Nuvu Fuel - Ionia

 Introduction

A review from my road trip covering a wide loop around Grand Rapids, Michigan

Business/Location Name	Nuvu Fuel – Ionia
Address	75 E Grand River Ave, Ionia, MI 48846
Network	ChargePoint
Station Details	2 Stations (62.5kW/125kW linked)
Cost	$0.30 kWh

The Nuvu Fuel – Ionia ChargePoint station was the 1^st stop on my trip covering a wide loop around Grand Rapids.  This site has been open since November 2020.

Accessibility

The Ionia Nuvu Fuels station is 0.5 miles north of I-96 at exit 67.  The EVSEs are visible from the intersection of State Rd and Grand River Ave.  There isn’t much else at this exit and traffic should be light, allowing for a quick, easy charging session.  Wide spacing and side parking provide options for trailer towing parking, with the right maneuvering.

 

 

Amenities

Dining options include: Corner Landing Bar & Grill.

Shopping options include: Nuvu Fresh Convenience Store

Car-related services (windshield cleaning, air):  Nuvu Fuels gas station at this location.

 

Concentration

This is the standard double station layout for ChargePoint.  This station is the rare pull-beside location.  The side-placed EVSE doesn’t make for the best parking spacing for front port vehicles, however, since spacing is quite generous at this location, a vehicle pulling a trailer shouldn’t encounter any issues.

 

Location

On the I-96 corridor between Lansing and Grand Rapids, this site is positioned as a “road trip rest stop”.  Unfortunately, this would be a charging-only stop on this route since there’s not much to do in the area.  This location is not a jumping off point for other travels and does not connect with any other major north/south routes.  A great interim stop, but not a location that is going to be heavily travelled.

 

Speed

ChargePoint is offering a middle of the pack solution targeted for the early adoption phase.  These units can output 125kW or 200A.  When not paired, 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.   (These units were having trouble communicating to the ChargePoint backend and I was told in a support call that they needed a software update, so the app feedback doesn’t include the nice charging curve)

 

Summary

I was please to see another ChargePoint site using the per kWh cost structure.  This is a nice, clean easy to find intermediate stop on the I-96.  I tested both units, since going forward, I want to know that all of the charging equipment at a site I’m reviewing is actually working.

 

What I paid for this stop:

Totals
Total Cost: $3.96
Total kWh: 13.18 kWh
Time: 11 minutes
Average Charge Speed: 71.9kW (calculated)
Cost per kWh: $0.30

Part 1:
Total Cost: $2.79
Total kWh: 9.30 kWh
Time: 8 minutes
Average Charge Speed: 69.75kW (calculated)
Cost per kWh: $0.30

Part 2:
Total Cost: $1.17
Total kWh: 3.88 kWh
Time: 3 minutes
Average Charge Speed: 77.6kW (calculated)
Cost per kWh: $0.30

 

Total Score (Max 44)	Score	Accessibility	Amenities	Usability
23	C	6	5	12