How HARD Is It To Charge An Electric Car For The First Time?

[@LeftCoastEV]

How was your first ever public charging experience? Are you happy using all these different apps? Or would one app for all charging providers be better? Maybe the solution is what Europe is doing...making sure that all chargers have working credit card payment systems? Share your comments below!

[@rosiekong5472]

EV charging is not too hard, just the first time you set it up it takes some time, but once you have an account it is much faster to get hooked up and charging. The RFID cards are awesome.

[@LeftCoastEV]

Everyone should order those RFID cards if they are available.

[@johncipolletti5611]

I thought torture was outlawed in the USA! This video is killing me! Guess what, I am a 50 programmer and a tech designer and own an EV!

[@LeftCoastEV]

This means you’ve never signed up for a public charging network in the USA before? Never downloaded their app? Never signed up for their service? Either you drive a Tesla or exclusively charge in your garage.

[@johncipolletti5611]

@@LeftCoastEV OH, on distance driving, I rent an ICE. Within 200 miles of distance, I use the Bolt and charge it in my garage on a 220 line overnight.

[@westcoastbestcoast88]

I am hoping for the day when each charger will have a card terminal that works just like they do on a fuel pump.

[@LeftCoastEV]

I always say that they need to make charging an EV as simple as filling gas.

[@craighermle7727]

Dharging Teslas on Tesla's network are totally transparent. Drive into one of Tesla's superchargers, plug in, and charge.

[@PeaceChanel]

Thank You for your efforts... Peace.. Shalom.. Salam.. Namaste.. 🙏🏻 😊 🌈 ✌ ☮ ❤

[@jonerzinger9873]

Have had or EV for a couple of weeks, and have yet to charge away from home. Charging at home is brilliantly easy. Once the BC RFID arrives I’ll get out and check out charging. They will need to create a much easier charging experience for widespread adoption to take place.

[@LeftCoastEV]

Until it’s as easy as pumping gas, people will have a harder time adopting. This is why I applaud Europe and their law saying that all public chargers must have credit card terminals.

[@muskrat3291]

Plug and Charge, such as the Tesla Supercharger and EVGo. Basically you plug in, the charger reads your car's VIN number and an associated credit/debit card and it begins charging.

[@iangardner2311]

I prefer the Quebec rfid card over the Flo. It has automatic reload. In case you are in remote location without internet. They both work on same charger networks.

[@LeftCoastEV]

Auto reload is great and you can completely ditch the app. Unfortunately not all charging providers have this option which is a shame.

[@vulpixelful]

She brought up a good point about having more pictures for people whose first language isn't English! As for if I ever find myself downloading an app only after I get to a charger, password vaults (not just your browser!) can also vault your payment methods so that helps the autofill along.

[@kanetse1378]

If the charger is free, too bad she had to put in $10 into the app to start charging and good thing she didn't put in $20.

[@LeftCoastEV]

One of the biggest drawbacks of these apps is the fact that each one has their own wallet. And you always need to have a positive balance to charge, even if the charger is free.

[@vulpixelful]

I don't know when this changed but Flo now let's you charge without signing up for an account. A lot of the other apps do too, and it's helpful when you're at the charging station already. Otherwise, I just sign up at home.

[@lenimbery7038]

Only hard if you don't have a Tesla!

[@LeftCoastEV]

Totally agree with you! If I were to do a Tesla charging video it would be less then a minute long. Plug in and charge!

[@westcoastbestcoast88]

So true! Tesla makes it way too easy!

[@jonerzinger9873]

It’s going to be interesting to see how charging evolves now that all EV manufacturers have adopted the NACS standard. It should make road tripping for us nontesla owners a much easier experience.

[@LeftCoastEV]

It all depends if plug and charge will be implemented across all manufacturers. If yes, then the experience will be as smooth as charging a Tesla. If not, then we will still need to fiddle with the Tesla app to start a charge. Time will tell.

[@Davran2742]

I've had my Bolt euv for ten months now. The first month I tried public charging with plenty of charge left in the battery so I could get home if things didn't work. Luckily I asked a couple ev groups what apps to get and downloaded them at home, and put $20 on three of them to start. Then I ordered the flo, chargepoint, and bc hydro cards, but they took awhile. I like Rosie's idea of also having pictorial instructions. Chevron-Journie is the flakiest I've used, but it's free so far; I've learned to uninstall and reinstall the Journie app after every use, or the app sometimes thinks the car's still charging next time I plug in.

[@LeftCoastEV]

Thanks for sharing your first charging experience. I’ve had the same issue with the Journie app so thank you for the suggestion. It always seems to have some issues.

[@ChasingDifferentAdventures]

My father does not have the Technical ability to be able to Charge a Car... He doesn't have a Cellphone, or email... he only knows how to pump fuel he hates computers, or screen phones... he only uses a land line.

[@LeftCoastEV]

Then he can charge at home. It’s just like plugging in a toaster. As for public charging, you can set up all the apps and order RFID cards for him. Then it’s just as easy as tapping a credit card.

[@ChasingDifferentAdventures]

@@LeftCoastEV Last night I viewed a Video of a 2021 Hyundai, that had a Road Hazzard issue, where the Dealership had Deemed the Car in operable condition. To Replace the Battery Pack would have Cost $60,000, which is more than a Brand New Ionic.. in the Video Hyundia will not Replace it and the Cost is out of Pocket... This is why I will never buy Electric Vehicle's (EV's) Thanks the response and i cou;ld help him somewhat, and he is really old school... I have been mechanical since I was 8 years old. 👨🏻👍🏻🏎🏎🏁🏁🚩🚩 Happy Holidays

[@LeftCoastEV]

Happy Holidays to you too!

