Ben Chuanlong Du's Blog

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Fast DC Charging in WA

Things on this page are fragmentary and immature notes/thoughts of the author. Please read with your own judgement!

Tips & Traps

  1. PlugShare helps you find plugs regardless of network and see user ratings/comments on those plugs to see if they are accessible or reliable. PlugShare for charging stations is kind of like Yelp to restaurants.

  2. It is safe to charge in an open charging station when it is raining. However, avoid charing in an open charging station hen it rains really heavily.

  3. While an EV with a START button is been charged, pressing the start button allow you to use radio, climate control and infotainment. However, you cannot drive the EV until your unplug the charge (which is a good safety feature). Pressing the START button again without pushing the brake pedal turns the EV off.

Good Fast DC Charging in WA

Dimension Tesla Supercharger Electrify America EVgo
Availability Extensive network strategically placed for long-distance travel, especially along major corridors. [3, 9, 10] Non-Tesla access is limited to "Magic Dock" locations. Widespread presence along interstate highways and in metro areas, with a strategy of placing chargers within 70 miles of each other. [10, 15] Strong urban and metropolitan coverage, with an expanding presence along highways. [3, 5] Operates in 34 states with over 850 fast-charging locations. [10]
Robustness / Reliability Considered the industry leader in reliability with a seamless "plug-and-charge" experience for Tesla vehicles. [3, 4] J.D. Power reports significantly fewer issues compared to other networks. [4] Has faced criticism for reliability issues, with some users reporting broken chargers or payment system failures. [8] The company provides a network status page for updates on maintenance and outages. [18] Generally considered reliable, with a focus on fast charging in urban areas. [3, 14] Some reports indicate a higher rate of issues compared to Tesla. [8] Offers Autocharge+ for a plug-and-charge-like experience. [6]
Price Per-kWh pricing that can vary by location and time of day. [6, 13] Non-members may pay a higher rate. [6] Station-specific per-kWh or per-minute pricing. [19, 20] Offers a Pass+ membership for a monthly fee that provides about a 25% discount. [15, 19] Can be per-kWh or per-minute depending on the location and has been noted by some users in Washington to be cheaper than Electrify America in certain instances. [17, 21] Offers multiple membership plans with varying benefits. [21]
Other Relevant Dimensions
  • Speed: Up to 250 kW at V3 Superchargers. [3]
  • Connectors: Primarily NACS (Tesla's connector), with some "Magic Dock" CCS compatibility. [3]
  • User Experience: Seamless integration with Tesla vehicles for route planning and charging. [9]
  • Speed: Up to 350 kW, allowing for very fast charging on compatible vehicles. [14]
  • Connectors: Primarily CCS and CHAdeMO.
  • Promotions: Some vehicle manufacturers offer free charging plans with Electrify America. [15]
  • Speed: High-power chargers up to 350 kW are available. [3]
  • Connectors: CCS and CHAdeMO, with some locations offering integrated Tesla connectors.
  • Convenience: Partners with retail locations like grocery stores. [10]

Route / Charging Planning

Many EVs (e.g., Tesla, Rivian, etc.) have built-in route planners. If your EV doesn't have such a feature or it's no good, you can use EV Route Planner or A Better Route Planner to help you plan charging during your road trip .

References

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