A Better Route Planner directed a user to a charging station that was non-functional and required a specific app (Blink) that also didn't work. The planner needs to provide more accurate, real-time information on charger functionality and clearly indicate required apps/payment methods.
I'm on my first road trip (600 mules) in my 2022 Bolt EUV, and for the most part it's been fine. Im on the way home and the Better Roadtrip Planner app brought me to under 10% range to a dealership where nothing seemed to work on the required Blink charging app. The car dash kept saying "unable to charge". I tried the 3 other plugs, same thing. (All after needing yet another app, and loading money onto it.) I try all the other apps I have: Electrify America, Plugshare, Chargepoint, EVGO. Nothing seems close, i Google "ev chargers near me" and find a hotel a half mile away, download EV connect, and we are charging now. Is there something I did wrong, or any other way this panic could have been avoided? Im wondering if I should have just rented a car for the trip instead. We are going to and through major cities in the Midwest and I didnt think this would be an issue at all.