Range USA - Ypsilanti

 Introduction

Mini Ann Arbor area charging site review trip.

Business/Location Name	Range USA - Ypsilanti
Address	660 James L Hart Parkway, Ypsilanti, MI
Network	ZEF Energy
Station Details	1 Station (40kW 400V, 125A)
Cost	$2 to connect and $0.35 per kWh

The Range USA - Ypsilanti ZEF Energy station was the 1st stop on my initial charging trip of 2023. (This station opened in May 2023).  

Accessibility

This Range USA, ZEF Energy site is located off I-94 at exit 183 and is 0.7 miles from the highway.  Head south on Huron St. and then turn west onto James L Hart Pkwy.  Passing a McDonald’s, a couple of hotels and a Kia dealership.  Enter at the parking lot of the Range USA business.  The actual charging unit is located on the left side of the building.  The EVSE placement does not allow for pull-through parking.  In this case one of the two parking spots for the EVSE was blocked by a pick-up truck.

Amenities

Dining options include: McDonald’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, Tim Hortons, Leo’s Coney Island, K&D Bistro, Jet’s Pizza

Shopping options include: None

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

Concentration

This is currently a single station site.  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.  Note that the CCS cable here was unusually thick and heavy, but the cable management here should allow for easy connection to most charging port locations.  I do think this site is capable of charging 2 cars at the same time, one on the CCS connector and one on the CHAdeMO connector.

Location

This site is well positioned to support the I-94 corridor.   35 miles from downtown Detroit, 90 miles from Port Huron,  109 miles to Kalamazoo.  Seems to be positioned more for local traffic around the Ann Arbor area than for a true road trip stop.  There are also many other nearby charging sites that would be cheaper.

Speed

ZEF Energy has installed here the first Kempower unit that I have been able to test.  These units are very popular in the Nordic countries, and seem to offer very high reliability. This particular install with only a single power cabinet was limited to 400V and 125A, but the dispenser is capable of 1000V and 300A. Not super powerful, but matching to a standard CPE250 unlinked install

Great screen that shows the power, voltage, current, and a note that the output is at the charger max.

Dispenser certification label.

Power cabinet certification label.  

Summary

I really want to like this site.  It is exciting to see new DCFC hardware go into the ground.  I hope that this equipment proves as reliable as it is reported to be.  The screens are great anf full of very useful data.  However, the site score doesn’t lie.  This site ranks a solid D and at a score of 15 is the lowest scoring currently open site in all of my reviews.  It is not fast enough, there are not enough chargers and there is not much to do in the area.  Combine that with the fact that there are other more cost effective locations to charge nearby, and sadly I can’t  recommend this site for a stop other than the novelty.

What I paid for this stop:

Total Cost: $7.49

Total kWh: 15.68 kWh

Time: 22 minutes

Average Charge Speed: 42.76 kW (calculated)

Cost per kWh: $0.48 (calculated)

Total Score (Max 44)	Score	Accessibility	Amenities	Usability
15	D	2	3	10

Citgo – Howard City

 Introduction

A review from my last big road trip of 2022 where I traveled north and then west.

Business/Location Name	Citgo – Howard City
Address	1325 Ensley St, Howard City, MI
Network	ChargePoint
Station Details	2 Stations (62.5kW/125kW linked)
Cost	$0.25 per minute

The Citgo – Howard City ChargePoint station was the 7th stop on my trip heading north.  (This station opened in January 2021).  Note there are many different addresses for this site (1105, 1324, 1104), but it is collocated with the Citgo gas station so I recommend using this when navigating to this site.

Accessibility

This Howard City Citgo site is located off US-131 at exit 118.  Head east on M-82 and once in Howard City turn right and head south on Ensley St/Federal Rd.  Located more than 3 miles off the highway this is not a quick on off stop.  The actual charging units are easy to find in the northwest corner closest to the intersection.  The EVSE placement does not allow for pull-through parking; a trailer might work but might also block traffic at the gas station.

Amenities

Dining options include: None

Shopping options include: There is a small grocery store at this gas station

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

On the US-131 corridor north from Grand Rapids, this site is well positioned as a road trip rest stop.  From this stop, Cadillac, MI is about 100 miles north along US-131, Kalamazoo is about 60 miles south along US-131.  Lansing is about 70 miles to the east, and I-96 ends in Muskegon about 40 miles to the west.

