Introduction
A review from my road trip covering the US-23
corridor in Michigan
Business/Location Name | Shell - Brighton |
Address | 8281 Grand River Ave, Brighton, MI 48114 |
Network | ChargePoint |
Station Details | 2 Stations (62.5kW/125kW linked) |
Cost | $0.45 per minute |
The Shell – Brighton ChargePoint station was the 3rd stop on my trip covering the US-23 corridor (North to South). While not directly off US-23, this site is one exit west of US-23 on I-96 and can definitely support this corridor. From what I can determine, this site opened in about May 2021.
Accessibility
The Shell
gas station is 0.2 miles north of I-96 exit 145 and only 2.6 miles east of
US-23. From the exit, head north on
Grand River Ave, and the Shell is directly at the intersection with Hilton
Rd. You can’t see the EVSE’s from the
intersection due to a line of pine trees blocking the view. Wide spacing and side parking could allow for
trailer towing parking, with the right maneuvering.
Amenities
Dining options include: Dunkin’, Arby’s, Cracker Barrel, and several others on the other
side of the highway
Shopping options include: Shell Convenience Store, Duey’s, and many more on the other side of
the highway.
Car-related services (windshield cleaning, air): Shell
gas station at this location
Concentration
This is the standard double station layout for
ChargePoint. This station is the rare pull-beside location. Note the side of car of the charging port for
how to pull up for easiest connection.
The side-placed EVSE doesn’t always make for the best parking spacing
for front port vehicles, however, spacing is quite generous at this
location. The parking arrangement could
allow a vehicle to pull up and charge while pulling a trailer.
Location
While it’s technically not on the US-23
corridor, this site supports both north/south US-23 travel as well as east/west
I-96 travel. The location is 50 miles
from downtown Detroit, 20 miles from Ann Arbor, 50 miles from Lansing, 75 miles
from Saginaw, 115 miles from Grand Rapids, and 174 miles from Grayling.
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.
(I enjoyed a nice quick session at peak charging speeds)
Summary
Even enjoying peak charging speeds for the
full session, this was still the most expensive stop of this trip. Per-minute rates are not that fair and at
$0.45 is just way too expensive. There
are lots of options for food or shopping on the other side of the highway, but
not within easy walking distance from the EVSEs, so make sure to stop there
before or after your charging session.
There is a Blink charger on the other side, but the cost structure and
speed limitations don’t make that any better of a solution. I am glad to have stopped here so I check
this site off my list since I don’t see myself using this site unless I have no
other option.
What I paid for this stop:
Total Cost: $3.80
Total kWh: 10.31 kWh
Time: 8 minutes
Average Charge Speed: 77.3kW (calculated)
Cost per kWh: $0.37 (calculated)
Total Score (Max 44) | Score | Accessibility | Amenities | Usability |
28 | B | 6 | 6 | 16 |
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