Palm Desert Spring 2 - Electric Car Charging Stations

[Jwerking]

Visit to resort from Dec 17-31 and rented a Tesla. I see that there are two banks of charging stations at Desert Springs 2 complex - is there ever a problem with getting a charging station? Is there a fee for using the charging station?

We are 2 seniors and 3 forty yr olds - so prefer quiet with a nice view. Any suggestions on what building or unit to request would be appreciated.

Thanks for any comments.

 

[DRH90277]

I suggest you call the resort as they will know. I suspect they will have a charger but it will likely be a slow universal charger and you will need an adaptor for a Tesla. Inquire about a "Supercharger" in the area as you can charge up in 30 minutes.

I own a Tesla and after my experience view it as more of a commuter vehicle due to the lack of handy Supercharger locations. Many owners have a home charger and can plug the charger in every day or so overnight - this is slow but ok for commuting. The safe range on my Tesla is about 270 miles. Please note that if you run down the battery, you will need to call a flat bed tow truck to transport the vehicle to a charger - very unforgiving.

If I were you, I would change the reservation to a gas powered vehicle. Who wants to worry about hunting down Supercharger locations or waiting for a slow charge maybe requiring an adaptor (that may or may not be with the rental car)?

Good luck and do have fun.

Hopefully, other Tesla owners will chime in with better news for you (and for me).

 

[dioxide45]

We've been there during slow season and there were always a lot of empty EV charging spots. There are several sets of them spread around the resort, so finding some place to plug in probably won't be an issue.

 

[cp73]

I stayed in DSV 2 last week for 4 nights. There are two locations of chargers in DSV 2 plus one more at DSV 1. I recall at least 8-10 chargers at each location. At most I saw 2 chargers being used at one time. Very few cars charging. Also the charging is free. Over the last few years some times they charge and sometimes they dont. Not sure what the logic is. But its an outside operator of the units.

 

[cp73]

Also I noted they are level 2 chargers. This charges around 30 miles per hour. My daughter used it last April. From that trip we learned you should charge it up on your first night. If something comes up and you have to leave you want your car ready to go. Our grandson got sick the first night and had to go home that next morning. My daughter had to partially charge the car enough to get home. Fortunately an hours worth of charging got her home plus the leftovers.

 

[Steve Fatula]

They work great, used them last February when we drove there from Oklahoma. When we were there, all of them required paying except 1 charger we found that did not require paying, you can guess which one we used. Only one day was that one in use (other than me). So, not an issue. They are in fact J-1772 chargers. For the most part, speed is irrelevant as you have all night to charge of course. The provider is EV Connect. Quite a few were broken when we were there but still, there is no issue with availability.

There is also a free CCS fast charger in Palm Desert near city hall run by Chargepoint. As mentioned, you'll need adapter to use any I mentioned. As the rental place if they might provide any, I've seen that done before.

There's also some outlets in the garage near the activity center, 110v so super slow. A few days to charge to full but if you're not driving too much it will stay ahead of your usage. I use that in Branson Willow Ridge.

 

[Fallenone]

We were at DSV I last summer and charging was no issue at all. We have sold all gas cars in our house and rent a Tesla as long as they are available when road-tripping to the destination takes more than a day. Never had an issue with range. We do check if the places we stay have chargers and prefer to stay at those that do. But even if they don't, Superchargers are very reliable.

 

[Jwerking]

Thank you everyone for the comments - very much appreciated. But after some thought, I decided to cancel the Tesla and just go with a gas car. Did not want to take the time or worry about finding a charger for topping up for our planned day trip to Joshua NP. Also, there are 5 adults and we may not all fit comfortably for a day trip. So just rented an SUV so I don't need to worry about adequate space or charging. It was also $300 cheaper for the 2 weeks - but with the price of gas in CA - there may not be much savings.

Wanted to give the Tesla a try - but just too worrisome esp during the Xmas holidays.

 

[Steve Fatula]

Thank you everyone for the comments - very much appreciated. But after some thought, I decided to cancel the Tesla and just go with a gas car. Did not want to take the time or worry about finding a charger for topping up for our planned day trip to Joshua NP. Also, there are 5 adults and we may not all fit comfortably for a day trip. So just rented an SUV so I don't need to worry about adequate space or charging. It was also $300 cheaper for the 2 weeks - but with the price of gas in CA - there may not be much savings.

Wanted to give the Tesla a try - but just too worrisome esp during the Xmas holidays.

If you don't own a EV, and esp. if you follow news, completely get it. It's going to take a lot to get people to change for the most part, if they ever will. I don't even know I have an EV as it's simply a car to me.

5 people is a lot though for a Tesla.

 

[Fallenone]

If you don't own a EV, and esp. if you follow news, completely get it. It's going to take a lot to get people to change for the most part, if they ever will. I don't even know I have an EV as it's simply a car to me.

5 people is a lot though for a Tesla.

5 adults in a Model 3 will feel quite cramped indeed. Model Y would be a little better.

 

[jpa2825]

Does anyone have a map of DSV and DSVII showing where the EV chargers are? We were thinking of requesting Jasmine Court at DSVII but if there are no EV chargers there (which I suspect there aren't), that may change our thinking. Also, not being able to easily walk from Jasmine Court over to the rest of DSVII (I think you have to walk across golf course and they definitely do not recommend that) makes it even less likely.

 

[kiko412]

jpa2825, here you go:

 

[jpa2825]

jpa2825, here you go:

Much appreciated. Looks like chargers near 11 & 3 in DSVII and between Bldgs I and J in DSV. I recall those chargers in DSV during prior visits (I have driven an EV for about 10 yrs.) but you don't pay as much attention if you are not renting an EV for that specific trip.

 

[DRH90277]

jpa2825, here you go:

Now, how about sharing the distance from the resort to the nearest "Super Charger" location. Some may not want to charge all night or watch and wait several hours.

 

[kiko412]

Now, how about sharing the distance from the resort to the nearest "Super Charger" location. Some may not want to charge all night or watch and wait several hours.

The question I was replying to was to where the nearest "EV charger" was. I even provided the resort map that I had. I'm only sharing the information I had at hand. How about you Google Map the distance from whichever resort you will be at to the nearest "Supercharger" and share the result also. You can even figure out walking distance if you like. Or, to quote your post, call the resort to find out. I'm sure their agents reside in the area and/or have knowledge of one and can point you in the right direction.

 

[kiko412]

JPA2825, you're welcome!

 

[dioxide45]

Now, how about sharing the distance from the resort to the nearest "Super Charger" location. Some may not want to charge all night or watch and wait several hours.

There is also a thing called Google.

 

[jpa2825]

Plugshare App is your best ally here. It appears closest L3 charger is at the Hampton Inn by I-10, but there is only 1. There are others nearby with varying success according to their check-ins.