Great Lakes Shopping - Auburn Hills

Introduction

A follow up review of local EVgo locations in the Metro Detroit area.

Business/Location Name	Great Lakes Shopping Center - Auburn Hills
Address	4000 Baldwin Rd, Auburn Hills, MI 48326
Network	EVgo
Station Details	4 Stations (2 x 350kW, 2 x 100kW)
Cost	$0.35 per minute

The Great Lakes Shopping Center in Auburn Hills, EVgo station was not open when I did my last Detroit area trip.  I made a special trip to visit this site and to set up AutoCharge+ (This station opened in October of 2022)

Accessibility

This location is 1 mile from I-75 off of exit 83 and 1 mile from I-75 off of exit 84.  The EVSE units are in the Great Lakes Shopping Center parking lot on the south side, outside of Legoland.  If you are using the loop road around the outside of the shopping center, turn north at the Steak ‘n Shake to be close to this location.

Amenities

Dining options include: Steak ‘n Shake, Charleys Philly Steaks, Panda Express, Taco Bell, Miyako Japanese Steakhouse, and many others in and around the outlets.

Shopping options include: All the stores in the Great Lakes Shopping Center

Car-related services (windshield cleaning, air): None

Concentration

This is the new standard station layout for EVgo.  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.  The two 100 kW units are capable of power sharing and thus charging on both the CCS port and the ChaDeMo/Tesla, but EVgo only allowed for 2 parking spots instead of potential 4 spots that could be supplied with power.  The two 350 kW and two 100 kW units are well sized to the current set of electric vehicles on the road today.

Location

This is now the northernmost EVgo location.  With all the shopping and food options of the Outlets, there is plenty to do on a long charge up session.  Given the close proximity to I-75, I can see this site being used for many people traveling the I-75 corridor.  Taking I-75 to the north, it is 260 miles to Mackinaw City, 200 miles to Gaylord, and 175 miles to Grayling.  Talking I-75 to the south, it is 95 miles to Toledo, OH, and 175 miles to Lima, OH.

Speed

EVgo has made a big step up from their original EVSE offerings.  By offering at least 2 units that support 350 kW, and to my knowledge supporting up to 500 A, they are now offering a competitive solution to the fastest options available in the market today.  EVgo is also balancing the need for many EVSE with the need for fast units by also offering two of the 100 kW Delta units at this site.  These units are capable of 200A.  Both options outclass the 50 kW 100/125 A BTC units that were installed as part of the original build out.

Summary

Several changes happened from the end of September when I did my most recent EVgo road trip and the end of November when I went and did this site review.  First, this site was opened, so I needed to add it to the list of local EVgo sites to review.  Second, EVgo released the AutoCharge+ feature so I needed to try that out.

AutoCharge+ allows you to just plug in and start charging without using an application on your phone, or an RFID card or paying by credit card.  The vehicle ID is linked to your account and each time you plug in the station reads your vehicle ID and then starts charging the account linked to that ID for the session.  Not all EVs are supported, so make sure to check the EVgo website to check if your EV can use this feature.  To set up AutoCharge+, you select your vehicle in the application and select the EVSE that you will use for initial activation (this is done only the first time to link your car to your account.)  I activated the EVSE named Dawn and charged for 7 minutes.  Then, I was expecting AutoCharge+ to work, so I moved over to charge on Gillian.  However, when I plugged in nothing seemed to happen.  I called EVgo support and requested a reset of the station, and it seems that allowed a charging session to start.  But, it seems that wasn’t the only problem Gillian was having this day because I was never billed for this session and it never showed up in the app.  Wanting to have a session I could confirm worked by AutoCharge+, I then moved over to Gabrielle.  The handshakes to do AutoCharge+ take a long time and there is not really good feedback on any of the screens that anything is going on.  It is nice that EVgo is offering this convenience, but the user experience seems like it was designed by engineers, and not by people focused on what the end customer experience would be.

