CCS chargers now at Bolt EV (Chevrolet) dealerships!!!

[DucRider]

Maybe if you live on East or West coast you don't need dealer chargers but for the vast majority of middle America dealer chargers will be the ONLY fast charging network for the Bolt for a very long time.

It doesn't count as part of a charging network if they are not available to use. I suspect the vast majority of dealers will not make them available to the public.

When you find a charger that has been installed and available for public use, then - and only then - is it appropriate to list it on Plugshare. Etiquette would also dictate getting permission from the charger owner and finding out any restriction on hours, fees charged, etc. BEFORE adding it to a public list.

Having chargers listed that are not actually available for use does not help current EV drivers nor help convince others to take the plunge. In fact it does just the opposite and creates a negative experience for all involved.

Please explain again how listing an unavailable charger (whether not yet installed or off limits to the public) benefits ANYONE.

 

[user 667]

The Connell Chevrolet dealership in Costa Mesa, CA has a function CCS charger. I called the service department of Connell Chevrolet and asked them some questions about the CCS charger. The service tech I talked to was very enthusiastic about the charger, said that the CCS charger is open to the public (at least Bolt EV owners) and said it is a pay to charge unit but he did not know the charging rate.

The CCS charger at Connell Chevrolet is on the ChargePoint network but does not show up on the ChargePoint app. I called ChargePoint and asked the representative about the CCS charger at Connell Chevrolet. The representative told me the CCS charger is list as "private" and could not give any information on the app.

 

[SparkE]

The Connell Chevrolet dealership in Costa Mesa, CA has a function CCS charger. I called the service department of Connell Chevrolet and asked them some questions about the CCS charger. The service tech I talked to was very enthusiastic about the charger, said that the CCS charger is open to the public (at least Bolt EV owners) and said it is a pay to charge unit but he did not know the charging rate.

The CCS charger at Connell Chevrolet is on the ChargePoint network but does not show up on the ChargePoint app. I called ChargePoint and asked the representative about the CCS charger at Connell Chevrolet. The representative told me the CCS charger is list as "private" and could not give any information on the app.

1) Great! Then you add THAT working charger, with the info you obtained : in service, working, pay-for-use (for Bolt drivers).

2) Jumping from that to declaring a conspiracy wanting to hold back sales of the Bolt because CCS charging units sitting in boxes, not yet hooked up, aren't being left on PlugShare is ludicrous.

But you can't seem to see the difference between the two.

 

[SeanNelson]

Jumping from that to declaring a conspiracy wanting to hold back sales of the Bolt because CCS charging units sitting in boxes, not yet hooked up, aren't being left on PlugShare is ludicrous.

I think the "sitting in boxes" comment was a sarcastic observation by DucRider on the futility of publishing information about unavailable chargers.

 

[SparkE]

Yes, I was piling on the "sarcastic observation" as well. But OP did say *in the very first post* : "The dealerships all told {me} that they had not installed their CCS chargers yet and may not until this Fall ", which does underline the stupidity of thinking PlugShare should list chargers that aren't available because they haven't been hooked up yet (and may not be hooked up before this Autumn).

 

[SeanNelson]

But OP did say *in the very first post* : "The dealerships all told {me} that they had not installed their CCS chargers yet and may not until this Fall ", which does underline the stupidity of thinking PlugShare should list chargers that aren't available because they haven't been hooked up yet (and may not be hooked up before this Autumn).

So say we all!

 

[user 667]

If you want to find and use the Bolt EV dealership CCS chargers you need to use the dealer locator map on Chevrolet.com. On the dealer locator map set the filter to Bolt EV Sales and Service, all Bolt EV Sales and Service dealerships should have 24 kW CCS chargers. Be sure to call ahead to make sure the CCS charger is working and because you may have to negotiate with the service department manager to use the charger.

Make sure to be appreciative when the dealerships allow you to use their CCS chargers. For many Bolt EV owners the dealership CCS chargers may be the only fast chargers those owners have access to for a very long time. And we want the Bolt EV dealerships to be our friends.

 

[gbobman]

My dealer here in CO just proudly told me they hooked up their CCS system and if I wanted to try it out some time, just drive back to the service area.

It sounds as if it is not accessible without an "escort". Kind of surprised CO is a little quicker on the draw, all things considered.

 

[SparkE]

I stopped at my local Chevy dealer again today. The DCFC is at the very front of the dealership, and every single time there has been a Chevy in the parking space in front of it (and one in each of the neighboring spots) and it has never been plugged into any of the three cars when I have been there. They basically block it off on purpose. (Yes, there were many open parking spaces - reserved for *their* vehicles, not customers - available for those cars.)

If I were in a bind and needed a charge, I would have asked for a charge. So far I haven't needed a charge, I just drive by every now and then to "check it out".

 

[GetOffYourGas]

Might be worth inquiring sometime you don't need a charge so you can get a feel for how they would react if you ever did.

