There is no reason why they would have done this. Plenty of opportunity to create their own slow charging network. They were about to set up a way to pay for the energy, but instead chose to shut it down. In Chicago we’re in seriously need for more charging options. Is anyone interested in discussing how to create a new network, or to push to have these old Volta stations turned back on?
I saw a ton of chargers get installed at a local park, all this infrastructure upgrading to support them all, even saw them switch the branding from Volta to Shell, and most of them seemed fully set up, some were just missing the cord, but none were ever turned on. Probably 20 of them in total. Now I see that they’ll never get set up…
Though to be honest, I had a Volta account, but when shell bought them, they sent me non-stop reminders that Volta doesn’t exist and I needed to make a Shell app to even use their free chargers, but I never saw the use in doing so. I used Volta so rarely anyways. It was just nice when I went to the mall.
Yea exactly that, your experience is that of late stage capitalism which fucks us. There was a clear opportunity for Shell to create a decent slow charging network, but they instead stopped it and now no one can use it. Now personally I’m limited to Electrify America (owned by Volkswagen), and Tesla superchargers which only one of it compatible far away. Meanwhile in other countries like in Europe and in China they are putting chargers everywhere.