3101]

Glad to hear they reached out to you and took your suggestions

[@spleck615]

The cables “fix” the load balancing software issue. Working as intended. Lol😅

[@geoffrey4662]

It's amazing how you'd need a GPS, credit card, a flashlight, just to have a sub-tastic experience. I'm glad some people are listening, but they have a long way to go.

[@Hakama86423]

Be glad it is only 42 cents for a kw hour. In Europe we have to pay double that amount for fastcharging

[@jmilleronaire]

You're pretty lucky to live where you do. Shell shut down most greenlots sites in MN completely after they buyout and hasn't really added much new. the state of DCFC in MN is pretty abysmal.

[@kane6106]

Infrastructure is as import as the cars themselves, so please keep doing these reviews.

[@wingsounds13]

Excellent video. I'm glad that providers are following you and seem to be responding to your concerns. Thanks very much for the update at the end of the video. It's a hard call as to keeping this new charge point on line or take it off line until site upgrades are made. I lean slightly toward keeping it on line with a sign on site stating that upgrades are coming soon - only if these site upgrades really are coming soon. It would be better to have the charging available should someone really need it.

[@eddiec4536]

My wife would never go to a place like this at night without lighting. Excellent video Kyle. You are one brave guy, the cold, darkness and remoteness of that location.

[@rachelcorwith8481]

As a woman that works in sketchy neighborhood far from my house, sometimes I need a charge. It would be great to have a level 3 charger in that area. There are only level 2, and I don't want to hang out at a creepy park with no one but the drug dealers. A fire station would be much preferred.

[@simonthebroken9691]

Thank you. Awesome work 👏

[@charleswillcock3235]

Classic bureaucracy no-one actually knows what they are dong - but they do something, sadly not very good. Fantastic that you are able to shine a light on the issues. Hopefully in the near future things will improve.

[@matthewwright98]

Best car review channel on KZbin love your videos man keep up the good work

[@expsholtes11]

I've had amazing experiences on Shell Recharge units sponsored by NY Power Authority here in NYS.

[@gridjac]

I’d say taking the charger offline is the right thing t do. Get it right first, so that customers have the best experience possible. Edit to add: Thanks for doing this. Putting this out obviously gets results and there are so many new EV owners that don’t have your reach or level of knowledge. I love to see these videos.

[@ericroe]

I disagree. A canopy isn’t a quick fix, it’ll take months before they install a canopy. So a working charger goes offline because it’s dark. What about during the day? Make it known on PlugShare and let users make the decision.

[@mark123655]

Great video.. Ampol AMPCharge in Australia are using similar units with 200A cables but pricing them as though they are ultra-fast units.. Not great outcome for the majority of 400V cars

[@StachelyPigglyBottom]

Loving the videos as a new prospective EV owner in NE. Curious of your thoughts on EV pricing given Tesla price reductions. Maybe a pod episode? I'm on the hairy edge of getting an Ioniq 5 but now I'm wondering if I should wait.

[@-Jethro-]

If you want to do road trips, Tesla is still the way to go. (MY and Leaf owner here) I thought the CCS experience was improving, but Kyle’s recent videos have convinced me that it’s still problematic.

[@dennislyons3095]

Additionally--Well done Kyle! You have a much better variety of chargers in your area than we do in CA. At least in our area only EA units are the only ones over 50Kw. Good review & critique of this location.

[@haydensmith8368]

Thanks for the hack regarding battery pre-conditioning for non-native fast chargers - must try this in my Model 3, so obvious when I think about it now!. We have a similar thing in NZ where our extensive "Charge Net" infrastructure isn't included into Tesla's nav auto-routing. Though you can search & put them in as trip destinations/stops it just won't do the same computer wizardry as for Tesla's supercharger's. I Thought I heard a rumour that Tesla may be including other charging networks into the native trip planning in future? (dunno about Rivian). Great tip Kyle.

[@newscoulomb3705]

I've noticed the same issue with Shell Recharge. There seems to be a disconnect between the site installers and software team, where the two groups aren't talking to each other about deployments. To be fair to Shell, though, I remember that being a problem with Greenlots as well, so I think this issue is something that Shell Recharge inherited when they bought Greenlots.

[@egoheals]

That's one little issue I've noticed when using these network chargers; it's so hard to figure out which charger is which when you look at the app vs. when you get there. The print for the numbers/names is so tiny you have to basically park to see which one you are looking for, or how much power it can supply. It's a strange thing considering gas pumps have very clearly visible numbers on them; shouldn't be that hard to do for these things, lol.

[@manitobasky]

One minute in, 180 kW shell recharge. Me “Kyle is not going to like this” Yep 200 amp cable, at least it wasn’t derating my local one only delivers 140 amp or 59kW.

