ChargdEV A Better Way To Charge | Public EV Charging without the Hassle

[@johnbolton7894]

The key thing for me would be he integration with a map system like waze to show live updates with live redirection if a charger becomes busy as I approach. Info such as how long the person has been charging, If the car is plugged in but has finished charging. List of contact details so the person can be notified that someone else wants to charge and their car is full. in one app this would be brilliant.

[@EVOpinion]

John Bolton you’re right. We have so many individual solutions it would be great to bring them all together 👍

[@terryjimfletcher]

ZapMap must've taken over this idea - www.chargdev.co.uk no longer exists. Octopus Energy have also taken on parts of this service with their grouping of a few groups.

[@railwaymanjohn4721]

I think the Mercedes method is the way to go. Their new electric cars (as I understand it) will have software built into the car that allows the driver to pull up to ANY public charge point across the UK and Europe, plug the car in, the car identifies itself to the charger, and the charger switches on and charges. When the charge is completed, Mercedes are billed and pass the cost onto the driver. Simple, no apps, RDF, or contactless cards needed by the driver. See recent test of the new Mercedes EQ on Fully Charged.

[@EVOpinion]

Railwayman John we just need the charge point providers to install the hardware to enable it to happen. Tesla have always done it and it’s so easy 👍

[@mikeselectricstuff]

On the Fully Charged Merc first-look video, it looked like you had to pre-select the charger on an app. Plugging in to ANY charger for auto-recognition will never happen as there are loads of dumb AC chargers with no connectivity. AFAIK there is nothing in the AC charging protocol that allows for vehicle ID - it's only possible with the more complex PLC protocol used by CCS.

[@mikeselectricstuff]

Everyone wants it, but he already admitted that some major operators aren't interested. Unless all the major players are on board it's a dead duck

[@mikeselectricstuff]

XKCD 927 comes to mind

[@keithw32123]

"The nice thing about standards is that you have so many to choose from. " Computer Networks, 2nd ed., p. 254. 1988 Book by Andrew S. Tanenbaum :)

[@NorthernExplorers]

In my opinion, if we want more uptake on EVs then we need to make it as easy as it currently is at the petrol station so the process is familiar. Replace pumps with charging points and have a mixture of unmanned charging points for contactless and if need be you can pay in cash at the end of a charge in the shop. As charging becomes faster it should be almost similar to the way we used to fill with Dino juice!

[@EVOpinion]

Northern Explorers agreed. Although I use Esso as I pass one on my way to work and I’ve started using their app to initiate the pump and pay!

[@michaelgoode9555]

Sounds valuable to some types of users but I would simply like the most simple solution of contactless payment. I don't use my mobile as a payment device but I see that many people do. Not really my cup of 'coffee' but if rolled out well should be extremely useful and popular.

[@EVOpinion]

Michael Goode I think you are like a lot of people but as he said in the video it’s nice to have choice 😁👍

[@paulcarnall791]

Brilliant idea , I'm up for it.

[@Zazu2You]

Hello, I really enjoy your channel and have watched many, many of your videos. I am a new owner of a 2015 Silver Nissan Leaf with a 24kWh battery. As a relative newcomer to the EV World, I found the topic of public charging quite interesting. Cheers!!

[@GreatCreative]

An all-in-one app would be nice. I use PlugShare in Canada solely as a check-in courtesy so those waiting will know how long I’ll be using the charger. If the charger (and we don’t have many options) is not free of charge - as many are right now - I use the applicable app. It’s a pain, but I am somewhat weary of giving my credit card info to small, pop-up companies. My preference would be tap-and-go with my credit card ... just like I used to do at the pump. And contrary to your guest’s comment, I am one of those drivers who drives my EV like an ICE vehicle. I use my fill-up stops for food, drink and bathroom breaks...just like I always did in my ICE cars.

[@AlexPacker]

I currently use a Plugsurfing RFID fob for some of my public charging. I know it takes a small commission, but I'm happy to pay for the lack of faffing. One problem with contactless payments is the lack of receipt, which you sometimes need if driving for work.

