How a "Lucky" Hidden EV Charger Saved My Day

I had my morning perfectly planned. A hike to a beautiful spot near Alice’s Restaurant was on the agenda—a peaceful escape I’d been looking forward to all week. As I set out, the sun was just beginning to rise, casting a golden hue over the quiet streets. Everything seemed perfect until I glanced at my dashboard. All I seen was 1% battery remaining and I looked again just to make sure I wasn’t going crazy. Checked my map and… the nearest supercharger was well out of my driving range. All I could think was how could this happen?

I’d plugged in the car last night, so what went wrong? That’s when it hit me—I’d forgotten that my EV charger was recently set to use solar power to charge the car, and with the limited sunlight overnight, the car had barely charged. Not checking the charge before leaving was a rookie mistake, one that could ruin my carefully planned morning.

I was miles away from any reliable charging station, and the battery gauge was dropping fast. My hike seemed like a distant dream now, overshadowed by the looming reality of being stranded. But then, the "Lucky"-est thing happened

As I was driving past the "Lucky" supermarket, something caught my eye—a small EV charging station tucked away in the parking lot. Could this be my saving grace?

Without a second thought, I turned around and pulled into the parking lot, heart racing. I made it to the EVgo charging island, but relief quickly turned to concern. I needed a Tesla adapter to connect to the charger, but when I reached for one, it wasn’t there. Someone had stolen it.

It felt like the universe was playing a cruel joke on me, but then, just as I was about to lose hope, I noticed another adapter on the other side of the station. Luck was still on my side. I grabbed it, connected my car, and then realized the charger wasn’t showing up on the EVgo map.

Fortunately, I used to work with EVgo, and I had their number saved. I called it in, explained the situation, and they started the charge remotely. As the juice flowed into my battery, I finally breathed a sigh of relief. My morning was back on track.

While my car charged, I wandered around the supermarket, checking out the place and grabbing a few snacks. The charging station had been a true "hike" saver, a lifeline in what could have been a major setback.

This was one for the books but other than being a reminder of the importance of checking your charge before heading out. It also highlighted why we need accessible and reliable EV infrastructure in more places—especially at stores and public areas. Having a charging station at your business can be a huge draw for EV drivers (like me), but just make sure to add cameras.

That small charging station at the "Lucky" supermarket saved my day, but it also taught me a valuable lesson: when it comes to EVs, being prepared isn’t just about having a full battery. It’s about having access to the infrastructure that keeps you moving, wherever the road may take you.