MVC Resorts with On-Site EV Chargers

[LeeSoFL]

We're about 150 miles from Orlando, and wanted to use our EV to get there.

It's hard to find specific resort EV info, (outside of calling each one and not getting the right answer) that would tell me whether they have on-site chargers.

Our experience at MVC Crystal Shores (Marco) has been excellent, with complimentary chargers in the parking garage.

If you've seen chargers or used them at any Orlando resorts, would you be kind enough to fill me in, please?

 

[Dean]

I don't know current status but my understanding is the only two MVC resorts with chargers are Lakeshore and CH. World Center has several but I don't believe any are specifically at the MVC resorts and I'm not sure how close they are to the various resorts on property. The MVC chargers are all J1772, World Center has some of both but mostly NACS. I'd call and confirm either way. I've found that many resorts have 110 plugs for a Level 1 charger that are not listed as having such on any of the EV charging sites. My last 2 timeshare stays this was our main way of charging. We were at Bluegreen's Club Trillium and we able to charge at week from our front porch plug. The resort even offered an outdoor extension but I travel with one which I knew was heavy enough for the current. Charged for usage during the week and left at 100% SoC. Just returned tonight from staying at DVC's Animal Kingdom (Kidani) where there were numerous 110 plugs. Only there 3 nights so only able to get up to 92% by departure given our usage during the time there. Plenty of paid charging in the area and any direction one needs to travel from Orlando.

 

[Passepartout]

We found level 1 outlets in the garages at both Park City MVCs. Also level 2 (free) J1772 in the downtown parking lots.

 

[TheTimeTraveler]

Sounds like a great reason to own a Hybrid and not an EV.

Maybe an EV in ten years will be practical vehicle to own and operate.






.

 

[daviator]

Sounds like a great reason to own a Hybrid and not an EV.

Maybe an EV in ten years will be practical vehicle to own and operate.






.

Maybe. But maybe not. Battery electric cars (and the space/time/equipment needed to charge them) don’t really work at scale. Imagine what would be required if everyone was driving a car that took an hour or more to fill up.

I don’t love the fact that any of the resorts have “free” charging; that just means that all of us are paying the electricity costs for a few people to charge their cars.

 

[Dean]

Sounds like a great reason to own a Hybrid and not an EV.

Maybe an EV in ten years will be practical vehicle to own and operate.

I think it depends. It does take a little bit of a learning curve and planning. There certainly are parts of the US that are challenged for charging options but not many. EVERY time I've taken mine to an area where I thought it'd be challenging, it was not at all. So for a Tesla I think it's a non issue with minimal planning and the proper mind set. For non Tesla's that have access to MOST of the Tesla superchargers, I think that's true as well though maybe slightly more challenging since there are Tesla superchargers they cannot access. For those without current access to Tesla, I think you need either a super long range option like a Lucid or Porche or plan limited longer trips.

Maybe. But maybe not. Battery electric cars (and the space/time/equipment needed to charge them) don’t really work at scale. Imagine what would be required if everyone was driving a car that took an hour or more to fill up.

I don’t love the fact that any of the resorts have “free” charging; that just means that all of us are paying the electricity costs for a few people to charge their cars.

I'm not sure I agree. I've owned mine about 7 months and taken 5 trips of 300 miles or more, 2 of which (around 350 mi each) without Tesla superchargers the entire second half of the trip and no issues. As for resorts paying for charging, I'm OK either way (and was before looking at an EV). I do feel resorts should have them and not as a money making venture. I think it reasonable for the maintenance fees to cover the costs when it's limited usage OR if there is a large % of usage. It's the in between where I think it's a problem where there are significant costs for a moderate % of users.

As for time, on those 5 trips I didn't lose an hour total (only about 20 minutes) since one is going to stop anyway for various reasons. It does dictate more where you stop. If one accounted for the lost time in an ICE vehicle for gas stops, that would have been more than 20 minutes total anyway.

 

[Passepartout]

I don’t love the fact that any of the resorts have “free” charging; that just means that all of us are paying the electricity costs for a few people to charge their cars.