When I arrived I found the standard new EVgo station count.  There was a Hyundai Ioniq plugged into one of the 100 kW chargers, but did not seem to be charging.  With the previously listed issues I was able to successfully charge at the other 3 available stations, which is surprising given my previous experiences with EVgo reliability.  These did end up being some of the most expensive charging sessions I have done in a long time.  $0.50 per kWh is crazy expensive, but this is the reality for slow charging vehicles at EVgo locations still charging by the minute.  EVgo does have plans that can lower this cost if you are in a situation where you need to use their network on a regular basis.  EVgo is expanding where the per kWh pricing is in place, including recently to Ohio, so I hope that they will expand that to Michigan in the very near future.  Until then, I think it will continue to be EV-no-go.

What I paid for this stop:

Total Cost: $ 4.20

Total kWh: 8.03 kWh

Time: 12 minutes

Average Charge Speed: 40.15 kW (calculated)

Cost per kWh: $0.52

Part 1:

Total Cost: $2.45

Total kWh:  4.96 kWh

Time:  7 minutes

Average Charge Speed: 42.5 kW (calculated)

Cost per kWh: $0.49

Part 2: 

Total Cost: $1.75

Total kWh:  3.07 kWh

Time: 5 minutes

Average Charge Speed: 36,8 kW (calculated)

Cost per kWh: $0.57

Total Score (Max 44)	Score	Accessibility	Amenities	Usability
31	B	4	6	21

Renaissance Center - Detroit

 Introduction

A review from my road trip covering some of the Detroit area EVgo locations, recently opened in 2022.

Business/Location Name	Renaissance Center - Detroit
Address	100 Renaissance Ctr, Detroit, MI
Network	EVgo
Station Details	4 Stations (2 x 350kW, 2 x 100kW)
Cost	$0.35 per minute

The Renaissance Center Detroit EVgo station was the 5th stop on my trip covering the new opened locations in the metro Detroit area.  Here there are 2 Delta 350kW each capable of charging 2 vehicles at the same time. (This station opened in April of 2022)

Accessibility

The RenCen is deep in downtown Detroit right on the riverfront.  The access to the chargers is off of eastbound Jefferson Ave.  You can get here 0.5 miles from the end of I-375 or M-10.  Drive into the front access area of the RenCen and find the two chargers flanking the front entrance.  Traffic can be heavy in this area, and this is likely not a place to stop on a road trip.  The parking spots are quite tight and there is not much room around the vehicles once parked.  Being right out front, once you get to the access road there is no problem to find these EVSE.

Amenities

Dining options include: Burger King, Gyroland, Starbucks, Bangkok Crossin, Panera, Potbelly

Shopping options include: There are many shops in the RenCen and surrounding area.

Car-related services (windshield cleaning, air):  None

(Note since this is a business site, most options are focused on normal business hours.  If you plan to stop here, make sure to plan if it is evening or weekend times)

Concentration

This site uses the premium EVgo Delta chargers, enabling four 350kW charging sessions at the same time.  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.  The extremely tight parking conditions will also complicate connections for those that need to back into the station to make a connection.  These units that can support the maximum 950V and 540A (see charging screen details) of the current standards, making them capable of supporting even the fasting charging vehicles on the road today. For power sharing, the EVSE can do 500A to one side and then 200A to the other connector.

Location

Being directly downtown, this is not really a travel site or a neighborhood site, but mostly a destination site.  If you are going to be traveling to this destination, then drivers are likely to spend some time in the area, and thus don’t need the fastest charging available, but that is what EVgo elected to install here.  The only reason to have this site is to show GM executives the speeds EVgo can provide.

Speed

EVgo has installed their most powerful charging solution here at the home of the partner company GM.  Being able to do 4 vehicles at the same time offers the fastest option available in the market today.

