First, if you haven't been to the Midwest Renewable Energy Association Energy Fair before, this is a great year to attend. The EVA - Wisconsin Chapter will be there tabling and talking about EVs and, if you volunteer, you may be able to get in for free. If you can help out, contact Jeremiah at wisceva@gmail.com.
Second, chargers. How many have had issues at road trip charging stations? We're pretty luck in the La Crosse Area to have access to a variety of Level 2 and DC Fast Charging stations, some powered by the sun, like those at the WTC Apprenticeship Center on 21st Place or behind LAX Print on Rose and Monitor, and some free like the Pine Street Ramp charger or the chargers at Hy-Vee, but on a trip it can be a whole different matter.
Last year, on a trip to Tomah, I accidentally had a bad encounter with a Zefnet fast charger. It took me nearly half an hour, including phone calls to customer (non)support, to make the connection--it kept faulting--and then the cost to charge (previously, this charger had been free) was exorbitant. I should have checked Plug Share first. The change in fee was noted there, with a recommendation to use the other, nearby, bank of chargers.
Chargers not working and myriad apps and fee structures is not helping the switch to EVs. While batteries and ranges are improving, you still do need to charge sometime. If you're travelling in rural Wisconsin, you have to wonder if the one charger on the map you need for a boost to get to your destination (La Crosse to Appleton, for example) will be working when you get there.
A recent article in Governing magazine highlights the problem of unreliable chargers.
"Two years ago, 14.5 percent of EV drivers said they were unable to charge at a public station. Now it’s 21.4 percent. For the nation to meet its climate goals, a reliable EV charging station network is vital."