So, using this analogy, 'all' of us are paying for the electricity to dry the laundry of those who use the facilities. What's to stop people from bringing their dirty clothes to their timeshare to wash/dry on every other owner's dime?

 

[Dean]

So, using this analogy, 'all' of us are paying for the electricity to dry the laundry of those who use the facilities. What's to stop people from bringing their dirty clothes to their timeshare to wash/dry on every other owner's dime?

There are always going to be amenities that not everyone will use, even the pool, stove, W/D, exercise, activities and the like. My general rules for determining reasonableness are whether I think a given amenities is core to a resort experience, what % of guests will use a given option and whether I think there is actually significant cost. Personally I see a charging option as core at this point and I do not not see it currently as having significant cost though the usage would be a small % at this time. The cost WILL change over time as more and more people move to EV's or even plug in hybrids (which have a higher fire potential than EV's) but by the time there is significant usage it should be approaching the % of guests for usage were it's appropriate even with significant cost.

 

[geist1223]

So, using this analogy, 'all' of us are paying for the electricity to dry the laundry of those who use the facilities. What's to stop people from bringing their dirty clothes to their timeshare to wash/dry on every other owner's dime?

How did you know we do that? We save up our laundry for weeks.

 

[daviator]

So, using this analogy, 'all' of us are paying for the electricity to dry the laundry of those who use the facilities. What's to stop people from bringing their dirty clothes to their timeshare to wash/dry on every other owner's dime?

Because that’s a ridiculous thing that nobody is ever going to do? As opposed to charging a car which EVERY battery electric car driver is going to do?

 

[Passepartout]

Because that’s a ridiculous thing that nobody is ever going to do? As opposed to charging a car which EVERY battery electric car driver is going to do?

The point is that every resort has amenities that everyone pays for, but only a self-selected few actually use. I don't use the hair dryer, but we all pay for it to be there and available. I don't use the hot tub and wallow in other guests' used bath water, but I don't begrudge having the tub onsite.

So stop grousing about EV chargers at resorts.

 

[echino]

EV chargers at resorts is a great amenity to have. EVs are often the cheapest option when renting a car, and I went with EV rentals twice recently even though I don't own an EV.

Maui: Tesla was the cheapest rental, with free charging at WKORV I had a great time, super fun to drive and paid zero for gas. It was the first time ever I drove an EV.

Las Vegas: Ford Mustang Mach E long range was the cheapest rental by far. No EV charging at Grand Chateau, which made it inconvenient: I had to charge elsewhere. But again, super fun to drive and zero dollars for gas.

 

[dioxide45]

So stop grousing about EV chargers at resorts.

Should people grouse if they put in free gas pumps? That seems to be a better comparison.

I suspect in some situations, those chargers and perhaps the electricity is covered by grants from either local, state, federal government or even companies.

 

[daviator]

Should people grouse if they put in free gas pumps? That seems to be a better comparison.

I suspect in some situations, those chargers and perhaps the electricity is covered by grants from either local, state, federal government or even companies.

Maybe the chargers. Doubtful the electricity.

The folks saying “it’s just an amenity, it doesn’t matter if you don’t use it” and then bring up the $10 hair dryer that serves guests for years, while comparing it to the charger that uses $10
or $20 worth of electricity every time somebody charges up…. We are really talking apples and oranges here.

 

[Dean]

Maybe the chargers. Doubtful the electricity.

The folks saying “it’s just an amenity, it doesn’t matter if you don’t use it” and then bring up the $10 hair dryer that serves guests for years, while comparing it to the charger that uses $10
or $20 worth of electricity every time somebody charges up…. We are really talking apples and oranges here.

Maybe the exercise room, bingo, etc would be better comparisons. Personally I think they should provide them and not as a money making venture. I have no issue if they want to charge to do so, esp if they charge in such a way to make certain people don't park long term in those spots. But I predict that over time it will be a necessity and not a novelty.

 

[Passepartout]

Maybe the chargers. Doubtful the electricity.

