Episode 4: Road Test: DC Fast Charging | Real-World EV Charging for Fleet Drivers

DC fast charging is supposed to make electric vehicles practical for long-distance driving — but does it actually deliver the speed, reliability, and value fleets are paying for? In this episode of Road Test, Colin takes the VW ID. Buzz on a real-world road trip from North Carolina to Orlando, Florida, putting DC fast charging infrastructure to the test along the way. From charging costs and session times to app reliability and navigation accuracy, this episode documents what fleet drivers really experience on the road. You’ll see: - Actual DC fast charging costs ($0.56/kWh, $20.44 per session) - Real charging times (22–45 minutes per stop) - How much range you really get for the money - Why seven different charging apps are still a major pain point - One of the best public charging locations we’ve seen — with multiple networks in one place - Where EV navigation apps fail, including routing drivers to closed dealerships - How drivers can improve reliability by validating charger data before arrival This isn’t lab testing or marketing claims — it’s real-world fleet feedback from the road. If you’re planning EV adoption, managing an electric fleet, or evaluating DC fast charging infrastructure, this episode delivers proof, not promises. 🔌 Topics covered: - DC fast charging performance - EV charging economics vs gas vehicles - Charging infrastructure reliability - Public charging networks (ChargePoint, Electrify America, Blink, EVgo) - EV route planning and navigation issues - What fleets need to know before scaling EVs 👉 Subscribe to B2X News for real-world testing of fleet technology, EV infrastructure, telematics, dash cams, and asset tracking. 00:00 Welcome to Road Test: Proof, Not Promises 00:39 Road Trip Setup: North Carolina to Orlando 00:54 Why DC Fast Charging Needs Real Testing 01:26 Planning the Route With EV Apps 01:37 Drive Time vs Charging Time Expectations 02:00 Charging Strategy & Battery Comfort Levels 02:53 Are DC Fast Chargers Worth the Cost? 03:07 Breaking Down the Charging Receipt 03:21 Charging Time, Cost, and kWh Explained 03:33 Comparing EV Charging Costs to Gas Vehicles 04:33 Final Stop Before Orlando 04:55 The Best EV Charging Location We’ve Seen 05:12 Multiple Charging Networks in One Place 06:16 Why EV Drivers Need So Many Charging Apps 06:42 App Discounts vs Tap-to-Pay Simplicity 07:11 Final Charging Session on the Route 07:56 Arriving in Orlando: Overall Experience 08:06 What Worked Well With DC Fast Charging 08:45 Why EV Navigation Apps Still Fail 09:17 Being Routed to Closed Dealerships 09:35 The Problem With Outdated Charging Data 09:46 How to Find Reliable DC Fast Chargers 10:36 Final Takeaways on DC Fast Charging 10:45 What’s Next on Road Test