Drive The ARC (DTA) and EVgo

[electromotive]

It appears that Drive The ARC is no longer offering free charging.

[DaveinOlyWA]

How did you determine this?

[cwerdna]

How did you determine this?

https://drivethearc.com/drivethearc-app-faqs/ seems to say it's over. Look under Commercial Phase.

What's the reason to end free EV charging campaign?
This is a demonstration experiment, and one of the purpose is to verify the feasibility of EV charging service which covers moving between cities. We've just started variable discount service to do it.

and, I can't believe this error.... Ugh.

Is the pricing different between 50 kWh and 100 kWh chargers?
No. The pricing is same even if charger output is different.

[DaveinOlyWA]

How did you determine this?

https://drivethearc.com/drivethearc-app-faqs/ seems to say it's over. Look under Commercial Phase.

What's the reason to end free EV charging campaign?
This is a demonstration experiment, and one of the purpose is to verify the feasibility of EV charging service which covers moving between cities. We've just started variable discount service to do it.

and, I can't believe this error.... Ugh.

Is the pricing different between 50 kWh and 100 kWh chargers?
No. The pricing is same even if charger output is different.

Same price for 50 or 100 kw? Ok, that is strange. Are both stations available in the same location or it is all or one or the other?

[electromotive]

Contradictions abound as to whether or not Drive The ARC continues to be free or if it is now pay-to-use.
I and others have been told by EVgo CSRs that DTA is no longer free to charge.
Others report that they must contact EVgo and ask for a charge to be initiated.
Please Note: EVgo is in the process of changing the charging station screens in the Sacramento area.
These "new" screens lack any info about how to use Drive The ARC.
If an EV owner wishes to charge using DTA app they must call EVgo where it is a crapshoot as to what the present state of DTA is.
Some Evgo CSRs say that DTA is no longer free.
Other Evgo CSRs know little or nothing about DTA.
A Few EVgo CSRs will initiate a remote charge session for DTA members.
Go figure.

[electromotive]

From Drive The ARC.
Received 01-22-2020

"Thanks for your information on the problem related with the new EVgo screens.
We noticed the problem and started discussing how to resume our DRIVEtheARC services.

As of Jan/21, EVgo has finished emergency workaround to display a QR code to start charging by DRIVEtheARC smartphone app.
We are also planning to shortly change the screens to DRIVEtheARC logo screens completely compatible with DRIVEtheARC app."

[electromotive]

People are reporting that they have received emails from DTA stating that DTA is now pay-to-play.
It was nice while it lasted.

[cwerdna]

Interestingly, https://teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/threads ... st-4504896 reports that he's still receiving free juice as of Feb 21, 2020.

Summit House is in "Los Gatos" (technically, I guess) and the Walmart Gilroy is in Gilroy. I see them on the map at https://drivethearc.com/

[paulgipe]

I just charged at the Camp Roberts Southbound rest area at 30 kW for free from ChargePoint. Sign said "drive the ARC". While 30 kW is low, it's enough for a short stop and a couple of loops around the walkway. Got us back to Bako and was a pleasant--solar powered--stop.

Paul

[OrientExpress]

CHAdeMO DTA is still free but as a TOD offering. Depending of the time, DTA may or may not be free. The other thing is that the charging session time has changed from 45 minutes to 30 minutes.