I will never again rent an EV and I have no idea how people deal with this

[Anonymous]

Updating - almost last day. I spent some additional time charging it while working from a Cafe. But it took 20 minutes again to find a charger. They are super hard to find in garages. The most obvious ones were taken and I drove around looking for more (which are unmarked) so again, unless you know a place you have no idea where they are located in a dark garage. I've wasted at least 4 hours at this point figuring stuff out.

[Anonymous]

EV experiences are very car and location dependent. Fine for around your home where you know all the charging stations that work and how much range you have. Definitely a bit of lifestyle choice but a decent experience.

Can be a nightmare in the wrong vehicle and wrong area. I would never rent one. I don’t even know how the payment systems work. It seems like they are all apps on phones.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Updating - almost last day. I spent some additional time charging it while working from a Cafe. But it took 20 minutes again to find a charger. They are super hard to find in garages. The most obvious ones were taken and I drove around looking for more (which are unmarked) so again, unless you know a place you have no idea where they are located in a dark garage. I've wasted at least 4 hours at this point figuring stuff out.

No offense, nothing that you’re describing is that hard. I rented an EV once and these things weren’t that challenging. I now own an EV and it’s still not challenging.

Are you over the age of 60 and not good at using google maps? Or are you just not that bright?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Coming back to update - thank you to the poster suggesting on finding a level 3.

The saga continues and is so bad it's funny. Level 3 charger #1 was replaced by Tesla chargers (not compatible), level 3 charger #2 wasn't working, level 3 charger #3 works! So this whole ordeal took at least, at least 60 minutes. The charge to 80% (from 50%) will take 25 minutes. The charger is 30 minutes from where we are staying.

I can't see how this system would work if California gets its way and we are all driving EVs with different adapters that aren't compatible. Every hotel has charger in every parking lot space? Just total chaos.

For everyone asking the rental car agency gave the car at 25% charged (80 miles) which was fine to where we needed to go but with me not knowing it could take 10 hours to get to 80%.

Starting next year, almost all new cars will be standardized on the Tesla-style connector. Tesla is in the process of opening its supercharger network to non-Tesla cars. Ford and Rivian already have access. GM is in process of getting access. Volvo, Polstar, and Mercedes-Benz will be next.

There are multiple efforts to expand DC fast charging (level 3) charging networks. In a couple of years, we will have fast chargers coming out of our ears.

As you have found, there is a bit of a learning curve. But once you get used to it, it's not a big deal.

I mean spending over 1.5 hours to charge a car isn't exactly how I want to spend my vacation. Way too inconvenient vs getting gas.

You’re like the guy who tried to take the trans Canada highway and upset that he ran out of power. You’re the victim of your own bad planning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Updating - almost last day. I spent some additional time charging it while working from a Cafe. But it took 20 minutes again to find a charger. They are super hard to find in garages. The most obvious ones were taken and I drove around looking for more (which are unmarked) so again, unless you know a place you have no idea where they are located in a dark garage. I've wasted at least 4 hours at this point figuring stuff out.

No offense, nothing that you’re describing is that hard. I rented an EV once and these things weren’t that challenging. I now own an EV and it’s still not challenging.

Are you over the age of 60 and not good at using google maps? Or are you just not that bright?

It actually is challenging. I own a PHEV that I typically only charge at home. I'm on a trip in the Northeast right now, and of the two times I tried to charge it, one hotel's charger wasn't compatible (their website does not say what kind of charger it was) and one location was malfunctioning. I'm running on gas this whole trip-so glad I bought a PHEV and can do that!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Updating - almost last day. I spent some additional time charging it while working from a Cafe. But it took 20 minutes again to find a charger. They are super hard to find in garages. The most obvious ones were taken and I drove around looking for more (which are unmarked) so again, unless you know a place you have no idea where they are located in a dark garage. I've wasted at least 4 hours at this point figuring stuff out.

No offense, nothing that you’re describing is that hard. I rented an EV once and these things weren’t that challenging. I now own an EV and it’s still not challenging.

Are you over the age of 60 and not good at using google maps? Or are you just not that bright?

