Ha, reminds me of the time I confidently rolled up to a "reliable" charger only to find it offline and two other EV owners pacing around like lost puppies. You're definitely not alone in that struggle...
"Ha, reminds me of the time I confidently rolled up to a 'reliable' charger only to find it offline and two other EV owners pacing around like lost puppies."
Yeah, that's exactly the kind of scenario that makes me hesitant about going full EV. I'm still on the fence—mostly because of stories like yours. I've been researching insurance options lately (first-time buyer here), and it got me wondering:
- Does standard roadside assistance usually cover EV-specific issues like dead batteries or charger failures?
- Or do you need some special EV rider or add-on coverage?
I mean, if chargers can randomly go offline, seems like insurance companies would have caught onto this by now and started offering something tailored. Curious if anyone's had experience dealing with insurance claims related to EV breakdowns or charging mishaps...
"Does standard roadside assistance usually cover EV-specific issues like dead batteries or charger failures?"
Actually, most standard roadside assistance plans do cover EV battery issues—at least to the extent of towing you to a nearby charging station. Charger failures themselves, though, aren't typically covered since they're considered external infrastructure. Some insurers have started offering EV-specific add-ons for more comprehensive coverage...but honestly, charger downtime isn't as common as these anecdotes make it seem. I've had an EV two years now, and I've only been stranded once.
Gotta disagree slightly on charger downtime being rare...maybe it's my bad luck, but I've run into broken chargers more times than I'd like to admit. Last summer, I ended up at a station with three chargers—two were down, and the third was occupied by someone who decided it was nap time. Roadside assistance won't help much there, unfortunately. Now I always have a backup plan (and snacks) just in case.
Yeah, I've noticed charger downtime isn't as uncommon as some might think. I've had similar experiences—once waited nearly an hour because the only working charger was occupied. Definitely wise to keep snacks handy...and maybe a good podcast too.
