Summary
- Chargeway users’ data will be used for Consumer Reports EV charging ratings
- The app provides advanced route planning
- Data provided to Consumer Reports will be anonymous
- Chargeway aims to improve public EV charging experiences
- Consumer Reports is partnering with EV advocacy groups and Chargeway for more comprehensive charging reliability evaluations
Article
Consumer Reports has partnered with various EV advocacy groups, including Plug In America, GreenLatinos, and Generation 180, as well as with Chargeway, to create the EV Charging Community. This partnership aims to provide a more comprehensive look at the reliability of public EV charging stations. Chargeway, known for its color-coded graphics that help users identify EV chargers by output, will now share data with Consumer Reports to create a rating and reporting system for public EV charging experiences. This will help improve public charging experiences and hold the industry accountable.
Through the Chargeway app, users can review charging stations and provide feedback, which will then be sent to Consumer Reports. The data will include information such as the network, station location, vehicle model charged, and more. This information will be anonymized, with only ratings, charging data, and feedback on a per-session basis shared with Consumer Reports. This partnership allows EV drivers to have a voice in the public EV charging reliability conversation and improve the overall charging experience.
Consumer Reports has found that 27% of its enrolled community members have experienced problems with public charging stations. By collaborating with Chargeway, the organization aims to address issues such as failed charging attempts, equipment malfunctions, and lack of standardization in charger error codes. The reporting feature has been integrated into updated versions of the Chargeway app, available for both iOS and Android devices, allowing users to provide feedback directly to Consumer Reports.
Chargeway founder Matt Teske believes that this partnership will give EV drivers a platform to share their feedback and improve the public charging infrastructure. By working with Consumer Reports, Chargeway hopes to create more accountability in the industry and help drivers navigate the complex world of EV charging. The data collected through the app will be used to create a rating and reporting system that will be shared with charging networks, automakers, policymakers, and the public.
Consumer Reports’ sustainability campaign manager, Drew Toher, emphasizes the importance of reliable charging stations for EV drivers. He notes that when charging stations are out of order or malfunctioning, it wastes consumers’ valuable time. By utilizing the data provided by Chargeway users, Consumer Reports plans to create a platform that allows EV drivers to improve public charging experiences and hold the industry accountable. This partnership between Chargeway and Consumer Reports marks a significant step towards enhancing the overall EV charging experience.
Overall, the collaboration between Chargeway and Consumer Reports aims to address the challenges faced by EV drivers when it comes to public charging infrastructure. By collecting data on charging station reliability and user feedback, the organizations hope to create a more efficient and reliable charging network for EV drivers. This partnership highlights the importance of consumer advocacy in improving the EV charging experience and creating accountability within the industry.
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