[@jonerzinger9873]

Which RFID cards would you recommend? I’ve applied for BC Hydro.

[@LeftCoastEV]

BC Hydro is a good one to have. It allows you to charge not only on their network but also Flo, ChargePoint and Shell ReCharge. If you plan to travel in the US you can order the EVgo one. Works really well. Sadly Electrify Canada does not have a RFID but they do allow you to download a digital card to your phone wallet in case their app doesn’t work well. Same for Electrify America if you plan to travel in the States. That would be it, covers all your bases. Myself I like redundancy so I also ordered and use a Flo and ChargePoint RFID in case the other networks have an outage of some sort. Better to have backup when I really need to charge.

[@Wiseguy1138]

I'm so thankful that my work has level 2 charging (if I'm able to actually get one before they're all taken for the day). We have one of these boxy blue DC fast chargers near us operated by Circuit Electrique (Hydro Quebec) but Flo is a partner network so I can use my Flo account to pay there. But this station (which is the cheapest DC fast charger remotely near me) has been out of commission for over 2 weeks. Both Flo and Circuit Electrique have said there's no plans to fix the station because the property owner hasn't approved any repairs. I love having an EV but they really make it hard to charge the car (public chargers in Ottawa are terrible and my condo won't let us even level 1 charge off the plug at our parking space). Completely reliant on public chargers and again they are either broken or so far away from anything it's so not worth it to travel there. And none are near any kind of amenity.

[@LeftCoastEV]

Totally agree. Something needs to be done about increasing not only the number of chargers but also their reliability. Plus EV owners who live in condos should also be allowed to install chargers if they wish to do so. Home charging is a game changer and for me up until just recently was a luxury. Now I know how convenient it is to just charge my car at home and know I am ready to tackle the week of driving. I really do hope that Ontario increases the amount of public chargers available to EV owners.

[@COSolar6419]

It is different but not difficult. Particularly when you do most of charging at home which is what most EV owners do. Fast charging is best reserved for longer 100+ mile road trips.

[@Wiseguy1138]

The other somewhat annoying thing is none of these apps recognize my car, a 2023 Kia Soul EV. It's only sold in Canada, Korea, and Europe but since it's not sold in the US, even the apps that are Canadian companies (Chargepoint, Flo, Ivy, PlugShare etc) don't recognize my car so I had label it a 2022 model even though mine is 2023.

[@LeftCoastEV]

Yes. They need to update the apps with latest car info. How are you liking your Soul EV?

[@Wiseguy1138]

@@LeftCoastEV I love it and truthfully your earlier videos from over a year ago with your Soul was what convinced my husband and I to trade in our 2015 gas Kia Soul for this new 2023 EV model. I wish it had the battery preconditioning, it's confusing that our car doesn't have it yet the Kia Connect app says we do. And yeah we knew charging would be difficult but at least there's level 2 at my work but sometimes you need those faster charges and there's just not enough convenient DC chargers in this city (and in most of the province outside of Toronto).

[@LeftCoastEV]

Glad you like your Soul EV and a big thanks from me that the videos I made influenced your buying decision. It’s a great car and I really like it still. As you say the only factor that I miss is the battery preconditioning.

[@Qlair2632]

Compared to just Apple Pay at the pump this seems a ridiculous step backwards

[@LeftCoastEV]

Agree. Hope we follow what Europe is doing and make it a law to include direct payment options at chargers.

[@Vegan123]

'Too complex - too many moving parts' - Not intuative enough - would not be kept in Europe

[@elizabethdabrowski8269]

So much hassle😂!!!

[@LeftCoastEV]

Not as easy as your Tesla, right?

[@elizabethdabrowski8269]

@@LeftCoastEV oh yes!

[@austinpowers1999]

Next time buy a Tesla. It’s as easy as plugging it in. Done

[@LeftCoastEV]

Thanks. If you watch other videos on my channel you will know I drive lots of different Teslas. This video was meant to show the other side of EV ownership that does not include owning a Tesla. Thanks for watching!

[@tonymcflattie2450]

Take care with your privacy, re the full postal code. It’s not a large area. Ps, I am NOT a stalker.

[@LeftCoastEV]

Will do! And thanks for letting me know you are not a stalker!

[@robocowone464]

How about no app? You shouldn't have to have a smart phone to charge your car. To put gas in a car all you need is CASH or a card!!! That simple!!!

[@LeftCoastEV]

Well I have not carried cash in years but a card reader and payment terminal would be welcome. This is how it is in Europe. We are behind on this unfortunately.

[@johncipolletti5611]

I find it easy in my garage!

[@LeftCoastEV]

Everyone does. You’re not the only one.

[@johncipolletti5611]

Hey, I have a great idea. Either get a hybrid that charges the battery automatically or get an ICE vehicle. There are lots of gas stations still.

[@LeftCoastEV]

I also have a great idea…watch the video till the end and you will find out that my wife said it was actually quite easy to sign up for the first time and any future charging sessions will even be easier since she already has an account set up.

[@muskrat3291]

And waste 80% of the gas AND YOUR MONEY because combustion engines are horribly inefficient.

[@johncipolletti5611]

@muskrat3291 Yes, but there are gas stations all over the place. Public chargers in my area is few and far between.