EV Public Charging Etiquette
Don’t Be “That Person” at Your Next Charging Stop
Now that electric vehicles (EVs) have broader appeal than ever, public EV charging stations are no longer the territory of early adopters. There’s no need to be intimidated, though — it simply takes practice and some common courtesy towards your fellow EV drivers.
With spotty and oftentimes unreliable infrastructure, charging an EV can be stressful, especially if you’re new. Take a look at these tips so you can charge with confidence the next time you’re running low on range.
With proper etiquette, EV charging can be easier for everyone.
Whether you’re dreading your first stop at a public EV charging station or you simply need a refresher on the dos and don’ts, the following tips will ensure a smooth EV road trip ahead.
Plan Ahead Whenever Possible
Until charging an EV is as convenient as a quick gas station stop, smart planning is essential, especially while EV road-tripping or otherwise straying far from home.
Strictly speaking, this isn’t etiquette, but you’ll be better prepared to treat your fellow EV drivers with respect, kindness, and understanding if you arrive at a charging station relaxed and confident instead of struggling with range anxiety.
On a related note, preparedness also includes being familiar with the car you’re driving. Know what kind of charger you’ll need, how long it’ll take, and how to use the charging network’s app on your phone.
If you find yourself in an unfamiliar area away from your usual charging network, try to have the app and payment set up ahead of time.
At a Glance: EV Charging Etiquette
Know Your Charging Speed
Avoid the 100% Mark
Move on You are Done
Charge it, Don’t Park it
Love the Charging Cable
Clean Your Plate
OVERALL RATING: 5/5 stars
Know Your Charging Speed
If you drive a Chevy Bolt that DC fast charges at a maximum of around 55-kW, there’s absolutely no reason to plug into a 350-kW charger. Your car’s battery will NOT juice up any quicker and you WILL irritate and annoy drivers capable of using that DC fast charge pedestal.
So, know what your vehicle’s capabilities and use the appropriate hardware.
Avoid Fast Charging to 100% Unless Ya Gotta
There are situations where this might be necessary, but they’re rare in everyday use.
Most EVs charge the quickest from 10 to 80%. Beyond this range, the speed PLUMMETS, meaning that getting the last 20% can take longer than the previous 70%.
Take my 2022 Kia EV6, for instance. In my experience, it DC fast charges from 10 to 80% in (plenty of time to use the restroom) 18 minutes. But going from 80 to 100% required 22 additional minutes (I better not be having that kind of EV road trip).
Proper EV charging etiquette means being courteous and avoiding overstaying your welcome.
Move Along, Nothing to See Here
By not moving, you’re blocking other drivers waiting to charge.
Few things are more frustrating than waiting to reenergize your EV and there’s another vehicle in the way, one that’s done charging.
Public EV Charging providers encourage you to move along by charging drivers idle fees when staying plugged in and not juicing up.
Move on down the highway as soon as you reasonably can.
It is a Charging Spot not a Parking Spot
You wouldn't pull up to a gas pump and walk away from your car for hours, would you? When you park at an EV charging station and aren't charging, that's exactly what you're doing.
It's considered very poor form to be parked at a charger when you're not charging, and it’s a massive inconvenience to other drivers.
Instead, only park at a charging station when you're actively charging and move your car off the station once your app tells you that charging is complete or you've reached your targeted level of charge.
Resist the temptation to think of an EV charger as an open parking spot.
Show the Cable Some Love
Connectors usually click into a holster on the power dispenser’s cabinet. Doing this keeps the plug end, and much of the cable, up off the ground where these parts are less likely to get dirty or damaged.
Lazily dumping the cable on the asphalt where the next person could run over is bad EV charging etiquette. That’s not good for anyone.
Leave the Charging Station Neat & Clean
With so much public negativity toward electric cars, please do not provide another reason for this attitude.
Keep the station clean by throwing away trash and leaving the area cleaner than you found it. Okay, that may be impossible, but don’t make it worse.
Be There for One Another
We're still in the early days of electric vehicles, and most EV owners are driving their first electric cars. Not everybody knows the ins and outs of every public EV charging network, has all the right apps on their phone or knows how to deal with things that aren't working right.
When you see someone struggling to charge their car, remember that you were probably once in their shoes and offer to help them out. You're stuck at the EV charging station with your own car anyway, so why not do something nice with your time?
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