What's going on with Francis Energy?

[Mockingbird]

Francis Energy got grants that has yet to be fulfilled in New Mexico, Alabama, and maybe some other states.

For a while, it seems like Francis was just installing DCFCs left and right, but now it seemed like progress has stalled.

 

[WarEagleGo]

In this post, Francis sites "out supply chain for service equipment ... has been severely impact in terms of both timing and cost"

The possibly impossible economics of DCFC

The Burns charger is owned by the electric co-op so it is not subject to demand charges however competing stations like the Tesla Supercharger will be. The co-op servicing McDermitt does not have demand charges for large commercial. Many rural stations that are being built are using a...

teslamotorsclub.com

 

[nwdiver]

What a dumpster fire.

 

[lynyrdM]

I’m curious as well. I might ask them in my next email. I’ve been discussing Plug and Charge with them and pushing them to look into Autocharge.

 

[Mockingbird]

Are there any updates?

It's as if Francis Energy "forgot" that it still has many installs to complete.

 

[lynyrdM]

Are there any updates?

It's as if Francis Energy "forgot" that it still has many installs to complete.

I’m getting a little concerned to be honest.

They don’t seem to be repairing any of their broken chargers, at least nothing I’ve noticed for a few months. They also haven’t been replying to my emails

 

[srs5694]

FWIW, this YouTube video, on the Transport Evolved channel, is relevant. It's nominally about the Ford F-150 Lightning, but a good chunk of it is about maintenance problems that Electrify America is experiencing. In brief, the Transport Evolved reporters contacted EA and were told that EA is experiencing parts shortages that are causing delays to maintenance of existing stations. I don't recall if the video even mentions Francis Energy (probably not), but if EA is having problems getting the parts needed for repairs, chances are the other networks are, too. Tesla famously builds more stuff in-house, so they may be less impacted by this than others, although my knowledge of their Supercharger manufacturing is limited, so that's very speculative on my part.

 

[Mockingbird]

FWIW, this YouTube video, on the Transport Evolved channel, is relevant. It's nominally about the Ford F-150 Lightning, but a good chunk of it is about maintenance problems that Electrify America is experiencing. In brief, the Transport Evolved reporters contacted EA and were told that EA is experiencing parts shortages that are causing delays to maintenance of existing stations. I don't recall if the video even mentions Francis Energy (probably not), but if EA is having problems getting the parts needed for repairs, chances are the other networks are, too. Tesla famously builds more stuff in-house, so they may be less impacted by this than others, although my knowledge of their Supercharger manufacturing is limited, so that's very speculative on my part.

Most charging networks (Electrify America, EVgo, Francis Energy, etc.) are experiencing parts and labor shortages.

What is more concerning is that Francis Energy has only opened a single charging station so far this year. (It's the one in Fenton, MO)

 

[Operator64]

Francis Energy has not been able to keep the ones working they have in certain areas, I certainly hope they don’t install any new ones with the poor service they currently provide.

 

[nwdiver]

Francis Energy has not been able to keep the ones working they have in certain areas, I certainly hope they don’t install any new ones with the poor service they currently provide.

Hopefully they never got paid or the state gets their money back.

 

[Mockingbird]

Just to give you an idea of how poorly Francis Energy is doing:

Back on June 20, 2021, Alabama awarded $4.1 million to install fast chargers.

https://adeca.alabama.gov/wp-content/uploads/Electric-Vehicle-Projects-Awarded-as-of-August-2021-1.pdf

Almost all of the sites are now up and running and even for the unfinished sites, construction has started.

Then there is Francis Energy, who hasn't even started any construction at all.

 

[Mockingbird]

I have an update on this topic.

Francis Energy is still planning to these DCFCs (at least in New Mexico), but the lack of transformers is causing delays.

 

[Operator64]

I have an update on this topic.

Francis Energy is still planning to these DCFCs (at least in New Mexico), but the lack of transformers is causing delays.

Interesting story, maybe I will ask and see why they can’t keep their current ones operational.