The Village at Highlands Ranch

Pros

• The experience was great.
• The station wasn't crowded and the chargers were fast.
• The charging was efficient.
• The charging was fast and smooth, with no idle-time charges.
• The charging interface is the easiest among stations the user has used.
• It works great for bikes.

Cons

• The station is frequently broken and poorly maintained, especially at the busiest location.
• The busiest Electrify America station has been down for more than two weeks without repair.
• Two of the four chargers are down, and due to how the screens display availability, only two spots can be used at a time.
• The Electrify America app is buggy and unreliable.
• The network shows unavailable units far too often, indicating low uptime.
• A hefty idling fee was charged even though charging status alerts were not received.
• A Walmart van often blocks the only Chademo charger, limiting access.
• Advertised speeds (e.g., 150 kW) are not consistently delivered.
• There is frustration about the lack of ChadMeo charger mapping on Google Maps.
• The charging experience is viewed as inferior to gas in some cases.
• There is a call for standardization of EV charging connectors; the current setup is seen as fragmented.
• Three out of four charging units often don't work when users arrive, showing a high failure rate.
• It's criticized that out-of-service chargers aren't reliably marked online, wasting users' time.

Review

Charging stations across Electrify America networks continue to evoke a mix of efficient experiences and persistent headaches. On the bright side, many users report fast charging under favorable conditions, with some stations not feeling crowded and delivering solid, quick fills. A number of travelers have even described the process as "very fast and smooth," noting that the system sometimes asks if they want to be notified when the charging is complete and that those alerts work reliably. In several cases, the speed claims align with real-world results, with speeds advertised at 150 kW occasionally matching or even exceeding expectations for certain sessions. For some vehicles and trips, that combination of speed and ease translates into a pleasantly efficient stop, especially when there's a convenient location near stores or dining options.

However, the experience is far from uniform. A recurring theme is the absence or misalignment of charging standards with consumer expectations. One reviewer points out that ChaDeMo charging compatibility is not consistently reflected in Google Maps, and notes having taken photos to illustrate the discrepancy. This inconsistency in labeling and accessibility creates confusion for drivers whose vehicles rely on specific connectors. In other cases, users highlight the sheer variety of charging standards and the need for universal compatibility - something they suggest would resemble the standardized "gas pump" interface, so drivers don't have to guess which plug is right for their car, and so signage clearly communicates which cars can use which ports.

Speed claims and real-world charging rates are another flashpoint. Some listeners report 150 kW stations actually delivering well over that mark (even up to 172 kW in some instances), which amplifies the sense that EA has the potential to be a genuinely time-saving option. Yet other riders encounter the opposite effect, where advertised speeds do not materialize, or where a station's performance fluctuates over the course of a visit. The inconsistency can be frustrating for drivers who plan their days around predictable charging times, and it feeds skepticism about whether the network consistently delivers what it promises.

Maintenance and reliability remain top concerns at busy hubs. A number of reviews emphasize that "the busiest charging station" seems to be plagued by outages, with "three out of four charging units" down on arrival or long stretches of downtime reported elsewhere. Several readers say certain stations sit "down for two weeks" or longer, and there's a sense that maintenance is reactive rather than proactive. This chronic unreliability compounds the feeling that EA has yet to stabilize uptime at key locations, which in turn pushes drivers to search for alternatives or to delay trips that require a reliable charging stop.

The user experience is further hampered by hardware and software issues. Multiple accounts describe multiple chargers being unavailable, with the app or in-station displays not always reflecting reality. Some drivers report that a charger shows as available online while it is actually out of service, leading to wasted trips and wasted time. Others report that the on-site screens or the app make it difficult to start or manage sessions cleanly, and that rebooting a unit over the phone sometimes doesn't fix the problem. This atmosphere of uncertainty can erode trust in the network, especially for first-time users or those unfamiliar with EA's particular workflow.

