Steps to set up apps and free EVGo charging for new bz4X owners
You get 1 year of free charging on EVGo public network from Toyota if you buy or lease:
https://support.toyota.com/s/a…X-Charging?language=en_US
This was not simple, and I did not find any easy to follow steps when I did a google search. In case anyone else is looking for the steps, this is what worked for me on my newly leased bz4X today with my iPhone:
Toyota app: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/toyota/id1455685357
EVGo app: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/evgo-ev-chargers/id1281660968
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Install EVGo app and register for an account if you don't have one already. Use the same email for your Toyota account in step 2.
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Install Toyota app, register for account, and then add car. It will ask you to scan the VIN or enter it manually. I did the scan, it worked.
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The Toyota app will further ask you to scan a QR code from the infotainment screen. Tap the 'Get Started' button on the infotainment screen and enter your phone number. This will text you a link to the toyota app and only then will it show you the QR code.
Note: If you don't see the "Get Started" button, go to the gear icon at bottom left of screen, click on Personal Info and then reset settings. This may be because the dealer or a customer who did the test drives had set up their phone earlier, you want to delete that anyway. After this, if you start the car again, you should see a welcome screen to select the language and then enter your phone number as described in step 3 above.
4. Once you have added the car to your Toyota app on your phone, in that app, click "find stations" and then select any EVGo station (you can filter by tapping "Partners". Once you select a EVGo station, it will show you a "Register" button on the bottom. Click on it and link the accounts to complete the free charging registration.
5. In the EVGo app, you can again add your car by scanning the VIN. Once added, go to the "autocharge+" section and it will ask you if you want to enroll. After selecting yes, it will say that this will be completed after the first time you try to charge at an EVGo fast charger.
6. Once you are the EVGo station, open the Toyota app and select the name of the specific charger (there will be a big sticker with a name on the charger). Then select Start Charging. In the EVGo app, it will show you that autocharge+ is getting activated but this can take a couple of minutes. In my case, I got an email that this was successful after about 2-3 minutes. But the charging did not start - there was some error displayed on the charger screen. I had to unplug and try again a couple of times before it worked.
Note: to unplug, you have unlock the car (using keyfob) and then press and hold down the big button on the charger nozzle as you pull it out.
7. After charging is complete or when you want to stop charging, I didn't see any way to stop from the Toyota app or the EVGo app. Only on the physical EVGo charger screen I was able to find (after some fiddling) a STOP button. You won't be able to pull out the plug unless you stop charging first. If anyone has some other simpler way to do this, please chime in.
Obviously this is from a new owner experience. I wish this could be simpler. I didn't find an easy way to stop the charge at 80% (need to read the manual). I didn't find any history of the charge start and end levels in the Toyota or the EVGo app (The EVGo app only shows duration, kwh delivered, and cost=$0). That kind of charge level history could be useful. If you have tips for a better charging experience, please share!