Under 40 and went to MIT but thanks

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Updating - almost last day. I spent some additional time charging it while working from a Cafe. But it took 20 minutes again to find a charger. They are super hard to find in garages. The most obvious ones were taken and I drove around looking for more (which are unmarked) so again, unless you know a place you have no idea where they are located in a dark garage. I've wasted at least 4 hours at this point figuring stuff out.

No offense, nothing that you’re describing is that hard. I rented an EV once and these things weren’t that challenging. I now own an EV and it’s still not challenging.

Are you over the age of 60 and not good at using google maps? Or are you just not that bright?

Under 40 and went to MIT but thanks

To add - Google maps were not accurate or helpful. The local EV app was more helpful, but again, in a garage there was no marking where the chargers were. 1st, 2nd, 3rd floor? Much less where in the garage that is just a box on the map.

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Updating - almost last day. I spent some additional time charging it while working from a Cafe. But it took 20 minutes again to find a charger. They are super hard to find in garages. The most obvious ones were taken and I drove around looking for more (which are unmarked) so again, unless you know a place you have no idea where they are located in a dark garage. I've wasted at least 4 hours at this point figuring stuff out.

No offense, nothing that you’re describing is that hard. I rented an EV once and these things weren’t that challenging. I now own an EV and it’s still not challenging.

Are you over the age of 60 and not good at using google maps? Or are you just not that bright?

Under 40 and went to MIT but thanks

To add - Google maps were not accurate or helpful. The local EV app was more helpful, but again, in a garage there was no marking where the chargers were. 1st, 2nd, 3rd floor? Much less where in the garage that is just a box on the map.

If you aren't about to return the car, get the Plugshare app or use the Plugshare.com website. You can locate chargers around you and there user comments that often provide more information. Plugshare can be very helpful with finding a hidden-away charger.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Updating - almost last day. I spent some additional time charging it while working from a Cafe. But it took 20 minutes again to find a charger. They are super hard to find in garages. The most obvious ones were taken and I drove around looking for more (which are unmarked) so again, unless you know a place you have no idea where they are located in a dark garage. I've wasted at least 4 hours at this point figuring stuff out.

No offense, nothing that you’re describing is that hard. I rented an EV once and these things weren’t that challenging. I now own an EV and it’s still not challenging.

Are you over the age of 60 and not good at using google maps? Or are you just not that bright?

Under 40 and went to MIT but thanks

You are a young techie and you can’t figure out how to use an EV? That’s very surprising.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Updating - almost last day. I spent some additional time charging it while working from a Cafe. But it took 20 minutes again to find a charger. They are super hard to find in garages. The most obvious ones were taken and I drove around looking for more (which are unmarked) so again, unless you know a place you have no idea where they are located in a dark garage. I've wasted at least 4 hours at this point figuring stuff out.

No offense, nothing that you’re describing is that hard. I rented an EV once and these things weren’t that challenging. I now own an EV and it’s still not challenging.

Are you over the age of 60 and not good at using google maps? Or are you just not that bright?

Under 40 and went to MIT but thanks

You are a young techie and you can’t figure out how to use an EV? That’s very surprising.

What about an EV is tech related? This is literally an infrastructure issue

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Updating - almost last day. I spent some additional time charging it while working from a Cafe. But it took 20 minutes again to find a charger. They are super hard to find in garages. The most obvious ones were taken and I drove around looking for more (which are unmarked) so again, unless you know a place you have no idea where they are located in a dark garage. I've wasted at least 4 hours at this point figuring stuff out.

No offense, nothing that you’re describing is that hard. I rented an EV once and these things weren’t that challenging. I now own an EV and it’s still not challenging.

Are you over the age of 60 and not good at using google maps? Or are you just not that bright?

Under 40 and went to MIT but thanks

You are a young techie and you can’t figure out how to use an EV? That’s very surprising.