[@bernardcharlesworth9860]

Wonderful news thanks

[@DavidWilliams-nb5up]

Fabulous, I’m sure I’ve seen a similar thing that operates throughout Europe, it would be great to eventually combine the two.

[@RWBHere]

After all that, they're still hamstrung by the smartphone/app/card/tag/etc. nonsense. For starters a huge number of people do not own smartphones, and many will never own one. I don't, and use a basic voice/text phone. *Step back and act logically, you electricity suppliers, and let people use their almost universally available credit or debit cards, in the way that almost all transactions are made already.* Why should electricity from a charger be paid for differently to paying for domestic or business electricity? Do EV's run on a proprietary kind of electrons? Of course not! *Drop the obstructive palaver, cut costs of implementation, improve your profitability, or reduce costs to customers, and make people feel welcome, and happy to pay seamlessly.* Let's have some proper customer care!

[@ricardo-iw9sq]

Why not just make it simple forget signing up to multiple apps and scanning, when I fill up with diesel i just turn up at any fuel station put fuel in use contactless and go, as I see and hear on quite a few ev blogs the main problem is smart phone signal or the app not working and why can they not be put under cover. I cannot wait to get an ev but where I live there no plains to put any points in plus I have to do a lot towing I'm holding out for the rivian truck. But the main thing is keep it simple stop over complicating just filling up the car. Love your channel keep up the good work.

[@dr-k1667]

Data is king and ease is mandatory to help the transition from petrol to electrons. Wifi and app supported payments depend on the system always working and that has already been an issue for EV drivers, when you drive up to a charger, just want to get home and the one you picked is down for whatever reason and you had no idea. This is more than just about how to pay, but the data to help you always be sure you can wherever you are whenever you are no matter what EV you drive... like petrol stations.

[@jonathanmeazza427]

There are 2 x Instavolt chargers on the A350 Long Bridge Deverill for you to try out. I reckon the mass public will just want to use contactless and these app based payments will go like Beta max.

[@shoestringsev4529]

Sadly we need government intervention today to force charging providers like they did with banks where you can use any atm without service charge. For charge points this means they have to accept all rfid cards and contactless at the standard rate per kWh.

[@mikeselectricstuff]

Mercedes have just announced something similar for their customers - how well it works remains to be seen.

[@robertpryor7225]

What is contactless? Partnership with EV makers, maybe they could include a charging discount w/ EV sale. Add sponsored chargers. OR start a network of sponsored advertising discount chargers with illuminated posters or video screens. (Ref: VOLTA) Encourage flexible time limits, based on busy times W/ penalty fees Bring it to southern California

[@EVOpinion]

Robert Pryor contactless is when you tap your credit card on the payment machine to pay. It’s limited to £30 here in the UK.

[@barryhaeger4284]

Looking at some of the comments I think many are missing an important point about what we are seeing proposed here that is that of the additional functions over and above contactless payment. The first of these is the EV-Fuel Card as UK transitions to EV Company Cars. No company Car driver wants to pay for fuel and then reclaim for it they want to make it be as easy as driving their current diesel and using a fuel card. I noticed that in the recent Fully Charged episode when Robert Llewellyn reviewed the Mercedes-Benz ECQ-400 he said that drivers will have a Mercedes account to which all their charging will be charged back to whatever provider and they or their company will get a single monthly bill. This will work throughout Europe and that does include the UK. Mercedes have spotted the need for this and have found the solution to taking on Tesla Supercharging network. This solution being discussed with Ryan is bigger than what Mercedes is attempting but without the commercial clout of Mercedes or BP Energy who if I'm not mistaken own NewMotion and certainly other charge point providers I doubt this will come to much unfortunatly.

[@EVOpinion]

Barry Haeger you are right about the additional features being important and not to get hung up on contactless. I, like you, wish him luck in his venture 😁👍

[@stevengwilliam8096]

No no no no. People want to swipe and go. Any form of App is just crazy. The charge points will only work for the people who's mobile happens to find coverage at the charge location. How frustrating would I be to arrive and find there is no EE coverage at the charge site so you are screwed but the next driver has his phone on O2, has 5 bars on his phone and gets his charge. Madness.

