EV Renter Charged $418 for Using Dealer's Public Charger

      Tom Williams via Getty Images

      If you ever find yourself searching for public chargers in an unfamiliar area, you’ll often come across dealerships. Many of these stations are designed for public use, regardless of whether the driver has ever been to the dealership before. However, caution is advised, as one Michigan resident learned the hard way. He charged his rented Chevrolet Bolt at a Hyundai dealer, only to discover later that he was charged $5 per kilowatt-hour and $5 per minute.

      The final bill? A staggering $418.

      The Bolt is equipped with a 65-kWh battery pack, and the renter, Stanley Kpenkann, told WXYZ news that the vehicle was critically low on battery, estimating he had roughly 20 minutes of driving range left. He used the EVgo app and found a Hyundai dealership on Hall Road in Macomb Township, likely Elder Hyundai, which had a ChargePoint charger.

      Kpenkann mentioned to the news outlet that he didn't notice the pricing before starting the charging session, which lasted 44 minutes, although it was supposedly displayed on the charger itself. EVgo and ChargePoint have a “roaming agreement” allowing EVgo users access to ChargePoint’s network.

      After receiving such an unexpected bill, Kpenkann contacted EVgo, believing it was an error. EVgo clarified that the charge was indeed correct. After some back-and-forth, they ultimately decided to provide him a “goodwill refund” of $405, a description that seems somewhat insulting, yet he must have been relieved to see that amount back in his account. The remaining $13.27 was what Kpenkann should have been charged under his EVgo plan, which only added salt to the wound; he ended up paying 31 times the typical rate to charge the Bolt for that duration.

      You might wonder why the Hyundai dealer set this particular charger at such a high rate. According to the dealer who spoke to WXYZ, it is “reserved for its own customers and vehicles” and priced steeply to discourage public usage. The dealer could have found alternative methods to restrict public use or at least included a disclaimer to inform potential users about the costs involved. Additionally, it is questionable whether this charger should be included in EVgo or any public charging directory at all.

      For context, the average cost per kilowatt for a Level 3 DC fast charger in the U.S. is approximately $0.53, according to Qmerit. Thus, not only was the electricity price 10 times higher, but the per-minute charge compounded that cost significantly. This serves as an important reminder for EV owners or renters: when on the road and away from your usual charging stations, be aware that not all public chargers have pricing that considers your best interests.

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