Lots of details about the charging activity available

Summary

Come down, visit the Ren Cen and grab a quick charge.  Take a loop on the Detroit People Mover and see the sites of the city (a full loop takes about 15 minutes, 20 minutes with time to and from the station) and in that time at these fast chargers you could get a good boost.

What I paid for this stop:

Roaming Session from ChargePoint

Total Cost: $0.00

Total kWh: 1.61 kWh

Time: 3 minutes

Average Charge Speed: 32.2 kW (calculated)

Cost per kWh: $0.00

Roaming Sessions on Shell Recharge 

Total Cost: $0.00

Total kWh: ?? kWh

Time: ?? minutes

Average Charge Speed: ?? kW (calculated)

Cost per kWh: $0.00

>Roam sessions not recorded or billed

Total Score (Max 44)	Score	Accessibility	Amenities	Usability
23	C	4	6	13

Meijer - Detroit

 Introduction

A review from my road trip covering some of the Detroit area EVgo locations, recently opened in 2022.

Business/Location Name	Meijer - Detroit
Address	1205 Eight Mile Rd, Detroit, MI 48203
Network	EVgo
Station Details	4 Stations (2 x 350kW, 2 x 100kW)
Cost	$0.35 per minute

The Meijer Detroit EVgo station was the 4th stop on my trip covering the new opened locations in the metro Detroit area.  This Meijer is at the northwest corner of Detroit, and seems well positioned to support the local area.  (This station opened in September of 2022)

Accessibility

This stop is just 1.4 miles west of I-75 along 8 Mile Rd.  It is also 0.5 miles from Woodward Ave (M-1), but not a large distance from the Royal Oak location that is also close to Woodward Ave. The Meijer hosts these EVSE, but has placed them out of the major traffic flow ensuring EV drivers have easy access.  The station is a pull up or back into orientation, so no easy trailer parking here.  The adjacent Supercharger ensures that this will be a high traffic area for EVs with plenty of feedback to make sure the units remain well maintained.

Amenities

Dining options include: McDonald’s, Starbucks, Applebee’s, Wingstop

Shopping options include: Meijer, Marshalls, Five Below, Petco, Autozone

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

Concentration

This is the new standard station layout for EVgo.  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.  The two 350kW and two 100kW units are well sized to the current set of electric vehicles on the road today.

Location

While this site is located along the heavily traveled I-75, this site seems planned more to support the local area.  I am scoring this more as a local support charging location and not the more beneficial travel charging location.  Distances to reference cities are Part Huron - 60 miles, Saginaw - 95 miles, Grayling - 196 miles, Lansing - 85 miles, Grand Rapids - 150 miles, Toledo, OH - 80 miles, Columbus, OH - 215 miles

Speed

EVgo has made a big step up from their original EVSE offerings.  By offering at least 2 units that support 350kW, and to my knowledge supporting up to 500A, they are now offering a competitive solution to the fastest options available in the market today.  EVgo is also balancing the need for many EVSE with the need for fast units by also offering two of the 100kW Delta units at this site.  These units are capable of 200A.  Both options outclass the 50kW 100/125A BTC units that were installed as part of the original installs.

Summary

Nice to come to another site with a simple pull up layout.  Relatively easy to find out of traffic on the east side of the parking lot.  The new Supercharger at this location is already seeing plenty of traffic and I was surprised to see one Tesla driver using the EVgo stations.  There have been reports that EVgo has struggled to bring new sites online, and this site being the newest I visited showed signs of this.  While the Delta units were working, the Signet units looked powered on, but were not functional.  I just don’t understand why they can indicate on the screen when a unit is out of service, other providers don’t seem to have a problem with this.  I hope this becomes a productive site for EVgo in the future.