What about an EV is tech related? This is literally an infrastructure issue

You allegedly went to MIT and can’t use technology (an iphone) that has been available for 16 years. None of what you are describing is that hard and most of it has nothing to do with an EV (eg a garage being poorly labeled).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Updating - almost last day. I spent some additional time charging it while working from a Cafe. But it took 20 minutes again to find a charger. They are super hard to find in garages. The most obvious ones were taken and I drove around looking for more (which are unmarked) so again, unless you know a place you have no idea where they are located in a dark garage. I've wasted at least 4 hours at this point figuring stuff out.

No offense, nothing that you’re describing is that hard. I rented an EV once and these things weren’t that challenging. I now own an EV and it’s still not challenging.

Are you over the age of 60 and not good at using google maps? Or are you just not that bright?

Under 40 and went to MIT but thanks

Oh, stop it. Seems like they take anyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Updating - almost last day. I spent some additional time charging it while working from a Cafe. But it took 20 minutes again to find a charger. They are super hard to find in garages. The most obvious ones were taken and I drove around looking for more (which are unmarked) so again, unless you know a place you have no idea where they are located in a dark garage. I've wasted at least 4 hours at this point figuring stuff out.

No offense, nothing that you’re describing is that hard. I rented an EV once and these things weren’t that challenging. I now own an EV and it’s still not challenging.

Are you over the age of 60 and not good at using google maps? Or are you just not that bright?

Under 40 and went to MIT but thanks

You are a young techie and you can’t figure out how to use an EV? That’s very surprising.

What about an EV is tech related? This is literally an infrastructure issue

You allegedly went to MIT and can’t use technology (an iphone) that has been available for 16 years. None of what you are describing is that hard and most of it has nothing to do with an EV (eg a garage being poorly labeled).

NP, and I don't know why you are so hostile to OP. S/he said that the app only helps locate the location (a garage) but doesn't say where in the garage the charger is located, what kind of charger it is, etc. The person who said this is an infrastructure issue is correct. An EV as a rental only makes sense if you are in a city where you already know the location of the chargers, or if you are staying somewhere with guaranteed access. Otherwise you are at the mercy of bad infrastructure, unclear maps, and whether there are enough chargers for demand.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Updating - almost last day. I spent some additional time charging it while working from a Cafe. But it took 20 minutes again to find a charger. They are super hard to find in garages. The most obvious ones were taken and I drove around looking for more (which are unmarked) so again, unless you know a place you have no idea where they are located in a dark garage. I've wasted at least 4 hours at this point figuring stuff out.

No offense, nothing that you’re describing is that hard. I rented an EV once and these things weren’t that challenging. I now own an EV and it’s still not challenging.

Are you over the age of 60 and not good at using google maps? Or are you just not that bright?

Really, pp? I’m just over 60 and I’ve taken two 6-hr-each-way trips in my ID.4 in the past two months, to different parts of upstate NY and Ohio no less, and it’s been just fine. I had range anxiety before starting on these trips—no longer.

The problem is the combination of a dealer that didn’t bother to charge the vehicle OR explain to OP how to charge it. If I were OP I’d be frustrated too.

Also, forget google maps and download Plugshare. There is a learning curve and pp probably went through it too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Updating - almost last day. I spent some additional time charging it while working from a Cafe. But it took 20 minutes again to find a charger. They are super hard to find in garages. The most obvious ones were taken and I drove around looking for more (which are unmarked) so again, unless you know a place you have no idea where they are located in a dark garage. I've wasted at least 4 hours at this point figuring stuff out.

No offense, nothing that you’re describing is that hard. I rented an EV once and these things weren’t that challenging. I now own an EV and it’s still not challenging.

Are you over the age of 60 and not good at using google maps? Or are you just not that bright?

Really, pp? I’m just over 60 and I’ve taken two 6-hr-each-way trips in my ID.4 in the past two months, to different parts of upstate NY and Ohio no less, and it’s been just fine. I had range anxiety before starting on these trips—no longer.

The problem is the combination of a dealer that didn’t bother to charge the vehicle OR explain to OP how to charge it. If I were OP I’d be frustrated too.

Also, forget google maps and download Plugshare. There is a learning curve and pp probably went through it too.

PS. Or for the best of both worlds, get the charging station address from plugshare and put it I google maps.