free charging at Electrify America

[cwerdna]

Post here when there's free announced or unannounced charging at EA statiions.

I'll start. This has already begun: https://media.electrifyamerica.com/en-us/releases/136.

Reston, VA (April 20, 2021) -- On Earth Day, Thursday April 22, electric vehicle owners will get free charging sessions at all Electrify America ultra-fast charging stations.

Electric vehicle drivers can locate a charging station by visiting the Electrify America website.

The company will not charge EV drivers for sessions starting at 12:00 a.m. EDT April 22 on through to 3:00 a.m. EDT April 23.

As a reminder, you need to support the handle like at http://www.mychevybolt.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=36057#p36057 until the plug is locked to the car. For these free sessions, you shouldn't need to use their app, NFC or a credit card.

 

[BoltEV]

I received emails:

1) EVGo will give me a $5 discount on any charge through the end of April; and

2) EV Connect:

We’re celebrating Earth Day by investing in a sustainable future. That's why if you charge your car at any EV Connect station on April 22, 2021, we will donate $0.10 per kWh charged to Coalition for Clean Air, a 501(c)(3) certified non-profit focused on protecting public health, improving air quality, and preventing climate change.

 

[AyeJay]

Thanks for the heads up cwerdna! ..

Went to the new EA site near me and it was indeed free (no app, CC needed) today on Earth Day!
The EA charge rate [36kw] was still pretty slow compared to the free (every day) EVgo site near me [46kw].

AJ

 

[cwerdna]

Looks like it's free this weekend thru July 5th.

See https://www.chevybolt.org/threads/electrify-america-complimentary-sessions-stations-set-to-free.37983/post-619394 and https://www.chevybolt.org/threads/electrify-america-complimentary-sessions-stations-set-to-free.37983/page-2#post-619400.

 

[cwerdna]

I can confirm the pic in the tweet. Saw it on EA DC FCs yesterday and took advantage of some free CCS juice.

At the site I was at, a Kona EV showed up (1st time for the person publicly charging, said they only had the car for two days, seemed to be her BF's car) and charged up. Afterward, a Bolt showed up in its place and charged.

 

[SparkE]

I used 4 differnet EA sites (since it was free, I basically used the occasion to try 4 different EA sites near major highway & interstate junctions, so that I know where the sites actually are, and to check that there are no charging problems).

I did a "SF East Bay tour" driving north and came back down the Concord-Livermore valley back to San Jose.

Yup, all free.

 

[BoltEV]

SparkE:

I am somewhat shocked that you do not rail against VW's use of public money (based upon their diesel scandal settlement) to start their EA charging network).

You could not keep yourself calm when it came to EVGo (NRG) and the State of California, as I recall. You were tossing allegations far and wide!! :shock:

Mellowing in your old age!? :lol:

 

[SparkE]

SparkE:

I am somewhat shocked that you do not rail against VW's use of public money (based upon their diesel scandal settlement) to start their EA charging network).

You could not keep yourself calm when it came to EVGo (NRG) and the State of California, as I recall. You were tossing allegations far and wide!! :shock:

Mellowing in your old age!? :lol:

I actually have been ranting about EA. Several rants. For exactly that reason. Maybe not here? Not in a while, that's for sure. However, EA did a much better job than EVgo ever did (EVgo missed every single deadline, over years). I may start ranting about EA again, because I heard rumours (hey, I said rumors, not providing as fact) that EA is looking to get investors, sell a huge part of the business. Sucking up money and making a profit on what was supposed to be a punishment ....

Altho, maybe I am mellowing, because I do see that EA has installed a network of charging stations that allows people not driving Teslas to travel around Calif and even across the country. And that is a good thing. I *do* think that "they" should not be allowed to profit from a "punishment" by selling a portion of their business. For billions. Take care, michael.

 

[BoltEV]

Nicely said!

Have you tried one of the free Cal Dept of Transportation DCFC’s yet?

I did in Kettleman City!!

Is that Socialism?!? :lol:

 

[cwerdna]

Seems like every time EA has free juice, p7wang over at chevybolt.org suggests a road trip to Vegas.

Too bad it's such a long drive for me (even in an ICEV) and at last check, the COVID situation isn't good in Clark County, NV. And, I'm not much a gambler so it wouldn't be a worthwhile trip for me. I usually only go for trade shows (e.g. CES) or conventions (went to the massive annual Vegas Star Trek convention twice).

I think I'd rather do a road trip to LA, but the COVID situation also doesn't seem to be great there either.