What I paid for this stop:

Roaming Session from ChargePoint

Total Cost: $1.86

Total kWh: 5.23 kWh

Time: 5 minutes

Average Charge Speed: 62.76 kW (calculated)

Cost per kWh: $0.36 (calculated)

Roaming Sessions on Shell Recharge 

Total Cost: $0.00

Total kWh: ?? kWh

Time: ?? minutes

Average Charge Speed: ?? kW (calculated)

Cost per kWh: $0.00

>Roam sessions not recorded or billed

Total Score (Max 44)	Score	Accessibility	Amenities	Usability
27	B	3	7	17

Meijer - Warren

 Introduction

A review from my road trip covering some of the Detroit area EVgo locations, recently opened in 2022.

Business/Location Name	Meijer - Warren
Address	29555 Mound Rd, Warren, MI 48092
Network	EVgo
Station Details	4 Stations (2 x 350kW, 2 x 100kW)
Cost	$0.35 per minute

The Meijer Warren EVgo station was the 3rd stop on my trip covering the new opened locations in the metro Detroit area.  This site is adjacent to the GM Warren Technical center, thus supporting any GM employees commuting to work.  (This station opened in April of 2022)

Accessibility

This stop is 2.0 miles north of I-696 at exit 22 (Mound Rd).  Meaning it does support this major east/west interstate.  However, this site has most likely been placed to best support GM employees in the proximity to the Technical Center campus.  These units have been placed at the northern edge of the parking lot for the Meijer, thus they are outside of the high traffic areas keeping the area free of non-EVs.  The station layout does not support easy charging while pulling a trailer.

Amenities

Dining options include: Five Guys, Starbucks, Buffalo Wild Wings, Qdoba, Chili’s, Jersey Mike’s Subs, Estia Greek Street Food, Oasis Mediterranean Cuisine

Shopping options include: Meijer, Aldi

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

Concentration

This is based on the new standard station layout for EVgo with two 350kW Signet units and two 100kW Delta units.  This station has the 100kW units that you can pull up to them, but weirdly the units are facing away from the parking spots, which makes charging difficult as the cables need to be pulled around the units to be connected.  The two 350kW are placed in a front to back arrangement so the parking arrangement will be very dependent on vehicle charge port location.

Location

While this site is located along the heavily traveled I-696, this is not a road trip route but more of a commuter route.  I am scoring this more as a destination or local support charging location and not the more beneficial travel charging location.  Distances to reference cities are Part Huron - 55 miles, Saginaw - 110 miles, Grayling - 210 miles, Lansing - 90 miles, Toledo, Oh - 75 miles.

Speed

EVgo has made a big step up from their original EVSE offerings.  By offering at least 2 units that support 350kW, and to my knowledge supporting up to 500A, they are now offering a competitive solution to the fastest options available in the market today.  EVgo is also balancing the need for many EVSE with the need for fast units by also offering two of the 100kW Delta units at this site.  These units are capable of 200A.  Both options outclass the 50kW 100/125A BTC units that were installed as part of the original install.

Summary

I helped someone get their Mach-E charging at this location.  It took multiple connection and card swipe attempts, but eventually we got it to work.  They were paying by credit card and not using any app.  I don’t know if the issues were with the car or the station, I suspect something with the EVgo stations.  Charging with the roaming apps on ChargePoint and Shell Recharge I did not have any issues getting a session started and getting expected speeds.  Note this is also the only stop on this trip that offered collocated Level 2 charging at 6.6kW.  These level 2 units are set to be free for the first hour and then $2.00 an hour after that, which is the standard cost of a level 2 unit at a Meijer, no matter if they are provided by ChargePoint or Shell Recharge.

What I paid for this stop:

Roaming Session from ChargePoint

Total Cost: $0.00

Total kWh: 4.06 kWh

Time: 4 minutes

Average Charge Speed: 60.9 kW (calculated)

Cost per kWh: $0.00

Roaming Sessions on Shell Recharge 

Total Cost: $0.00

Total kWh: ?? kWh

Time: ?? minutes

Average Charge Speed: ?? kW (calculated)

Cost per kWh: $0.00

>Roam sessions not recorded or billed

Total Score (Max 44)	Score	Accessibility	Amenities	Usability
27	B	3	7	17