Electrify America charging free?

[mikecronis]

Never saw that, myself, but then again I bought used.

I noticed on Electrify America forums, people are fussing over the $50 holding-charge security-deposit at this location, and that the charging rates are not as-advertised (a common theme).
Some folks buy smaller EVs to save on costs and $50 can be crushing (I remember those days) for a 48-hour surprise-hold.

Interestingly, I did not use a credit-card for this transaction. I have an EA App with an associated CC but my VIN is not loaded, just model / make / year, and my Bluetooth, WiFi, and NFT were turned off so there's no way the charger could recognize me personally through the EA App, only through the handshake VIN to the Lucid Website which is the only site that has my associated CC. I doubt data charging then re-directed back to the EA App from the Lucid website round-robin. I think the EA App was not involved whatsoever in the process, just Lucid.com, to which EA charged Lucid (and therefore me) the Security Deposit.

I know on sweet, sweet YouTube folks have "favorite" charge infrastructures that are more reliable with as-posted charging rates and costs that it's become a genuine sub-culture.

I'll keep everyone posted on what I "get back" from the security deposit.

 

[CWedge411]

Thanks! If there is any extra charge (like idle charge?? maybe?) how will it charge me? Will I be asked for my credit card on the station console? Ultimately, Is there any reason or benefit to use the EA app with or without login?

The benefit to the EA app is that you can do pass plus membership, which gives you a 25% discount on all rates, whereas the lucid direct plug in charge does not allow you to add that in

 

[CWedge411]

Never saw that, myself, but then again I bought used.

I noticed on Electrify America forums, people are fussing over the $50 holding-charge security-deposit at this location, and that the charging rates are not as-advertised (a common theme).
Some folks buy smaller EVs to save on costs and $50 can be crushing (I remember those days) for a 48-hour surprise-hold.

Interestingly, I did not use a credit-card for this transaction. I have an EA App with an associated CC but my VIN is not loaded, just model / make / year, and my Bluetooth, WiFi, and NFT were turned off so there's no way the charger could recognize me personally through the EA App, only through the handshake VIN to the Lucid Website which is the only site that has my associated CC. I doubt data charging then re-directed back to the EA App from the Lucid website round-robin. I think the EA App was not involved whatsoever in the process, just Lucid.com, to which EA charged Lucid (and therefore me) the Security Deposit.

I know on sweet, sweet YouTube folks have "favorite" charge infrastructures that are more reliable with as-posted charging rates and costs that it's become a genuine sub-culture.

I'll keep everyone posted on what I "get back" from the security deposit.

Yep, I just found that out the hard way. I used $2 and got charged 50. When I was trying to see if there was any way to link my pass plus membership with my car, but apparently not. I'm going to call into lucid support to see if that can happen. Otherwise, I must see if they can cancel my account and give my $48 back.

 

[mikecronis]

View attachment 26529
Yep, I just found that out the hard way. I used $2 and got charged 50. When I was trying to see if there was any way to link my pass plus membership with my car, but apparently not. I'm going to call into lucid support to see if that can happen. Otherwise, I must see if they can cancel my account and give my $48 back.

I was told by EA it should be refunded in 48 hours as a Security Deposit for some reason, which charged your Lucid account.
I don't think Lucid is behind this because people were complaining at the EA charger I went to and there was a Ford Mach-E and Nissan Leaf that also complained about their charge.

I'd be curious if you had to pay the 2 bucks or not.

 

[mikecronis]

The benefit to the EA app is that you can do pass plus membership, which gives you a 25% discount on all rates, whereas the lucid direct plug in charge does not allow you to add that in

That's true, but there's a monthly up-charge of $7/mo for the Pass+ plan.
You also are treated to that $50 Security Deposit fee regardless, I guess in case you ran off with the copper cable or put "Lucid Rulez the Schoolz" graffiti on it or something?

I guess if you didn't have a home-charger it would make sense, or you want the ultra-added convenience of faster charging speed. Maybe you can get lucky and actually get 250 kWh out of a janky EA charger? I was not so lucky, nor were anyone at the Colorado Springs location, reading the reviews.

