Poll: Interest in a charging service to help stranded drivers

[malinecentral]

Tow trucks can only do this because they provide other services. This is not a viable business on its own.

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[btcrealm]

Yeah I think I was also stressed on my first long trip back in 2018 from Huntsville to Key West Florida. I got comfortable with how Tesla software calculated range and the stops. In my 7 years never had a surprise on the chargers. Maybe got lucky but based on other people, it is pretty much reliable. Only news I heard people getting stuck was because of a snow storm/freeze in Chicago.

I'm really hoping this is uncomon but I know when this site was fenced up and ripped down. There are reviews from as recent as a few months ago with the app directing them there. The Sheetz was completely removed (building, tanks, all) and rebuilt, its been open again for almost a month.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/T...try=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDQxMy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw==

 

[malinecentral]

I created my own poll since you were missing an option.

https://www.cybertruckownersclub.co...have-you-ever-ran-out-of-charge-or-gas.40003/

 

[mochaev]

I don't think I'd ever need or provide this service, but then again I've never run out of gas in 20 years of driving either. As the general public transitions to electric this will be a good business, because there will always be a few people running out for one reason or another, and you cant exactly walk to the next exit and fill a bottle of electricity to bring back. Also when people know its available they will push the cars limits more. Your main competition is: does the stranded guy have a buddy with a car/truck that does V2V charging?

Could be cool to schedule a charge, if you're planning a trip and there aren't ev chargers on the way. This would be a huge hit with my wife, who has severe range anxiety

Scheduling in advance is a very interesting use case. Thanks for the suggestion!



In response to the replies that have never run out of charge ---

Personally I'm careful to plan enough range to the next charging stop, but the general public isn't as well prepared. Anecdotal evidence of never running out of charge isn't a reliable indicator. The aggregate is what really matters. Interestingly, this says that 16% of EV drivers have run out of charge at some point:
https://www.greencars.com/greencars-101/how-often-do-ev-owners-have-charging-anxiety

This in line with 20% of gas car drivers who have run out of gas at some point:
https://coastpay.com/states-with-the-riskiest-drivers/

While it's not an every day occurrence, it happens every day to someone somewhere.

 

[webspeedracer]

I’d be willing to provide the service, although the NEMA 14-50 in the CT is still too slow.

Really need Tesla or Rivian to enable DC-DC V2V, would make it much faster to provide the service. Rivian has teased 25kW V2H, so that’s a possibility, and CT has the extra battery connector that could be used for fast recharge support if they allowed such a thing. Maybe reach out to Tesla and ask if they want to do a rescue fleet deal to move all those unsold CTs, caveat that they enable a rescue port or similar?
[/QUOTE]

Hello Cybertruck owners! It has the unique ability to power other devices. Very cool!

I'm working on a service that provides stranded drivers enough charge to get to the next charging station. You could earn money going to the stranded driver and charge them up a bit.

As a charge provider, would you be interested in signing up to help stranded drivers and earn some cash?

As a driver, does this help reduce your range anxiety? What would it take to convince you to sign up?



A tow truck is commonly used for these situations. It's a good option in many cases but not all.

• There are cases where a tow truck may not be close by, such as in less densely populated areas.
• Towing adds risk of damage depending on the type of tow truck and the state of the vehicle (can it be put into tow mode, how much weight can it handle).
• If you have family in the car, there may not be enough space to fit everyone in the tow truck, and staying in the towed vehicle is illegal. You'd then have to hail another ride to follow the tow truck.

Any thoughts or feedback are appreciated!
[/QUOTE]

 

[LeeS]

AAA will pick you up anywhere and tow you to any supercharger within 100 miles for free, up to 4 times per year. That is, if they don't deploy one of their existing mobile chargers.

Plus this service is already included with your Tesla roadside assistance.

Finally, commercial use of your personal vehicle isn't covered by insurance, and commercial insurance won't cover a vehicle registered to a person instead of an LLC, and what would you do if you got called to the middle of nowhere just to be robbed?

 

[DaBagBoy]

In my 7 years of owning Teslas, never really got close to no charge. I bet the market for this service is too small. Probably no need for this service.

about the same time driving Tesla's and it's never happened.

I would like to see who actually got stranded because of range?

Agree. While the "anxiety" is real, IMHO it's a helluva lot harder to run out of range than most new drivers think. Most of us grew up with a fuel gauge that never showed miles of range remaining just a gauge that read low or showed red

So I wouldn't invest as -
1) I don't think many people are ever "stranded"
2) I'm sure if I had to drive 30 minutes each way and sit for X hours charging that's gonna cost more than a $150 flat bed tow.

 

[misdemeanor]

Hello Cybertruck owners! It has the unique ability to power other devices. Very cool!

I'm working on a service that provides stranded drivers enough charge to get to the next charging station. You could earn money going to the stranded driver and charge them up a bit.

As a charge provider, would you be interested in signing up to help stranded drivers and earn some cash?

As a driver, does this help reduce your range anxiety? What would it take to convince you to sign up?



A tow truck is commonly used for these situations. It's a good option in many cases but not all.

• There are cases where a tow truck may not be close by, such as in less densely populated areas.
• Towing adds risk of damage depending on the type of tow truck and the state of the vehicle (can it be put into tow mode, how much weight can it handle).
• If you have family in the car, there may not be enough space to fit everyone in the tow truck, and staying in the towed vehicle is illegal. You'd then have to hail another ride to follow the tow truck.

Any thoughts or feedback are appreciated!

Peer-to-peer charging offers several advantages over tow trucks:

• Faster Response in Some Cases: If there are nearby charge providers, the service could be quicker than waiting for a tow truck, especially in remote areas
• Lower Risk of Damage: Charging in place avoids the risks associated with towing, such as damage to the vehicle's undercarriage or alignment, which is particularly relevant for EVs with complex battery systems.
• Comfort and Convenience: Drivers and passengers can remain in their vehicle during charging, avoiding the need for additional transportation, which is a significant advantage for families, as noted in the user's query.

