Chargenow nrg program

[2349]

For those of us in So. California we have been encouraged to sign up for the Chargenow program where we get to use nrg DC fastchargers for free. The problem has been that you had to use it before 12/31 and then get 1 1/2 years free. Well I took a trip to the OC and tried to use the one at the Outlets in Orange. It told me I wasn't signed up. Drove home. Barely made it, 4 miles to spare. Called Chargepoint to ask why my card didn't work. They told me that the program is for only 4 different charger locations, none of which in range of my car! 10 minutes later we get the email from Chargepoint that lists 28 locations, including the one in Orange! Oh and the deadline has been extended to June. A frustrating day.

 

[sc68z28]

I was in San Diego over this past weekend and used the one at the Fashion Vly Mall.
It's about 70 miles from here.
We went down on Christmas day for a beach get-a-way, left Riverside with a full charge, made it 99 miles before the REx kicked in. Charged up overnite at our place in Imperial Beach, then drove to the mall about 30 miles north just to "activate the account" and get the free use in 2015.
Coming home Monday from IB only got 75 miles on battery. More uphill?

I'll assume yours is a BEV? Should still be able to make that trip.

---Bill.

 

[stumbledotcom]

Got the same ChargeNow email announcement today. (Three copies for some reason.) Enrollment deadline has been extended but more importantly the free DC fast charge program now runs through June 30, 2016.

If anyone else finds themselves in a situation like 2349's, you might want to call NRG while you're at the station. While all their stations require a card (ChargeNow for the free DC charge or NRG for paid Level 2), they're on record saying they'll never leave an EV driver stranded. As I understand it, their phone reps can remotely activate a station for an emergency charge.

Hopefully this is just a preview of the infrastructure initiatives that BMW i will announce in Detroit.

 

[Sparky]

Very convenient. Most Whole Foods in our area have them. Shop for half an hour , get 80% free.

 

[GrandpaKeys]

+1 Whole Foods DC charge in Lafayette, CA
DC Fast charge works at Nut Tree Factory Outlets in Vacaville, CA.

 

[Matto0]

Bill, I drive from San Marcos to Downtown and back every day and yes, I get better milage going to downtown then coming back. Also if you are down this way, there are now fast chargers in Carlsbad (at the outlets) and Escondido (off El Norte in front of Vons).

To the original poster, I charged up at the new fast charger in Escondido to activate my account and didn't have any issues. That probably doesn't help you much other then to demonstrate it can be used in just 4 specific locations.

Matt

I was in San Diego over this past weekend and used the one at the Fashion Vly Mall.
It's about 70 miles from here.
We went down on Christmas day for a beach get-a-way, left Riverside with a full charge, made it 99 miles before the REx kicked in. Charged up overnite at our place in Imperial Beach, then drove to the mall about 30 miles north just to "activate the account" and get the free use in 2015.
Coming home Monday from IB only got 75 miles on battery. More uphill?

I'll assume yours is a BEV? Should still be able to make that trip.

---Bill.

 

[sc68z28]

...Also if you are down this way, there are now fast chargers in Carlsbad (at the outlets) and Escondido (off El Norte in front of Vons).

Thanks Matt, we go down that way 4 to 5 times a year.
The one at Vons in Escondido could come in handy.

---Bill.

 

[Boatguy]

Very convenient. Most Whole Foods in our area have them. Shop for half an hour , get 80% free.

If your area is the Bay Area of Northern California, NRG lists exactly 4 Whole Foods which have a DC Combo charger, not exactly "most" Whole Foods, none of the Whole Foods in Marin or Sonoma County has a DC Fast charger.

And they list a total of 12 DC Combo chargers within 50miles of my home. But that's about 10 more than were there a couple of months ago so the trend is certainly in the right direction.

 

[Sparky]

Sorry, I'm in the south bay.