Light Hearted

Driving an electric vehicle (EV) has its perks, especially during the icy grip of winter. While my neighbors brave the freezing wind to fill their gas tanks, I smugly plug my car into the charger in my garage… or at least, I usually do. Last week, however, my smugness came to a screeching halt when my trusty EV charger decided to throw a tantrum.

The Red Light of Panic

Out of the blue, my charger flashed a red light. Not a cheery holiday red, but the kind of red that screams, “You’re not charging tonight!” Panic set in. Where would I charge my car? It’s not like EV chargers are on every corner – yet. The next morning, I woke up before the sun and made it to work at an ungodly hour (6:00 AM!) just to snag a charging spot. To my relief, it worked. But boy, was it weird being the first one in the office. Who knew the coffee machine made so much noise?

Charging Station Scavenger Hunt

That evening, I began researching alternatives. Turns out, charging stations are more accessible than I thought, though not as simple as pulling up to a gas station. I had to download an app for every charging network: EVgo, EVConnect, you name it. It made me wonder what life would be like if gas stations had their own apps. Can you imagine needing separate apps for Shell, Marathon, BP, etc.? Absolute chaos.

Despite the extra steps, I found some benefits. A DC fast charger can juice up my EV in 30-60 minutes. I even discovered one at a nearby Meijer store, which gave me a perfect excuse to stock up on snacks while I charged. The ability to multitask during charging sessions felt like a small win in the midst of my predicament.

I also realized how much planning goes into living without a home charger. Checking app maps, monitoring battery levels, and timing trips to align with charging sessions became part of my routine. It was a bit more involving but also eye-opening—it’s incredible how quickly you adapt when faced with a challenge.

The Level 1 Charger Revelation

Day two brought another breakthrough. I discovered a Level 1 charger tucked away in my car’s trunk. This handy little gadget plugs into a regular wall socket. Sure, it only adds about 2-3 miles of range per hour, but in an emergency, it’s better than nothing. It took 18 hours to get 50 miles of range, but as the saying goes, beggars can’t be choosers. And let’s face it, I wasn’t exactly going on a road trip.

Using the Level 1 charger also taught me patience—a virtue often forgotten in our fast-paced world. I started to appreciate the simplicity of this slow yet reliable backup plan. It wasn’t ideal, but it kept me moving until a permanent solution arrived.

Back to Normal

After a few days of improvising, the cavalry arrived in the form of a replacement charger, covered under warranty. The technician reinstalled it, and I was back in business. Now, every time I plug in my car in the warmth of my garage, I’m extra grateful for the convenience. There’s something satisfying about knowing I’ll wake up to a fully charged vehicle without braving the cold.

Lessons Learned

This little adventure taught me a few things:

1. There are more charging options out there than I realized.
2. Level 1 chargers may be slow, but they’re lifesavers in a pinch.
3. I’ll never take my garage charger for granted again.
4. EV life, despite its occasional hiccups, still beats standing in the cold at a gas station.

Looking back, I’m almost glad my charger acted up. It gave me a chance to explore the charging network, appreciate my car’s emergency features, and share this lighthearted tale. So, here’s to the unsung heroes of the EV world: the apps, the charging stations, and yes, even the slow-but-steady Level 1 chargers. Happy charging, everyone, and have a great weekend!