 

[BoltEV]

I think I'd rather do a road trip to LA, but the COVID situation also doesn't seem to be great there either.

The COVID situation in LA County is better than the media impression, because, county-wide, we have a better vaccination rate than our surrounding counties.

Yes, I am concerned about "break-through" infections even though I am vaccinated because my 9 year old grandson is not vaccinated; so I do wear masks and take precautions.

EDITED: to correct my statement that my grandson is not vaccinated!

 

[theothertom]

Yes, I am concerned about "break-through" infections even though I am vaccinated because my 9 year old grandson is not infected; so I do wear masks and take precautions.

Thank you!!

 

[cwerdna]

I think I'd rather do a road trip to LA, but the COVID situation also doesn't seem to be great there either.

The COVID situation in LA County is better than the media impression, because, county-wide, we have a better vaccination rate than our surrounding counties.

I'll have to take a look at the stats when I get a chance but per https://www.latimes.com/projects/california-coronavirus-cases-tracking-outbreak/covid-19-vaccines-distribution/, LA County vax rate is pretty low vs. my county (Santa Clara).

Currently, it shows for LA County 63.7% w/at least 1 dose and 55.5% fully vaxxed. Mine is at 76.7% w/at least 1 dose and 71.1% fully vaxxed.

 

[BoltEV]

Your original post that I responded to, had your reticence to travel to Las Vegas (Clark County), Nevada; and your comparing it to Los Angeles...

If your new criteria is that you will not travel anywhere where the vaccination rate is lower than your County (Santa Clara), then you are in trouble as you are surrounded by counties (San Mateo, Monterrey and Alameda) which have lower vaccination rates.

Actually only two California Counties (Marin and SF) have higher rates!

AND you better stay out of those portions of your county that have highest number of new Covid cases in the last 14 days: San Jose, Santa Clara, Milpitas, Campbell and Morgan Hill!

https://www.latimes.com/projects/california-coronavirus-cases-tracking-outbreak/santa-clara-county/

 

[cwerdna]

Electrify America To Offer Free Charging All Labor Day Weekend Long
https://insideevs.com/news/530361/electrify-america-free-charging-offer/

The promotion starts at 12:00 am PDT (3:00 am EDT) on Friday, September 3rd, and runs for four full days, ending at the same time on Tuesday, September 7th.

Once you plug your EV in, you'll be instructed on what to do in order to receive the free session. The email states: "All you need to do is plug-in and follow the prompts. No promotion code is needed."

 

[cwerdna]

EA should be free again this weekend.

https://www.chevybolt.org/threads/electrify-america-complimentary-sessions-stations-set-to-free.37983/page-4#post-671480
https://www.chevybolt.org/threads/electrify-america-complimentary-sessions-stations-set-to-free.37983/page-4#post-671588

I charged my Bolt at two different EA sites for free. The latter had screens up (see 2nd post) about the time frame of this free promo.

Do NOT use a CC or their app.

As always, propping up the handle until it's locked to the car may be important: https://www.chevybolt.org/threads/ea-makes-a-video-on-how-to-prop-up-the-cable.36757/. Also, check Plugshare first.

Of course, there was no announcement so it's not like I can head to So Cal this weekend. My https://www.tovala.com/ order came (have to order or skip well ahead of time) showed up today, a day late. So, if I go out of town, unless I bring their smart oven w/me, all the food I ordered and paid for will go bad.

 

[cwerdna]

I can confirm it was free. I charged numerous times for free on EA over the weekend including at 4 different sites on Saturday (2 familiar to me and 2 in areas I've never been to before). There are under 7 hours left...

 

[cwerdna]

As I reported at https://www.chevybolt.org/threads/electrify-america-complimentary-sessions-stations-set-to-free.37983/page-5#post-675511, it's free again on 12/9/21. Unclear if it's a Nor Cal thing or more widespread. Don't know when it'll end.

 

[cwerdna]

EA was free at some (?) places last night. See my post at https://www.chevybolt.org/threads/electrify-america-complimentary-sessions-stations-set-to-free.37983/page-5#post-678711.

I just saw a check on Plugshare under 20 minutes of free charging at EA in Selma, CA. Some others in the past 6 hours or so have also reported free EA charging.

 

[cwerdna]

Per my post at https://www.chevybolt.org/threads/electrify-america-complimentary-sessions-stations-set-to-free.37983/page-5#post-679260, it might be free at select (not all) EA stations thru Jan 2nd.