[@christill]

This would have been a lot more timely a few years ago. Now they’re all moving towards contactless so it’s going to be mostly irrelevant by the time it launches.

[@MM-qd4km]

Will any App improve the reliability and availability of a charge point? Contactless is not a free service for charger providers so once the economy of scales improves then all will be contactless 💳 , Apple Pay etc

[@SigurdurKristofersson]

This should not be a phone app ( please not one more phone app ) , rather integrated in to the GPS app in the car ( something like Tesla does ). There is no reason it cannot be implemented into the navigaton of all electric cars.

[@richardsgameplay6537]

I'm going to use an RFID card when my ev arrives in november. I can not own a home charger, so I must use public charging. I wil make videos about me making use of my env200 on my channel. By the way I'm not a fan of booking your charger. Then it wil be no longer public.

[@ateeqn1985]

Booking is crazy. How about making sure chargers actually WORK or are fixed immediately! Apps are useless if your phone charge /network is low.. Or if you monthly data allowance is finished... CONTACT LESS CARD PAYMENTS Mind boggling that charge providers don't understand... "in there bubble"

[@EVOpinion]

ateeqn1985 I think it comes down to cost. They don’t make money at the moment so are reluctant to spend. It is incredibly frustrating!!

[@ateeqn1985]

@@EVOpinion (if I understand correctly) they have invested in an app. Personally there lies the problem. You need a contless card payment device on the charger, like a vending machine. Also the more "middle men" and technology development there is the more expensive it will be for actual end users.. I don't think rapid chargers make alot of money currently anyway. Hard to justify investing

[@vampireechidna]

I think the concept is good idea, however this could be simplified by contactless payments on every charger. I am not keen on the idea of booking chargers. It sounds good but I wouldn't bee happy to desperately turning up to a charger which had been prebooked. Let's say the person who prebooked doesn't turn up. It's should cancel if not used by the prebooked person after 5 minutes of not being connected. You would require a mobile app to say you are the person prebooked. With a contactless payment, you don't need a mobile app. Just your bank card. Why would you need an app if you have a contactless card or NFC on your phone.

[@Jon_Godfrey]

nice idea ... you need to get all the providers signed up for this to really fly otherwise users will be stuck with a folder full of Apps.

[@RZOCUK]

Sorry but I don't think this is the way at all.. We or myself for one just want contactless payment no app. I want to pull up and swipe my card and charge. And since like many we have been early adopters we all have pushed for contactless. Polar have just announced contactless and this has been the best thing for ev owners. Its alot easier for company's to add contactless than start getting into sharing data with out sourced company's. Not sure I see this as a future.

[@EVOpinion]

Renault Zoe & ZE Owners Club we filmed this before the Polar announcement so didn’t know about the backdating of their units but the other old ones would be a welcome addition to the app. He was really positive about this not competing with contactless, rather just being another option. Personally I’d like the choice and the additional features would be good but contactless is quick and easy for me 👍

[@bdeithrick]

Why won’t Plugsurfing work on units ?

[@peterhughes2091]

Sounds good with one app “To rule them all” but the thing that has me worried is the idea of a premium service that locks off a charger in order to guarantee the premium user a slot at a pre arranged time. This, in my view, is where the charger ceases to be a public charger. What is being proposed is a move to compel me to have this guys app in order to know if his “Premium “ customers have it locked off for themselves. Either that or I have to take a chance on the charger being free. Why should this guy have any say over who can and can’t use Public chargers, installed by other firms.? Sorry this part of the idea needs rethinking, perhaps he should install his own network which would certainly give him a controlling say in who, when and where.

[@EVOpinion]

peter hughes I was interested in this too as I wouldn’t want to pay extra and it seems from the responses this isn’t a popular idea?

[@peterhughes2091]

Exactly. The idea of a standardised mean of payment deserves merit. As for the rest....sorry no! To be honest I don’t believe it’s a huge technological leap for all the energy companies to simply make their chargers take contactless payment. The whole charging network is a mess with everyone having their own system, hence this guys idea. I don’t need a collection of different nozzle adapters in my ICE car boot to buy fuel from Shell, BP, Esso etc they’re a standard size. Who on earth thought this mish - mash was a good idea? If the electric vehicle industry is going to expand as predicted then we need to charging infrastructure to expand and standardise. Did VHS vs Beta teach us nothing?