 

[user 667]

HERE IS A PLEE FOR ALL BOLT EV OWNERS AND ADMIRERS; If you know of any Bolt EV dealership that has their CCS charger up and running please ask the dealership Service Manager if can add their CCS charger to the PlugShare.com database. If they don't want their CCS charger to be available to the general public you can tell them you will list the dealership as "Restricted" and add a note saying the "CCS charger is only available to Bolt EV owners". Then go into PlugShare.com and add the dealership to the database as a CCS charger.

It's very important that Bolt EV owners and prospective Bolt EV owners have a complete map of the entire country showing ALL CCS charging stations. The dealer locator map on Chevrolet.com lists all the Bolt EV dealerships, which do have CCS chargers, but it only shows a few dealerships on the map at a time. PlugShare.com will show the entire country at one time but we need to make sure the chargers are up and running and we need to get permission for each CCS charging station we list on PlugShare.com.

So I'm asking all readers of the post to add Bolt EV dealerships to the PlugShare.com database. If you know of any Bolt EV dealership that has a functioning CCS charger but you don't want to talk to the Service Manager or don't want to or know how to add the listing to PlugShare.com, please list the name and city of the dealership here or send me a private message and I will contact the dealership and add the dealership to PlugShare.com. Thank you in advance for all CCS charging stations you add to PlugShare.com

 

[SeanNelson]

If they don't want their CCS charger to be available to the general public you can tell them you will list the dealership as "Restricted" and add a note saying the "CCS charger is only available to Bolt EV owners".

...assuming it actually is available to Bolt owners. If the dealership has the charger installed inside their service bay they may not even want Bolt owners using it.

 

[user 667]

...assuming it actually is available to Bolt owners. If the dealership has the charger installed inside their service bay they may not even want Bolt owners using it.

Oh, get off your baseless negativism! I've talked to the service departments of over a half dozen Bolt EV dealerships so far and every SINGLE ONE said that would be more than happy to let Bolt owners CCS charge. Instead of being so negative and wasting our time why don't you call a few Bolt EV dealerships and find out for yourself.

 

[user 667]

This is the CCS charger at my local Bolt EV dealership just waiting for the electrician to install it. It's about the same size but it looks different than the CCS chargers at Connell Chevrolet and the BMW dealerships. It could just be a ChargePoint Express 100 turned sideways and with a different faceplate but I was not able to view the name plate to confirm.

Note the CHEVROLET emblem. I was told that ChargePoint does manage the charger. The Service Manager could give me no specifics about the ChargePoint account but promised to provide more information at a later date.

 

[sparkyps]

HERE IS A PLEE FOR ALL BOLT EV OWNERS AND ADMIRERS; If you know of any Bolt EV dealership that has their CCS charger up and running please ask the dealership Service Manager if can add their CCS charger to the PlugShare.com database. If they don't want their CCS charger to be available to the general public you can tell them you will list the dealership as "Restricted" and add a note saying the "CCS charger is only available to Bolt EV owners".

How about restricting it to Chevy EV owners instead of just Bolt owners

 

[user 667]

How about restricting it to Chevy EV owners instead of just Bolt owners

I understand that it probably sounds like I'm disrespecting Spark EV and Volt owners. The Chevrolet.com dealer locator map allows you to filter for Bolt EV Sales and Service dealerships for very important reasons. When anyone refers to a Bolt EV dealership they are talking about a dealership that is certified to sale and service the Bolt EV and about a dealership that has a CCS charger.

There is no disrespect to Spark EV and Volt owners intended when referring to a Chevrolet dealership as a Bolt EV dealership.

 

[SeanNelson]

How about restricting it to Chevy EV owners instead of just Bolt owners

I understand that it probably sounds like I'm disrespecting Spark EV and Volt owners. The Chevrolet.com dealer locator map allows you to filter for Bolt EV Sales and Service dealerships for very important reasons. When anyone refers to a Bolt EV dealership that are talking about a dealerships that is certified to sale and service the Bolt EV and about a dealership that has a CCS charger.

I'm not sure about the Spark, but I know the Volt can't use a CCS charger so it's a moot point for Volt owners.

 

[user 667]

I received an email from PlugShare regarding all the Bolt EV dealerships I added and they deleted. Here is an excerpt from the email;

I apologize that our data editing team did not reach out to you last week with an explanation of why the content you had been adding was removed. Please do not add new charging station listings by speculation only. We only allow "coming soon" stations that aren't operational yet to be listed if there is a confirmed opening date within 30 days. We don't like to list stations that will not be available for drivers to use within 30 days of the listing being added to PlugShare to avoid confusion.

