Introduction
This is a site review from my trip to cover updates to the I-94 east/west corridor. Site visits on November 8, 2024.
Business/Location Name | West Michigan International |
Address | 5380 International Dr, Kalamazoo, MI 49009 |
Network | EV Connect |
Station Details | 2 Stalls (480kW total site power, each stall has one 500A cable and one 200A cable) |
Cost | $0.41/kWh |
The West Michigan International station was the 3rd charging stop on my trip to check out added charging options along the I-94 corridor. This is a site revisit. I had originally stopped here when bringing Voltron home, but since that time the hardware at this site has changed and I wanted to update the site review. (This station opened in October 2022).
Accessibility
The West Michigan International site is in the parking lot of this heavy-duty truck business. The site is 1 mile from I-94 at exit 72. North of the highway and in an office park, this site, compared to the nearest Electrify America location, is a quick on and off stop. The EVSE placement does not allow for pull-through parking, but a wide-open parking lot offers lots of space.
Amenities
Dining options include: McDonald’s, Starbucks, Subway, Culvers, Dunkin’, Wendy’s (All towards the highway, stop first)
Shopping options include: None
Car-related services (windshield cleaning, air): None
Concentration
This site has a single power cabinet that is feeding 2 dispensers. Each dispenser has two cables, and both can be used at the same time. This station is the pull/back into configuration, which would make charging with Elektra’s front port location easy, but those with fender locations may need to stretch the cables to make the connections. I had to back into the spot due to the Voltron’s charging port location. The left unit has a remote connector holder installed due to clearance with the light pole. The string cable management was already failing even though the new units had been installed for only a month or so.
Location
This site on the supports I-94 and is close enough to potentially support US-131. At about 150 miles to Detroit and 150 miles to Chicago, this is about as mid-point between those 2 cities as you can get.
50 Mile Loop:
100 to 150 Mile Range Estimate:
Speed
This site is listed in PlugShare as a 480kW site but I could only see a 300kVA transformer on site. I am sure with just one car plugged in and charging that up to 300kW is quite possible. The EV Connect app shows these as 180kW. From the label on the power cabinet, up to 8 outputs totaling 480kW maximum power output. The dispensers have one side with liquid cooled cables supporting 500A (the white handles) and one side with air-cooled cables at 200A limit.
Summary
The second new piece of charging hardware for me to use on this trip. These new InCharge units look to be an upgrade from the old and less reliable ABB units that were installed originally and that I had used on my previous visit. The dispensers are nice and good to see a mix of cables for different power needs (not that most consumers are going to understand). I think my main problem here is that there is no ‘Stop’ button on the units, the cancel button would go to a screen telling you to end by tap or app. There is no Stop button within the app. The only way to stop charging is by setting the charge limit in the car or to call the support number and then they can stop the charge. (If the person on the phone can stop the charge remotely, why is that functionality not in the app?)
What I paid for this stop:
Total Cost: $10.48
Total kWh: 25.55 kWh
Time: 13 minutes
Average Charge Speed: 118 kW
Cost per kWh: $0.41
Questions or Comments:
dantheevman@gmail.com
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