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 a long trip, 7 site reviews in one day is a lot.  Since I was running behind schedule I didn’t get the normal arrival pictures for the last leg travels.  Per minute costs, far off the highway, and not much else around; this site does not get my personal stamp of approval, and I will not plan to stop here again unless I really need to charge.

What I paid for this stop:

Total Cost: $1.24

Total kWh: 5.32 kWh

Time: 5 minutes

Average Charge Speed: 63.84 kW (calculated)

Cost per kWh: $0.23 (calculated)

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

Shell – Big Rapids

 Introduction

A review from my last big road trip of 2022 where I drove north and then west.

Business/Location Name	Shell – Big Rapids
Address	21445 Perry Ave, Big Rapids, MI
Network	ChargePoint
Station Details	2 Stations (62.5kW/125kW linked)
Cost	$0.20 per minute

The Shell – Big Rapids ChargePoint station was the 6th stop on my trip heading up north.  (This station opened in August 2020).  

Accessibility

This Big Rapids Shell site is located off US-131 at exit 139.  Head east on M-20/Business Route 131 and the Shell is at the first stoplight.  Located a little more than 0.5 miles off the highway this is a quick on and off stop.  The actual charging units are easy to find in the northeast corner closest to the intersection.  The EVSE placement does not allow for pull-through parking; a trailer might work but might also block traffic at the gas station.

Amenities

Dining options include: Jimmy Johns, China One Buffet, El Burrito, Culver’s

Shopping options include: Johnny’s Market, Aldi, Lowes, Walmart, Meijer

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

On the US-131 corridor north from Grand Rapids, this site is well positioned as a road trip rest stop.  From this stop, along US-131 to the north, Cadillac, MI is about 45 miles, Kalkaska is 85 miles and Petoskey is 135 miles.  To the south, Grand Rapids is about 55 miles, Kalamazoo is about 105 miles and 140 miles to the border with Indiana.  Lansing is about 120 miles to the southeast.

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 is a convenient stop; you have gas station services, a little market, and food right here.  Other options for food and shopping are a short walking distance away.  While this site only scores an average of 25 points it was my second highest rated site of the trip.  Add to this the fact it had the lowest non-free cost of the trip and I can confidently recommend this site as a place to stop.

What I paid for this stop:

Total Cost: $1.56

Total kWh: 7.98 kWh

Time: 8 minutes

Average Charge Speed: 59.85 kW (calculated)

Cost per kWh: $0.20 (calculated)

Total Score (Max 44)	Score	Accessibility	Amenities	Usability
25	C	5	7	13

Mobil – Cadillac

 Introduction

A review from my last big road trip of 2022 where I drove north and then west.

Business/Location Name	Mobil – Cadillac
Address	2560 E Division St, Cadillac, MI
Network	ChargePoint
Station Details	2 Stations (62.5kW/125kW linked)
Cost	$0.30 per minute

The Mobil – Cadillac ChargePoint station was the 5th stop on my trip heading up north.  (This station opened in July 2020).  

Accessibility

This Cadillac Mobil site is located off US-131 at exit 180.  The gas station here is placed at the southeast side of the highway exit, with quick and easy entry and exit, including less that half a mile drive off the highway.  The EVSE placement does not allow for pull-through parking; a trailer might work but might also block traffic at the gas station.

Amenities

Dining options include: Tim Hortons

Shopping options include: J&H Family Stores

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

On the US-131 corridor north from Grand Rapids, this site is well positioned as a road trip rest stop.  From this stop, along US-131 to the north, Cadillac, MI is about 45 miles, Kalkaska is 85 miles and Petoskey is 135 miles.  To the south, Grand Rapids is about 55 miles, Kalamazoo is about 105 miles and 140 miles to the border with Indiana.  Lansing is about 120 miles to the southeast.

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

I continue to push for these sites to move to a per kWh pricing, the $0.30 per minute here is neither cheap or expensive.  The Tim Hortons and the gas station stop should be enough to take care of any of your charging stop needs, but it doesn’t leave much variety.  I had a nice steady charge here with just the smallest peak at the top speeds I can charge, thus confirming the power sharing was working correctly at this site.

What I paid for this stop:

Total Cost: $2.40

Total kWh: 7.42 kWh

Time: 8 minutes

Average Charge Speed:  55.65 kW (calculated)

Cost per kWh: $0.32 (calculated)

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