ElectricMotorcycleForum.com
Makes And Models => Zero Motorcycles Forum | 2013+ => Topic started by: togo on March 29, 2016, 05:39:50 AM
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Anybody sign up for this charging system? How's it working out? I noticed three of their stations at one of my local Whole Foods.
These are the plans (copy/paste from https://www.nrgevgo.com/charging-plans/ (https://www.nrgevgo.com/charging-plans/))
Flex
Great for occasional charging
Monthly fee None
DC fast $4.95 session + 20¢ / min.
Level 2 $1.50 / hr.
Contract term Month-to-month
Setup fee $4.95
Early termination None
Level 2
Ideal for plug-in hybrids
Monthly fee $5.95
DC fast $4.95 session + 20¢ / min.
Level 2 $1.00 / hr.
Contract term 12 months
Setup fee None
Early termination $29
On-the-Go
For frequent fast charging
Monthly fee $14.95
DC fast 10¢ / min.
Level 2 $1.00 / hr.
Contract term 12 months
Setup fee None
Early termination $29
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I have their Flex plan which I occasionally use for DC quick charging my car which uses CCS. NRG has a lot of the DC quick chargers in California as the result of a lawsuit. It does not save me any money, but some locations are less hassle when I can use the card instead of having to call. I typically don't use the NRG level 2 chargers as there are usually better options close by. I don't normally carry the NRG card when I take the bike unless plugshare shows they have a very convenient location on my intended route.
Chargepoint is what I use the most and EVConnect for a few specific locations. It really depends on who has put chargers in where it is convenient for you to charge.
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I believe every NRG EVgo location has at least one, sometimes up to 4 DC fast chargers, (2 CHAdeMO and 2 CCS) all 4 are 50 kW capable. However each location also only has one, yes only 1 J1772. So the goal of these locations is just fast charging.
If it's very convenient and on your route, sure go for it. if you use it every day for an hour the Level 2 plan designed for plug in hybrids makes sense if you have the Elcon fast chargers from Hollywood Electrics, or you will be getting the DigiNow Supercharger in the future. $5.95/month and then $1.00 per hour is pretty good if it's convenient to you while you do you daily grocery shopping that lots like to do anyway.
Otherwise the $1.50 per hour for not having a subscription is not bad either if you won't be using it every day.
Again I've said it a thousand times, but I will go a few miles out of my way always to use a ChargePoint station simply because of the reliability and probably moreso the wifi connectivity, so I can see what's going on with my bike from wherever I am with my phone. I can see the charge start to taper off and know charging will be done in a few minutes and start heading back to the bike. Or get a notification if there's a problem or someone unplugged you, or when you are done charging it sends you a notification too. All these things make it so there's never any surprises like you charged for 90 minutes while shopping but after 5 minutes someone unplugged you or anything like that.