[@solentbum]

My wife does not have , and does not want , a mobile phone. She does have a credit card. Having premium booking for a charge point is a retrograde step and will kill off the idea of an EV for many.

[@mconnah1]

Barry PURKIS I hardly ever use my phone as a ‘phone’ I think your wife is missing out on mobile access to so many more things, including charging access which Ecotricity uses. Forget that it is a phone! Don’t give anyone your number!

[@solentbum]

@@mconnah1 Maybe I should change the post to read,' my wife has had a phone, but does not use it, being happy without. There seems to be pressure from many for all of us to have a 'smart phone' with loads of apps, whether we want one or not. Some of us , having lived a long life know that most of it is unnecessary. I do have a so called 'smart phone' , with apps for several charge companies, BUT I would still prefer a simple credit card contactless payment.

[@RWBHere]

@@mconnah1 I have a mobile phone,. It costs me no more than £30, sometimes only £20, and I don't have any intention of using it for anything but SMS and occasional phone calls. That way, the battery only needs recharging every month or two. (5 times so far, this year.) Out of curiosity, how much does it cost to use a phone to be able to charge a car? Thanks..

[@EVOpinion]

RWBHere there is still a minority of people who are in the same boat as you but as we see in all industries you are being catered for less and less as the vast majority use smart phones. Personally I am comfortable with one and use it for everything from the weekly shop to route guidance. On a side note most smart phones are less than £30 a month. If you are only calling and texting I would have a look at your options with your provider. You are paying way too much 😬

[@solentbum]

@@EVOpinion For myself I do have a 'smart phone' , cost £11 per month, brought for cash £120 two years ago. and it has a pile of Apps. But why add yet another one, when all I want to do is pay a simple bill to a static machine? Further to the idea of pre booking a charger, what consideration has been given to the inevitable confrontations when someone wants to 'queue jump' at a busy charger? The cure is simple, the provision of more charge points at busy places. I also suggest that as battery range increases the need for 'on journey' charging drops off. I have found that last year I used roadside chargers less frequently with my 40 LEAF than I did with my 24 LEAF, even though I drove much further. Once the limit of safe daily driving range has been reached the need is for destination chargers in the main.

[@nigelweir3852]

Booking a charge point , stinks , costs would be ridiculous , sorry but let’s make things more complicated and charge for it . I buy fuel for gas ice car easily , ev should easy not depending on apps , accounts may work but who needs anything but the car

[@leesmith9299]

Pint of water with lots of ice for me.

[@EVOpinion]

Lee Smith we certainly need lots of that in this heat!!

[@computerbob06]

Yet another app? Yet another way to sell your data to outside interests. Just make the whole network contactless or even just shove your card in as in petrol stations. I always use my debit card to pay for my fuel, why so many different systems? It puts me off buying an EV, as I have no way to charge at home!

[@2006craig]

This company doesn't exist today, so presumably this failed.

[@BRI535D]

Nice guy,nice try.All this is polishing a turd! As an EV owner of 4 years I can safely say that the current charging infrastructure sucks.People do not want apps because contactless is the way to go.EV drivers do want the experience to be like their old ICE car and it can and will be.Once 100kw and above Rapid charging stations just like filling station forecourts appear we are getting much closer.Fast chargers apart from home and workplace parking locations will be dead ducks.

[@flossythepig5141]

Not another app, please. A lot of ideas that don't solve the underlying issue of improving the charging infrastructure.

[@EVOpinion]

Flossy The Pig I think the two go hand in hand. We need more infrastructure with a single / simpler way of paying 👍

[@flossythepig5141]

@@EVOpinion Simple way of paying is just like most other things, credit or debit card. I've not got an EV yet but filling and then paying for the petrol in my hybrid is a simple process and the same at most of the filling stations I've used in a number of European countries. KISS, no app necessary. Contactless is simpler or even the new Mercedes system, just plug in and charge.