My new EV came with a $500 EVgo credit. It's hard to use that credit around Berkeley: On the one…read morehand, it's clear that there are tons of drivers with credits like mine. On the other, the availability of public chargers is insufficient to meet the demand. As an experiment, I drove over to Whole Foods even though both chargers were shown as Busy on the EVgo app. I lucked out because the car at JANE was close to finishing. The driver backed out just as I was set to pull in, and I began my session with JANE. JANE worked as advertised even though I never got their pronouns (it/it?). I charged for almost a full hour and upped my range only by around 150 miles. This was a disappointment because I've been wondering whether it's possible to drive long distances, stopping off periodically for a fast charge. I was hoping for a full charge from close to zero in something like 30 minutes. It turns out that a 50kW charger is not what I need. After my charge, I got a survey from EVgo that asked about my time with JANE: "Thanks for plugging in at Whole Foods Berkeley - Telegraph with Jane. We want to make sure you have a great charging experience, so we're hoping you'll share your thoughts about your last charge with us." Usually I ignore surveys, but I made sure to fill out this one -- to let EVgo know that I am not a happy customer. I groaned when I saw the photos that EVgo uploaded to this Yelp page. The mountains in the background don't look like Berkeley. The happy humans in the photos don't remind me of the frustrated EV drivers that I saw lurking around Whole Foods. We definitely need more and better infrastructure. You might want to read the Washington Post article https://wapo.st/3RnXAen -- "A mishmash of broken chargers are endangering the electric vehicle transition -- just as it's getting started."

Needed to install a charger for a new EV, and was told by two electricians that I required more…read morerobust service, that is, a new panel, that would cost anywhere from $6 to $8 thousand, which took some of the joy of not paying $5.50 a gallon. EV Charger Expert proposed installing a smart plug that would monitor demand, and should demand overtax the existing service, throttle back demand from the car charger. That cost $1550 plus a $600 smart plug. The work was done quickly and it worked for Night One. I'm happy.

Worked with "EVCharger Expert" to install a 240V outlet for an EV charger in my garage and a…read morededicated 20A outlet for an over-the-range microwave. Overall, the job was completed successfully, passed inspection, and avoided a costly panel upgrade. But there were also a few areas where the process could have been handled more proactively. What I appreciated: * Technical expertise & cost savings: My service panel is limited (90A), and other contractors immediately suggested an expensive underground service upgrade. Kirill performed load calculation and recommended using an Emporia Pro charger with dynamic load management. That solution allowed me to safely add both the EV charging outlet and the microwave circuit without upgrading the service panel. * Permits & documentation: They provided the required licensing, insurance documentation and handled the city permitting and inspection process. The final inspection passed without issue. * Responsiveness: Communication was generally clear via email regarding quotes, scheduling, and permit updates. Where I believe the process could improve: We encountered a major obstacle when it was discovered that the crawl space was blocked by a concrete foundation wall, preventing wire routing as originally planned. Initially, there wasn't a clear alternative proposed. I ended up suggesting routing the wiring through the ceiling instead. While the team evaluated and successfully implemented that solution, I would have preferred if alternative routing strategies had been proactively identified earlier in the process. I also want to acknowledge Erin's craftsmanship. When we ultimately routed the wiring through the ceiling, he carefully navigated around existing plumbing lines and made precise cuts to minimize disruption. The finish work was clean and well executed. In the end, the installation works well, passed inspection, and achieved the primary goal of adding EV charging without a major panel upgrade. I would recommend them for homeowners with limited electrical capacity, especially if dynamic load management is needed.

Today I drove all the way from San Jose with my daughters to shop here. Hands down the best grocery…read morestore I've ever been to...beats Staff of Life in Santa Cruz and Rainbow Foods on SF which are also favorites. The quality and selection is unbeatable. I have to shop at three different ethnic stores in the South Bay to find what I need here all in one stop. Please bring a Berkeley Bowl to the South Bay! I know it's wishful thinking. I told my daughters today we will make two monthly trips for groceries here and nearby Three Stone Hearth.

It is with a heavy heart I write this: On Monday, April 27 I shopped at Berkeley Bowl West. I…read more spent over $300... On Wednesday, April 30, I unwrapped the cheddar cheese and it was moldy. See photos. The next day I was going to serve the cherries I bought there and enough of those were spoiled that I had to throw THEM away! Today 5/4 the THREE Containers of Desert Jewels Grape tomatoes are unusable for salads or salsa. So disappointing .....