However, there are limitations:

• Availability: The service's effectiveness depends on the density of charge providers. In areas with few hosts, it may not be as immediate as a tow truck, particularly in emergencies.
• Charging Time (I think this is a biggie!): Depending on the charger type (e.g., Level 1 vs. Level 2), it might take longer to get enough charge to reach the next station compared to being towed directly to a charging point.
• Emergency Situations: For complete battery failure or hazardous conditions, a tow truck might still be necessary, as peer-to-peer charging may not address all scenarios.

This service is a promising solution for reducing range anxiety and providing stranded drivers with a convenient, cost-effective alternative to tow trucks, particularly in less populated areas. As a charge provider, I would likely sign up if the platform offers fair compensation, insurance, and ease of use, addressing concerns like liability and privacy. As a driver, I would find it valuable for reducing range anxiety, provided it is reliable, affordable, and user-friendly, with a large network of providers and strong safety measures.

To ensure success, the service should:

• Build a scalable network with incentives for both providers and drivers, such as rewards and discounts.
• Implement robust vetting, insurance, and dispute resolution to mitigate risks.
• Focus on user experience with a seamless app interface and transparent pricing.
• Position itself as a complement to public charging and tow trucks, addressing non-emergency situations effectively.

 

[mochaev]

Thanks for the valuable feedback!

Peer-to-peer charging offers several advantages over tow trucks:

• Faster Response in Some Cases: If there are nearby charge providers, the service could be quicker than waiting for a tow truck, especially in remote areas
• Lower Risk of Damage: Charging in place avoids the risks associated with towing, such as damage to the vehicle's undercarriage or alignment, which is particularly relevant for EVs with complex battery systems.
• Comfort and Convenience: Drivers and passengers can remain in their vehicle during charging, avoiding the need for additional transportation, which is a significant advantage for families, as noted in the user's query.

However, there are limitations:

• Availability: The service's effectiveness depends on the density of charge providers. In areas with few hosts, it may not be as immediate as a tow truck, particularly in emergencies.
• Charging Time (I think this is a biggie!): Depending on the charger type (e.g., Level 1 vs. Level 2), it might take longer to get enough charge to reach the next station compared to being towed directly to a charging point.
• Emergency Situations: For complete battery failure or hazardous conditions, a tow truck might still be necessary, as peer-to-peer charging may not address all scenarios.

This service is a promising solution for reducing range anxiety and providing stranded drivers with a convenient, cost-effective alternative to tow trucks, particularly in less populated areas. As a charge provider, I would likely sign up if the platform offers fair compensation, insurance, and ease of use, addressing concerns like liability and privacy. As a driver, I would find it valuable for reducing range anxiety, provided it is reliable, affordable, and user-friendly, with a large network of providers and strong safety measures.

To ensure success, the service should:

• Build a scalable network with incentives for both providers and drivers, such as rewards and discounts.
• Implement robust vetting, insurance, and dispute resolution to mitigate risks.
• Focus on user experience with a seamless app interface and transparent pricing.
• Position itself as a complement to public charging and tow trucks, addressing non-emergency situations effectively.

 

[bosshog]

An interesting concept.

• An app that one could check in and out of on the provider side.
• An option to be 'checked out' but notified of emergency requests (middle of the night for example).
• A review system that shows the rating of both the provider and the chargee (being able to leave the reviews as well).
• A proper vetting system on the provider side (DL, background check, etc).
• A range that a provider could define as accepted and another range that could be set as possible.

All this seems like a lot of work but I'd consider it, on both sides, if these criteria were met.


I also have a 50A generator I run on propane that in an emergency I could use if needed.

What type of generator is it and is it practical to travel with say for instance when camping .

 

[btcrealm]

What type of generator is it and is it practical to travel with say for instance when camping .

Its a bit bulky but easy to strap down. If I didn't want to carry a propane tank I could just fill it up with gas. The propane is a lot cleaner.
https://westinghouseoutdoorpower.com/products/wgen9500df-generator-dual-fuel
They do sell a switch that can automatically turn the generator on when house power is lost but I've never messed with that.
I purchased this years ago primarily for the 50A and dual fuel.

 

[J-Man]

Hello Cybertruck owners! It has the unique ability to power other devices. Very cool!

I'm working on a service that provides stranded drivers enough charge to get to the next charging station. You could earn money going to the stranded driver and charge them up a bit.

As a charge provider, would you be interested in signing up to help stranded drivers and earn some cash?

As a driver, does this help reduce your range anxiety? What would it take to convince you to sign up?



A tow truck is commonly used for these situations. It's a good option in many cases but not all.

• There are cases where a tow truck may not be close by, such as in less densely populated areas.
• Towing adds risk of damage depending on the type of tow truck and the state of the vehicle (can it be put into tow mode, how much weight can it handle).
• If you have family in the car, there may not be enough space to fit everyone in the tow truck, and staying in the towed vehicle is illegal. You'd then have to hail another ride to follow the tow truck.

Any thoughts or feedback are appreciated!

I thought about something similar, but after market research; I found AAA and tow companies already offer the service

 

[mochaev]

Finally, commercial use of your personal vehicle isn't covered by insurance, and commercial insurance won't cover a vehicle registered to a person instead of an LLC, and what would you do if you got called to the middle of nowhere just to be robbed?

Insurance is something I'm concerned about as well. Ride share services have found a way to make that work without the sky falling. Drivers are "independent contractors" and they buy their own insurance. Does anyone who drives for them have experience with that arrangement?

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