[shawnlsites]

Hello all -
I've postponed several hiking trips to the Sierras for lack of charging stations enroute. But it looks like the situation is improving and I'm planning to drive my 2019 Bolt (w/battery replacement) 325 miles from LA to Mammoth later this week. Given our heat, will need to put on the AC at least occasionally.
Anyone have any tips/experience, ideally with fast charging stations? Safest to stop frequently enroute? So far I'm seeing charging stations in Mojave, Olancha and Bishop.
Thanks very much for any suggestions!

 

[Bill MB]

I use Coso Junction as first charging stop when coming from Manhattan Beach to Mammoth (or the Sierras). Maybe that's the Olancha one?

There is a 50kw charger at the Coso Junction rest stop, which is free. That's a good place to stop because they also have Electrify America about 100 yards away. You can charge enough there to get to Bishop where they have another EA at one of the big grocery stores. No fast chargers in Mammoth last time I checked, so you either need to L2 charge or have enough charge to get back to Bishop.

There is a newer one about 20 miles south of Coso Junction that I would avoid. Very run down gas station. No running water in the bathroom.

The Mohave charger is behind a hotel. Not much there. Electrify America, so you will have to pay. You can walk to a couple airplanes on exhibit near the airport, but not a very interesting stop.

I highly recommend L2 charging when you get there, because it's a lot of charging on the way back unless you start from a full charge. If staying at a hotel, check in advance if they have an L2 charger or even a 120 outlet to charge from. I bring a heavy 8 gauge 25 foot extension cord and have used outlets at hotels before. I guess same goes for drive-in camp sites or the like.

Have done it several times without any problems. Use A Better Route Planner app to plan your route, and always check status of next charger before leaving the prior one. If you do that, you should not have any problems. There are a good number of chargers along the way, and you can change your route if one of them is not working (if you know in advance).

I think there are actually 3 of the free chargers along 395 at various rest stops. I've managed to spend only 12$ charging to get up there and back by using them.

 

[shawnlsites]

I use Coso Junction as first charging stop when coming from Manhattan Beach to Mammoth (or the Sierras). Maybe that's the Olancha one?

There is a 50kw charger at the Coso Junction rest stop, which is free. That's a good place to stop because they also have Electrify America about 100 yards away. You can charge enough there to get to Bishop where they have another EA at one of the big grocery stores. No fast chargers in Mammoth last time I checked, so you either need to L2 charge or have enough charge to get back to Bishop.

There is a newer one about 20 miles south of Coso Junction that I would avoid. Very run down gas station. No running water in the bathroom.

The Mohave charger is behind a hotel. Not much there. Electrify America, so you will have to pay. You can walk to a couple airplanes on exhibit near the airport, but not a very interesting stop.

I highly recommend L2 charging when you get there, because it's a lot of charging on the way back unless you start from a full charge. If staying at a hotel, check in advance if they have an L2 charger or even a 120 outlet to charge from. I bring a heavy 8 gauge 25 foot extension cord and have used outlets at hotels before. I guess same goes for drive-in camp sites or the like.

Have done it several times without any problems. Use A Better Route Planner app to plan your route, and always check status of next charger before leaving the prior one. If you do that, you should not have any problems. There are a good number of chargers along the way, and you can change your route if one of them is not working (if you know in advance).

I think there are actually 3 of the free chargers along 395 at various rest stops. I've managed to spend only 12$ charging to get up there and back by using them.

Oh, this is SO helpful, Bill; so appreciate your taking the time to share these suggestions so quickly. Brilliant tips on checking the status of the next charger and bringing an extension cord. Yes, Coso Junction is the Olancha stop, and I'm fine paying for Electrify America since I rarely pay for charging otherwise. I'll be camping, but will check w/rangers on options for 120V outlets nearby.
Many thanks. . . and I'll make sure to bring some books for after I've checked out the planes in Mojave.
shawn

 

[Bill MB]

Great, have fun. It’s a nice drive in the bolt.

if you don’t have it, I recommend getting the “A better route planner” app on your phone and play with it in advance.

 

[cwerdna]

I don't know the route but always recommend you check all stops ABRP recommends against Plugshare and try to have at least 1 backup for each, where possible.

Don't make the mistakes listed at https://www.chevybolt.org/threads/road-tripping-in-an-ev.39631/#post-628422.

 

[shawnlsites]

Great, have fun. It’s a nice drive in the bolt.

if you don’t have it, I recommend getting the “A better route planner” app on your phone and play with it in advance.

Just downloaded and working with it now. . . excellent rec, thank you again, Bill!

 

[shawnlsites]

I don't know the route but always recommend you check all stops ABRP recommends against Plugshare and try to have at least 1 backup for each, where possible.

Don't make the mistakes listed at https://www.chevybolt.org/threads/road-tripping-in-an-ev.39631/#post-628422.

Thanks so much; per Bill's suggestion I just downloaded ABRP and will compare against Plugshare tonight. Not sure if there will be many backups, so I'll plan to stop a little more frequently for this first trip. Appreciate the link, too (but don't want to LOL since I'm certainly not an expert yet. But I know enough to be very concerned. With gratitude....
shawn

 

[greendave]

Mammoth is a nuisance. There's basically no public infrastructure there. Coming from the south, your only nearby charging is Bishop, unless you get lucky with your hotel.

These days where possible, I choose stops where there are multiple DCFCs nearby, to deal with EA flakiness. So Mojave (Dennys Chargepoint and EA), Coso Junctions (Caltrans and EA) and Bishop (Caltrans and EA) are all good choices.