For my home, Mountain View Electric (one of the Nation's highest rates) charges $0.17 kWh
EA which was charging $0.58 kWh. Even with the discount, you're still paying $0.435 kWh (Plus a temporary $50 Security Extortion Deposit), about 2.5x higher.

I just let mine sip on the mobile charger overnight. I have a 240 watt charger (15A) if I need it a bit quicker.

I've found slower charging tends to longer battery longevity for some reason on Panasonic Li-Ion batteries. Case in point, I had a Cadillac ELR I charged-up with the 240v (15A) and a Chevy Volt I charged with the 120v (12A) daily. The ELR battery had dead cells after 8 years, the Volt is going strong with no dead cells. Coincidence? Maybe. Same battery pack engineering though, mostly. Same number of cells. Same driving style. Same tires. Close to the same weight (ELR was a tad heavier from all that thick leather).

It hasn't been said, but I suspect very fast charging is a little rough on the packs, as well as full-up charging (well known at this point, hence the 80% recommended limit). I charge mine to 69% mostly.

 

[kopik]

I tried EA charge for the first time since 2/5 and it went ok cost-wise. I am still within my 1 year/1000 kWh free allowance. I did not subscribe to the Lucid Charging - Base Plan and there was no issue with that. For some reason the charging stopped twice and I had to restart it by unplugging and plugging back. Never happened to me before, but I guess it's just a random event.

 

[borski]

View attachment 26529
Yep, I just found that out the hard way. I used $2 and got charged 50. When I was trying to see if there was any way to link my pass plus membership with my car, but apparently not. I'm going to call into lucid support to see if that can happen. Otherwise, I must see if they can cancel my account and give my $48 back.

You did not get charged $50. You got authorized for a $50 charge.

Gas stations do exactly the same thing, as do hotels. Go fill up with gas on a credit card at any gas station, and when you insert or swipe your card, it will immediately *authorize* the card for some amount ($150, $300, $75 - it depends both on the card and on the station).

That authorization falls off as a “pending” charge and you only get charged what you actually spent. If you *hit* the authorized amount, a gas station will automatically stop and make you swipe again and start all over. I’m not sure what EA does.

But that’s all that’s happening.

Source: I’ve secured payment systems before, and I know how they work.

 

[mikecronis]

You did not get charged $50. You got authorized for a $50 charge.

Gas stations do exactly the same thing, as do hotels. Go fill up with gas on a credit card at any gas station, and when you insert or swipe your card, it will immediately *authorize* the card for some amount ($150, $300, $75 - it depends both on the card and on the station).

That authorization falls off as a “pending” charge and you only get charged what you actually spent. If you *hit* the authorized amount, a gas station will automatically stop and make you swipe again and start all over. I’m not sure what EA does.

But that’s all that’s happening.

Source: I’ve secured payment systems before, and I know how they work.

As usual, I'm going to have to agree with you on this one.

Gas stations in my area don't do this, however, but I've seen this in several cities in California, and also Chicago, and Manhattan. None of the other ChargePoint areas here also don't do this.
Some charging used to be free here too in shopping areas to get customers to linger, Level 2 ones at 15-25 kWh. Only a few of those left now.
One in a Parking Garage here charges a flat rate of $5 for charging at Level 2, but over 3 hours charges $25/hr to idle there (!)
Google Reviews of the EA site were fussy about it, "What's this nonsense!" but it's normal in many US cities. Not sure if it's a theft-deterrent method or not, or some preemptive insurance.
I spent some time in various towns to which motels might pre-charge the traveler and also a hefty security deposit they'd hold for weeks.
A car rental place in Tampa called, "Mex" only charges $19 / day for a car, but puts a $900 hold on the card.. sometimes they pay it back. For that cost, I'd detail it myself with 93 octane full.

