Might as well use it up until it gets banned.
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Actually selling the Tesla today… No Vegas trips till April/May
Shocker - came to Agoura Hills midday today and was the only one there! Only the second time it ever happened, the other time was after midnight. Still the charging curve wasn’t all that impressive considering it was 77 degrees and I started at 13% (the car refused to pre-condition probably since it was so warm).
Is all the free Merc charging done now? I’m wondering if the free charging offers expired 2 years ago.
In the Crocodile Hunter’s voice (May he RIP)
- Crickey! I’ve discovered the rarest animal in the Los Angeles Charging Scene…an empty set of EA Chargers!
Is charging rates peak midday there?
That’s when I notice the lulls now.
I still got it on both i4 and EQS. That charger showed no availability about an hour prior, same for TO and Topanga, so just got lucky.
@BigNerd yes it peaks at 64 cents but don’t think it stops most people.
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Finally got a chance to check out that huge new EA in Santa Monica with 20 stalls. About half seen to be available day or night and no 85% limit.
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Now 20 is the right number.
Two are down btw
Yeah, two or three were down when I was there Saturday around noon and there was still plenty of availability.
My eqs free charging will expire in June 
, 4 months before lease ends.
Probably… what car though?
Escalade IQ. So still took awhile lol
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CHARGEINTOSPRING $5 code for EVGO
I posted here since this is the most active thread.
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My EQS decided to suddenly play nice and maintained triple digit charging rate until 80%. Sweet! And if you’re curious about that bright orange disc in the pic, the answer is here.
Last weekend, took the EV for a quick turnaround to Vegas and decided to stop at as many EA stops as I could to see what they were like.
In order from LA/OC to Vegas there are 5 stops that you could use:
- Hesperia: Walmart parking lot with 10 down one aisle (paired chargers in between two slots). Hard to park because it’s a diagonal aisle all on one side so back in parking is a pain (esp because non EV park on the other side and you can block traffic manuevering). The way the pairs are set you could park on either side to prevent back in but if one side is taken it makes it difficult. The app didn’t say it but charger stopped at 85%. I checked the availability during the whole weekend and seems to always have an opening. Walmart close by made it ideal for bathroom and snack break. 2 were out of service.
- Victorville: Did not stop here. Only 4 chargers and in a P66 gas station.
- Barstow: Another Walmart location but a bit farther away and straight stalls with charger at the front so you have to back in depending on port location. More space to easier to maneuver. 6 chargers with 2 more closer to the store. 1 was down. Had to wait a bit here.
- Baker: Dedicated covered spot with gas station style setup, 12 charges divided into 6 rows. Right next to a 32-charger Tesla lot. Gas station next to it (super expensive drinks/snacks) and a Dairy Queen and Jersey Mikes. Pretty much no waiting as chargers open up quickly. Only 1 of 12 not working. Okay for bathroom break.
- Primm: 6 straight stalls (have to back in depending) next to weird Cali Lotto store just over the state line. Seems like only one bathroom per gender. Didn’t have to wait to charge both times we used it but 2nd time there were 4 cars waiting. No one really leaves their cars here because the Primm mall is closed down.
There are EA DCFCs scattered around Vegas and some of the hotels have L2 chargers but we used Primm to top off heading in and out just in case.
Depending on your range and charging speed, you can probably go with only 1 stop. My preference here is Baker. The Walmart stops can churn quickly but sometimes people will stay longer (a few Bolts were hogging spots). The Walmart ones have more stuff around to get food. Only Hesperia had the 85% limit but you really are taking the same or more time going from 85 to 95% than from wherever to 85%.
Charging cost was $40 going there (we were at 100% from home) and about $60 back, cheaper than $7 gas. Each session was about 20 minutes.
If you can charge on a Tesla SC, they have more locations with higher charger counts but some non-Tesla guys told me EA was faster and cost less.
My other EV has low 200mi range but I’m confident with these 5 stops (and possible Tesla SC backup), it would be an easy trip. Stopping to break and stretch is actually nice.
Driving an EV on this route is a big difference from ICE. Went over 90 a few times without noticing and using paddle shift regen on the downhills was fun. Set the cruise to 77 but was probably doing 80+ a few times which ate into the efficiency. A 300 passed us going 95-100 and a few minutes later saw them on the side of the road with CHP.
YMMV. 
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Hesperia Walmart has two chargers in the middle of the parking lot for backing in/handicapped
The Baker Tesla is actually a 96 charger lot
I’ve used the 76 in Victorville a few times-no wait ever and gas station restroom (ask for key from cashier)
Baker can get crowded-so mostly avoided and used Primm to top off on the way into Vegas and next stop Victorville or Hesperia on way back.
I’ve used Caesars Forum Shops EA without waiting around 11am but try to avoid as it can get crowded…
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Does anyone know if the BMW free charging with EA is linked to the car or the account holder on MY BMW? I know the EA free charging is not transferrable once activated.
But can I activate one EA free charging on MY BMW to charge an i4 and iX? Both cars are in MY BMW but only one EA account active.
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Mercedes/EA seemed ok charging other Mercedes (IE loaners, at least in the past) but not other makes. Also curious about BMW in real life.
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