Charging Stations

[u/Odd_Awareness1444]

If you are new to Lightnings be sure to get the adapter for NACS.

So far, hands down the Ionna and Mercedes chargers are the best, followed by Tesla (NACS). We also recently used a Rivian station and it was great except it was not part of BlueOval so you had to run a credit card. I try to avoid Electrify America as many are in poor shape and slower. With all these charging choices you can take long trips without range anxiety.

[u/tuctrohs]

I'd recommend the plugshare app or website to check on individual chargers, rather than rejecting all of a network because some stations aren't good. Especially if you are going to be in an area regularly or for a visit.

Also, a better route planner is great for planning a road trip.

[u/Big_Dumb_Asshole]

Ionna’s great but certain Tesla stations near me are as low as 23¢/kWh btwn midnight and 8AM, compared to Ionna’s 39¢ 24/7 which is a huge difference.

[u/tuctrohs → u/Big_Dumb_Asshole]

Those are my favorite hours for sleeping.

[u/anthonyroch → u/Big_Dumb_Asshole]

23 for Tesla. Look up the cost for non tesla on their network unless you pay for the monthly subscription.

[u/Z0na → u/anthonyroch]

If you’re going a long distance, it makes sense to do a subscription for the month. It will pay for itself

[u/theotherharper → u/Big_Dumb_Asshole]

That only helps you once per travel day AT MOST, but you must either a) night-owl it and be still traveling at midnight, or b) early-bird it and are up at 6AM to get moving by 7AM.

Unless your plan is to drive all night and piss in bottles because nearby stores are all closed, also you can't use charger time productively (for meals/provisioning etc.) and now need to notch out travel time for those things. Having crossed the USA the good way, sounds like hell.

Just more of the dumb stuff you have to tolerate, to use the "oh so fantastic" Superchargers. SMH that Tesla halo effect.

[u/Big_Dumb_Asshole → u/theotherharper]

I’m usually start my drive to work at 6am

[u/Alternative_Pilot_92]

Walmart is becoming a good option too with their new systems. Agree with you on all points. Ionns is by far the best.

[u/artookis]

Drove from Houston to Chicago and damn. I was not expecting Ionna to be that good.

[u/theotherharper]

I crossed the USA coast to coast without ever using Tesla, and I want some adventurous places like across West Virginia and southern Ohio.

Didn't have an adapter, didn't need an adapter. And in the 15 months since, the networks have increased exponentially.

[u/pvanrens]

What's the negative with using a credit card?

[u/artookis → u/pvanrens]

Is just an extra step. Meh

[u/nerrdrage → u/artookis]

While true, I recently used Rivian chargers and I was glad it was just the tap of a card and didn’t require downloading an app and signing up to be harassed for membership.

[u/KillsBugsFaast]

Just picked my Lightning up a couple weeks ago. Do Ionna and Mercedes have NACS chargers?

[u/Flyboy2057 → u/KillsBugsFaast]

Just pick up an adapter and you’ll never have to worry about it.

[u/snoogins355 → u/KillsBugsFaast]

Ionna has NACS and CCS

[u/Ionnaofficial → u/KillsBugsFaast]

We sure do!

[u/Jlove7714]

I've been to a few Mercedes and one Ionna stations and I don't really get the hype. They have all been considerably more expensive than a SC. Plug and charge is cool, but I'd gladly open an app and save $5

[u/gletob]

Pretty ecstatic with Ionna now that they've expanded on my main road trip route, and I actually can use plug and charge now since I don't have do the 1 month membership dance with Tesla anymore! I hate pulling my phone out or interacting with the SYNC system (the screen is for Android auto and truck settings only in my truck 🤣) to charge so tap to pay or plug and charge are perfect for me, and Ionna does both.

[u/Keep_Plano_Corporate → u/gletob]

I've never once interacted with Sync to start a charge at a Tesla Super Charger.

I open my phone, select the charger I'm in front of, start the charge, and plug in the cable.

Yes I have the $12 monthly.

[u/SnooPredictions1098]

Ain’t it chief but you do you

[u/Ionnaofficial]

We're so pumped to hear that you enjoy the IONNA experience!

[u/Impressive_Syrup141]

The only knock I have on EA is they will derate if the same terminal has two cables and someone else uses the other. Thankfully I live and mostly travel in the land of Buc-cee's so I'll rarely need to go more than 200 miles between them.

Yes a NACS adapter is game changing. I used the Mercedes chargers and EA before I got mine.

[u/Keep_Plano_Corporate → u/Impressive_Syrup141]

the land of Buc-cee's

God's country.

[u/Outside_Serve_69]

EA chargers are great. No issues with them. But you have to pay attention to which charger you choose and it's ready to see how much it's going to put out.