Charging in and around Roswell, NM

[electrons4u]

You'll need a CCS1->NACS adapter.

I was going to buy one, but I'm holding off now that NACS is an official SAE standard and non-Tesla charging companies are making noises about adding NACS plugs. However, a NACS plug doesn't magically make reliable any notoriously unreliable charging network. I've avoided them all so far.

 

[DuncanM]

I was going to buy one, but I'm holding off now that NACS is an official SAE standard and non-Tesla charging companies are making noises about adding NACS plugs. However, a NACS plug doesn't magically make reliable any notoriously unreliable charging network. I've avoided them all so far.

The NMDOT Chargepoint chargers seem to have reasonable reliability. However if you intend to go to Roswell and area in the next few months, you're not likely to find any NACS equipped DCFCs.

 

[electrons4u]

However if you intend to go to Roswell and area in the next few months, you're not likely to find any NACS equipped DCFCs.

I'm not expecting any but I really don't need them because this is a no-rush vacation trip. I wonder if the NMDOT and Francis Energy stations end up being the last to get NACS plugs. It is unclear why they don't use the connector used by over half of the EVs in the US.

 

[DuncanM]

I'm not expecting any but I really don't need them because this is a no-rush vacation trip. I wonder if the NMDOT and Francis Energy stations end up being the last to get NACS plugs. It is unclear why they don't use the connector used by over half of the EVs in the US.

NACS was a closed system until Tesla opened it up, but there are also no NACS->CCS1 adapters on the market at the current time and it won't be till late 2024 before they become available. New DCFCs cannot switch to NACS until these adapters are available in quantity so probably not till 2025. In any event the CCS1->NACS adapter works fine and I use CCS1 DCFCs as is convenient to me, and so far the adapter has been invaluable, IMHO, as I can now visit areas, like Sierra Vista AZ and the AZ Hwy 70/60 corridor from the I-10 to I-40 where there's no SCs and of course, Roswell NM. Last night we visited the EA station in Lordsburg NM, just off the I-10 and I let my wife charge via our CCS1 adapter and the EA cellphone app, to give her some practise and the session went extremely well with no hiccups:

back up to the charger post
open the EA cellphone app
pop the trunk to get the adapter
plug the adapter into the CCS1 plug
plug the adapter/cable into the car's NACS port
swipe the 'swipe to charge' button on the app and the car begins charging.

After charging EA sends me a receipt via email.

The Chargepoint app is very similar as is EVconnect and EVGO.

I might have been able to charge via the CC reader but I didn't try as I subscribe to EA to get their reduced rate and I haven't set up 'plug and charge' on my M3 and you have to use the app or 'plug and charge' to get the reduced rate.

I actually bought my M3 due of the availability of the CCS1 adapter, as BC has an extensive, and expanding, network of CCS1 DCFCs in the interior of the province which I use when visiting relatives.

Also you get to see 'how the other half lives' when using CCS1 DCFCs and I've had many interesting conversations with Bolt, F150 lightning, Mach-e, Lucid, Rivian and other EV owners, whilst charging.

 

[electrons4u]

as BC has an extensive, and expanding, network of CCS1 DCFCs in the interior of the province which I use when visiting relatives.

I had read somewhere (maybe on this forum) that BC or AB (or both) had lots of CHAdeMO plugs at provincial or other parks. A friend here bought the CHAdeMO-to-Tesla adapter for that purpose, but neither Tesla's USA shop no CA shop sells it anymore.

Also you get to see 'how the other half lives' when using CCS1 DCFCs and I've had many interesting conversations with Bolt, F150 lightning, Mach-e, Lucid, Rivian and other EV owners, whilst charging.

I've visited EA, EVgo, and ChargePoint stations to see how the other half lives & chat with them, and by chance I discovered an EVgo station in Metro Denver (Ralston Square Shopping Center | Arvada, CO | EV Station) that has a 50 kW NACS plug on one pedestal (GARIN) along with 100 kW CHAdeMO and 100 kW CCS1. They labeled it "Tesla" and first had it on a little side box, then they swapped it with the CHAdeMO and now the CHAdeMO is on the side. I'm attaching 2 grainy photos (sorry) I took on 2023-04-29. I didn't charge there but had a nice chat with a Ford F-150 Lightning guy who was charging. I have not checked it out since then, but a Model X visitor said the NACS plug didn't work on 2023-11-14. PlugShare has never shown the NACS plug. Maybe it's gone, but more likely it's a PlugShare issue. I've not had much success submitting changes on that site.

 

[DuncanM]

I had read somewhere (maybe on this forum) that BC or AB (or both) had lots of CHAdeMO plugs at provincial or other parks. A friend here bought the CHAdeMO-to-Tesla adapter for that purpose, but neither Tesla's USA shop no CA shop sells it anymore.