[@TRYtoHELPyou]

There are shell recharge stations all over here in MD.... NONE of them work on my spark . they start, then stop. my car works fine almost everywhere else. (used to be that electrify america had this problem too until they changed out their crap)

[@azera55555]

So excited to move to Denver in a few months and explore around Colorado too, what a beautiful state, love it so much

[@DirectCurrentRides]

That's probably the coolest thumbnail I've ever seen

[@PatrickVanNicePhotography]

You're doing God's work for the whole charging world Kyle! My wife drives a 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 RWD and I drive a VW ID.4 1st edition. We do a lot of out-of-town driving with both of them and this winter has been hell for fast charging. You should do a video at the EA station next to the dumpster behind the very old Casey's store, over a mile away from the interstate exit - this is in Albert Lea, Minnesota. These opened just last summer, but only 1 of the 4 ABB units has ever worked. It would be funny if it wasn't so infuriating. It's also about the cars: neither has a heat pump or can precondition the battery. Time to trade into a competitively priced Tesla and their supercharger network.

[@ReflectedMiles]

My local utility co-op in one of the least expensive areas for electricity in the US charges $0.43 / kWh for their fast chargers plus $0.40 / minute for any amount of time that you are plugged in without the charger being on. On the other hand, installing just two DCFC units cost over $200k in total project costs, paid for by a combination of grants and co-op capital funding, and thieves are willing to cut the cords if they get half a chance (very expensive to replace), so it is still a money-losing proposition despite quite a few vehicles using it.

[@matthewprather7386]

There’s enough known about setting up a charging station to have a really good requirements doc for it. But it seems like many of them are just haphazardly done - off the top of someone’s head. Surprising that the dispenser vendors don’t seem to manage this since they often get the black eye. But then, the dispensers are still so bad in many cases - bad dispenser software, bad app, bad hardware, bad connectivity. And it seems like they all do at least something badly. Except Tesla - plug the car in and it charges - vertical integration solves many problems!

[@rtfazeberdee3519]

What did they say about the cables and lack of full power for 400v cars?

[@David_Quinn1995]

love the review on the charger, don't let up on the big companies.

[@russpatterson1230]

Kyle, There is something to see to the east of where you are in Colorado. I was stationed in Denver in the early 70s and had to be in formation in the early morning. I have never seen so many beautiful sunrises as I did there. How about adding some short scenes of the sunrises when you get the chance.

[@kottuning3294]

Hey Kyle. So I found your channel a few weeks ago and have been watching all your videos. I've always been fascinated with Tesla's as I have a very technological background, more so then 99.9% of people but always worried what a nightmare it would be for charging and battery range. I just rented a Model S Plaid with intentions now on either ordering or buying one a year old. Still not sure if I need to go the full Monty for my first EV or if I'll get one a few years old but I cannot tell you enough how great this channel is and how much it amped me up for buying an EV. Keep up the great work and thanks for all the content!

[@alexnutcasio936]

Plaid prices are dropping like a rock. A 21 can be had for less than $100k now. Even 22s are running close to $100k, a $40k drop in a year.

[@brackendowns7367]

I am not an EV expert, but the cable is 1000 volt DC at 200A. That equates to 200 KW. Google indicates Rivian is 400V so it would need a 450 amp cable and a charger capable of that voltage and current.

[@brandondelgado4153]

my utility (Puget Sound Energy) also uses the Shell recharge network. interesting.

[@Matt-dx3wo]

This is something to raise with whatever agency in CO handles measurement standards. Judging from my experience in CA, it's not exactly on their radar to track and test fast charger power delivery and accuracy.

[@christopherwhull]

Nobody needs a state board of Amps and Volts, both the car and the charger have a reason for accurate and matching measurements. If any charger is found to be inaccurate by the vendor or EV charger network , it is an easy fix. Some vinal signs and/or QR scanable from inside the car with just parking lights. First company to come up with arm to support an all weather 500A air cooled charging cable wins the industrial design competition, there is no reason the connector end should ever touch the ground or be stuck in a snow drift. This is self carwash design problems.

[@Matt-dx3wo]

​@@christopherwhull This charger advertises something it can't do, that's false advertising and falls under the consumer protection laws I'm sure.

[@DavidPlayfair]

Great work, Kyle. We need a channel like this in the UK.

[@SamuraiTacos1]

love the testing of chargers content

[@Scoopta]

One thing I LOVE about my polestar is it tells you the volts and amps it's getting both on AC and DC, it's amazing. If only the rest of the car would be that expert friendly, all in all I do love the car tho

[@billbush1270]

I'm glad to see a responsive charging provider, hope it is a sign they'll be looking at the bigger picture more. And it is good that they are following you, because constructive criticism has to be welcomed for them to improve. I'm near bleeding edge here in rural NC, as I have a Prius! Not a plug-in either. I'm getting far fewer weird looks, so progress is being made. I still don't think there is a public charger in the county. My friend who has a Tesla has an in-garage charger of his own.

[@michaellatta]

Have you had any issues with the charging cables under the garage door out into the cold? What length are your cables?

[@elizabethrush2102]

I think little places like this are really nice for local people, especially people who don't have chargers at home. If they have too many things near by a bunch of travelers will stop there. Just a thought.

[@drjaye1962]

Great job keep up the pressure