@movernie
This week, I have an all-new Volvo EX30 Cross Country to test drive from Volvo Canada. This mighty subcompact SUV is all-electric, which means I have to get used to how to charge this EV up.
Since this EX30 doesn’t have a built-in NAC port and it can’t be charged at selective Tesla super charging station, I have to find charging stations near me that can charge this EX30 coz I have no charging station at home.
So…some other automotive content creators have nicely suggest me to check out this app called “FLO”, it’s an app that will tell me where is the nearest charging station for non-Tesla EVs.
If you don’t like FLO or it’s not available near your region, you can Google and choose other apps that could serve you near where you live. Some other apps I know people use include: a) PlugShare; b) ChargeHub; c) Charge Point. Check it out to learn more about these apps.
How to use the FLO App?
– Go to your App store, search for FLO and download the app.
– Create an account, fill in your contact INFO and create a profile.
– Search for the nearest charging station. You can filter by choosing super charging stations, DC charging or Level 2.
– I was lucky enough to find a nearest Shell gas station that offers Flo and there are 3 CCS port (which this Volvo EX30 use) and 1 NAC port.
NOTE: Check your EV manual or figure out which port is built-in your EV.
– Once I arrived, I found an empty CCS port that will fit my EX30.
MoVernie TIP: Always make sure you know where is your charging port is on your EV. Is it front left? Front right? Rear Left? or Rear Right? Reason being is that… a lot of these ports have a very short leash, it won’t stretch out if you have the wrong side or direction. It happened to me when I tried to stretch out the charger, it won’t work, too short. I have to back out and re-park my EV.
Seriously, why are all these ports so short? Can’t you make it longer to make it more flexible for EV owners?
– Once I parked, I go into the FLO app, choose the location, pick the right port ID #. You can find the port ID # on the pole of the charging station. Choose the right one, then plug in the charger, then choose “Start Charging”. Then, you just wait for your EV to be charged.
MoVernie TIP: It’s important that your app is allowing you to charge your EV correctly. Just coz the charger fits your EV port, it may not mean the juice are flowing. There are times where I thought the juice is flowing, it wasn’t, the charger may not be compatible.
Ways to Ensure the Charging Station is Charging:
– After you click “Start Charging”, you can check on the app in your SmartPhone if the juice are charging into your EV. Your app should tells you how much energy (usually in kW) is flowing into your EV, how long it needs to charge your EV to a full charge.
– Another way is check your dashboard or the central screen in your EV, they usually have indication on how long your EV has been charging and how much longer approximately it needs to charge your EV to 100% full.
– You can also check the charging station to see if it’s working. Usually, they will show how much kW is flowing into your EV, how much it’s costing you and usually, the charging station is noisy and vibrating when energy is flowing.
These are all ways for you to check if the energy is being charged into your EV. Coz you sure don’t want to lock your EV and went shopping for 3 hours and only come back to realize your EV is not being charged.
MoVernie QUESTION: Did you know…if your EV is idling at a charging station, the app will charge you $ for idling? Basically, when you are charging, it’s charging you for the energy. But after your EV is fully charged and you didn’t move your car (perhaps you are still shopping), the app will charge you for idling fee and can be costly. Reason being is that…your fully charged parked EV is preventing someone else from using the port to charge their EVs which potentially means the app/charging station is not making $ when they could.