5 ms·
Not OP, but 3rd party chargers often: 1) require a new app to be installed 2) require you to create an account and add your credit card info 3) are broken 4)
by djrogers 6y ago
Not OP, but 3rd party chargers often:
1) require a new app to be installed
2) require you to create an account and add your credit card info
3) are broken
4) work, but charge slower than they should
- filoleg 6y agoWhile a minor thing, I wanted to add to this, even when everything works properly and on the first try with third party chargers, you gotta pull out your phone and open the app (or use it as an Apple Wallet card, if the charging station supports it) to activate the charger and start the whole charging process. As opposed to superchargers, where you literally just plug the charger in and that's it, everything is handled for you.
- gameswithgo 6y agoWho the heck thought an app was a good idea? Complete non starter for me.
- secabeen 6y agoIt's twofold. One, they want some way to notify you back when your charge session is nearing completion, or if you get unplugged unexpectedly. Two, they want the data on your usage individually identified, so they can sell/mine it.
- gameswithgo 6y agoOk that is a good point, optional app integration is sensible.
- waiseristy 6y agoThey really should just call your phone, I can't think of a single other long-wait activity that forces you to install spyware. Oil changes, doctor / dentist appointments, furniture delivery, etc. They all just give you a call
- BoorishBears 6y agoJust because you want a call doesn't mean everyone else does. I'd much rather have an app notify me than an automated phone call, I (and most people I know) probably wouldn't even pick it up. - I can uninstall an app, I can't ungive someone my phone number.
- waiseristy 6y agoTo each their own! I can not stand having random apps installed on my phone. They all eventually turn into notification spamming spyware. I get spam phone calls all the time anyway, have the charging station call / text me and leave me a message instead
- secabeen 6y agoMany people don't want to give their SMS-capable number to a random charging station in another state. I don't mind giving my number to my doctor, but a charging station is a different risk profile.
- djrogers 6y agoFrankly I’d rather install an app on my iPhone than give the company my phone number. At least with an app I can deny location, contacts, and all other access.
- waiseristy 6y agoWhat makes you think that company XYZ will let you use their app if you deny location, contact, etc. access?
- boardwaalk 6y agoFrom a security point of view, that seems insane.
- jsight 6y agoI think they are optional in general, but often more reliable. These locations are unstaffed and often directly exposed to the elements. The cardreaders don't seem to hold up well.
- Symbiote 6y agoThey should be able to accept contactless cards only, without a PIN. Plenty of contactless-card vending machines (drinks etc) and ticket machines (train tickets etc) in Asia and Europe cope with the weather.
- blowfish721 6y agoThey really should have a card reader option. Personally I don’t mind an app if it was a unified app across all chargers. Having to download a new app, enter card info, personal info etc just to use a charger once while away from your regular area is super annoying.
- kurthr 6y agoYes, unless you're using the newest and rarest non-superchargers, you're looking at 8-14kW vs 50-150kW. Also there are 3 or more different ones (so one app isn't enough) and because they take so long to charge people often park for extended (e.g. 4+ hours) periods. They border on useless, unless they happen to be where you work or live, if what you're looking for is a quick fill-up.