Letter: The sorry state of electric vehicle fast charging in the F-M area – InForum

We recently took a trip from our home in Park Rapids to Bismarck in our Chevy Bolt EV (electric vehicle). I needed a charge in Jamestown and found a station with six fast chargers suitable for the Bolt, which uses the same plug as all other vehicles except Tesla.

After charging, we went on to Bismarck where I charged at our hotel for free. On the return trip we again charged in Jamestown. Along the way home I realized I needed a bit more juice to get home. That’s where the fun started!

I first stopped at Casey’s on Veterans Boulevard. While one of my searches indicated it had chargers suitable for my Bolt, upon arrival I found out they were all Tesla-based. The next stop was at West Acres where both fast chargers were out of order. The same was true with the one fast charger at Luther Cadillac. The next stop was to Noodles and Company in Moorhead. The credit card machine was not working. We then went to an address I know longer recall only to find out the charging station was non-existent. We finally were able to charge at Fargo City Hall.

Compare this to the Jamestown fast-charging station which has very reliable chargers. The same is true for Bismarck and Dickinson. Continuing on to Montana: Miles City, Glendive, Billings, Bozeman, Butte, and Missoula all have multiple and reliable fast chargers, most provide by Electrify America.

What’s up with the F-M area? Come on!! Get your act together!!

Kevin Brauer lives in Park Rapids, Minn.