Comment Log Display

I have been an EV driver for the past 8 years.  Recently I drove
from San Francisco to the Central Coast of California and back.  My
experience charging--or attempting to charge--at EA chargers was
awful. 1 of 7 chargers worked the first time.  With the other 6
their either did not work at all, or only worked after lengthy
calls to customer service.  1 out of 7; 14% is a failing grade--a
dismal failure. 
No EV driver should have to go through this.  And we should not
stand for this.  It was a scary experience.  I was driving alone
and I really did not know if I would get stuck on the highway, as I
watched my range diminish, mile after mile, hoping to reach the
next charger.  Hoping that it worked.  For drivers who do not have
a place to charge at home--which mostly means lower income people,
renters without garages or parking spaces--this is an even worse
disaster.  These are everyday drivers who must get to work on time,
must pick up kids, must reliably be able to charge and who have no
other option. 
Presumably, you, CARB, have credited EA based upon the quantity of
chargers installed, but apparently without regard to the quality. 
"Installed" chargers mean nothing if they do not work reliably! 
You should require EA to fix these chargers-and verify that they
work properly--on their own dime. We, the people of California,
should not have to give up settlement money to fix the poor job
done by EA.  That would be cheating us once again.  Do not approve
this final portion of settlement money to fix shoddy work. 
Settlement money should be used for  additional
chargers--verifiably reliable chargers that work every time.