this post was submitted on 09 Jan 2025
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Electric Vehicles

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Electric Vehicles are a key part of our tomorrow and how we get there. If we can get all the fossil fuel vehicles off our roads, out of our seas and out of our skies, we'll have a much better environment. This community is where we discuss the various different vehicles and news stories regarding electric transportation.

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I don't own an EV yet so have a pretty basic question. Do all charging stations need smartphone (app) to use? Can I just drive up to a station and pay to charge? (If yes which network)

USA specific (of others r interested just add international info as well)

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[–] ch00f@lemmy.world 9 points 15 hours ago* (last edited 15 hours ago) (2 children)

Some let you use credit cards. I think Electrify America does.

Either way, just about every network offers an offline RFID card you get in the mail. This is necessary at the ChargePoint L2 station near me because it's in a basement parking garage that gets no cell service.

If you're curious about specific stations near you, PlugShare usually has info.

[–] rando@lemmy.ml 2 points 15 hours ago (1 children)

So the RFID cards r like identity or r they payment cards? plugshare is just a webpage so that's good, I'll spend some time on it.

[–] Cort@lemmy.world 2 points 13 hours ago

Identity cards that link to your account where you load in payment information.

[–] CameronDev@programming.dev 2 points 15 hours ago

Surely the charge station could install a microcell thing in the basement?

[–] reddig33@lemmy.world 4 points 15 hours ago* (last edited 15 hours ago) (1 children)

Some stations allow you to setup an account online so all you have to do is plug and charge. Depends on the charger company and car model. Check the charger’s website for more info.

For example: EV Go.

https://www.evgo.com/autocharge/

[–] rando@lemmy.ml 1 points 11 hours ago (1 children)

I see so charger can identify car attached to account? Uses payment method associated with account, is that it?

[–] reddig33@lemmy.world 1 points 10 hours ago

Yes. You set it up based on some serialization of the car and the next time you plug in it just charges and bills your account.

Electrify America is setting up something similar but so far it doesn’t work with the Bolt or some other older cars. Something about what they are using to serialize the car isn’t compatible with older models. So be sure to check the website of the charger for more info. It will probably become more standard with time.

[–] wizardbeard@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 14 hours ago (1 children)

If you're worried about privacy, they can already tell who you are by your car's data. Avoiding using a smart phone for charging will just make charging more difficult for no personal privacy gain.

Modern cars are massive data collection devices nowadays. Volkswagen just suffered a data breach including customer contact info and the gps history of their vehicle.

[–] rando@lemmy.ml 2 points 13 hours ago

Privacy is one part, but I've accepted that if I'm getting new car I can't just expect privacy.

However I'm using pinephone these days I don't have access to apps