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How do you plug in to a public charging station and know cost

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by kurbmaster, Jul 5, 2013.

  1. kurbmaster

    kurbmaster Junior Member

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    I just ordered a credit card with chip in it. Before I tap my card and start charging how do I know what cost of the charge will be and if it is worth it. Does a free public station also require a chip credit card.
     
  2. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

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    Did you order a credit card or a Chargepoint card?
     
  3. kurbmaster

    kurbmaster Junior Member

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    Just a credit card with chip in it not a charge point card. I heard a chipped credit card will work.
     
  4. ny_rob

    ny_rob Senior Member

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    OP- you can get a free Chargepoint card that gives you access to all free public charge stations on their network. If you put down a $25 deposit- that will let you use their pay-for stations too.

    You need to read up a bit...
    chargepoint.com
     
  5. chesleyn

    chesleyn Active Member

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    I have a chargepoint and blink card. Blink seems to be the most common public charging station in Los Angeles, and I get billed $1.50 an hour. If I have to pay that and a parking fee on top of it, I usually don't park there.


    iPad ? HD
     
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  6. Ken Blake

    Ken Blake Active Member

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    Why haven't you signed up for a Bink plus account? They are waiving the membership fee, and it's only $1/hour to charge: Blink - Membership
     
    Hi Burrito! likes this.
  7. chesleyn

    chesleyn Active Member

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    Thanks for the heads up! I just upgraded.
     
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  8. kurbmaster

    kurbmaster Junior Member

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    I read charge point info thanks for the link. Just wondering if you have a chip in a credit card will it work the same. Do you have to deposit $25 into a charge point card and carry an extra card in your wallet for the two times I might use it a year. Just want to know has anybody been to one of these stations and used a visa and if they are public and free if there is no charge. I just got 17.1 ev only in my PIP that is a record for me. If I carry a charge point card in my wallet the extra weight of the card might have caused it to be 17.0.
     
  9. Zythryn

    Zythryn Senior Member

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    My understanding is the credit cards with a chip work just fine at the chargepoint stations.
    Around my area all the chargepoint stations display the cost on the LED screen.
    I do believe you still need to activate the charger with a credit card or chargepoint card even if it is free.
    Not sure though as I have never been at a free one.
     
  10. evfinder

    evfinder Member

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    The stations in this area are mostly free but you still need to use a chargepoint card or credit card to unlock them. The one that whad a charge showed the cost per hour on the display.
     
  11. Zimmy 1

    Zimmy 1 Junior Member

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    Do the math somebody..... $1.00 per hour for 2.5 hrs gives you 12 miles of electric,cost $2.50. For 3.70 approx you get 50.0 miles on ICE. ???????????????
     
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  12. CharlesH

    CharlesH CA HOV Decal #5 on former PiP

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    Public chargers are almost all 240V, so the charge time is about 80 minutes. Cutting off at 1 hour would give you about 80% charge, due to a tailing off of the charge rate in the last 15 minutes or so.
     
  13. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

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    Still makes it questionable.
     
  14. fortytwok

    fortytwok Active Member

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    Zimmy's point remains however - paying even a buck is more expensive than going HV.

    In MA I've yet to pay and get a full charge in 72 min.
    WholeFoods and 99 restaurants have free charges as do some businesses.
    A full charge in 72 min would mean 10.8 EV in an hour = 1/5 gallon gas and that's 72 cents here.
     
  15. 3PriusMike

    3PriusMike Prius owner since 2000, Tesla M3 2018

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    The chargepoint rfid card is about 1/6th the size of a credit card so you won't lose quite that much :)

    Mike
     
  16. Zythryn

    Zythryn Senior Member

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    FYI I think they discontinued the smaller card.
     
  17. ItsNotAboutTheMoney

    ItsNotAboutTheMoney EditProfOptInfoCustomUser Title

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    The charging station should say.

    But I'd suggest getting cards from the network. If you're regularly paying to charge it should significantly reduce transaction fees charged to the company. If you ever want to see ubiquitous cheap charging you need to help the charger management company lower its overhead.

    <soapbox>Don't use a credit card when you don't need credit.</soapbox>
     
  18. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

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    Just a few weeks ago I got the small card.
     
  19. mrbigh

    mrbigh Prius Absolutum Dominium

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    Me too, but this one was a replacement one
     
  20. prius_in_pa

    prius_in_pa Junior Member

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    A lot of people are doing the math. That's why the standard Prius still out sell the PPI by a wide margin. But PPI nerds aren't here to save money. It almost seems like they enjoy the bragging right.