As I drove up I was thinking this can't be right, then I turned right and saw the Tesla's lined up…read more I'd say if you must come, let it be in the daytime! Also, the charging cable was on the ground so I wasn't sure it would work but it did. I tried to hang it back up but it wouldn't. Also, as I'm looking to my right I see EVGo!

We were there today…read more The chargers worked great, we got nearly 300 miles on our model s in the hour we were there. The chargers are a little off to the side, I'd be hesitant to stop at night, esp alone. Amongst other shops, there a TJs, a Ross, a Marshall's, an Old Navy, a ToGos, a Starbucks, a Burger King. Chipotle is being constructed, and there is a diner across the street. There were a couple of unhoused people, they didn't make me uncomfortable.

Great location, great staff, very cool cars for low price. I got one!…read more Lots to do in the area, and test driving without an appointment was no problem. I was treated with respect and really like how these cars look and drive.

My girlfriend and I walked in off the street as we were curious About this new WV manufacturer…read more Upon entering the salesman was very standoffish. Like he didn't want to help us. They had a vehicle in the showroom, however it was locked. When we asked if we could check out the inside, he told us that that one was not available for purchase and they just needed one to sit inside the showroom. My opinion that's not very smart to have a product that you can't show. When we asked if they had any that they could show us, he said the best he could do is we'd have to schedule a test drive. I'm already in town, I don't live in Berkeley, so makes no sense for me to have to go home and drive back on a different day. Horrible customer service, and I will not be even considering this product. If you are in the market for a vinbas, I highly recommend you choose another dealer than the Berkeley one.

I do recall charging at this location in the dim past, but I haven't noticed a working unoccupied…read morecharger at this Whole Foods in the last year and a half (any possibly longer). The EVgo App shows an unnamed level 2 charger that has been offline basically forever, plus two 50 kW chargers, one of which (HOLLY) has also been offline basically forever. The charger that does work -- OSCAR -- has a single CCS Combo cable that's typically occupied nonstop as well as a CHAdeMO cable that would be of no help to me (and is usually occupied anyway). More generally, at least half of the chargers at any EVgo location seem to be offline at any given time. For example, consider the current situation at El Cerrito Del Norte Plaza: OKSSANNA has an offline left side cable and currently a working unoccupied right side cable (yay!) FREDDIE and KAMAL are both offline LIZ and MONTY are both online and busy Thus there are five chargers (with ten cables), 2 1/2 of which are offline. Four of the five working cables are busy. If I were traveling somewhere and wanted to plan a stop along I-80, I'd be reluctant to choose any EVgo locations in the East Bay: it's not fun to have to wait for a charge in the middle of a trip.

Hard to use. Confusing and unclear instructions. Cut off after 15 minutes when it said I was on for…read morean hour session. Came back and didn't have enough juice to make an important meeting. Also charges an obscene $1 per kWh! This company is a joke.

Luke in Amazon Returns deserves a Medal of Honor for his exceptional service on so many levels!!…read more His patience, helpfulness, positivity and genuine kindness so were very much appreciated and so rare in today's cultural experience. Thank you Luke! You're a STAR!!

I came to grab some fruits, specifically pineapples. It was nicely cut and ready to eat. I was in…read moreand out within few minutes. All good. I came around 12:31pm, it was crowded. Folks buying lunch and grocery. When I am in town, I come here to grab some fruits or other ready to eat foods.

Another new East Bay supercharger! We're so lucky compared to our neighbors in SoCal…read more Have to do angle back-in parking, but that shouldn't be difficult at all with those side repeater backup cameras with software version 2020.24.6.4! Glorious! Got consistently 65 kW after driving here with 54% charge. Pretty chill location with lots of shops nearby in the plaza, including TJ's! 14 connectors with 72 kW max charging speed. Location opened July 3, 2020. Stay safe out there!

Supercharging stations need bathrooms! We pay top dollar to drive the Tesla. Without free…read moreSupercharging, the price of charging is actually higher than gas! Can't Elon Musk install bathrooms at every Super chargibg station? I had to walk a half mile to find a bathroom at Target. This is unacceptable