Clean View Auto Wash - Shelby Township

 Introduction

Site review from my trip through the thumb of Michigan.

Business/Location Name	Clean View Auto Wash – Shelby Township
Address	14255 23 Mile Rd, Shelby Township, MI
Network	ChargePoint
Station Details	2 Stations (62.5kW/125kW linked)
Cost	$0.35 per minute

The Clean View Auto Wash – Shelby Township ChargePoint station was the 7th stop on my trip to explore the charging sites in the thumb of Michigan.  (This station opened in November 2022).  

Accessibility

This Shelby Township Clean View Auto Wash site is located on 23 Mile Road, a major east/west road in the area.  This site is 1.5 miles to the east of the exit on M-53/Van Dyke Freeway.  The units themselves are placed at the far end of the vacuums hidden away from view.  The overhead vacuum lines and other car wash equipment do not make this an open charging spot.  The EVSE placement does not allow for pull-through parking.

Amenities

Dining options include: Northside New York Deli, Arby’s, Taco Bell, Ikes Express

Shopping options include: None

Car-related services (windshield cleaning, air):  Car Wash Services

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.  Angled parking and tight quarters would make for difficult alternate parking and challenging for rear port plug locations.

Location

While not well located for a road trip Bay City, Lansing, Ann Arbor, Detroit and even Toledo, Oh are all within a 150 mile range from this site.

Basic 50 mile loop

150 to 200 mile range estimate

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

What a weird spot for an electric car fast charger.  It’s not close to a highway or a dense

population that is likely to not have access to Level 2 charging, nor supported by a lot of

interesting amenities.  If it wasn’t for this site review, I am not sure why anyone would use this kind of site.  That said, this was a nice smooth and fast charging stop.  Since I had used up most of the peak charging rate at the previous stop here, I topped up for just 7 minutes and headed home to end another successful EV road trip.

What I paid for this stop:

Total Cost: $2.40

Total kWh: 6.82 kWh

Time: 7 min

Average Charge Speed: 58.46 kW

Cost per kWh: $0.35

Total Score (Max 44)	Score	Accessibility	Amenities	Usability
16	D	2	2	12

Marathon - Romeo

Introduction

Site review from my trip through the thumb of Michigan.

Business/Location Name	Marathon - Romeo
Address	13200 32 Mile Rd. Romeo, MI 48065
Network	ChargePoint
Station Details	2 Stations (62.5kW/125kW linked)
Cost	$0.45 per kWh

The Marathon - Romeo ChargePoint station was the 6th stop on my trip to explore the charging sites in the thumb of Michigan.  (This station opened in December 2020). 

Accessibility

This Romeo Marathon gas station site is located on 32 Mile Road just off the M-53/Van Dyke Freeway.  The units themselves are placed at the northwest corner of the parking lot, are easy to spot from the main road and have convenient diagonal pull-in parking.  The EVSE placement does not allow for pull-through parking.

Amenities

Dining options include: Subway, Tim Horton’s
Shopping options include: Gas Station Convenience Store
Car-related services (windshield cleaning, air):  Marathon Gas Station

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.  Angled parking and tight quarters would make for difficult alternate parking.

Location

While not well located for a road trip Bay City, Lansing, Ann Arbor, Detroit and even Toledo, OH are all within a 150 mile range from this site.

Basic 50 mile loop

150 to 200 mile range estimate

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

This was one of the better appointed sites of the trip.  With a longer charge here you could grab a bite to eat, get some snacks, rest a bit and be back on the road in a reasonable amount of time.  This was a nice smooth and fast charging stop.  Knowing my next stop was very close by, even though this site bills per kWh, I chose to stay only as long as I was at my peak rate.

What I paid for this stop:
Total Cost: $3.05
Total kWh: 6.78 kWh
Time: 6 min
Average Charge Speed: 67.8 kW
Cost per kWh: $0.45

Total Score (Max 44)	Score	Accessibility	Amenities	Usability
22	C	4	5	13

Clark Gas - Marlette

 Introduction

Site review from my trip through the thumb of Michigan.

Business/Location Name	Clark – Marlette
Address	2897 Main St, Marlette, MI 48453
Network	ChargePoint
Station Details	2 Stations (62.5kW/125kW linked)
Cost	$0.50 per minute

The Clark – Marlette ChargePoint station was the 5th stop on my trip to explore the charging sites in the thumb of Michigan.  (This station opened in February 2021).  

Accessibility

This Marlette Clark site is located just off the main north/south road through town (Main St) also M-53.  The units themselves are placed off of Chard St, and hard to spot.  Feels like you are driving through someone's driveway in order to get to the chargers. The Clark gas station is the best local landmark.  The EVSE placement does not allow for pull-through parking.

Amenities

Dining options include: Subway

Shopping options include: Autozone, Family Dollar

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

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 in the middle of the thumb of Michigan

50 Mile Radius

150 - 200 mile driving radius

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

After driving through rain to get here, I thankfully found a gap in the rain to do my charging.  The charging units themselves are hidden away in a corner and there doesn’t seem to be any nearby lighting.  I don’t think this would be the best place to charge at night.  This was a nice smooth and fast charging stop.  I spent 8 minutes charging, mostly at the peak rate to get the most out of these per minute stations.

What I paid for this stop:

Total Cost: $4.06

Total kWh: 8.78 kWh

Time: 8 minutes

Average Charge Speed: 65.85 kW

Cost per kWh: $0.46

Total Score (Max 44)	Score	Accessibility	Amenities	Usability
20	C	3	4	13