 

[Shorisha]

Has anyone had the service summary on their app actually CHANGE from saying 'X' years of unlimited charging' to the same (X) number of years WITH a limited number of kWh? I got my car during the promo, and mine remains at unlimited, and I will protest vehemently if it ever does change.

I'm wondering if these limited service summaries only apply to those owners who bought after the promo ended, but who were getting free charging none-the-less, and that this is Lucid's attempt to place some limit on that unexpected benefit. If I understood comments some of them made on the forum, they were getting free charging with nothing about it appearing on their app's service summary.

yes. Mine changed

 

[Shorisha]

My Service Summary on my iphone app changed to FREE UP TO 1,000 kWh.
My wifes Service Summary still says unlimited.

 

[mikecronis]

It's been 96 hours. Still $50 pending charge. Taking bets on how many days. Hopefully, Electrify America can validate the charge station's well-being and return the deposit! Maybe they'll fix this charger to provide 350 kWh instead of the 64 kWh I got? Time will tell. Honestly, someone hard-up at a WalMart may not have the fifty bucks as ready cash and would be a burden to them, I'd say.

LUCID INC* EV CHARGI -$50.00 PENDING 02/06/2025

 

[Buffalo Bob]

It's been 96 hours. Still $50 pending charge. Taking bets on how many days. Hopefully, Electrify America can validate the charge station's well-being and return the deposit! Maybe they'll fix this charger to provide 350 kWh instead of the 64 kWh I got? Time will tell. Honestly, someone hard-up at a WalMart may not have the fifty bucks as ready cash and would be a burden to them, I'd say.

LUCID INC* EV CHARGI -$50.00 PENDING 02/06/2025

It does take quite a while for the pre-authorization to go away when it does not generate an actual charge. My bet is that yours will go away by the EOD tomorrow. As for your burden question... At least as far as my Chase Sapphire card goes, pending and pre-authorization charges are not tallied into the balance due until they actually post, and then one has 30 days to pay.

It's interesting that many people seem to be noticing this whole pre-authorization thing for the first time, while it's been happening for years on gasoline for my ICE cars...and for a far higher amount per transaction.

 

[joec]

Yep. Preauth happens in so many situations. Hotels, car rentals. All pretty standard stuff. So long as it remains in "pending" status, it's not actually posted to your account.

 

[borski]

Honestly, someone hard-up at a WalMart may not have the fifty bucks as ready cash and would be a burden to them, I'd say.

This is not a charge. They wouldn’t have to have $50 as ready cash, as that isn’t what is occurring. They would have to have $50 in available credit limit.

 

[mikecronis]

Correct, borski.
HOWEVER. I'm using a debit card attached to my primary checking account, not a credit card. It functions as one.
USAA disallows those funds, so in essence it does not exist as funds I can use. If I had $60 in my checking, I'd only be able to use $10 of it.

Where I'm from, holding funds for fuel is not a thing, only in cities and probably the 4 major Interstates that I've seen. Breadbasket States, Midwest, etc. No charges.
Denver on Colfax Avenue does this, however, and places in southern Albuquerque. I see a trend, or at least a vague correlation.
Slams fist on table, "Your honor, I am nary a ne'er-do-well nor perform any skullduggeries!"

 

[Buffalo Bob]

Correct, borski.
HOWEVER. I'm using a debit card attached to my primary checking account, not a credit card. It functions as one.
USAA disallows those funds, so in essence it does not exist as funds I can use. If I had $60 in my checking, I'd only be able to use $10 of it.

Where I'm from, holding funds for fuel is not a thing, only in cities and probably the 4 major Interstates that I've seen. Breadbasket States, Midwest, etc. No charges.
Denver on Colfax Avenue does this, however, and places in southern Albuquerque. I see a trend, or at least a vague correlation.
Slams fist on table, "Your honor, I am nary a ne'er-do-well nor perform any skullduggeries!"

That's a good point about debit cards. I hadn't considered the impact on them.

It's interesting how much more relaxed and trusting things are in the heartland. When fueling up in Las Vegas, my Costco card wants me to have my mother in the back seat to vouch for me. At my age, and driving a two seater, that becomes problematic.

