Site Review Scores

Saturday, August 2, 2025

Pilot – Smiths Creek

Introduction

This is a site review from part 3 of the ongoing series to follow the EVgo expansion in the metro Detroit area.  This part visits new Pilot/Flying J locations and then follows up on some of the existing stations.  Visits done on June 23, 2025


Business/Location Name

Pilot Travel Center

Address

2424 Wadhams Rd, Smiths Creek, MI 48074

Network

EVgo

Station Details

2 Stations (2 Dual Output – 350kW)

Cost

$0.49/kWh 


I visited the Smiths Creek Pilot Travel Center station as part of my travels to continue to review the ongoing expansion of EVgo sites.  This is not part of the Detroit area EVgo build out, but is part of the nationwide partnership between EVgo, GM and Pilot/Flying J.  (This station opened in February 2025).



Accessibility

This site is along I-69 at exit 196.  The site is 0.3 miles from the I-69 exits.  The units themselves are on the north side of the parking lot and alongside the building.  The spots are wide, covered and designed for charging with a trailer attached.  However, they are still only pull-in parking, no pull-through stalls.




Amenities

Dining options: Subway

Shopping options: None

Car-related services (windshield cleaning, air): Pilot


A black suv parked at a gas station

AI-generated content may be incorrect.


Concentration

This is the new standard 2 station layout for EVgo at the Pilot/Flying J partner locations.  With just 2 stations this site can still support up to 4 vehicles charging simultaneously. Depending on charge port location you can pick which side is best to pull up towards.  There is a benefit that just 2 units can provide high-power charging to 4 vehicles at once, but the risk is that one station going down could impact 2 stalls of charging.



Location

This site is toward the eastern end of I-69.  From here, Lansing is 120 miles west, Detroit is 60 miles south and London, ON is 75 miles (120km) to the east.  This site is not in an urban area, so it should mostly see travel usage.  


50 Mile Loop:


150 Mile Estimated Coverage:


Speed

EVgo is supporting maximum CCS charging speeds.  The high-power Delta units are capable of both max 1000V and can do 500A.  These newer Pilot/Flying J sites are NEVI compliant supporting up to 350kW (and at least 150kW) on all 4 ports.  Here the transformer is rated at 750kVA, which means the site can do full power to all stations.  The sites are well equipped to handle both road trip traffic. These Delta charging units here should be available to serve the electric car community for years to come as the infrastructure build out continues.


A close-up of a metal box

AI-generated content may be incorrect.




Summary

This site was a Michigan NEVI Round 2 site selection for a very low bid.  While this site does exist, these units are not Build America, Buy America compliant, so all this hardware will need to be replaced to make this site NEVI compliant.  There was an Equinox EV charging when I arrived and there most of my quick stay.  As I was about to leave, I was excited to see one of the first generation of the battery electric revolution a VW eGolf.  These cars did not get imported in a large quantity and only for a couple of years so it is always a treat to see one in person.

A white car parked in a parking lot

AI-generated content may be incorrect.


What I paid for this stop:

Total Cost: $8.78

Total kWh: 16.894kWh

Time: 5 minutes

Average Charge Speed: 203 kW

Cost per kWh: $0.49


A screenshot of a phone

AI-generated content may be incorrect.


Total Score (Max 44)

Score

Accessibility

Amenities

Usability

32

B

6

5

21


Alternatives:

SpeedyQ - 2020 Water St, Port Huron, MI 48060 - $0.43/kWh(+6% tax) - 62.5kW x 2 

(ChargePoint)

Port Huron Plaza - 2830 Pine Grove Ave, Port Huron, MI 48060 - $0.42/kWh(+$0.30) - 160kW x 4

(Red E Charge)


Questions or Comments:

dantheevman@gmail.com


No comments:

Post a Comment

Videos

I made a video

  I have seen a couple of series following other CPO build outs.  I thought I would try my hand at providing some insight and commentary.  T...