Poor Experience with A2Z NACS -> CCS Adapter (Reddit)

Reddit:

ETA: I have reached out to A2Z as they replied to my post here. I admit I posted this in frustration at not getting any response from them for over a week after dealing with a very frustrating situation. I'll post an update and let you know how they respond to this.

Original post ->

I'm not usually one to post about negative experiences, but I've had enough with the A2Z Supercharger adapter. I have given it 10 days since my problem in order to give A2Z time enough to respond to my 2 phonecalls and one email but it's been crickets.

Not going to bore with details; I bought this adapter right after Supercharger access was opened up for Polestar 2's because I often do road trips and this seemed like an easy win, especially with Electrify America being a bit hit-or-miss. First time I used it on a trip it wasn't an issue, but did get stuck on one handle. I was able eventually to release it with re-inserting it to my car, pushing in, pressing the button on the handle and pulling it out after a little faffing around, but I just chalked it up to inexperience.

On the 14th I took my annual road trip to Detroit... second time I've used the adapter "in anger" and the experience was... less than optimal. First stop was an EA that maxed at 65kw which irritated the heck out of me so I found a Supercharger about an hour away and decided to do a partial charge and go there. Got to my second stop and used my adapter... got a full 85% (that I needed) nice and easy and went to disconnect. Cue faffing around for 10 minutes trying to release the damned adapter. Eventually it just randomly came loose... no more faffing, just suddenly it was loose again. I was irritated but decided to go on. Next stop was another Supercharger, so I knew it might be a bit risky, but there were also EA stations nearby in a crunch.

Next stop was awful. Got to 80% charge and tried to disconnect. Nothing I could do would work. Pushing, pulling, reinserting, re-ejecting... everything I had done before and it was well and truly jammed. I fought with that bastard for 30 minutes, I made calls to A2Z (whose voicemail system said they were closed for the evening). Left voicemail, fought with it some more. Finally decided instead of abandoning my adapter and leaving the SC station unusable for someone else without CCS, I grabbed my leatherman and used both the knife and screwdriver portion to open up and then completely remove the cover over the latching mechanism. Sure enough, the electric switch that's supposed to release the metal latch seems to have frozen after only 4 total uses. Once I'd gotten that pulled away from the latch I was able to pop the latch mechanism manually and go on my way.

I've since left a second voicemail with A2Z with zero response, and sent an email to their support with no response. So buyer beware; these things suck and their support is basically nonexistent for customers in North America as far as I can tell.

BTW for the record I am still able to use the adapter. I "reinstalled" the latch cover using a couple of rubber bands that allow the thing to latch, but also have enough give that even if it sticks I can lever it open a bit and the latch releases without issue. At least until I identify and purchase something that's better. It did make what should have been a nice peaceful trip far more stressful than it should have been. Love the Supercharger network, love my Polestar but I am NOT a fan of this POS adapter.

submitted by /u/Sinister_Crayon
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