Bishop Airport - Flint

 Introduction

A review from my road trip covering the US-23 corridor in Michigan

 

Business/Location Name	Bishop Airport - Flint
Address	3425 W Bristol Rd G, Flint, MI 48507
Network	ChargePoint
Station Details	2 Stations (62.5kW/125kW linked)
Cost	$0.30 per kWh (7pm to 2pm), $0.35 per kWh (2pm to 7pm) $4 per hour parking fee

The Bishop Airport – Flint ChargePoint station was the 2nd stop on my trip spanning the US-23 corridor (North to South).  Like a lot of the charging infrastructure, this site is almost brand new, having just opened on March 23, 2022.  (https://www.bishopairport.org/application/files/2516/4874/6517/Flint_Bishop_Airport_makes_two_Electric_Vehicle_Charging_Stations_Open_to_the_Public.pdf)

 

Accessibility

The Flint Bishop Airport parking lot is located 1 mile west of US-23/I-75 at exit 116.  Upon exit, I followed the signs for airport terminal parking.  When entering the terminal parking, there’s signs indicating EV charging through the right lane parking ticket machine.  Inside the parking lot, the EVSEs are immediately ahead and to the left, very easy to locate within the parking lot.  This location can also be accessed from I-69 exit 131.  There’s definitely no trailer access available here.

 

 

Amenities

No Dining Options or Car-related services (windshield cleaning, air) available.

The only shopping option includes: Michigan Marketplace (available in the terminal before security)

There are restrooms available in the airport terminal.

 

Concentration

This is the standard double station layout for ChargePoint and is the pull/back into configuration, which makes charging with Elektra’s front port location easy.  Those with fender charger locations may need to stretch the cables to make the connections.

 

Location

On the US-23 corridor in Flint, MI this site is about 70 miles away from downtown Detroit and about 50 miles from Ann Arbor.  Coming from the north, 170 miles will get you here from Gaylord, MI.  This site can also service the I-69 east west corridor, located about 75 miles from Port Huron at the east end, and about 60 miles to Lansing to the west.

 

Speed

ChargePoint is offering a middle of the pack solution targeted for the early adoption phase.  These units can output 125kW or 200A.  When unpaired, or when both are in use, the current limit is 62.5kW or 150A.  While this does not match the most powerful units on the market, it will support reasonably fast charging for one vehicle.  Since these are the most popular units being installed under the current Michigan charging site incentives, I hope they will be robust and continue to support growing EV needs in the future.  (You can see Elektra was finally warm enough to take in a true fast charge towards the end of the session.)

 

Summary

It’s always nice to have additional charging options, and it’s great that this site charges by the kWh.  However, the fact that you have to pay twice (once for charging and again for parking) was disappointing and unnecessary.  The site is clean and easily located once you make your way to the parking lot.  Parking is relatively close to the terminal so you can go in and use the restroom if needed.  However, plan on that being the only amenity available, as there is not much else at this site.  While it makes sense to have some charging stations at the airport, maybe a DC Fast Charge is not the correct solution as this site scores near the bottom of my rankings.

 

 

What I paid for this stop:

Total Cost: $5.71 ($3.71 charging, and $2 parking)

Total kWh: 12.36 kWh

Time: 13 minutes

Average Charge Speed: 57kW (calculated)

Cost per kWh: $0.30

 

Total Score (Max 44)	Score	Accessibility	Amenities	Usability
18	D	4	1	13