I Just Charged My Brother’s 2024 Chevy Equinox EV For Him, and I Sat For 15 Minutes In the Cold, I Would Rather Pay For Gas 1000 Times Over

Y'all are lying about these electric cars.

If you are considering buying a 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV or any electric vehicle, those are Andrew Cipriano's words to describe his public charging experience. Check out what Andrew (@lifecoachandrew) discovered when he charged his brother's electric car. 

Before I share Andrew's experience, let me set the scene. Imagine you've never owned a battery-electric vehicle. Your younger brother, who is more tech-savvy than you, launched out and bought a 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV. You've always been the responsible one, the one who plans ahead, while he's the spontaneous, always-busy type. He's so busy he doesn't have the time to charge his EV.  

His midsize electric SUV is sitting in the driveway with only a few miles of battery life left, and he needs to get to work and has a 30-minute commute. He's in a bind, and he'll never get everything he has to do and charge his car without being late for work.

His Equinox can't get him to his job without getting a full charge in his new car, so he asks you to charge it. 

You want to be a good brother, be an example to him, and want to help him out and show your brother that helping out is the right thing to do, especially since you are a life coach. You need to practice what you preach. 

So you say yes, even though you wish your brother was a bit more responsible and would plan ahead. You've told him that 100 times. 

Let's hear from Andrew about his electric car charging experience. 

If you are on the fence about purchasing an electric vehicle, Andrew Cipriano says this is the truth about electric cars and public charging. 

Andrew says, "Check this out before you get an electric vehicle. I don't care what the salesman or the company is advertising. This experience has been horrible for me." 

Y'all are lying about these electric cars. My brother got an electric Chevrolet Equinox, and he's like, hey Andrew, can you charge this thing? I can't go to work and back on this charge. I said sure, like whatever.

So, I'm sitting in the car, watching this thing charge. I've selected the fast charge option, which costs as much as gas does right now. But here's the kicker-it's not a quick process. You have to spend an hour to an hour and a half of your time to charge your car, even with the fast charge option. 

It took 10 to 15 minutes to figure out how to use the thing because the card reader wouldn't work. Then, I had to download the app and submit it. Then, I had to unplug the car and plug it back in so it would reset. It's a process that's far from user-friendly.

Since I've been here, 25 people have gotten gas just for me to allow my car to get plugged in. 

By the way, if you don't want to pay $2,500 to install a car charger in your garage, you have to plug it into your 120 outlet with the car. Guess what? You get a one-mile-per-hour charge. So, you can charge your vehicle overnight and only get 12 miles. 

So, literally, you can't use that. So, charging these cars without getting a $2,500 garage charger installed is impossible. And remember, you'll be paying for that electricity, which can add up over time. The technology is not there, people.

So don't do it. Don't let some car salesperson rope you into one of these cars. The reason why it's not a good deal is because the infrastructure is not there to sustain them.

I have to stay out here in the middle of winter sitting in the snow and cold for 15 minutes because I have a plug-in car.

Andrew finishes by saying, "There is nothing user-friendly about that experience, and I'd rather pay for gas 1000 times over." 

Is Andrew's experience typical of all EV owners?

In its inaugural annual reliability report, ChargerHelp, a startup that trains and employs technicians who service and repair EV-charging stations in more than a dozen states, says some barriers keep many people from buying an electric car.

A report from Canary Media says, "Unreliable public charging infrastructure and unreliable information on EV-charger uptime have become two of the biggest barriers to the EV transition in the U.S. That's a problem, as the country needs to shift to EVs fast in order to slash carbon emissions from transportation. But it's a problem with clear, if complicated, solutions to implement."

Kameale Terry, ChargerHelp's CEO and co-founder, says, "When drivers say the charger doesn't work, there's a complex set of reasons why the charger doesn't work," she said. "It's not as simple as a gas station. And to fix something that complex, we need to take a more collaborative approach." 

So, the experts agree that the charging infrastructure needs to be significantly improved. 

What about buying a home charger? Are they really $2,500, like Andrew says?

A report from Capital One Auto Navigator says a level 2 charger will charge your electric vehicle to 80% in four to 10 hours. This is what Andrew mentions. 

Level 2 charging equipment ordinarily runs about $500 to $700, although some can be more expensive.

However, you need an electrician to install it because they require a 240-volt circuit.

How much does it cost for installation? 

EV Charging Summit says, "The national average EV home charging station installation cost is between $1,000 and $2,500. Still, this cost varies based on your region, the type of station you buy, and whether it is portable or hardwired into your home." 

So, Andrew is correct in saying it will cost an EV owner approximately $2,500 to purchase and install a Level 2 home charger. However, it could be more. This is a significant investment that potential EV owners need to be aware of.

Andrew is also correct when he says using your 120-volt outlet will take much longer to charge your vehicle. 

Capital One AN says, "Level 1 charging can typically bring an EV battery to 80% in about 40 to 50 hours. These chargers often come included with an EV purchase and require only a common household 120-volt outlet to work."

Conclusion.

Buying a battery electric vehicle like the Chevrolet Equinox EV, Tesla Model 3, or other electric models requires the buyer to consider how you will use the vehicle and how long the commute is. 

Owning an electric vehicle is not for everyone. Do your homework and make an intelligent choice before you buy. 

Check my Tesla Cybertruck story and what Haroon learned about public charging on a 1,300-mile road trip in his new electric truck. Tesla Cybertruck Owner Says, "I Took a Road Trip From NC to Toronto, Stopping Every 2 Hours To Charge For 20 Minutes Became Tedious." Read Haroon's story here.

How about you?

Do you own an electric vehicle? What is your experience with keeping it charged? Do you have a level 2 charger at home, and what was the cost? Click the red Add New Comment link below and let us know.

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you'll find here, ensuring that you, as a reader, are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Chevrolet