CHAdeMO Stations have been added; Level 2 and Wall Plugs have been added from both Public and Private Home Sharing Locations, and a great many people have checked in using the plug share network in various areas around the USA and Canada! (Lots of Photos have been added showing the chargers as well!)
Station issues are often as basic as either being ICE'd - or EV'd (Blocked by a non-user - an Internal Combustion Engine Vehicle, or by an EV Driver - Either Not actually charging - or not monitoring the charge and left the vehicle on the charger too long), but most can be dealt with with a simple sheet of paper - Note - plain paper or laminate for re-use, placed on the dash, with an application for charging information - like:
"Hi - I am charging here - from <2:00 PM> until <5:00 PM> Please do not unplug me before then <5:00 PM> unless an emergency. If you must - please call me at 123-456-7890!" (Just Fill in the time details as needed.)
For Vehicles that ICE'd EV Charging Spots - a Similar Sheet of Paper - with a message like:
"Thanks much for blocking MY Charging Station! I Don't Park My EV in front of your Gas Pumps and wander off, so Please don't do the same for me at my EV Charging Only Marked Spots! Remember - I am using Electricity - so you can have more Gas - Cheaper! Show Me the Thanks and Leave These For EV Drivers like me!"
Other ideas have been mentioned in my earlier blog posts -
Electric Charging Station Etiquette for Plug-In Cars,
What EV, PHEV and ICE Drivers Should Know.
2012 Florida Statutes- 366.94 Electric vehicle charging stations.
Special Note re: Dealership Brands and EV Charging
With the Announcement that Nissan Will Triple the Number of Fast Chargers in the US - the issues of blocked charging stations will become even more challenging - as Fast Chargers Get Blocked. So having an escape plan as well as an education plan are going to be important tools for enhancing the operational experience of the EV in the Network.
Further - Been ICE'd? Blink offers courtesy note to rude gas car drivers. Or - "NICE Parking" signs... ya know, "No Internal Combustion Engine Parking".
There are many networks reported by PlugShare - and having a member card for each of them might be a bit unwieldy - but is going to be important for some time until all chargers have data sharing or access plans worked out. Blink, Chargepoint, and others have their own networks - plan ahead, learn how they work using PlugShare's website or apps, and get the network member card before venturing beyond the home routes! Chargepoint is the Biggest Network for data and access control - with currently 11,411 networked Charging spots on their network.
Past Charger Event: Quick Charge at Picacho Peak and - one coming:
Join ChargePoint and the City of Sacramento in celebrating more than 100 electric vehicle charging station installations in Sacramento, California. Tuesday, April 16, 2013 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM PDT
For a Little Fun - enjoy this video from Australia:
6 hidden cameras, 1 fake attendant, and a whole lot of surprises...
The long range electric Volt can show you the true 'Power of $2.50'.
For more information about the Holden Volt, please vist: http://www.holden.com.au/vehicles/volt
