City Hall - Ann Arbor

 Introduction

Mini Ann Arbor area charging site review trip.

Business/Location Name	City Hall – Ann Arbor
Address	300 E Huron St.  Ann Arbor, MI 48108
Network	ChargePoint
Station Details	4 Stations (62.5kW/125kW linked)
Cost	$0.40 per kWh

The Ann Arbor City Hall ChargePoint station was the 4th stop on my quick trip to review charging sites around Ann Arbor.  (This station opened in October 2021).  Fully functional linked site able to provide 200A maximum to each pair of stations.

Accessibility

In the heart of downtown Ann Arbor, there is no easy access to highways from this stop.  This is more of a destination stop to charge up assuming that Ann Arbor was your destination  The actual charging units are accessible from Ann St, per the PlugShare comment best to use 321 Ann St when navigating to these units.  The EVSE placement does not allow for pull-through parking.

 

Amenities

Dining options include: Within the downtown area there are many walkable options

Shopping options include: Within the downtown area there are many walkable options

Car-related services (windshield cleaning, air): No nearby options.

Concentration

The site doubles up the standard two station layout for ChargePoint for a total of 4 stalls.  This station is the pull/back into configuration, which makes charging with Elektra’s front port location easy, but those with fender locations may need to stretch the cables to make the connections.

Location

In the midst of Ann Arbor, this is a destination charging location, not a road trip stop.   Note there is a parking fee at this site.  You can park and charge without parking fee for the first 30 minutes, there after you will be charged $3 per hour parking fee.  This spot is in the middle of the downtown area and plenty of options are available while you charge.

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.  

Summary

Seems like a long time since I have been to a ChargePoint site and gotten the full 200A.  I spent time here changing up at the end of this road trip.  I did switch charging units midway though as I noticed in the app that one unit was showing as offline and I wanted to confirm if that one was working, which it did.  Overall, I can recommend this site if Ann Arbor is your destination and you will spend time to charge here before moving onto your next travel stop.

What I paid for this stop:

Total Cost: $9.37

Total kWh: 23.40 kWh

Time: 27 minutes

Average Charge Speed: 52 kW

Cost per kWh: $0.40

Total Score (Max 44)	Score	Accessibility	Amenities	Usability
20	C	2	6	12

Meijer - Ann Arbor

 Introduction

Mini Ann Arbor area charging site review trip.

Business/Location Name	Meijer – Ann Arbor
Address	3145 Ann Arbor-Saline Rd.  Ann Arbor, MI
Network	ChargePoint
Station Details	2 Stations (62.5kW)
Cost	$0.30 per kWh

The Meijer – Ann Arbor ChargePoint station was the 3rd stop on my quick trip to review charging sites around Ann Arbor.  (This station opened in November 2019).  Unfortunately, I couldn’t charge here.  Only one of the 2 units was working and the other was occupied by the VW ID.4.

Accessibility

This Ann Arbor Meijer site is located off I-94 at exit 175.  Southwest on Ann Arbor-Saline Rd.  Located about 0.5 miles off the highway this is a quick on off stop.  Access may be easiest from Lohr Rd.  The actual charging units are easy to find in the left front of the parking lot.  The EVSE placement does not allow for pull-through parking.

Amenities

Dining options include: Texas Roadhouse, McDonald’s, Buddy’s, Panchero’s, Five Guys, and more

Shopping options include: Meijer, Best Buy, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Kohl’s, and more

Car-related services (windshield cleaning, air):  Meijer gas station nearby.

Concentration

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

Location

This site is well positioned to support the I-94 corridor.   44 miles from downtown Detroit, 100 miles from Port Huron,  100 miles to Kalamazoo and 175 miles to New Buffalo on the westside of Michigan.  Local traffic around the Ann Arbor area will benefit more than true road trip drivers.  There are lots of options in this area. 

Speed

ChargePoint offers a very entry level fast charging solution at this location.  Power/current limit is 62.5kW or 150A at each unit.  Surprising how in just 3 years, what was probably considered fast is now at the low end of the options list.  

Summary

Quite some time since I have had a failed charging stop.  My last failed stop would have been an EVgo single site.  While this wasn’t a complete failure; I would have been able to charge if I waited for the ID.4 to finish.  It's not good to see equipment broken for so long.  Especially given the high use and reliability of the Tesla charging site in the same parking lot that has been open since 2015 without issues.

What I paid for this stop:

Total Cost: $0.00

Total kWh: 0.00 kWh

Time: - minutes

Average Charge Speed: -

Cost per kWh: -

Total Score (Max 44)	Score	Accessibility	Amenities	Usability
25	C	3	9	13