I've visited EA, EVgo, and ChargePoint stations to see how the other half lives & chat with them, and by chance I discovered an EVgo station in Metro Denver (Ralston Square Shopping Center | Arvada, CO | EV Station) that has a 50 kW NACS plug on one pedestal (GARIN) along with 100 kW CHAdeMO and 100 kW CCS1. They labeled it "Tesla" and first had it on a little side box, then they swapped it with the CHAdeMO and now the CHAdeMO is on the side. I'm attaching 2 grainy photos (sorry) I took on 2023-04-29. I didn't charge there but had a nice chat with a Ford F-150 Lightning guy who was charging. I have not checked it out since then, but a Model X visitor said the NACS plug didn't work on 2023-11-14. PlugShare has never shown the NACS plug. Maybe it's gone, but more likely it's a PlugShare issue. I've not had much success submitting changes on that site.

Yes, the BC Hydro, FLO and Chargepoint chargers that are common in the interior of BC will always have at least one CHADEMO plug at each station. I first saw the Tesla NACS->CHAdeMO adapter in action at the Redhill Reststop in 2019 or 2020:

Redhill Rest Area | Ashcroft, BC | EV Station

2 x 50kW Level 3 DCFC 1 x 7kW Level 2 Charging stations are FREE. No membership card needed. Patchy cellular service in the area. If other vehicles are waiting, please limit your charging to 40 minutes or 80%, whichever comes first. Please refer to owners documentation/manual for approved...

www.plugshare.com

but that was before Tesla installed a SC station in nearby Cache Creek. To use the NACS->CHAdeMO adapter you must still have an account with the charge provider (FLO in this case) and typically activate the charger via a cellphone app or an RFID card.

 

[electrons4u]

Yes, the BC Hydro, FLO and Chargepoint chargers that are common in the interior of BC will always have at least one CHADEMO plug at each station.

The CHAdeMO is needed for at least the older Nissan Leafs because that's the only DCFC plug they have.

By the way, last night I checked out the EVgo station I had mentioned (Ralston Square Shopping Center | Arvada, CO | EV Station), and pedestal GARIN is still configured as before: a 100 kW CCS1 plug and a 50 kW NACS plug on the main holders, with a 100 kW CHAdeMO on a little holder attached to the side.

 

[DuncanM]

We completed our Portal AZ to Roswell NM and return trip. It went extremely well with outbound charging stops at the Las Cruzes Superchargers and via the NEMA 5-20 (at 12a/120v) exterior outlet at our B&B in Alamogordo NM, which gave us 25% extra SOC overnight; which allowed for a comfortable margin of range when we reached Roswell. In Roswell, we visited a couple of Museums, including the Roswell Museum and Planetarium, which was a 5 minute walk from the 4 free L2 chargers at the nearby MacDonald's, so we charged there for about 3.5 hours to boost the SOC to ~70% allowing me to skip the NMDOT Chargepoint DCFC's on 2nd Street. On the return trip we stopped at the Casino Apache on Hwy 70 for brunch and charged at their 60kw Chargepoint DCFCs ( I had to use my CP RFID card to activate the charger). This gave a peak 57kw charge and we went from ~20% to 100% SOC fast enough that I had to run out and move the car in the middle of my meal. We then drove to Cloudcroft and then down into Alamogordo to visit a museum and have a meal. We then returned to Cloudcroft's Grand Cloudcroft Hotel (GCH), where we spent the night. The GCH has underground parking with a number of NEMA 5-15 plugs beside some of the parking stalls. I parked near one and the hotel staff gave me permission to plug in my TMC and I charged overnight (at 11A 120V) with a voluntary slightly reduced amperage, and gained 20% SOC to a final 83% SOC in the morning. We then toured Cloudcroft and region and descended again to Alamogordo (gaining 7% SOC on the way down!). We then headed for home, with a 10 minute charging stop at the Deming SC (14 to 48%) station and again at the Lordsburg EA station ( 17 to 39% with a cool battery). As it turned out the pivotal and essential DCFC was the one at Casino Apache on Hwy 70, as it would not have been possible to do the return trip without chancing the availability of the singe DCFC in Alamogordo (at the Chevy dealership),

 

[electrons4u]

We completed our Portal AZ to Roswell NM and return trip. It went extremely well ...

Great trip report! I have a 2022 M3 AWD, which has a bit more range, and that has come in handy. Official range when new was 358 mi, and now it's about 345 mi, so about 3.6% battery degradation in 2 yrs 2 months. That extra range will help in eastern NM.

Nice that you gained 7% SOC on the way down from Cloudcroft. This summer I'm going to see how much % SOC gain I get coming down from the top of Mount Blue Sky (renamed last year from Mount Evans) just west of Denver CO. The highest paved road in North America goes to within a few feet of the summit at 14,271 ft (4,350 m).

 

[DuncanM]

A new 2-stall Chargepoint CCS1 DCFC station just opened in Columbus NM:

Columbus Village Plaza | Deming, NM | EV Station

Two 62 kW ChargePoint CPE-250s at the Columbus Plaza park. NMDOT grant funded station: https://www.dot.nm.gov/blog/2022/11/08/nmdot-announces-recipients-of-5-1-million-ev-charging-station-grant/

www.plugshare.com

 

[ArtiePenguin1]

A new 2-stall Chargepoint CCS1 DCFC station just opened in Columbus NM:

That site hasn't shown up on ChargePoint's map yet and a few people mentioned their sessions ended prematurely. I don't think that station has been fully set up yet. Since it was publicly funded (NMDOT 2022 grant funding from American Rescue Plan money), there's no reason for the station to not be listed on the ChargePoint map.

