[z-cam]

>Can we please just get a state government to start installing charging stations in all public lots so these charging companies have to give up their dreams of being a monopoly?

Completely agree that the "sign up and use our app" approach is insufferable. But asking your state to build all the infrastructure doesn't solve the problem. Your state is not going to (a) manufacture charging stations or (b) build the software/payment interfaces needed to manage them. What you're proposing would have the gov sole-source from one of these "apps". Instead of letting the the market determine who can build the best user experience, you would be giving one company (probably ChargePoint) a government-granted monopoly.

[placatedmayhem]

Or maybe we simply legislate that any charger take card payments? That would allow competition in the market to continue while also providing accessibility to the general populace.