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It's also completely non-differentiated. Each of the networks (other than Tesla) is trying to build customer loyalty via social networking features and monthly
by hedora 3y ago
It's also completely non-differentiated.
Each of the networks (other than Tesla) is trying to build customer loyalty via social networking features and monthly memberships, but that's destroying customer loyalty, not building it.
All people care about is the percentage of time the charger works, how long it takes for the session to start / complete, and whether a stall is occupied.
EA and EVGo are failing miserably on reliability and time to initiate charge, and anyone can install + operate a stall. The only network effect here is whether the charge station shows up on the map service vehicle owners use are using.
In theory, they could try locking smaller providers out of being listed on maps, but maps are also a non-differentiated commodity with a pretty low barrier to entry (people can just switch to whatever map service lists all the EV chargers, and not just the unreliable monopoly-owned ones).
Also, as the article points out, Ford has basically no loyalty to the charging networks, and is already weaponizing the on-board maps in their vehicles to force the charge networks to provide higher reliability services. I'm sure other automakers will follow a similar path.
- deleted 3y ago[deleted]
- coffeebeqn 3y agoJust put a god dang card reader on the charger and you win my loyalty. Oh great I need to install yet another app and make an account and put my credit card info in manually. Oh wait I don’t have any network. As a business it’s basically a fancy electric plug. Unless someone can make a very nice lounge and charge membership or something I don’t see it being very profitable. I would pay some amount on road trips especially to have access to bathrooms, some drinks and snacks, comfy seats, TVs, etc while I charge a larger chunk
- vel0city 3y agoI've encountered a few CCS chargers which had a regular card terminal on it to start charging. Tap or insert chipped card, plug in, and it starts charging. It's how they should minimally all be, with plug and charge being an optional extra.
- MBCook 3y agoPlug and charge is even better. Pull up, plug in my car, it charges. Easier than a gas station. It’s a standard, but not used enough. When I plug into EA it just bills my Ford account which bills me. Very similar to Tesla. No hassle. EVgo required a small setup, I still have to use their account (stupid), but I don’t have to fiddle with screens or apps anymore. I think there is/was hesitancy over physical card readers because they can be messed with (skimmer, stuff inserted in EMV slot, weather when not protected by awning). But contactless has been getting more and more common so it’s a good option to have. But plug and charge should be the preferred choice offered everywhere.
- SoftTalker 3y agoIt would be nice to have a non-trackable option, like cash. Pull up, give the cashier $20 for "pump" 5, and you get to draw $20 in kilowatt-hours. Or even just a paper bill acceptor if you don't want to pay a cashier. Common enough at car washes.
- coffeebeqn 3y agoI think they’re lazy. It’s one more thing that will break since maintenance seems to be low on the priority list
- coffeebeqn 3y agoDude - the chargers near me use NFC — but only for their own card! I open Apple Pay and pull up their card and tap it. Accepting a credit card cannot be difficult at that point