I wouldn't worry too much about the AC. It takes a bit more power, but not a lot (unlike the heater). Using recirculate further reduces the power draw.

Also don't forget to budget electrons for the long climb from Bishop to Mammoth - almost 5,000 feet of climbing (and can be more depending on the trailhead). Yes, you will recover some of that on your descent, but definitely not all.

 

[cwerdna]

Since Caltrans was mentioned, those should be free (Five Electric Vehicle Fast Chargers Ready for Public Use in Inyo and Kern Counties | Caltrans) but not as fast as EA.

 

[greendave]

Since Caltrans was mentioned, those should be free (Five Electric Vehicle Fast Chargers Ready for Public Use in Inyo and Kern Counties | Caltrans) but not as fast as EA.

Note that both Division Creek and Boron westbound are currently down though (Boron eastbound appears okay).

 

[shawnlsites]

Mammoth is a nuisance. There's basically no public infrastructure there. Coming from the south, your only nearby charging is Bishop, unless you get lucky with your hotel.

These days where possible, I choose stops where there are multiple DCFCs nearby, to deal with EA flakiness. So Mojave (Dennys Chargepoint and EA), Coso Junctions (Caltrans and EA) and Bishop (Caltrans and EA) are all good choices.

I wouldn't worry too much about the AC. It takes a bit more power, but not a lot (unlike the heater). Using recirculate further reduces the power draw.

Also don't forget to budget electrons for the long climb from Bishop to Mammoth - almost 5,000 feet of climbing (and can be more depending on the trailhead). Yes, you will recover some of that on your descent, but definitely not all.

Thank you, greendave. Good point about the Bishop--> Mammoth leg, too. Seems like anytime I put on my AC, my remaining mileage goes down by 30-40 miles, but it does go up again after I turn it off. Appreciate your time to respond!
Shawn

 

[UnAlpine]

In Bishop there is also a free charger at the Caltrans maintenance yard on the south end of town. That gives you some redundancy in Bishop. Why there is nothing in Mammoth....

 

[shawnlsites]

In Bishop there is also a free charger at the Caltrans maintenance yard on the south end of town. That gives you some redundancy in Bishop. Why there is nothing in Mammoth....

Thank you, UnAlpine. . . just saw a review of that and I think I'll try that as my primary (free!) w/the Chargepoint @ Vons as my backup. I'm really surprised there are no (non-Tesla Destination or Superchargers) in Mammoth Lakes, either. Was told by the Visitors Bureau that Westin has some, so I called but only for guests, and the same thing for a few condos in the area (you have to stay there). She said they do get a lot of calls inquiring about these but she didn't know of any plans to install public charging stations. Seems pretty behind the times for a resort this popular.

 

[shawnlsites]

Note that both Division Creek and Boron westbound are currently down though (Boron eastbound appears okay).

Too bad, but good to know the eastbound may be a backup. Thank you!

 

[GregBrew]

Mammoth is a nuisance. There's basically no public infrastructure there. Coming from the south, your only nearby charging is Bishop, unless you get lucky with your hotel.

These days where possible, I choose stops where there are multiple DCFCs nearby, to deal with EA flakiness. So Mojave (Dennys Chargepoint and EA), Coso Junctions (Caltrans and EA) and Bishop (Caltrans and EA) are all good choices.

I wouldn't worry too much about the AC. It takes a bit more power, but not a lot (unlike the heater). Using recirculate further reduces the power draw.

Also don't forget to budget electrons for the long climb from Bishop to Mammoth - almost 5,000 feet of climbing (and can be more depending on the trailhead). Yes, you will recover some of that on your descent, but definitely not all.

Yeah. You don't want your battery to be full, on that descent.

 

[shawnlsites]

Yeah. You don't want your battery to be full, on that descent.

Thanks, Greg. So maybe it's OK that the last time I can charge is in Bishop, as the 45 miles/5,000 ft gain drive to Mammoth will run down my battery a bit. . .

 

[GregBrew]

That'll work. You won't gain back all of the extra energy required by the climb, on your descent.

 

[shawnlsites]

Belated thanks to all who helped with such solid suggestions. Got up and back fine, but toasty temps (102++) required AC the whole way so I stopped to recharge 3X enroute and 3X on the way back. Did Mojave (EA - Comfort Inn both ways), Coso Junction (rest stop enroute, Chevron on return) and Bishop (CalTrans out, Vons on return). Only wait was @ Vons in Bishop, and not long. Considered this an exploratory run, but given the additional time required (and heat), I probably wouldn't do it again. . . would likely rent a car or carpool with a pal!
Thanks again, all!

 

[Bill MB]

That’s too bad. I’ve always done it with two stops with an overnight charge.. The second stop is a bit tedious.

There are good trailheads near lone pine, independence, and bishop too. Cuts down on that last leg.

 

[Paul Gipe]

Thank you, UnAlpine. . . just saw a review of that and I think I'll try that as my primary (free!) w/the Chargepoint @ Vons as my backup. I'm really surprised there are no (non-Tesla Destination or Superchargers) in Mammoth Lakes, either. Was told by the Visitors Bureau that Westin has some, so I called but only for guests, and the same thing for a few condos in the area (you have to stay there). She said they do get a lot of calls inquiring about these but she didn't know of any plans to install public charging stations. Seems pretty behind the times for a resort this popular.

There are many L2 destination chargers in Mammoth for both Tesla and CCS. I have a post on here somewhere about just that. All the big hotels have charging. Obviously you have to stay there or at least have dinner. And they're not cheap!

EV Road Tripping: Bakersfield Bolt to Yosemite via US 395 and the "East Side"

Should be on this site as well.

We do this route at least once per year.

Paul