Back on the topic of Roswell, I really hope Tesla or someone else will build a DCFC closer to the Roswell city center. Francis is out of commission due to vandalism (partially their fault since they put the station way in the back of the parking lot instead of directly on the side of the building). And the DOT's ChargePoint install is very far outside the west part of town with zero amenities. We need a DCFC in downtown Roswell close to amenities and restaurants.

I really wish the UFO McDonald's would put DCFCs there. A 30 minute meal stop would be ideal.

Also not sure why *zero* hotels have AC charging. I wish Tesla would ramp up their Destination Charger program now that we're all going to NACS/J3400 ️

 

[electrons4u]

... Also not sure why *zero* hotels have AC charging. ...

Maybe the same reason why I still get oil change discount offers in the mail, even though I haven't had an ICE car for 2 years.

 

[ArtiePenguin1]

Maybe the same reason why I still get oil change discount offers in the mail, even though I haven't had an ICE car for 2 years.

Kia sends me that, even though I own an EV6. I mean it's right in the model name of the car. They're just wasting their own money mailing flyers.

Anyways, I guess most hotels still don't see the benefits of installing EV chargers. We're still waiting for it to be seen as crucial an amenity as wifi, just like the ChargePoint CEO said.

Hopefully Tesla will change their mind about the Destination Charger program now that they have the Universal Wall Connector with both NACS and J-1772 in one unit.

 

[ItsNotAboutTheMoney]

Yes, the BC Hydro, FLO and Chargepoint chargers that are common in the interior of BC will always have at least one CHADEMO plug at each station. I first saw the Tesla NACS->CHAdeMO adapter in action at the Redhill Reststop in 2019 or 2020:

Redhill Rest Area | Ashcroft, BC | EV Station

2 x 50kW Level 3 DCFC 1 x 7kW Level 2 Charging stations are FREE. No membership card needed. Patchy cellular service in the area. If other vehicles are waiting, please limit your charging to 40 minutes or 80%, whichever comes first. Please refer to owners documentation/manual for approved...

www.plugshare.com

but that was before Tesla installed a SC station in nearby Cache Creek. To use the NACS->CHAdeMO adapter you must still have an account with the charge provider (FLO in this case) and typically activate the charger via a cellphone app or an RFID card.

For those who aren't aware, FLO and Chargepoint have an interoperability agreement. So you can use them on either network. I was told the RFID cards work as well as the app.

I have once used the FLO app to operate a ChargePoint to charge my PHEV when my ChargePoint app wasn't working. I thought I was going to have to burn gas and then I remembered FLO.

 

[DuncanM]

For those who aren't aware, FLO and Chargepoint have an interoperability agreement. So you can use them on either network. I was told the RFID cards work as well as the app.

I have once used the FLO app to operate a ChargePoint to charge my PHEV when my ChargePoint app wasn't working. I thought I was going to have to burn gas and then I remembered FLO.

Yes, and the Chargepoint RFID card will work with FLO and BC Hydro chargers.

 

[electrons4u]

My April 2024 Astronomy Tour was a success!
1) The VLA (Very Large Array) about 50 mi west of Socorro. The telescopes were in a close-packed position near the visitor center.
2) Trinity Site Marker on US-380 (couldn't visit Ground Zero because the Army cancelled the Open House that day). Not really astronomy, but definitely some science was involved.
3) Roswell (again not all astronomy, but Robert Goddard tested early rockets there, and because of him we have better astronomy)
4) Total Solar Eclipse in Dallas (we lucked out and got 100% clear views with only partial clouds)

On April 6 I charged up to 95% at the Socorro Supercharger (and saw a Cybertruck for the first time that pulled in after me) and headed east on US-380. Had an unexpectedly good stop and walk at BLM's Valley of Fires Recreation Area. It is about 353 mi from the Socorro Supercharger to the new Supercharger in Post TX. My 2022 Model 3 LR will not quite make it because current max range is about 348 (maybe if I drove 60 mph it would, but that's for another day). Also, I only charged to 95% in Socorro for an estimated range of 328. So I needed 25 mi minimum in Roswell. I stopped at the UFO McDonald's as planned to charge up a little bit. I was first going to use one of the Clipper Creeks, letting someone with an old Model S get the full 80A off one of the Tesla HPWCs, but then I noticed a Power Fault on the southernmost Clipper Creek. So I plugged in to the northernmost Tesla HPWC and got 48A @238V for a nice 11.4 kW for a little over an hour while I snacked at McD's and did some texting, email, and Web surfing. BTW, I let @nwdiver know about the Clipper Creek, so he's aware of it.

Bottom line is, if you have a long-range EV (300+ miles), you don't actually need a Supercharger in Roswell to get across NM on US-380 all the way to Post TX. All you need is less than an hour on a decent L2 charger. Would I have used a Supercharger in Roswell this time? No, because I needed less than an hour on L2 while I *dined* at the UFO McD's, and I wanted to support the GoFundMe charging project.