 

[Buffalo Bob]

This is not a charge. They wouldn’t have to have $50 as ready cash, as that isn’t what is occurring. They would have to have $50 in available credit limit.

But @borski... You have failed to consider the distinct possibility that someone, somehow, somewhere, let their car sit idle at the charger for the exact amount of time necessary to generate an exact charge of $50. It's one of those infinite number of typing monkey things. Or Schrödinger's cat. I always get them confused.

 

[mikecronis]

That's a good point about debit cards. I hadn't considered the impact on them.

It's interesting how much more relaxed and trusting things are in the heartland. When fueling up in Las Vegas, my Costco card wants me to have my mother in the back seat to vouch for me. At my age, and driving a two seater, that becomes problematic.

Agreed. People leave their houses unlocked all day. In North Dakota, the True Value store wanted to deliver a washer/dryer set for me I had purchased but I couldn't be home because I was working. They just come inside and set it up for you and leave. I left them Tollhouse chocolate chip cookies I had baked just for them.. They ate 'em, and washed the dish.

 

[Buffalo Bob]

Agreed. People leave their houses unlocked all day. In North Dakota, the True Value store wanted to deliver a washer/dryer set for me I had purchased but I couldn't be home because I was working. They just come inside and set it up for you and leave. I left them Tollhouse chocolate chip cookies I had baked just for them.. They ate 'em, and washed the dish.

Tollhouse cookies and an unlocked door... What did you say your address was?

 

[Brown Eyes]

Okay, here's my results for a first time "in the wild" charging.

I did a search for Electrify America using the Lucid Nav system and selected the only Electrify America location in Colorado Springs.
The car immediately began a Preconditioning (battery warming) state enroute.
Temperature outside was about 38 deg. F. Distance to the station was about 10 miles (15 min) at a Sam's Club parking lot.
Upon arrival there was one 350 kWh charger available, #2, the rest were taken. (I had noticed others' charging rates were around 26 kWh).
I made sure my Bluetooth and NFT were turned off as an experiment on my Pixel 9 Pro XL phone and opened the Lucid App.
I cautiously took the bulky DC fast charger plug from the EA receptacle (that's a lotta copper!) It's weighty and bulky with a stiff cable (That's what she.. nevermind)..
I noticed the plastic shroud of the cable plug was cracked a bit and was rather thin as an observation.
Rate on the screen indicated $0.56 kwh (yikes).
I did not set anything else on the App or other screens, except verifying that I set from my normal 69% to 80% "Daily Charge" rate for kicks.
Plugging-in directly into the Lucid Air Dream Performance, both the car and DC Fast Charger began to communicate and "handshake"; this took about 30 seconds.
The EA charger and App and Lucid screen all indicated "preparing to charge", then started! Win!
Charging ramped-up to 64 kWh in about 20 seconds and stayed there and never got higher.
Cost on the EA screen was incrementing concerningly fast.
Completion time was indicated as 15 minutes so I went into Sam's Club for a nature-break and came back. About 65% to 80% on a preconditioned battery.
Noticed towards the end, it ramped-down the last 5 minutes to 54 kWh.
Got to 80% and finished, and the Lucid dashboard said I could unplug now. EA started a timer for idle penalty, I think it was like 10 minutes, but I unplugged.
A summary came up, indicating about $10.84 (ooof). Then total charge said $0.00 at the bottom.
Checked my Lucid Charging History and it says all zeros.
Service Summary for EA says Active, Retail Rate, Up to 350 kW still.
Email Receipt is set to "On" but I received no email.

Checked my associated bank credit card and it shows $50 "Lucid INC*EV Chargi" Pending.

So.. I suspect the $50 is padding some sort of Lucid Charging Bank value? I'll check with Customer Care.
Maybe it's set to when there's a minimum balance, it loads it up? I'll keep everyone posted.

Good evening,

Did the "pending charge" disappear? Or, did you have to call Lucid?