When most people look at purchasing or leasing an EV they rarely look at the EV infrastructure.   If you buy or own a Tesla, the reliability of EV charging is without a doubt the best and most reliable.

If you own a non-Tesla, and are going to rely on the infrastructure and chargers installed by the city of Pasadena, you are going to be in for a HUGE disappointment.  The majority of the DC fast chargers that have been installed by the city DO NOT WORK.  And most of the Chademo connectors on chargers that supposedly are supposed to work DO NOT WORK.

This includes recently opened charging facilities at Robinson Park, where maybe 2 of 5 chargers have working CCS connectors, non of the Chademo connectors work.

Victory Park, 0 of 3 Chademo connectors work.

Shoppers Lane – most of the CCS chargers DO NOT WORK.

Glen Arm – Most chargers do not work.

Marengo – large install, No Chargers are working operated by the city  of Pasadena, on PowerFlex platform.

There are NO PWP branded Chademo chargers that work in the city of Pasadena.  Although there are over a dozen that supposed to be capable of charging on Chademo.

Cities that have attempted to implement EV charging like Pasadena, CA have failed miserably.  And especially when compared to the practically side by side implementation of EV chargers by Tesla and that of the City of Pasadena.

Why is this?  Well we hear a lot of excuses, but no solutions.  After years in delays and chargers sitting in storage, we have the situation we have now.

The current manager of EV charging in Pasadena has been in the position for four years and with the city for 15.  Plenty of time to fix the issue.

Meanwhile we hear about consultants being hired and RFP’s being sent out…. after the fiasco and hundreds of thousands that have been spent in government grants and subsidies it is embarrassing to see what is going on with EV charging in Pasadena.