Hyundai dealer charges $418 for single EV

A Clinton Township, Michigan man was charged $418 for a single EV charging session at Elder Hyundai's Macomb Township store. Stanley Kpenkann discovered the charge after using a charger listed as public on the EVgo app during a 40-minute session in a rented Chevy Bolt EV.

Kpenkann told Electrek he was "flabbergasted" by the bill. An investigation revealed the dealership's pricing was $5 per kilowatt-hour plus an additional $5 per minute of connection time. This incident follows a similar report from June involving a Hyundai dealer in Union, New Jersey.

The Problem with Dealer 'Public' Chargers

Electrek reports that many chargers listed as public on apps are located at car dealerships. Drivers often encounter restricted access, limited hours, security gates, and unexpectedly high prices. Steve Birkett of Plug & Play EV reported his local Hyundai dealer charged $15 per kWh to charge an IONIQ 5.

Birkett noted other common issues beyond pricing. Dealers frequently prioritize their inventory or service customers, close gates outside business hours, and offer underwhelming charging speeds. Some dealerships actively discourage public use with signs and stickers, despite listing their chargers as publicly available.

A Call for Regulation and Transparency

The article argues that, unlike gas stations, EV charge point operators in many states are not required to clearly display pricing before a driver plugs in. Electrek's writer states this lack of regulation allows unscrupulous operators to take advantage of new EV drivers.

The source calls for stricter rules for chargers receiving public incentive funds. It suggests these should include unfettered public access for most of the day, transparent pricing displayed on large signs, caps on energy cost markups, and aggressive clawback mechanisms for non-compliance.

Broader Issues Beyond Dealerships

The problem extends beyond car dealerships. Last month, a Redditor reported a $671.60 charging bill at an MES-branded station in Sycamore, Illinois. The user claimed the app did not display updated pricing, and the company refused a refund, even sending a power bill to justify the cost.

Electrek argues this behavior targets people learning a new fueling system and damages trust in EVs. The writer, identifying as part of "EV People™," calls for community-driven ground rules to ensure public charging programs serve the public.

Contrasting Experiences and Potential Solutions

Not all dealer experiences are negative. A commenter on the article praised a Kia dealer that installed two 62 kW ChargePoint DCFC units in front of its showroom. A salesman admitted the setup was designed to attract potential customers during their charging stops.

The article concludes by noting the invitation for Steve Birkett to share his stories on an upcoming episode of Quick Charge. It frames the issue as a significant barrier to EV adoption that requires immediate attention from regulators and the industry.