Kimberly L. Wright

I recently took my EV, a Chevy Bolt, on its first long trip to the Emerald Coast from where I live in metro Atlanta. It was a short, post-holiday season visit aided by unseasonably warm temperatures, just me and my little dog.

I had originally planned to take my son’s 10-year-old gas car, but since, according to the mechanic, it has some components on the verge of failure, I thought why not take my more mechanically sound electronic vehicle? Sure, I’m going to have to wait for it to charge a couple of times, but it’s better to do that than take a chance on breaking down on some Alabama backroad.

Yes, I made it there and back. It naturally took longer, particularly since the Bolt is known for its slow fast-charging. And lordy, the fast charging is slow, 40 minutes a go.

Here are the lessons I learned along the way.

1. FPL Evolution is the least user-friendly EV system I’ve encountered.

Florida Power and Light’s charging system, FPL Evolution, boasts 200 charging stations across the state, including the two I encountered in Okaloosa County. Getting the station to start charging is not the most intuitive. It’s supposed to be as simple as scan the qr code, plug in, verify and go. What it ended up being like each time was: scan the qr code, plug in, no go, try again, unplug, scan, plug, curse, etc. Phew! And those cords are heavy, too.

And don’t turn on your car while charging, even if just to roll up or down your window. That action will bring your charging session to an abrupt end. This isn’t an issue with some of the other charging systems I’ve tried. Please, FPL, make your public charging a bit more user friendly.

I guess I should really feel fortunate that they have fast charging in Florida at all, but maybe they should’ve instead partnered with one of the other EV companies to bring their system online.

2. Expect to use more than one charging system.

Make sure to download some charging apps before making your journey. These apps are also somewhat helpful in deciding what route to take, but they won’t give you turn-by-turn instructions like Waze.

It helped that I’m already somewhat familiar with the route, from I-85 to I-185 to Columbus, from Columbus Highway 431 south to Dothan, around Ross Clark Circle and then down Highway 231 to I-10.

I first stopped a ChargePoint charging station at a Burger King in Columbus, one of the better locations for fast-charging on my journey south. And it’s one of the newer, flashier Burger Kings in what I presume must be a nicer neighborhood, at least it’s nicer than some. You have the leisure to pick up some fast-food, use the restroom, walk the dog. It’s not a filthy place like some — I’m looking at you, Walmart in Chipley, Florida!

I also used ChargePoint charging briefly in Eufaula, Alabama, between City Hall and an abandoned building with cracked glass. The Eufaula vibe was interesting, if not altogether safe, no nearby place to use the bathroom or buy anything. But at least a fast-charging station exists in that far-flung locale, and it’s the best price of all the fast chargers.

In Chipley, I used Electrify America for a fast charge before I hit I-10. The location was convenient though quite filthy, with various forms of litter, wrappers, plastic containers, etc., all around in a grassy area between the Walmart and Chipley Liquors that would’ve been otherwise pleasant for walking a dog. I had to keep my eye on her to make sure she didn’t eat anything potentially methy. At least the Walmart offered a place to use the toilet, even if I’m never thrilled about stopping there.

And of course, I used FPL Evolution at Wright Plaza in Fort Walton Beach, which had a variety of restaurants to choose from.

On the way back, I hit the FPL Evolution station in Crestview at a hotel just behind La Rumba, a decent Mexican place. Beyond the usual trouble with FBL Evolution, I didn’t really have any other issues with the location, which is also somewhat convenient to a gas station.

I also downloaded the Flo app, just in case I decided to travel up I-65, but didn’t add any funds to it. The app also it shares a name with a menstruation tracker, (something no one should be using nowadays, iykyk.) And I have EVGo, though I haven’t used it yet. It’s good to have as a route option.

Having multiple apps came in handy on a dark and stormy night in Georgia.

Traveling back home, I encountered what was listed as a ChargePoint station online at the Burger King in Newnan. Indeed, the screen of the charging station said I could use the ChargePoint app, though the body of the charging station was GM. But when I went to the ChargePoint app, the station didn’t exist. Since I already had the ChargeHub app downloaded. I just added moolah to that, and it started charging.

3. Make sure to pull up far enough.

Yes, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to pull up closer to the station so that the cord will reach. Those cords aren’t long enough, and they are rather unwieldy. It’s not the greatest situation for anyone with mobility or strength issues to smoosh together the plug to your car. It can be a bit of a workout.

4. Be patient.

Yep, it’s definitely not as time efficient as just plowing through the countryside driving your gas vehicle. But my little dog was treated to more walkies in various spots. And you also get a better look at the areas you normally would never have seen flying past at 65 mph. That’s not always a treat, though, particularly when it’s a litter-strewn field in Chipley.

Driving this way breaks up the trip. You stretch. You aren’t as sore as you would be if you sat for hours on end. It’s more healthful, except for the Burger King food. But you don’t necessarily have to eat at Burger King.

As one raised on striving for more and more efficiency, it’s frustrating for a five-hour trip to take an extra hour. But it’s something you’ll either make peace with, or you won’t. Stop and smell the roses. Let your little dog stop and pee a little. Wonder at the abandoned building of a little Alabama town. What is life?