Broadly speaking, EV charging etiquette refers to a set of charging guidelines and expectations for drivers that ensure stations remain accessible and available for everyone. Whether you already drive an EV, are considering making the switch, or just want to learn more, understanding the basics can help you avoid conflict and facilitate a smoother charging experience for everyone. Here are five best EV charging practices to be mindful of:
Move Vehicle When Finished Charging
Once your EV is charged, simply end the session and move to a new parking space without a charger. This helps keep stations available for those who need a charge, allowing more drivers a chance to recharge when they need to. Additionally, moving your car when finished charging will help you avoid paying idle fees. Most EV charger operators impose idle fees to prevent drivers from hogging stations. The penalty price may vary by operator, but typically, drivers will be granted a grace period to move their car. However, once this grace period is up, a time-based incremental fee will likely be imposed on the driver. So, avoid overstaying at charging stations to bypass extra fees and to allow more drivers to fill up when they need to.
Don’t Obstruct Charging Ports from Other Users
Park respectfully. Avoid blocking other stations or ports with your vehicle while charging. Many stations feature dual ports, allowing two users to charge simultaneously from the same charger. Parking organization usually ensures the station is accessible to both vehicles when occupying adjacent spaces; however, certain spots may be harder to reach than others. If this is the case, position your vehicle so that both ports remain easily accessible.
Fill Up Only How Much You Need
Try charging only when necessary and limit your charging to the amount required to get to your next planned charge. If your vehicle has enough battery to safely reach your destination and next charging station, consider postponing your charge to ensure others with greater charging needs can fill up. Additionally, avoid charging past 80% when possible. Filling up the final 20% of your battery can take just as long as charging from 0% to 80%, so be conscious of how long your charge will take, especially if others are queued to charge. For most drivers, completely charging your EV is rarely necessary. It’s often only necessary when driving for a prolonged period or to an area where charging solutions may be limited.
Park in EV Charging Spots Only When Actively Charging
Only park in charging spaces while your vehicle is actively charging. Just because the parking spot is reserved for EVs does not mean you should park there if you won’t be using the station. Be respectful of other drivers who need to charge. However, some EV-designated spots may not have chargers and should be utilized in accordance with any other parking guidelines.
Replace Charging Port and Cable When Finished
Once the charge is complete, replace the charger in the holster. This helps prevent damage to the hardware and ensures the station is operational for the next driver. Additionally, ensure the cable is not left in the parking spot; this may mean wrapping the cord around the charger or simply recoiling it. Depending on the charger hardware, this step may look different.
Think of EV stations like gas pumps; you wouldn’t leave the nozzle and hose on the ground for others to run over. Instead, it’s etiquette to replace them. Keeping the chargers and area around them clean and tidy can help deter vandalism and avoid accidental damage to the equipment.
Chargie is Here to Help
As EV drivers ourselves, we know what it’s like to charge and own one. That’s why we are working to make filling your vehicle as easy as charging your phone, because that’s how we want it to be. Following EV charging etiquette can help us achieve this goal by providing a smoother and easier charging experience for all EV drivers and assuring stations remain functional and undamaged. Want to learn more? Connect with one of our EV charging experts today.
