Since I purchased my 2012 Nissan Leaf, Electra, 6 weeks ago, she's been juicing up every night via a 110 trickle charge. I am planning on upgrading my garage charge once I move into my new house, so in the meantime, we limp along with 13 and 14 hour charge times. But today, Electra's life line changed.
I decided to venture out to the public charging stations today. While my daughter was at swim practice, I journeyed to the public library and find my first charging station. Thanks to Carwings, it pointed me to a ChargePoint station in the county's parking lot. I have to admit, though, I wasn't sure what to do.
Electra fit nicely in the Electric Vehicle parking spot, nicely denoted by the green strips, parking block and sign. Next to the sign stood a Chargepoint station. I opened Electra's charging door and easily unhung the charging cord. I plugged her right in. Next, I figured I had to pay. Carwings told me the charging station was free. But why wouldn't it start?
I noticed on the front of ChargePoint I could tap my credit card, including all the major choices (Visa, MasterCard, AmericanExpress, etc.) But as I tapped, nothing happenend. Fortunately, there was a phone number. 888 758 4389. In one ring, a nice fellow asked my name. I told him that I was trying to tap my Visa, but nothing was happening.
He asked if my Visa had a chip in it. What? I told him it was a debit card, and I think he said I could only use a credit card. So I pulled out my American Express, but tapping it didn't work either. He asked if it had a chip in it. What? Apparently, tap-only charge spots require cards with chips in them. Humm, I'll have to research that one. He then asked if I had a ChargePoint card so that I could unlock the station. What?
Apparently I could use a ChargePoint card to start the electricity flowing. Fortunately for me, the charge was free as the kind man confirmed I was, in fact, at a free charging station. He pushed a magic button and within a few seconds, the station clicked and Electra started charging. The rep then asked if I wanted to have a ChargePoint card sent to me so that I could use it at future stations. Of course!
So, now I have some research to do. How to do I get a debit card with a chip inside, and do I want one? If I tap my card, does it automatically unlock a ChargePoint station? If I am at a free ChargePoint, how do I know except by what my Carwings tells me on my nav display? And, if I'm at a free station, is the only way to unlock the ChargePoint is with a ChargePoint card? Or will my chipped Visa unlock (but not pay), thus eliminating the need to carry yet another card. Or, can I link up my Visa to my ChargePoint so that I have a way to pay at a paying station? Wow, lots to think about.
I want to note something really neat though. The rep asked me if I wanted a 110 charge or a 240 charge. I chose the bigger as I only had 90 minutes before I needed to pick my daughter up. Thus, 240 jolted right into Electra, and in 90 minutes I had her back up to full charge. Good thing, I've got some birthday shopping to do and many miles to drive!
First, visit http://www.chargepoint.com and click "Sign Up" to create your account. When your ChargePoint card arrives in the mail, link it to your account. If you want to use only free stations, you're done: Just tap your ChargePoint card at the station. If you want to also be able to use for-pay stations, link your Visa to your ChargePoint account. Then just tap your ChargePoint card as usual, and the billing will happen without you needing to use your Visa every time.
ReplyDeleteTo find stations near you, visit the website and click "Find Stations", or install the ChargePoint app on your Android or iPhone. You can search for free or for-pay stations, and you can see the fee structure of each for-pay station on the map. Some charge by the hour (time you're plugged in), and some charge by the kWh (electricity you consume). The station's display also shows the fee structure.
Thank you so much for writing me, Bob. Yes, after I posted, I went to the ChargePoint website and got all the details. I actually spent a couple of hours looking at the website, the parent company, folks I'm linked to on LinkedIn, and learned quite a lot about the EV charging industry. It's very exciting!
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