Site Review: Electrify America, Panoche Shell (I-5)

The public charging infrastructure along I-5 continues to improve, and this Electrify America site in Firebaugh off the Panoche Road exit is one more piece of the puzzle. This site is hosted by a Shell gas station, and it features four Signet DC fast chargers (two 350 kW and two 150 kW units).

The strengths of this site are that it's right off of the freeway and it offers a number of travel-related services. The site fits well for trips between either the Bay Area or Sacramento and Southern California.

[Occasionalcamper]

Just drove from Stockton to Rosarito, Mexico and back for the New Year in my Bolt EV. Used this site both ways, it worked great. The whole drive was crazy easy and relaxing thanks to taking a 30-45 minute break at each charge site every 2-3hrs. GO ELECTRIC ⚡️👍

[mikecarter]

The point of the level 2 is to provide backup in case all the DCFC are down so you can get to the next site. This has happened to us at Williams, Dunnigan, Market West off 5, Cloverdale, and Vallejo. It is aggravated by EA's "1 CHAdeMO per site" policy. But sometimes we are driving CCS and all chargers will be down, like Novato. Yes, we always have a buffer but we don't like using it all up. Tomorrow the new CA charging regs are in place. Happy New Year to all CA EV drivers!

[neilmayo]

I wish the EA sites in my state(Oklahoma) would work. But most are always down.

[joedilellio]

Was just there myself on the way down. Would have hit it on the way north 'cept for that Grapevine closure. Definitely agree nice stop but do wish the Fosters was open (personal favorite).


It did seem a little sparse given highway 5. I also tend to travel off-hours so it was empty but as the word gets out I'll be a little more wary if I need to travel during normal hours. Of course if they do start installing off every exit then hell, the density is fine. I'd love to be able to really run down my charge before pulling over; more but scattered would work for me.


Edit: maybe you need to subcontract other travellers to help you do site reviews given how fast these are popping up...