Below is our Coming Soon Policy:

There are pros and cons to showing locations that are “coming soon”. Some users really want to know about an upcoming station. For others, it causes confusion and unhappiness because PlugShare does not distinguish a “coming soon” location from a normal location on the map. As a result drivers arrive at a location but are unable to charge.
To reach a happy middle ground, “coming soon” locations on the PlugShare map now use a wrench icon so drivers clearly understand that the location may not have working stations.
You may mark a location as “coming soon” through dashboard.plugshare.com. You may also specify an opening date. The name of the location will automatically change to reflect its new status. For example if the Recargo location is marked “coming soon” and the opening date is set to May 31, 2017, its name in the app will appear as “Recargo (Coming 2017-05-31)”. There is no need to change the location name anymore. If no date is specified it will be named “Recargo (Coming Soon)”. Unsetting “coming soon” will erase the opening date. Screenshots of the updated Dashboard “coming soon” features are available upon request.

We strongly suggest specifying an opening date. Stations that are marked “coming soon” and have no opening date for too long -- roughly three months -- will be candidates for removal from the PlugShare map.

In addition the dashboard now has a new tab which will display only coming soon locations. Please ensure that the coming soon status is changed in a timely manner upon status changes, otherwise drivers may avoid your “coming soon” station even if it is fully operational!
At PlugShare we want to do what is best for plug-in drivers and make owning, driving, and charging their vehicle as seamless as possible. Our users need to be able to find out where they can access a reliable charge, wherever they are, which is why we are improving our policy on “coming soon” locations.

Thank you for understanding and please let me know if you have any questions.

So PlugShare does allow charging stations to be posted that are not yet operational as long as they will be operational soon and certain rules are followed. I have identified at least 1169 Bolt EV dealerships that are installing CCS chargers as shown on the Bolt EV dealership map below and discussed in another thread on this forum. I will be adding these Bolt EV dealerships onto PlugShare as I can confirm the CCS chargers are operation but cannot add 1169 charging stations to PlugShare all myself.

I'm asking the readers of this forum to step up. Use my map database or the Chevrolet.com dealer locator map and add the Bolt EV dealerships near you to PlugShare as soon as the CCS chargers at the dealerships become operation. Listing the almost twelve hundred Bolt EV dealerships with CCS chargers on PlugShare will benefit not only the current and prospective Bolt EV owners but the electric vehicle community in general, please help!

 

[user 667]

There are currently four Chevrolet dealers with CCS chargers that I know of listed in PlugShare, Humberview Chevrolet in West Toronto, Canada, Premier Chevrolet in Buena Park, CA, Connell Chevrolet in Costa Mesa, CA and Simpson Chevrolet of Garden Grove, CA. Based on the Check In comments, all of these dealerships were VERY willing to allow customers to charge their cars. The are chair commentary that Bolt EV dealerships are not willing to let customers use CCS chargers appears to be disproved.

Of course four dealerships is a very small sampling of the twelve hundred Chevrolet Dealershipss that are installing CCS chargers under the Bolt EV Sales and Service certification program. The CCS chargers are out there at the Bolt EV dealerships and they are being installed. Instead of speculating and providing disparaging remarks you arm chair commentators need to do some leg work or phone work and provide some REAL feedback from dealers about customers using CCS chargers.

 

[SparkE]

So PlugShare does allow charging stations to be posted that are not yet operational as long as they will be operational soon and certain rules are followed. I have identified at least 1169 Bolt EV dealerships that are installing CCS chargers as shown on the Bolt EV dealership map below and discussed in another thread on this forum. I will be adding these Bolt EV dealerships onto PlugShare as I can confirm the CCS chargers are operation but cannot add 1169 charging stations to PlugShare all myself.
{map removed}
I'm asking the readers of this forum to step up. Use my map database or the Chevrolet.com dealer locator map and add the Bolt EV dealerships near you to PlugShare as soon as the CCS chargers at the dealerships become operation. Listing the almost twelve hundred Bolt EV dealerships with CCS chargers on PlugShare will benefit not only the current and prospective Bolt EV owners but the electric vehicle community in general, please help!

Yes, it is possible to add stations that are not yet operational, as long as certain rules are followed. One of those rules is "a confirmed opening date within 30 days". Folks, PLEASE do not blindly add stations that will be opened "at some time". Another rule is "available for drivers to use". Folks, PLEASE do not blindly add stations that are not available to the general public (e.g., only for use by the dealership itself and not for the public, or only for use for customers that bought at that particular dealership).

If anyone wishes to add dealership DCFC stations to plugshare.com, PLEASE only add stations after speaking to the dealer in question, and verifying that :

- the station is active (hooked up and ready to use)
- the dealership will allow 'the public' to use the station

Please collect enough information to make the entry useful, e.g., :
- where exactly is the station (for example, "on the front left side of the building {when facing the building}")
- open hours (for example, "only available when dealership is open, and only if not in use by the dealer")
- any limitations (for example, "only for people driving Chevy vehicles")

As a data point, a local plugshare.com entry for a DCFC was removed from the database because the unit was only available to those driving an i3 (it was a BMW dealership) and others were denied access if they tried to use it (rightfully so, IMO, as it was a dealership resource). But, it caused tension at the time, as it was listed in plugshare, and people assumed it was available.