The folks saying “it’s just an amenity, it doesn’t matter if you don’t use it” and then bring up the $10 hair dryer that serves guests for years, while comparing it to the charger that uses $10
or $20 worth of electricity every time somebody charges up…. We are really talking apples and oranges here.

So, what is your solution? Make the users pay for their electricity so it's not an amenity? Remove the EV chargers altogether? Raise everyone's MFs or Resort fees?

 

[dioxide45]

So, what is your solution? Make the users pay for their electricity so it's not an amenity? Remove the EV chargers altogether? Raise everyone's MFs or Resort fees?

The thought would be like if you went to the gas station with an ICE or to an offsite charging station with an EV. You pay for electricity used to charge your car to get you around or perhaps get you back home. Why should it be an amenity provided by the resort? I doubt most EV owners/users would have a problem paying for the electricity used to charge their vehicle.

 

[daviator]

I’ve got no problem with having a few EV chargers at the resorts, but they should be pay-as-you-go with the costs of equipment, electricity and maintenance being borne by those who use them. Providing fuel for people's vehicles is not a resort function.

 

[Passepartout]

The thought would be like if you went to the gas station with an ICE or to an offsite charging station with an EV. You pay for electricity used to charge your car to get you around or perhaps get you back home. Why should it be an amenity provided by the resort? I doubt most EV owners/users would have a problem paying for the electricity used to charge their vehicle.

Then you have the issue of 'pay what, and to whom'? Commercial chargers rate can be several multiples of the going rate of the electrons. Maybe they are getting it at $.12-$.20 per kWh, and charging the user $.65 or more. Does this 3X profit go to the resort- or to the entity that installs and maintains the charger and pays the power company? Or does it go to the resort that presumably owns the dirt and pavement under the charging station- actually the owners- of whom at least one of whom is using the amenity.

My personal feeling is that it's correct for the resort to use the presence of level 2 (destination) chargers to add to the desirability of the resort to it's owners and those who exchange into the place.

Others are welcome to their opinions, but I look favorably on the resorts where all my needs and desires are addressed on-site, and those that chose to nickel-and-dime me over small, easily addressed issues get less of my desire to return to.

 

[dioxide45]

Then you have the issue of 'pay what, and to whom'? Commercial chargers rate can be several multiples of the going rate of the electrons. Maybe they are getting it at $.12-$.20 per kWh, and charging the user $.65 or more. Does this 3X profit go to the resort- or to the entity that installs and maintains the charger and pays the power company? Or does it go to the resort that presumably owns the dirt and pavement under the charging station- actually the owners- of whom at least one of whom is using the amenity.

My personal feeling is that it's correct for the resort to use the presence of level 2 (destination) chargers to add to the desirability of the resort to it's owners and those who exchange into the place.

Others are welcome to their opinions, but I look favorably on the resorts where all my needs and desires are addressed on-site, and those that chose to nickel-and-dime me over small, easily addressed issues get less of my desire to return to.

But the same logic could be applied to gasoline. Perhaps they could provide gas and only charge the wholesale rate instead of me having to go down the street and pay full retail. I would certainly look very favorable at a resort that provides free gas and I would be likely to return!

 

[capjak]

I drove our tesla to Marriott Lakeshore from Chicago roundtrip 3,000 miles, no issues plenty of superchargers never busy but does take extra time at each charging station. You can use an app to map the trip for more frequent stops less charging time or less stops more charging time etc...
Lakeshore has cheap charging stations that are Level 1 charges I believe like 3-4 mile. Of course there are tons of supercharger in Orlando and near by the Marriott Lakeshore. At 300+ miles of range at full charge not really much of an issue doing local driving.
Autopilot and/or FSD make the driving trip of 3,000 miles almost enjoyable.

 

[NboroGirl]

We just got back from Orlando, where we rented a Ford Mustang Mach-E. While we did not find any fast-chargers at the resorts, there were some at the Outlet Mall on Vineland Ave. We only had to use it once - the day before we left, so we could return the car with as much charge as got it with it.

 

[vail]

The problem with some people is they are so petty about everything..............