There are notable operational anecdotes that color the overall impression. Several reviewers mention the idling or standby fees as a significant pain point, especially when charging status alerts fail to reach the user. The perception is that the system punishes users for stalled sessions that aren't their fault, simply because the charger's communication loop didn't function as intended. Conversely, there are reports of smooth experiences where the user completed a rental EV charge and avoided idle charges entirely, which reinforces the idea that the ecosystem can work well when everything is functioning correctly.

The content touches on the broader strategic and logistical concerns around charging infrastructure. Some critics call for more rapid expansion - suggesting stations every 20 miles along major corridors and near airports - so that electric vehicle rental fleets and travelers don't struggle to find a nearby plug. The frustration with a perceived lack of standardization extends into policy opinions: there's a call for universal standards to harmonize connectors and charging etiquette across networks, much like the familiar, uniform interfaces at gasoline pumps. In a world of growing EV adoption, several reviewers imply that a simpler, more predictable system would ease the transition for drivers who are new to EVs or who rely on rental fleets.

Amid the critique, there are moments of practical, positive usefulness. One practical note is that the right combination of location, timing, and a non-busy environment can yield an exceptionally smooth experience, with a straightforward charging session and a clean exit. Some reviewers praise the experience when it works: "Working great for my bike" or "charging went fast and smooth," and the preference to rely on EA when the station is functioning and well-maintained. Yet these positives are tempered by frequent caveats about reliability gaps and the sometimes inconsistent performance across the same network.

Specific location dynamics also color the narrative. The presence of vehicles like Walmart vans blocking the few available spots has been mentioned as a nuisance, underscoring how non-charging activities at the same site can impact charging availability. When a station is busy - near dining or shopping hubs - the competition for the few good spots becomes palpable, and some users propose stronger signage for vehicle types (like Chademo-only cars) to prevent confusion and improve turnover. All told, the experiences paint a picture of EA as a network with high potential, especially when the stars align on uptime, labeling, and speed; but with significant room for improvement in consistency, maintenance, and user experience across the board.

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.8 miles)
• Walgreens (1.4 miles)
• Walgreens (1.4 miles)
• Walgreens (1.9 miles)
• Walgreens (2.8 miles)
• Walgreens (3.7 miles)
• Walgreens (3.8 miles)

Restaurants

• Big Bill's New York Pizza (1.1 miles)
• McDonald's (1.1 miles)
• Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers (1.4 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (1.4 miles)
• Max Taps (2.2 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (2.2 miles)
• In-N-Out Burger (2.3 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (1.3 miles)
• Starbucks (2 miles)
• Starbucks (2.2 miles)
• Starbucks (3.7 miles)
• Starbucks (4 miles)
• Starbucks (4.6 miles)
• Black Rock Coffee Bar (5.4 miles)

Places of Worship

• Pax Christi Catholic Church (2 miles)
• Mission Hills Church (4.1 miles)
• Temple Sinai (7 miles)

Parks

• Bluffs Regional Park (2.4 miles)
• Spearwood Park (2.6 miles)
• Centennial Center Park (5.4 miles)
• Daniels Park (5.4 miles)
• Sierra Ridge Park (5.7 miles)
• Dove Ridge Park (6.2 miles)
• Rosamond Park (6.2 miles)

Physicians

• Pediatrics 5280, PC (2.5 miles)
• Kaiser Permanente (2.6 miles)
• Colorado Center For Reproductive Medicine (2.9 miles)
• Horizon Women's Care (3 miles)
• Integrated Ear Nose & Throat (3 miles)
• Inivision Sally Jobe (3 miles)
• Dr Bruce Henry Albrecht, MD (3.1 miles)

Transportation

• Arapahoe Light Rail Station (3.8 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Highlands Ranch 24 (3.8 miles)
• Alamo Drafthouse Littleton (6 miles)

Hospitals

• UCHealth Highlands Ranch Hospital (4.5 miles)
• Children's Hospital Colorado South Campus (4.8 miles)