Electrify America streamlines EV charging for a range of models in 2021, calling it Plug&Charge. Also, a Tesla owner reveals her beta Full Self Driving videos.
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While charging networks keep adding stations across the U.S., many EV drivers experience a cumbersome charging process when trying to initiate a session, think RFID cards, calling service number to initiate a session, etc. That’s why Electrify America is partnering with Ford, Porsche and Lucid Air, and offering Plug & Charge, an integrated charging process for the Mustang Mach-E, Porsche Taycan and Lucid Air owners in 2021.
According to Electrify America (EA), this new charging protocol allows owners to register online, pull into to a charger stall, plug in and begin an “electric fueling” session. The EA charger automatically identifies, authenticates, authorizes and bills the customer.
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The charging process is the same as Tesla Supercharging network, where charging stations recognize the car once an owner plugs in. There’s no need for a credit card or RFID card to initiate a charging session.
The only difference is Electrify America’s network will work for all three models, while Tesla’s supercharging stations are just for Tesla vehicles.
The EA charging solution will be available across all 500 stations and its 2,200 individual chargers.
“Once a Plug&Charge account is created, EV drivers can simply plug in their vehicle and the charger handles the financial transaction,” says said Cliff Fietzek, senior director of technology at Electrify America.
This charging process is ideal and should help push a positive anecdotes to social media and other News outlets. It’s great move by Electrify America and it reinforces the concept of simple “electric fueling.”
And Here You Go…
Favorite #EV Q+A of the day.
— John Voelcker (@johnvoelcker) November 17, 2020
Chevy Bolt EV owner: "Is there an adapter that allows us to plug up to a Tesla charging station?"
Second Bolt EV owner: "Yes. It's called a Tesla."
Videos | Self-Driving Progress at Tesla
Kim Paquette is big-time EV enthusiast, a spin-meister of exotice cocktails and Model 3 owner, who’s been testing the beta version of Full Self-Driving (FSD). She’s been providing some of the best video clips since the beta release in early November, see below.
Going around double parked truck, with another car behind me in the next lane. Also moved over for cyclist in middle lane. #FSDBeta #FSD #tesla #model3 pic.twitter.com/Bhjak9kgiw
— Kim Paquette 💫🦄 (@kimpaquette) November 16, 2020
#FSDBeta successfully making tight left with a car parallel parked at entrance - then navigating past pedestrian. #fsd #tesla #model3 pic.twitter.com/CKiEmVtWme
— Kim Paquette 💫🦄 (@kimpaquette) November 20, 2020
#FSDBeta recognizing and reacting to pedestrians in road after coming around a curve. It’s REALLY good at this. #fsd #tesla #model3 pic.twitter.com/KdbtL8ZVsm
— Kim Paquette 💫🦄 (@kimpaquette) November 17, 2020