Level 3

[Schupbach]

I recently made a trip across Northern Iowa and located in two different towns level three chargers, but when I tried to use them, both systems were down in Sheldon, Iowa and Lamar, Iowa both charging systems were owned by the same company. What’s going on? Are there some companies that you just can’t rely on at all or are we stuck with just going to Tesla stations? It’s kind of a big deal. How is this market going to grow without proper charging stations that work?

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[RickLightning]

PlugShare should tell you what works, and what's compatible. What does it say about those chargers?

 

[B177y]

What’s going on?

What network? Some are know to be very unreliable.

Are there some companies that you just can’t rely on at all or are we stuck with just going to Tesla stations?

Yes. Tesla in my experience is the only "reliable" network, but even they have had chargers out of service occasionally for me.

How is this market going to grow without proper charging stations that work?

People have been asking that same question since EVs became available.

Like @RickLightning said, you need to check Plugshare and check compatibility and reliability before using. Charging while traveling is getting better, but is still in its infancy and going through growing pains.

 

[CD4TNF]

PlugShare links for anyone wants to see. No Superchargers in those towns.

Sheldon charger
https://www.plugshare.com/location/215702

Le Mars

https://www.plugshare.com/location/327839

 

[B177y]

PlugShare links for anyone wants to see. No Superchargers in those towns.

Sheldon charger
https://www.plugshare.com/location/215702

Le Mars

https://www.plugshare.com/location/327839

Yup, first time I have ever heard of "ChargeLab". Sheldon says "Partially under repair".

 

[carys98]

I recently made a trip across Northern Iowa and located in two different towns level three chargers, but when I tried to use them, both systems were down in Sheldon, Iowa and Lamar, Iowa both charging systems were owned by the same company. What’s going on? Are there some companies that you just can’t rely on at all or are we stuck with just going to Tesla stations? It’s kind of a big deal. How is this market going to grow without proper charging stations that work?

Unfortunately you are in a part of the country that isn’t served well by the reliable networks besides Tesla. Ionna, Mercedes, BP Pulse, and WalMart are all building highly reliable networks but the only one in your part of the country is WalMart. They have a bunch of sites in Omaha and some others under construction. Eventually Ionna should fill in that part of the country as well.

There has been a huge amount of progress in the last couple of years and it seems to be accelerating. I expect in a year or so things will be much better.

 

[K6CCC]

As mentioned, PlugShare.com is your friend. Neither of those appear to be all that well rated, and only 50 KW. Does appear that you have to load the ChargeLab app.
BTW, with PlugShare, do your part and check in so others will be able to see recent result.

 

[Schupbach]

It actually said that one was operational and the one next to it was not on both locations so I gambled and both are bad or not operational so yeah I did use that app. Kind of disturbing.

 

[K6CCC]

Did you submit a check-in on PlugShare for either or both locations that they were not working?

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